Page 150 of Bae

Was I ready to go in, to face the past and the future all in one single moment?

Romeo was standing right beside me. He leaned over and wrapped his hand around the doorknob. I took a breath and nodded. The door swung in.

It felt like my heart caved in a little at the first sight of the room. I recalled what it had been before its glory now—a mostly empty space with a chair, a few stuffed toys, and a crib. This room always seemed cold to me. Empty. Sad.

It wasn’t sad anymore. It was absolutely perfect.

In keeping with the house, the walls were light gray, soothing and soft, perfect for a sleepy baby. The hardwood floors were covered with two large area rugs, one patterned white and gray beneath the brand-new black crib, and a yellow one that looked like a cloud in the center of the room.

The wall behind the crib had a white stencil design, and in the center was a large, yellow wooden B. Everything was done in white and gray, but there were lots of yellow accents. The windows were draped with beautiful curtains, and the rocking chair was inviting.

No detail was left unattended. Valerie’s stamp was everywhere.

Almost shy, I stepped into the room as my eyes roamed. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered to Romeo, glancing over my shoulder to see if he approved.

He gave me an ornery smile. “My mother wouldn’t settle for anything less than the best.”

I giggled. He was so right. She was so smitten with the baby in my arms. I didn’t go a single day without seeing her in the four days since he’d been born. In fact, she’d probably be here later.

Rocking a little as I walked, I noted the closet, which was organized and stocked. There were even some blue outfits hanging among the mostly green and yellow I’d chosen before I knew he was a he.

“I don’t know how they got all this done in four days.” I was in awe.

“My mother and Ivy?” Romeo scoffed. “I’m surprised the whole house isn’t redone.”

I had to agree. I pivoted, noting the yellow dresser against the wall, and froze. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I wandered closer. My eyes never once left the picture sitting in a silver frame.

It was the only picture we had of Evie, her first and last sonogram.

They framed it. Added it to this room.

A sob caught in my throat as I stared at the tiny image. It was so fitting she was in here.

Romeo wrapped his arms around us from behind, his chin settling on my shoulder. “Feels right.”

“Yes,” I murmured. “It does.” A tear slid down my cheek, but I didn’t brush it away. I didn’t have to. It was okay to cry about Evie. It was okay to be sad. It was also okay to be happy.

Life wasn’t just any one thing. It was a combination… a melting pot of emotions, a mix of salty and sweet.

“You’re being greedy,” Romeo whispered. With one hand wrapped around me, he caressed the top of Blue’s head with the other.

“He looks like you,” I told him.

“My genes are more dominant,” he declared, matter-of-fact.

I turned in his arm. “Is that so?”

“The proof is right there in your arms.”

Well, I couldn’t argue with that, now could I?

Romeo leaned forward, hugged us both against him, and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “It came true,” he whispered.

“What?”

“The wish I made right before he was born.”

I tipped up my head to look at him. He held his arms out for our son. Gently, I handed the bundled baby over, taking care to cradle his head.

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