“We’re also damn competitive and often take being told ‘no’ as a reason to start negotiating. So, I’ll admit I saw an opening for something I’ve wanted for well over a decade and tried my damndest to get it.” The tears fall, and she wipes them as she continues. “Even with being competitive and out of touch, I would have never set you up for this. Wes hid that side of him well. I know it doesn’t change the outcome, but I didn’t know you and Beau were still together when I told Wes about you. I thought you’d ran off–never to be seen again—and Beau was just carrying a torch for you.”
She looks off for a beat and wipes her eyes, but I know she has more to say. Us women are wired to ramble, and while she would have lost a man’s attention a long time ago, Heaven and I stare at her to see where she’s going.
“Sara was my best friend, and so was Beau, by extension. I saw his heartache first hand and would never put him through that kind of debilitating pain again. Ever. But even without Beau, I’d never wish the kind of evil Wes was on you or any woman. Congratulations on your baby and marriage. I know how I feel may not mean anything to you, but I’m sorry for having any role in this.”
She stands and looks at Beau. “I’ve accepted a position in New Hampshire. I’m officially out of your life for good.”
The four of us sit in silence as Emma disappears farther into the hospital. Axel is the first to break the silence.
“Well, at least there’s a cap to her crazy.”
We all nod but Heaven opts to top Axel’s observation. “At least she apologized. Allie would never…”
I sneak a peek at Axel. He throws his blond head back and laughs. Once he sobers he shakes his head at Heaven. “I would say ‘too soon,’ but fuck, that was funny.”
“You two are terrible,” Beau laughs as he walks behind the person assigned to take me to the car. “But I think we’re all surprised by the apology. I’ve been in law for a long time and apologies are few and far between. I just hope she means it.”
Beau
It’s been a few months,and we are settling into our new normal. For now, we’re at the mansion, but we have a new place under construction. It’ll be a perfect blend of remote like the beach house and close to everything like the penthouse. The funniest part of the whole move is our seasonal neighbor. Once we confirmed Axel as our son’s godfather, he took the title ultra-seriously and purchased the home next door. Heaven and Celeste laughed at the ‘extra-ness’ of rich men, but I’m glad my boy can visit his godfather without going far.
“Ouch,” Celeste whines with her head in my lap. She’s curled in the fetal position as another contraction makes her cringe in pain.
“You’re doing great, baby,” I encourage her as I rub her lower back.
I hate that she's hurting, but I can’t do anything about it, not even empathize. I don’t know what it’s like to be in this kind of pain. She wants to deliver naturally, and this is an unfortunate part of it.
Our moms hover nearby, looking for signs that it’s time to go to the hospital. They told her first-time mothers can take many hours to dilate, and it was her choice to do this in the comfort of her home or get trapped in the hospital.
I kiss her forehead when she relaxes. Her hazel eyes look weary, but the knowledge that we’ll be meeting our son soon still gives her the strength to smile. Soon after, another contraction has her crying out in pain. A glimpse at the clock confirms that it's time.
Scooping her up. I carry her to the SUV where my dad was waiting with our mothers hot on my heels with her packed bags. Brett appears just in time to give us a fast escort to the hospital. We’re momentarily separated as the nurses rush her in, and I take care of the paperwork. My adrenaline is pumping and my mind keeps running back to Celeste knowing she’s looking for me. After a few minutes, I give the forms to our moms. Between the two of them, they should be able to answer any more questions about my and Celeste’s family history.
Running, I find my way up the hallway where a nurse has me wash my hands.
“Beau! There you are!” she cries when I enter.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I promise her as I take my place.
“Fuck, this hurts!” she yells when a contraction hits.
Her doctor is in place checking her out. “Okay, Mrs. Scott, push on the next contraction.
* * *
Celeste
Relief followed by unimaginable joy. That’s the best way to describe how I felt when I delivered our son. My eyes filled with tears that I continued to blink away so I could have an unobstructed view of my heart. He’s perfect.
Things are a little less hectic now that I’m in my room. Beau holds our sleeping son, staring down at him as if he’ll disappear if he looks away. I’ve never felt such completeness.
Our loved ones have filtered in in small groups. The grandparents were the first set, followed by Ernest and Trudy. Flowers and bears fill the room. I take the moment to soak up the love I feel from Beau and our baby. My need to breastfeed cleared the room, and now that we're done with the lesson, Axel, Heaven, and Brett join us.
Brett, still in uniform, washes his hands only to finger wave at the baby. He refuses to hold anything as small as a newborn. That’s fine because Axel is going above and beyond as a baby hog. He’d even nudged his wife with his elbow when Heaven tried to get a turn.
“Be nice, Axel, or I’ll change his name.”
Axel’s blue eyes light up at the mention of the baby’s name. “What is it, my favorite woman in the world?”
