Rendezvous (25 page)

She doesn’t say anything else as the tears run down her face. She just lifts her hair off of her neck as I clasp the pearls around it. When she picks her head up and turns to face me, I damn near lose it. There is something about seeing a treasure that belonged to my mother, wrapped around the neck of girl that I love, that just sets me off. Aggie was right. Bentley is my forever and I’ll spend a lifetime making her believe it if I have to.

I watch as she runs her fingers across the pearls and traces the twin hearts. These hearts remind me of both her and me, entwined and fated to be forever together, and if separated, it would destroy them. It is the perfect way to let her know how much I love her, and how amazing of a mother I think she’s going to be.

Today will be perfect. We are bringing our baby girl home in just a few short minutes, and we will be introducing her to a family who will love and protect her unconditionally. It’s one thing I know without a doubt. After so many months of Bentley living with her fears and doubts, she is finally ready for this.

I’ve known a lot of happy moments with Bentley, but for the first time, I know what it’s like to feel complete. I watch as she wraps Audrey Iliana up, placing a tiny knit hat over the full head of darkened hair already framing her tiny face. She isn’t even two days old and yet she already had us both wrapped around her tiny little fingers. She is so beautiful, and from the first time she looked up at me, and I stared into her twinkling sapphire eyes, I’ve been completely enchanted.

We decided to wait until we got home to announce her to everyone. As of this moment, she is simply baby Reece. Everyone is waiting for our arrival as we pull into the drive. I know Maddie, Andy, Mrs. Anders, and my aunt hauled ass to throw together a homecoming. I had been so busy with the wedding that I never took the time to make up the nursery. It was on our list to do after the wedding since we weren’t going on a honeymoon until after the birth. With her going into labor early, the room was still empty.

Everyone pulled together to get it done. Bentley doesn’t know yet, but that nursery she was checking out in the catalog is now sitting upstairs in the room next to our own. I have an idea of what I’m walking into, but Bentley has no idea whatsoever. I never expected the overwhelming love either of us we would feel when we walked through that door. I thought this day would be about her and the baby; instead, they made it about all three of us...our family.

I watch my beautiful Bentley come undone as her sister wraps her in a hug. We kept her being here as a surprise, so when she saw her for the first time in eight years, she came undone. Whether it’s her heightened emotions or utter shock, I smile with pride as I watch her tears of joy and gratitude run down her face. I promised her the world, and I intended to make good on that delivery.

Marco is beside himself with joy as he holds his new granddaughter, and as Bentley laces her fingers through mine, I know it’s time. I bite my bottom lip, and listen as she makes her announcement.

“Everyone, Tristan and I would like to introduce you to Audrey Iliana Reece,” she says proudly.

Bentley

To say I’m terrified standing in front of my family holding this tiny baby girl is a drastic understatement. I keep trying to convince myself that I’m ready for this, but I’m not sure all the preparation in the world would have me ready. Sure, I have the perfect nursery, all of the best gadgets, and finest clothes, yet I still can’t convince myself that I will love her the way she needs to be. What if it’s ingrained in my subconscious that I will be nothing but a failure? What if when she is old enough to see me as I am that she hates me, that she thinks me weak and undeserving? What if she doesn’t think I’m worthy of her love? All of these doubts are plaguing my every thought.

I let my thoughts fester and eat at me until I look around my home at all of these people who have gathered to see our beautiful Audrey. Then it happens, the one thing that makes my whole world turn on its axis and set every irrational fear I have right: my baby girl opens her eyes and smiles up at me. It isn’t the smile she gets when she’s gassy; no this one is special. Everyone is being ushered into the living room, and I’m quietly singing her one of my favorite lullabies. Just as I finished, she clasps onto my finger tightly and gives me the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.

I don’t give a second thought to all of the hatred my mother fed me. I don’t let another doubt about my ability to love her cloud my mind. I know for certain that I will love my little girl more than life itself, and with her and Tristan, I finally have the family I’ve longed for so long.

Every once in a while I stare out at my star and smile, because several months ago I wished for just a small piece of perfection. I wanted something perfect to call my own, and I got my wish twice. I have the perfect husband, who no matter what fault I may have, who loves me unconditionally. And I have a perfect little angel that we get to call our own.

Epilogue

4 Years Later

Since I promised Bentley the wedding of her dreams, and the closest we got was taking vows between contractions, I thought it only fair I get a do over.

This time though, I don't rush it. We take the time to plan every detail out, and this time she'll have the most precious flower girl on the face of the earth. Little Miss. Audrey is more than excited to be in charge of tossing the flower petals, not to mention the pretty pink princess dress she insists is a must for the occasion.

Sadly, Bentley will still be sporting a baby bump. She doesn't really mind one bit though. Not when in just a few short months she'll be bringing another perfect baby into this world, and giving Audrey the little sister she's been begging for.

Everything is once again perfect for her special day. This time Cora is already waiting to stand by her side. Dante, who was more than willing to don a dress, looks dapper in his white tux. Marco, who's waiting to walk his daughter down the aisle, is fighting back tears. And I'm nervous enough that I take it upon myself to double check she's actually here this time.

Aggie told me it’s bad luck to see a bride on her wedding day, but I can't help but stare at the beautiful vision I see through the slightly opened door. I'm in a state of bliss as I watch Bentley twirling Audrey around the room, and thank my lucky stars to have the family I never knew I was missing. Once in a while Bentley has her doubts, but Audrey and I remind her daily just how amazing she truly is at this motherhood thing.