Page 75 of Samuel
We’d had the chat about what he was going to call everyone and Frankie had been adamant that my mum and dad were going to be Grandma and Grandpa, as he already had a Nanna and a Grandad. I had to admit it had made me feel a little emotional that he wanted to acknowledge them as his grandparents and I knew my mum and dad would probably burst with fucking pride when he did. They obviously knew we were visiting, but I hadn’t mentioned Frankie’s decision on their names, so I couldn’t wait to see the look on their faces. I’d also discovered his love of the comedy that my brother was obsessed with; more proof that Frankie truly was a Cooper.
As we approached the house, the front door was swung open and Mum and Dad came barrelling out like two eager puppies let outside for the first time.
“Hey Mum,” I said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
“Oh Sam,” she whispered. “He’s adorable.”
Pushing me to one side, she moved to stand in front of Frankie, a hand going to her mouth as he thrust out the flowers to her.
“These are for you, Grandma.” His voice was a little shaky, but I could see he was trying to act confident.
“Oh my goodness.” Mum took the flowers and bent down to pull Frankie into a tight hug. She held him for what was probably too long and I was worried she’d cut off his air supply.
“Mum.” I leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Let him breathe.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, letting him go. “I’m just so excited to meet you.”
Frankie gave her a huge toothy smile and then looked up at my dad. “Hi Grandpa.”
Dad, who always held it together, pulled in a sharp, almost inaudible gasp. “Hi Frankie,” he replied, and held a hand out to my son. Frankie looked at it, but moved away from Mum and wrapped his arms around dad’s waist and hugged him.
Everybody felt the emotion that was hanging in the air and we all stood silently watching as my parents pulled their grandson into a three-way hug.
I felt for Maisie’s hand and linked my fingers with hers, rubbing my thumb along her wrist. Her brown eyes softened as they found mine and my heart fucking ached in my chest for what I wanted, what I could have had for so damn long. I reached up and brushed her hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her skin.
“Don’t say anything,” she said softly. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
My shoulders dropped as regret once more weighed them down. “They’re so happy to have him here.”
“I know.” She glanced over at my mum and dad and I could see remorse in her own expression.
“Hey, this is all on me.”
“Should I have pushed you more?” she asked.
“It wouldn’t have made any difference, I was a prick.”
Maisie laughed softly but didn’t disagree, but she didn’t need to say anything, I knew exactly what I’d been.
As we watched the scene in front of us, Elijah and Amy appeared in the doorway and smiled at us both. Elijah came over and leaned in to kiss Maisie’s cheek.
“Nice to see you again, Maisie.”
“You too. It’s all a bit surreal, but I think Frankie is enjoying the attention.” She looked over at my parents and grinned.
“He looks just like you,” Eli said, nudging me. “Fucking hell, one of you is bad enough.”
“You Cooper boys certainly know how to produce beautiful children.” Amy had joined us with Bella in her arms. “Hi Maisie, it’s been a long time.”
Maisie nodded and went to move closer to Amy, but I kept a firm grip on her hand.
“It has. Lovely to see you and who is this little beauty?” she asked, using her free hand to tickle Bella under the chin.
“This is Bella. Say hello, Bella.”
Bella leaned forward and squeezing Maisie’s face between her tiny hands, kissed her smack on the lips. We all started to laugh and Bella tilted her head to one side, enjoying the attention.
“I Bella,” she said. “You come play with my Barbie with me?”
