Page 66 of The Ties That Bind
“It meant so much that you were able to share this moment with me,” Brie said as she hugged her parents.
“It will go down as one of the greatest days of my life, Brianna,” her dad answered.
Brie hugged him again with tears in her eyes.
Her mother couldn’t resist giving her one last peck on the cheek before she left. “The best decision we ever made was moving to California so we didn’t miss this.”
After they left, Brie let out a long sigh.
“What’s wrong, babygirl?”
She looked up at him and confessed, “I miss Hope.”
“You’re in luck,” he said with a wink. “Unc should be here shortly.”
“Really?”
“I’ve missed our little girl, too,” he admitted, laying Anthony back in her arms. “Our family doesn’t feel complete without Hope.”
Brie cuddled Anthony against her, murmuring happily, “I couldn’t agree more, Sir.”
Complete
“Sweet pea!” Brie cried, thrilled beyond words to see her daughter when Mr. Reynolds carried Hope into the hospital room.
As soon as Hope saw her mother, her entire face lit up and she struggled in Mr. Reynold’s arms, wanting to get down.
“She definitely missed her mama,” he laughed, quickly walking to the bed.
Brie grabbed Hope in a hug, kissing her all over. “Oh, how Mommy missed you!”
Hope giggled and then suddenly stopped when she saw Sir holding the baby. She pointed at him and started bouncing excitedly.
Sir brought Anthony over, leaning in so Hope could get her first look at her brother. “Little angel, you have a baby brother to look after now,” he told her.
Hope stared at the baby in silence, then looked at Brie.
“That’s your little brother Anthony,” Brie said encouragingly, pronouncing his name slowly for her.
“An-ta-nee?”
Brie nodded. When Hope reached out to touch his cheek, Brie held her breath. Anthony stared transfixed at his sister as if he already knew her.
It was such a sweet moment, it made Brie teary. When she looked up and saw Sir’s tender smile, it completely stole her breath away.
This is the most beautiful moment of my life…
Mr. Reynolds stood back, looking at them with an expression of profound love. Here was the man who had taken on the role of caregiver to Sir all those years ago. By Sir’s own admission, he had not been an easy child to live with after his father died, but Mr. Reynolds remained patient and loved Thane throughout those difficult years.
Mr. Reynolds had also hired Brie after she’d graduated from college, when she was in desperate need of a job to cover her rent. It was in that tiny tobacco shop that she’d first met Sir.
In a true sense, Mr. Reynolds helped create the family they were now.
“Thank you,” Brie told him with a full heart.
He smiled, shaking his head. “No need to thank me. I was happy to come as soon as Thane called. Hope shouldn’t miss this chance to meet her little brother.”
“I don’t mean just that. You have done so much for me all these years…” Brie was suddenly so overcome with emotion she choked on the rest of her words.
