Page 89 of Secret Baby Next Door
“Do you still want to do that? I mean, I'm all for her getting some consequences for what she did. But it might be tough for all of us. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I don’t give a damn about her coming back. Gage deserves stability, not a loser, deadbeat mom who ran off because she thought the job was too hard. That... thatbitch.”
There was venom on my words. Valentino must’ve sensed it, reaching over and taking my hand.
“Sorry,” I said, shaking my head.
“Don’t need to apologize to me. You did the single mother thing, and I’m going to bet that you never once thought of giving Maddie up.”
“It’s unthinkable. I had some hard times with her, sure, but that’s part of being a mom. For every rough day, there were a hundred wonderful ones. I just can’t wrap my head around the selfishness of someone who would do something like that.”
“And that’s proof you’re a good mom.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “But it doesn’t matter, right? Ashley’s already made her desire not to be a mom very, very clear.”
“Yep. Gage is in a loving home, and I'm going to make damn sure, in the courts, if necessary, that no son of mine has to deal with a mother who abandons him whenever she feels like it. But... there’s still the matter of us. You don’t need to feel obligated to raise a child that’s not yours.”
“Are you crazy? That’s Maddie’s brother! Of course, I’m going to help. I may not be his biological mom, but that little sweetie’s going to get more love from me than he knows what to do with.”
He took my hand again, the warm smile on his face making it certain that he was happy with what he’d heard.
“There’s still legal stuff to deal with,” he said. “Then the matter of what to do if Ashley does come back...”
“Right. But we’re going to deal with that together. That’s what people in love do, right?”
He smiled. “Yeah. That’s what people in love do.”
The rest of the morning passed, Valentino taking care of Gage when he woke up, along with me handling Maddie as we readied for the party. She was so excited for the day ahead that she could hardly stay still enough for me to get her into her adorable little summer dress. The excitement was more than mutual. After all, she was going to receive the best gift a little girl could possibly receive—a loving, complete family.
Britt, her husband, and Noah were the first guests to arrive, showing up around two. John and Karen were next, Maddie’s grandparents doting on her and Gage the second they stepped into the house. Needless to say, once they’d gotten over the shock of it all, they were thrilled that their son had gifted them with not one, buttwograndchildren.
Veronica and her husband, Shane, along with their two gorgeous daughters Margaret and Summer, arrived next. Maddie had already met her cousins once before, but this meeting was special—not only was Maddie getting a new family, but Margaret and Summer were getting a new cousin. Greta and her partner Fran came next, and before we knew it, the backyard was alive with fun and family.
Fireworks started from us and the rest of the city, whizzes and bangs and pops sounding out here and there from our backyard and in the distance. Valentino and John manned the grill, passing out brats and burgers and chicken. Maddie was in heaven, splashing in the pool with her cousins and Noah, along with a few friends from Aurora who’d managed to make the drive to our place.
I couldn’t get over how wonderful it all was. Maddie had completed my life in a way that I'd never thought possible but having her father in the picture, along withhisfamily, somehow made it all even more complete, more perfect than I ever could imagine.
“You ready for this?” Valentino asked. “It’s six.”
My stomach tightened in anticipation. We’d spread the word to the adults beforehand that the birthday cake would be the time we’d announce the big news to Maddie. When the hour arrived, Valentino and I headed into the house, taking her Fourth of July-themed birthday ice cream cake out of the freezer and carrying it out.
The Happy Birthday song started as soon as we stepped onto the patio, all of the guests singing along as we brought a cake topped with five candles out for an extremely excited Maddie seated in the primo seat at the end of the table. Gage was in the second seat of honor on his Grandpa John’s lap, a big, happy smile on his face as he took it all in.
Valentino set the cake down, the frosting on top reading, “Happy Birthday, from Mom and Dad.” She moved her eyes over the words, a touch of confusion appearing on her face.
“Mom... andDad?”
All eyes were on Valentino as he squatted down next to Maddie.
“That’s right, Maddie. I’m your dad.”
She whipped her gaze to him, an expression of total shock appearing. For a moment, I wasn’t quite sure how she was going to react.
The smile that broke out across her face put my worries to rest.
“You’remy daddy! That...” she focused, realizing what it all meant. “That means Gage is my brother! And Margaret and Summer are...”
“Your cousins,” Greta added with a smile.
“Right! And John and Karen are grandpa and grandma!” she looked around, taking it all in, making the connections. “And you’re my family!”
