Page 51 of Learn the Play
“Unfortunately, I did.” Reid grins. He parks the wagon next to the gift table that’s overflowing and doesn’t even bother to unload it. “Where’s the birthday boy?” he calls out.
Baker comes walking out of the kitchen with Camden on his hip, wearing a T-shirt that readsBirthday Boy. “Bud, you want to go see Uncle Reid?” he asks Camden, who’s already leaning toward Reid to take him from his daddy’s arms.
I stand and watch as the man, who’s the father of my unborn child, loves on one of his best friends' son, the one he refers to as his nephew. This is what our child will get—a loving, fun father who wants to be present.
He’s definitely not my father.
“Hey,” Rowan says, stopping next to me. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m good for now. Thanks, though.” I look around the room. “Where’s his mom?” I ask, keeping my voice low, just between us.
“She’s on a shoot in Paris. She claims she’ll celebrate with him when she gets home.”
“She took a shoot, knowing it was his first birthday?” I ask. I don’t know why I’m surprised. My dad used to do the same thing, and my birthday wasn’t even during the season. He didn’t care about what was going on in our world, but my mom was there for every moment.
“Yep,” Rowan says.
“Damn, poor little guy. Now, I’m glad that Reid went all out with the gifts, even if he’ll never remember.” I chuckle.
“It wasn’t just Reid. Did you see that gift table? All the guys went overboard. I asked Landry what he was thinking about getting him so I could pick it up, and he assured me it was handled. Then, today, he comes walking up the basement stairs with more bags than I was expecting.”
“We brought a wagon,” I tell her, laughing.
“Are you talking about how over the top they all are?” Corie asks as she and Sloane join us.
“We are.” I nod.
“It’s ridiculous and charming at the same time,” Sloane says, smiling.
“Are those Baker’s parents?” I ask.
“Yeah, they’re in from out of town. They still live in Philadelphia,” Corie explains.
Knox is now the one holding Camden, and he gives him up easily when his grandma comes to get him. Baker calls out that it’s time to eat, and the kitchen is a flurry of activity as everyone makes their plates. Reid sits next to me, with his hand on my thigh, as we eat, talk, and laugh with everyone.
Camden handles the first few gifts well, but he quickly moves on and just wants to play with a bag and a bow. Baker and his mom help him with the rest, while we girls take lots of pictures to give to Baker. I make a mental note to tell him how great a job he’s doing. These men are proving what Reid was trying so hard for me to understand when we first reconnected. Their jobs do not define them, and they should not be held accountable for someone else’s decisions. Baker Sinclair is a single dad, and he’s killing it. I know from experience that Camden will see that as he gets older. He’s lucky to have his dad in his corner.
“I think it’s time for a nap,” Baker says, when Camden becomes fussier.
“I’ll take him,” his mom offers, but Camden only wants his daddy. Baker smiles softly as he turns to head down the hall to put his son down for a nap.
“You ready for all of this?” Reid asks, stepping up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
Placing my hands over his, I reply, “Yeah, I think I am. You?”
“I can’t fucking wait, Bell.” He kisses my cheek, and again, he steals another piece of my heart. We stand together, wrapped up in one another, just enjoying the day. Our child will have this love and this giant support system, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. I’m truly ready to see where this next chapter leads us. I’m pushing my fears aside and living for the here and now.
“This was a terrible idea,” I say, as I race around the kitchen in the condo I’m now sharing with Reid, trying to make sure everything is perfect. We had food brought in. I wanted to cook, but Reid insisted that I be able to relax. There is no relaxing. I need it to be perfect because any minute now, my mom and his parents are going to be here. They’re going to meet for the first time, and we’re telling them together that we’re pregnant. We went back and forth on inviting my dad, and decided not to. He’s been an ass to Reid, and well, he and I are still estranged, so Reid came up with the idea that I could meet him one day after practice, and we’d tell him. I’m dreading that more than I am today. Not because I’m worried about what my father thinks, but I’m certain he’s going to take his frustration with me and our relationship out on Reid.
“Bell, it’s going to be fine. Come here.” He snags me around the waist and pulls me into his chest. I wrap my arms around him and let the steady rhythm of his breathing ground me. “Today’s just a formality. We need to tell our parents about the baby and make introductions. It doesn’t change us. No matter what happens today, which will be nothing bad, but no matter what the result is, it’s still the three of us. Our own little family. Everything looks perfect, because you’ve thought of every little detail.”
“I want your parents to like me.”
“They’re going to love you. Trust me.”
“Are you worried about my mom?” I ask, tilting my head back to peer up at him.
“No. I mean, sure, I’d love for her to approve of me, but nothing she can say, nothing any of them can say, will change what’s going on right here.” He taps his hand over his heart. “You and this baby are my family. Nothing is ever going to change that.”
