Page 119 of Walk on the Wilder Side

“And miss seeing you the day you got home, darling? Never.”

“You love me. You love me like Jamie loves Claire.” Doris sniffled. “I can’t believe you love me like Jamie loves Claire.”

Axel furrowed his silver brow. “I have no idea what that means, but I love you like crazy, Doris. And I’d do anything for you. Even come to a big city so I can get you back in my arms.”

“Oh, Axel,” she swooned.

They kissed again, and my heart swelled to bursting as Tom slipped an arm around my shoulder and squeezed.

“Sylvie? You made it?” Blake’s voice interrupted our happy reunion, and I spun to see him standing in the hallway wearing a blue hospital coverup.

“Blake! I’m here!” I raced over and hugged him, squeezing him tight and thanking him profusely for taking such good care of my baby girl.

“She’s going to be so excited you’re here. She really wanted her mom to be here for her.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “Can I see her now?”

He nodded. “Follow me.”

He didn’t move nearly fast enough as I followed him down the hallway to her room, and when he opened the door and I saw my baby girl lying in the hospital bed, I erupted into tears.

“Rachel! I’m so sorry I wasn’t here!” I flew to her side and took her hand in mind, kissing the back of it. “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“I’m okay, Mom. I’m just so glad you’re here. I’m so sorry I ruined your trip.”

“Never,” I said. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but at your side. I’m so sorry we didn’t get those extra couple weeks to get you prepared for the baby. I had so much shopping to do.”

“Guess you’ll have to stick around for a while afterward and help me get settled.”

“Of course, baby. I’m here as long as you need me.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“How’s my girl?” Tom asked as he stepped into the room.

“Fine,” we both answered at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed.

Tom chuckled then came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. “I’m so glad your mom could get here in time. I’m new to this whole father thing, and I have no idea what to do in these situations.”

“You were perfect, Dad,” she said, and hearing her call him that made my heart flutter like it always did.

After all these years, we finally got to be a family. And now, after today, our family was going to be a little bit bigger.

“Can we see her quick?” Doris’s voice called from the hallway.

“Are all the Wilder Widows here?” Rachel asked.

“Yep. We all made it together.”

Rachel smiled a tired smile. “Send them in.”

One by one, the three Widows tip-toed into the room, each coming up to give Rachel their best wishes and a hug. When Marge got there, Rachel recoiled and said, “Whoa! Marge! What the hell happened to your head?”

“Surfboard. Kangaroo. Doris. Tree.”

Rachel tipped her head. “I’m gonna need to hear this whole story.”

Marge grinned. “It’s a doozy.”

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