Page 78 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
“What are you doing?” he asks. He looks at me curiously but stays by the door frame.
“Um, I was waiting for my boyfriend,” I smile teasingly.
“Me?” He walks in further, the door closing behind him.
“I didn’t say I was waiting foryou. I’m waiting for myotherboyfriend. You know, the old man who wears a hairpiece.”
“Very funny, sweetheart,” Nash chuckles. He starts moving a lot faster, and I jump up from the chair and shriek. I do a little halfhearted running around the office before Nash scoops me up in his arms.
“Nash!” He pulls me into his chest, cuddling me. One of the great things about loving such a big man is how small he makes me feel when he carries me in his arms. I’m literally like a person-bundle.
“I’m going to have so much fun,” Nash begins, but he isn’t able to finish his sentence because we’re interrupted by a baby’s wail from outside. We both look towards the hall, rendered silent for a second before laughing again.
“I think we’ll need to hold off on whatever fun you were planning.”
“I think you’re right. Baby Bree calls when Baby Breewantsto call.” Nash sets me down and we both head upstairs to our daughter’s room. By the time we get to her, she’s stopped wailing and has gone back to sleep.
We look into her crib, Nash carefully swiping the downy hair from her face. She’s as peaceful as an angel, her tiny fists curled up right next to her head. I rub her back gently, and bring her blankie up to her waist.
Since Bree’s gone back to sleep, we decide to leave her alone, grateful for the temporary peace and quiet.
Once we’re out of the nursery, we head to our bedroom.
“I wonder what woke her up?” I ask.
“Maybe she was having a particularly exciting dream,” Nash says wryly.
“Maybe, but I don’t mind. I’ll take any opportunity to go and look at my little girl. I’ve only known her for a year, but she’s the most important person in my life next to Madison and Mackenzie.”
After all, when I told Nash I was pregnant, he was overjoyed. After my confrontation with Brian, we decided that we wanted to try and have our own child. Everything was out in the open, and the two of us had committed to one another. Our lives had finally begun, and we were ready to move onto the next phase.
And then, about a year later, our dreams came true. Our baby was born, and everything fell into place. Even if Bree can be the most demanding little tyrant, she still deserves all the love that we can give her.
Plus, she has the best support system a girl could have. There’s me and her daddy; Colt and Amy, who have their own little bundle of joy now; and Vivica, Madison, and Mackenzie. We’re one big happy family.
The only person missing is Brian. After the truth came out about his misdeeds, Nash and Colt decided to press charges. We ended up avoiding a trial because my brother pled guilty. I have a feeling that Brian’s actually starting to feel genuine remorse for the things he’s done, but one small act isn’t enough to wipe away his sins from my mind.
But still, I feel bad that Brian’s in jail. He and I have been alone in the world for so long, that it feels strange to have him in the slammer. Nonetheless, I feel like it’s the best place for him. It’s the first real consequence he’s had to face, and maybe going through this hard time on his own will teach him a lesson.
Not to mention there’s also an excellent on-site rehab in his correctional facility. I think once Brian has detoxed, and his mind is clear, he’ll be able to see how he’s gone so wrong in so many ways.
Maybe then I’ll be able to visit him. So far, it’s only been a couple of letters back and forth.
We get into the bedroom, and Nash and I get into the bed together, lying next to one another.
“Do you want to take Bree to hang out with Riley next weekend?” Nash asks, referring to Colt and Amy’s little girl.
“I don’t think we’ll have time. Remember, it’s Madison’s birthday next weekend. But Amy and Colt are supposed to be there, so I’m assuming Riley will come too.”
Ever since Amy had her baby, and I’ve had mine, it’s been harder to see each other as regularly. But every so often the four of us get together to socialize, and we’ll bring our daughters to play with one another.
There are also times when we get together, just the four adults. Our last big to-do was at Amy and Colt’s wedding. Colt proposed right before Amy gave birth, and they had their wedding a few months after Riley came into the world, so that their daughter could be in all the wedding photos. I just have to say that that little girl was absolutely adorable in her frilly white dress. She was probably the only one able to upstage her momma.
“Right, right,” Nash nods. “I’m going to have Brenda pick up a gift. Madison is into ponies now?”
“Yes, but promise me you won’t buy her one. You’re always going too far with your gifts.”
Nash feigns surprise.
