My Lucky Catch (University Park #6) (31 page)

“Okay.” Nevara’s eyes lit up when she saw Chloe’s face. “That’s my baby cousin.” She pointed her little finger and swayed to the side.

I laughed. “She sure is.”

“I wanna play with her.” Nevara pulled on one of her braids, excitement brewing in her smile.

Luke knelt next to her. “Right now, she’s too little. But once she gets bigger, you’ll be able to play dolls with her.”

“Okay, Uncle Luke.” Nevara ran to her dad, hiding behind his leg.

Nevara’s twin brother, Jonah, whined and pointed to himself. “No baby. I’m the baby”

“Jonah, this is Luke and Delaney’s baby. Momma’s not taking her home.” Lexi tried to soothe her son, but he continued to cry. “Raven, will you please get him?”

“Jonah, stop crying.” Raven picked up his son. “You’re a big boy, now. Big boys don’t cry.”

“Daddy, daddy, me, too. Me, too.” Nevara waved her hands in the air, bouncing on the tips of her toes.

Luke turned to me, and said, “I guess this is what we have to look forward to.”.

“I know.” I fretted because I was a little nervous about being a mom, but the smile on Luke’s face told me that I had nothing to worry about. “Yep.” Raven laughed, swooping up Nevara with one arm. “Be glad you only have one.”

“I’ll thank God for that.” Luke released a breath and sat next to me on the hospital bed. I nodded in agreement, knowing Lexi and Raven had their hands full.

“It’s a lot of work.” Lexi rocked the baby in arms. “But when you see your eyes in your child and your husband’s smile in their tiny lips, it melts your heart.”

“It’s tough in the beginning, but I guarantee you, every cry, every tantrum, ever dirty diaper, it’s definitely worth it,” Raven added.

“It sure is.” Lexi cooed at Chloe. “I miss the kids being this little.”

“Don’t get any ideas, please.” Raven sighed like he was a little worn out. But with twins, who could blame him?

“I’m not, trust me. I’m satisfied with our twins.” Turning to me, she said, “Two years flies by fast, so take lots of photos and enjoy every day with her.”

“I will.” I took Chloe from Lexi’s arms. Our bundle of joy had definitely been an unplanned surprise. A month after Luke and I returned from our wedding in Las Vegas, I found out I was pregnant. The doctor told me the antibiotics I had taken a few weeks before the wedding because of a sinus infection had made the pill ineffective. At first, Luke and I were unsure if were ready to be parents, but as soon as we saw our baby on the screen and heard her heartbeat for the first time, everything changed.

“I still can’t believe I’m a dad.” Luke admired his daughter with goo goo eyes.

“Well, I guess,
What happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas
,” Lexi joked.

Luke rolled his eyes. “Okay, Sis. You got me on that one.”

“Just paying you back, Brother.”

Raven and I looked at both of them, unsure of what they were talking about. Luke must have caught on because a few seconds later he said, “When Lexi told me she was pregnant with the twins, I teased her that what happened in South Padre Island, didn’t stay in Padre.”

“Oh.” Raven titled his head up. “Isn’t that the truth?”

“That’s so wrong Luke.” I elbowed him in the ribs. “Lexi, you never told me that he told you that.”

“Sorry, I guess I forgot.”

It felt so good to have my good friend there with me. Lexi understood why I avoided her, and we had a good, long talk after Luke and I got back together. It might have taken me a while, but I had finally found that peaceful place. The place that allowed me to forgive and move on with my life. It wasn’t easy, and it took the help of my therapist and a support group I attended, but I eventually got there. Having Luke by my side actually made it possible, because through all the ups and downs, I relied on him for the support. And he was there for me just like he’d promised me he would be.

My phone chimed, and I craned my neck to see who was texting. Luke picked up my phone and read the message on the screen. “It’s Jordan. Her and Forbes promise they’ll see us this weekend.”

“Can you text her and say,
Okay
?”

Luke nodded and quickly tapped out a text.

“I’ll make sure and send her a few photos of the baby.” Lexi caught another snap with her phone.

“Thanks.” I pressed my lips to Chloe’s temple, unable to get enough her sweet, baby smell.

“Are you ready to go, Raven?” Lexi placed her handbag on her shoulder. For having two kids, Lexi looked great. I hoped it wouldn’t take me long to get back in shape, but knowing Luke, he’d be busting my butt in the gym as soon as the doctor gave me the okay. Regardless, having this beautiful baby in my arms was totally worth it.

“If you are.” He shifted the kids as they rested their heads on his chest.

“We’ll leave so you can rest.” Lexi leaned over the bed and placed a soft kiss on the baby’s head. “The kids need a nap, too.”

“Okay.” We grabbed each other’s hands for a moment. “Thanks for coming in town to see us. How long are y’all staying?”

“I’m staying for the week, but Raven has to fly back tonight for practice tomorrow morning.”

“Sorry, I wish I could stay longer.” He gave a warm smile. “But duty calls.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Luke got up and patted him on the back. “We all have to work.”

“Tell your cousin bye,” Raven prompted my niece and nephew.

“Lexi, where are you staying?” Luke asked.

“Mom and Dad’s place.” Lexi said in a low voice.

Luke’s eyes widened. “Good luck with that.”

“I know, don’t remind me.” Lexi took Jonah from Raven’s arms. “Mom insisted. She said she wanted to spend more time with the kids.”

“Kind of hard to believe, but I guess she’s trying to make it up to you.” Luke shrugged and then hugged his sister.

“I know.” Lexi hugged him back. “I’ll see you guys before I head back to New Orleans.”

“Okay.” Luke nodded.

“Bye.” Lexi, Raven, and the kids waved as they left my hospital room.

Luke’s phone chimed, and he pulled it from his pocket. He stared at the screen for a few minutes before dropping his hand. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. It’s my parents. They want to know if they can come and see the baby again.”

“It’s fine.” I wrapped the blanket tighter around Chloe, listening to her sweet little breaths. “Did you tell them we’re supposed to get dismissed this evening?”

“I’ll let them know. They might want to come by the house if we aren’t here. Are you okay with that?

“Sure, that’s fine.”

It took me several months after Olivia was released from prison to talk to her. I figured since Luke and I were married and having a baby, I needed to do my part and accept her apology. I didn’t want to explain to our daughter why I didn’t want anything to do with her grandmother. Luke and I agreed that one day we’d tell her because we didn’t want her finding out on her own.

Forgiving Olivia wasn’t an easy pill to swallow, but I can honestly say that she was doing everything to prove she was worthy of my forgiveness. The time Olivia had served in a Houston prison had definitely rehabilitated her. The too-good-for-anyone attitude, along with the rude and uncalled for remarks, had disappeared. She went out of her way to give Luke and me a baby shower and claimed she was excited about us having a baby. And seeing her daily posts on Facebook, along with the flowers and gifts, I believed it.

“They’ll be here around four.” Luke said, setting his phone on the bed tray next to me.

“Okay.”

A knock sounded at the door. “Come in.” We said in unison.

The door cracked open, and Veronica peeped her head into the room. “Are you sleeping?”

“No.” I glanced up. “Lexi and Raven just left with the kids.”

“Do you want us to come back another time?”

“Don’t be silly, Mom.” A huge smile spread across Veronica’s face. “You and Dad can come in.”

Along with the forgiveness came another revelation. Accepting Veronica and Martin as my new parents and calling them Mom and Dad. I’d never had a problem referring to them as my parents, but I could never say the words. It felt like I was abandoning my biological parents and dishonoring them, when in reality the only people I was dishonoring were Veronica and Martin. I needed to recognize them for what they were to me.

“Where’s my precious grandbaby?” Dad said as he walked into my room.

“Do you want to hold her?”

“You bet I do.” He held out his arms, and I handed Chloe to him. Mom followed him to a chair and helped him get situated. “Has she eaten?”

“She nursed about an hour ago.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. Feeding her every two to three hours was doing a number on my boobs. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to nurse, but I’d do my best.

I grabbed the handrails and tried to move my body, but cringed when a streak of pain shot through my crotch. Luke immediately extended a hand and helped me sit up. I had planned on having a C-section, but Chloe had different plans and was born in just two hours. I didn’t even have time for an epidural.

“Is she latching on or having problems?” Mom asked.

“She’s doing great. It’s me that’s having a hard time.” I shot my mom a wide-eyed look.

“Just give it some time. I read that ice packs and lanolin cream help. In fact, I brought you some, along with a few other things you might need.” She handed me a Target sack filled with lots of goodies.

“Thanks.” Even though Veronica had never had a baby of her own, she had done her homework. Subscribing to baby Websites and reading magazines, she kept me abreast of everything she read and made recommendations. She was the best mother, ever.

“You’re welcome.” She studied Chloe’s face. “I see Luke’s nose and lips and the shape and color of your eyes.”

“You think so?” I asked, still trying to get comfortable in the hospital bed.

“I definitely see Luke,” Dad said.

Luke stepped closer to them and peered over Dad’s arms. “I can’t tell who she looks like.”

“You can’t?” Mom asked, taking another look at our daughter.

Luke turned his head, trying to get a better glimpse. “No, but I guess that’s because she’s still too new to tell.”

“Give it time.” Mom smiled.  “A baby’s features can change constantly.”

“They sure can,” I informed him.

“As long as she’s healthy, I don’t care who she looks like.” Luke patted my dad on the shoulder.

“Exactly.” Dad cooed at the baby. “She’s pretty either way. Isn’t that right, my baby girl? Grandpa’s going to buy you a pony and whatever else you want.”

My heart soared seeing my parents and Luke smile at Chloe. Through all the pain and heart ache I’d endured growing up, I never imaged it would turn out so sweet. I knew Veronica and Martin would love Chloe endlessly. Luke’s parents would do the same, and I promised to give them every opportunity to do so. I also promised to be the best mom I could be to Chloe. Seeing the love in Luke’s eyes for his daughter told me he’d be an awesome father.

Thinking of how things could’ve turned out, I thanked God I’d finally learned how to forgive. Deciding to let go of the sadness and hurt allowed me to step into a life that was full of happiness. But that was only possible by facing the tough issues that had tried to destroy me my entire life.

Meeting Luke was no fluke, and I knew that now. Hooking up with him and discovering his mother had caused my parents’ accident was all part of the plan. The bigger plan which I didn’t understand, and still don’t at times. But one thing is certain. I know for a fact that Luke is definitely
My Lucky Catch
.

About the Author

CM Doporto

Born and raised in the United States of America in the great state of Texas, CM Doporto resides there with her husband, son, and daughter enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua and several fish. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, where she is associated with the Young Adult Special Interest Chapter. To learn more about her upcoming books, visit
www.cmdoporto.com
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Other Books by

CM Doporto

YOUNG ADULT

The Eslite Chronicles

The Eslites (short story prequel)

The Eslites, The Arrival

The Eslites, Out of This World (Summer 2016)

NEW ADULT

The Natalie Vega Saga