Not asking for permission, I unfasten the stroller's straps and snuggle Coral. “I miss Cam being this small,” I tell Bellamy.
“She’s grown so much already. It hurts my heart,” she says, smiling. “I’m supposed to go back to work on Monday.”
“Supposed to?” I ask, settling Coral in the crook of my arm.
“My bosses, the Riggins family, have been incredible. I love working for them. They make you feel like you’re a part of their family, but…” Her gaze softens as she reaches over and runs her hand over Coral’s tiny hand. “I have my own family now. Not that they won’t always be special to me, but I don’t want to miss it, you know?”
My chest squeezes. Bellamy is an incredible mother. Not because she wants to quit her job to raise her child. There’s nothing wrong with both parents having a career. However, she wants that time with her child. From the longing on her face, she craves it. That’s what makes her an incredible mother.
“You thinking about not going back?”
“I am, but I’m still so conflicted. Reid tells me to do what makes me happy. My mom is all lined up to babysit for us, and my dad even offered to take a day or two a week during the off-season, if you can believe that.” She laughs.
“I can, actually. He’s one proud dad and grandad,” I tell her.
“Yeah, things are… better between us.” She gets a forlorn look on her face before bringing her gaze to mine. “I don’t know how she does it,” she whispers. “She’s missing so much.”
“That’s on her, right?” I ask, even though it’s not a question. None of us are responsible for Natasha’s actions, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.
“She’ll regret it one day, and I don’t want to have any regrets, you know?”
“Do what makes you happy. You can have a career and be a damn good mother, Bellamy.”
Tears shimmer in her eyes. “I know, and I love what I do. I love the company and the people, but I love her more.” Her eyes move to where Reid and Camden are sliding down the big-kid slide, as I like to call it. “Both of them. I fought this connection I had with Reid for so long. I hate that I did, and now that we’re building this life together, I just want to nurture it, you know?”
“I think you’ve made your choice.” I smile at her.
She nods. “Yeah, I have.” She blows her bangs out of her eyes and shakes her head. “Okay, enough about me. That little man of yours is about to have a birthday. What can I do? The girls and I are all in for whatever you need. We meant to tell you that last weekend when we were all at Landry and Rowan’s, but we forgot.”
“Two,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s so hard to believe he’s been here for two years.”
“Time flies.” She smiles softly.
“That it does. So, his mom has him on his actual birthday. I’m tempted just to plan the party then, but it’ll be just my luck that’s the week she’ll actually show up for him.” Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone. “Training camp will be in full swing on his actual birthday, so I was thinking two weeks from now. The week before training camp.”
“Perfect. What do you need?”
“Nothing big, just the gang, and I’ll order a cake, and I don’t know. On his first birthday, I went all out with the ‘first down and one’ theme. Do I need a theme for this one, as well? I don’t know what I’m doing, Bellamy. I suck at this.”
“Hey.” She gently swats at my arm, mindful that I’m holding her daughter. “You’ve never had to do this. You don’t suck at it, and we’re all here to help. Now, do you want a theme?”
“Yeah, I mean, I guess we should,” I tell her. “He’s really into trucks and cars right now, too,” I tell her. “And he still loves football.” I can’t help but grin.
“Perfect. Can we do our thing? And by 'we,' I mean Corie, Rowan, Sloane, Amanda, and me. Will your parents be there?”
“No, they’re on a summer cruise and won’t be back until the end of August. And yeah, you can, I mean, if you don’t mind.” Lifting, I pull my wallet out of my shorts pocket and hand her a credit card. “Go crazy.”
She grins. “You sure you trust me with this?” she teases.
“Do your worst.” I chuckle, just as Reid and Camden come racing toward us. Camden is on Reid’s hip, giggling as he bounces.
“Baby!” He points to Coral. Reid places him on the bench next to me, and he sits with his back straight against the backrest, his legs pressed together before patting his lap, then holding out his arms. “Baby.”
“You have to be gentle,” I remind him. I kneel before him and place Coral in his arms. Bellamy leans in close to offer Camden support on the bench.
“Wove baby.” Camden smiles.
“Yeah?” Reid asks. “Maybe he needs a little brother or sister,” he mumbles under his breath.
