The man takes a few pictures, looks at his camera, then says, “That’s perfect, thank you. Now just mommy and baby.”
I’m a bit confused by the comment and stand frozen in place. Nancy pushes me forward with Gracie on my hip. The photographer places his camera and instructs me to smile. On autopilot, I do as asked and smile, looking down at Gracie as she giggles while playing with my hair.
“Beautiful. Thank you again. Enjoy the game.” He smiles and goes back to taking pictures of the players and other families around.
I’m still a little shocked as I take my seat between Nancy and Aubrey. “I should have corrected him. Now people will think I’m her mom,” I mumble more to myself than anyone else.
“It’s okay, love. I’m sure Greyson won’t be upset by the mistake. And it most likely will happen often with how much time you three spend together,” Nancy says, patting my thigh before she takes Gracie from my arms and rubs her nose against Little Tulip’s.
“It just doesn’t seem fair to claim being her mother when there’s a chance people who do know her real mom see that picture. It feels a bit disrespectful,” I say, biting my lip.
“But you didn’t claim to be her mom, and from what I’ve seen so far, you’ve never made it seem that way, either. It was an honest mistake on the photographer’s part. Not yours. Anyway, I’m sure once they figure it out, they will correct it,” Aubrey tries to reassure me.
She always has such a delicate, soothing voice, just like Morgan, but Brey’s is always so peaceful, even when she’s emotional. When she says something, you’re drawn to listen.
We watch the game play out, and I have to admit, the boys are seriously impressive. Greyson, Clay, and Silas are really a power trio. I understand why Shane always puts them together on the starting line. They work so well and communicate without even looking at each other. It’s as if they always know what the other will do or where they’ll be.
I look over to the players’ bench, where Shane is talking into a player’s ear. He suddenly looks up my way and smiles, then his eyes fall on Aubrey, who’s also watching him. His features turn into something I could only describe as infatuation.
She mouths a“thank you”with that same look in her eyes. He smiles lovingly and places his hand over his heart.
Aubrey looks down at her lap and pushes her hair behind her ear, smiling to herself timidly as her cheeks take on a pink shade. But Shane doesn’t look away immediately. Instead, he watches her with longing before reluctantly turning back to his job.
I wonder how long it will take them to admit their feelings for each other.It’s clear as day, but both live in denial of their emotions.I don’t get it.I feel like their love story will be one in the making for a long time before they finally give in. But once they do, it will be explosive.I can’t wait to see it happen.
“So how are you feeling? Regarding the gift,” I ask Brey quietly, not to gain her parents’ attention.
She peeks over at me, then back down to her hands. “I don’t know. I don’t understand why he would send me such a gift. He must have paid a fortune for that ticket…” she whispers.
“He likes you, baby Brey. It’s obvious to anyone who can see. And we all know you like him too, even if you keep saying otherwise. So what’s the deal?”
“I don’t get why he’d be into me. He’s so much older and good-looking. I’m so young and just… me. Plus I'm super inexperienced; he’ll probably change his mind once he discovers that. What thirty-six-year-old successful man wants to be witha twenty-three-year-old virgin dropout?” She shakes her head with an annoyed look.
“Aubrey, you’re beautiful, smart, and so talented. You’re extremely mature for your age, anyone can see that. So what if you’re young and inexperienced? I’m sure Shane doesn’t care about that in the least. And even if he did, the heart wants what the heart wants.”
She smiles softly, then finally looks up at me. “Like you and my brother?”
“Uh… I’m not touching that subject.” I giggle and play with my hair.
“You know, normally I’d tell you Grey is not the guy you want to have feelings for, but I see the way you two are together. He’s different with you. It’s not a match I would have necessarily predicted, but now I see it under a new light, and I think you could be happy together.”
“I don’t know. It’s too soon and complicated to even think that way.”
“Well, maybe just keep an open mind about it. I wouldn’t mind having you as my sister.” She bumps her shoulder into mine with a chuckle.
~ Two Days Later ~
The plane ride home didn’t go as smoothly as the first. I'm notsure if Little Tulip could sense her dad was missing or if she was just in a cranky mood, but she cried most of the way, no matter how much Aubrey and I tried to soothe her. Thank God it was only a two-hour flight.
Today isn’t any better. Gracie is still in a fussy mood. She isn’t eating much or drinking either, and I’m getting a bit worried. It’s why I called Cece over, hoping she might know what’s wrong.
“I’m here. Where’s the little princess?” she says as she walks through the door with Dante.
“I just put her down in her swing, but she hasn’t lasted longer than thirty minutes without waking up crying. It’s been like that since yesterday. She doesn’t seem to have a fever, but she’s irritated and has hardly taken anything I give to her,” I inform her as we walk over to the sleeping little flower.
Cecilia lets go of Dante’s hand and lets him wander over to the toys we have set aside while she crouches down in front of Gracie. She caresses her red cheeks, then pulls down her bottom lip tentatively and smiles. “I think this little one is teething.”
“Really? That’s why she’s been so moody?” I ask, a little shocked. I completely forgot babies go through this.Now I just feel stupid.
