Page 80 of Bound by Love
The aircraft did not appear to be done as it began another pass under the heart. It started with a vertical line as it slowly created a letter. As it buzzed back and forth, Brie said, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if it was writing the word ‘HOPE’?”
“I believe it is,” Sir stated as the plane curved to finish the letter ‘P’.
Brie looked at Rytsar, smiling. “Did you do this?”
He shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I want the world to know Hope is here?”
Before it was done, the plane had made another heart underneath her name. Brie took several pictures of Rytsar holding the baby with the skywriting in the background. “This makes me so very happy,” she told him, hugging Rytsar while he held the baby.
“A memory for us to look back on,” Rytsar told her. He looked down at Hope. “And one we will share with you when you are older,moye solntse.”
Sir held up his phone, telling Rytsar, “And I have it recorded for posterity, including what you just said to her.”
They returned to their place under the tent and Brie sat back down on the lounger, with Rytsar laying Hope on her chest. As she listened to the gentle waves with her eyes closed, she was overwhelmed with a feeling of completeness. “I don’t think it gets any better than this.”
“Nyet.”
“I can imagine doing this every weekend,” she murmured.
“Yes, it would be nice,” Sir agreed.
Rytsar sat up. “Make it so, comrade. You are welcome any time.”
Sir chuckled. “It would not be practical.”
Rytsar lay back down. “Still, you should consider it…”
A few hours later, the beach was crowded with people waiting for the guests of honor to arrive. Brie had purposely told the Reynolds to come a half hour later to make sure everyone was present to surprise them.
Rytsar took Hope from her so she could meet them up front with Sir. As Brie approached his aunt and uncle, she experienced a momentary feeling of queasiness—coming face-to-face with Lilly’s baby. Sir must have had a similar feeling, because he squeezed her hand tightly.
Sir’s aunt and uncle were positively beaming as they walked up to present their baby boy to them. “This is our son, Jonathan,” Mr. Reynolds said proudly.
Brie looked down at the little boy and instantly relaxed. Although he had some facial characteristics of his mother and grandmother, the boy had gentle eyes. He seemed fascinated by Sir and reached up, staring intently at him.
Sir took the boy from Judy. Since Jonathan was several months older than Hope, he was able to hold himself up and play with Sir’s chin, apparently liking the feel of his five o’clock shadow. When Sir glanced at Brie, she read the relief in his eyes.
“Congratulations. He’s a handsome boy,” Sir told them proudly.
“Jonathan is absolutely adorable,” Brie agreed. “You must be so happy to finally have him safe in your arms.”
“I was worried there for a bit when it seemed to drag on forever,” Judy admitted.
“I never doubted we would get custody,” Mr. Reynolds told Brie. “We’re family, and we have the means and the desire to be good parents to this boy.”
Sir handed the boy back to Judy and put his hand on his uncle’s shoulder. “He’s where he belongs.”
Judy asked her husband, “Do you mind grabbing the diaper bag and Hope’s gift?”
Brie laughed. “There was no need to get her another gift, Aunt Judy. You were so generous at the baby shower.”
“Nonsense, we never got to celebrate with you, and a little girl can never have enough dresses.”
Brie wrapped an arm around her aunt as they made their way toward the beach.
“Wow, that’s quite the turnout, Thane,” Mr. Reynolds said, clearly impressed.
“Yes, a lot of people came to celebrate,” Brie agreed.
