I met Aiden’s eyes. He had taken a chance on me, and I would never forget it. “I won’t let you down.”
“I know, kid. I know.”
THREE YEARS LATER
The office was quiet, the afternoon sun beaming into the room. Files, lists, and equipment covered my desk. I ignored it all, my focus on the small bundle in my lap.
I watched my son, his tiny fingers as they gripped mine, his wide blue gaze flitting around the room.
“New space, eh, buddy?” I whispered. My heart so filled with love for the small person I’d created with Becca, I could barely be away from him. “Today is our first baby and dad meeting. I get to have my own sidekick!”
Theodore Rodney Matthews greeted my exciting news with a wide yawn, clearly not as thrilled as I was about being at work.
Becca and I were married surrounded by our friends in BC, and we honeymooned in Mexico. Bill helped me, and with his hard work, I had my record expunged. For the next two years, we used every day of vacation and satisfied her desire for travel—visiting England, Greece, and exploring Canada.
We moved in to Ridge Towers and settled down, deciding we were ready for our family. Neither of us expected it to happen as soon as it did. Becca came off birth control, and her doctor told us it could take months to conceive. We were fine with that. Practicing making a baby was high on my list of fun things to do with Becca.
Even after three years, not much had changed between us. My Becca was still smart and funny, and her smile sweet and shy. There were moments I was still dumbstruck, unable to formulate the right words to say to her; although her kisses usually freed them up for me. I still stopped by the corner store and picked up flowers for her from Eleanor, who’d kiss my cheek and call me a good boy.
After I arrived home one such night, Becca was busy on her laptop. I kissed the top of her head, laid the flowers on the table, and sat down across from her.
“I didn’t see you all day.”
“I had a meeting outside the office. Then I worked from home.” She shut her laptop and shifted on the sofa. She picked up her flowers, inhaled the fragrance, and looked nervous. “I got you something today too.”
“Oh yeah?”
“It’s in the kitchen.”
Curious, I got up and went to investigate. On the counter was a teddy bear, holding a card on thick stock. Inscribed were the words
Can’t wait to meet you, Daddy. See you soon!
I pivoted, finding Becca behind me, tears in her eyes. I had her in my arms in seconds, kissing every inch of her beautiful face. “Becca, BB,” I whispered adoringly. “Say it.”
“I’m pregnant, Reid. We’re going to have a baby.”
Until Theo, or Teddy, as Becca called him, was born, it was the greatest moment of my life.
Now, gazing down at my son, I knew what it was to be complete. The fierce protectiveness I felt for him was all-consuming.
My son would never wonder about his parents. He would never be abandoned or struggle to find his place in the world. He would never know the pain or fear of loneliness. His well-being and happiness were paramount to me.
My alarm went off, and with a grin, I stood. “Let’s go, Theo. Your uncles are waiting.”
The new nursery took up an entire floor of the building. It was open to all the staff, and the people who ran it were capable, warm, and loving. It was busy and vibrant with bright colors, and it was filled with laughter. Bentley and Maddox were already waiting in our favorite corner, Addi playing with Brayden, the two of them fast friends. Bentley’s second daughter, Chloe, was in front of him, clutching his fingers as he encouraged her to stand. Maddox chuckled, watching his daughter, Shelby, asleep in his arms, her pudgy hands outstretched. I sat down, holding Theo close.
Bentley grinned at me. “Hey, Reid. How’s Becca?”
“Good. She’s only checked in on me four times since I left the condo with Theo.”
Maddox chuckled. “Dee texted me hourly the first time I left with Brayden. She’s gotten better with Shelby.”
“We miss Becca around here.”
“She misses everyone, but she’ll be back soon.” With the nursery on-site, Becca planned to return to work in a few months. We could both be close to our son.
Aiden came in, Ava wrapped in one massive arm. He sat down, releasing her. She immediately scrambled over to Theo, cooing and clapping her little hands. Ava loved babies, and she especially loved Theo. She sat beside me, leaning close, talking fast to him. He watched her, his face serious, as if he understood whatever gibberish she was saying to him.
Maddox looked at Aiden. “You okay?”
He groaned. “Cami is ready for this baby to be born. So am I. She can’t sleep, she can’t get comfortable, the little guy is pushing at her all the time and using her bladder as a soccer ball.” He shook his head. “Pretty sure I’m to blame for basically everything.”
“You are,” we all chimed in at once.
“How did I forget this part?”
Maddox laughed, shifting Shelby to his other arm. “Because they’re worth it. You doing okay, Reid? Need anything?”
“Aside from a little more sleep, nope. We’re good. Great, in fact.”
Bentley settled Chloe into his arms, sliding the nipple of her bottle into her mouth. “Then I think the weekly meeting should commence. Everyone has their baby and is ready?”
I peered down at Theo. His eyes had drifted shut. Safe, peaceful, and loved in my arms. He’d sleep there the whole time.
I was good with that.
I grinned. “Ready.”
Multiple Sclerosis touches so many families. There is much left to do for research to help those affected by this debilitating disease.
When I wrote the scenes that touched Sandy and Max so strongly, I couldn’t have done it without the assistance of the lovely and caring Darlene Avery Ward. Thank you my friend.
Please support the Nations MS Society and the work they provide to MS patients in advocating and organizing events to raise awareness and funds for research.
Van - Vested Interest #5 by Melanie Moreland
Copyright © 2019 Moreland Books Inc.
Registration # 1157176
eBook ISBN # 978-1-988610-21-4
Print ISBN # 978-1-988610-20-7
All rights reserved
Edited by Lisa Hollett—Silently Correcting Your Grammar
Cover design by Melissa Ringuette, Monark Design Services
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are
products of the author's imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any
similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.