“Uh...” Carly knew not only Ron and Mary Ann, but Leah’s mother would want to be there when baby number three was born. They tried getting in the last two times, but Leah had put her foot down. “Just the father.”
“There were more than that in the room when Levi was born,” Mary Ann complained.
“Those were special circumstances,” Carly said quickly. “And I was the doctor.”
“Honey, I’m sure Leah doesn’t want her in-laws to see her like that. Kind of like this morning.” Ron grinned.
Carly knew that grin. She glanced over at her sister-in-law. “What happened this morning?”
“Nothing we’re talking about,” Leah muttered and shot Carly a look.
“Oh...” Yes, Carly was now used to having so much family, there was always risk of getting caught in a compromising situation if they weren’t careful.
In fact, Ron had found her panties hanging from a ceiling fan one morning when he let himself into the house after she and Matt had sex. Carly had no idea how they got up there. They quickly learned to lock doors and pull blinds any time they got naked because they never knew who was just going to show up unannounced.
“I’m taking him inside.”
Teddy rushed over to hold the door open for her. “I started the coffee if you want any.” He followed her in and immediately began to unbuckle Levi. “Oh, I just want to pinch those chubby cheeks.”
Teddy removed Levi from the stroller, planted a loud kiss on one of those chubby cheeks, and held him as Carly peeled the baby out of his snowsuit and down to his onesie. He then carried Levi around the salon, giving him a tour. “I’m going to be the first one to cut those dark locks of yours. And if you ever want to be a hairdresser, Uncle Teddy will be glad to show you the ropes.”
“I’m sure Matt has other plans for him.”
“Let me guess. Joining the Marines and becoming a cop.” Teddy did an exaggerated yawn. “Same old song and dance.”
“It’s in the blood,” Carly reminded him.
“Yes, but this one’s blood’s a little different, so he needs to be an original. He needs to be the Bryson buck who broke rank.”
“I just want him to be healthy and happy.”
“Exactly what I wanted for Matty, too.” Teddy brought Levi back to her and she took her son from him. “And I was serious when I said I should be thanking you. You have made him as healthy and happy as he can be. I think you saved his life.”
Teddy wasn’t normally this serious, so hearing him subdued like that made Carly’s eyes burn and her nose sting. “Teddy,” she whispered.
“Well, it’s true. You became the most important member of this family. We might have lost him if it wasn’t for you taking him by the nuts and giving his life focus.”
Unfortunately, Teddy wasn’t the first to say that. “I worry about how the baby will affect his mental health. Even though he won’t admit it, sometimes hearing Levi cry takes him back there. I’ve seen his face and he does his best to fight it, but...” Her husband would always struggle with his PTSD and babies were one of his triggers. Seeing children devastated by war had scarred him deeply.
Teddy’s smile was sad as he stared at Levi in her arms. “He loves you. He loves his son.”
“Sometimes love isn’t enough.”
Teddy gave her a squeeze, careful of the baby. “It will be in this case.”
Carly hoped he was right.
“Now, today is supposed to be a happy day, so let’s stop being so morose. Matty will pull through for his family. He always does.” He got on his toes and planted a noisy kiss on Carly’s cheek. When he pulled back, his green eyes went wide. “Oh! I think I hear the marching band. I’ll be right outside, watching for the eldest Bryson buck in his spiffy dress uniform. If you need anything, just hollaaa.”
Then the hairdresser was gone, the jingle of the bell above the door the only thing left in his wake.
Carly looked down into Levi’s face. The baby was awake and quiet, just absorbing the new atmosphere while contently sucking on his fist. “Let me grab your binky, my sweet baby boy.”
She pulled the diaper bag from the stroller and put it on the table sitting in front of the salon’s large picture window that had Manes on Main hand-painted in decorative script across the glass. Even decorated for Christmas with colorful lights and snowflake window clings, she’d get a clear view of the parade.
Hannah saw the movement through the window and waved at her. Carly returned it with a smile.
She would love to have a girl, too. This family needed more girls, but she wouldn’t push Matt into a second adoption. They were both getting older and she was just relieved and happy when he announced last year that he was ready to go ahead with adopting.
And now her dream had come to fruition.
Digging around in the bag, her fingers brushed against a piece of paper, so she grabbed it along with the binky. Once the pacifier was plugged securely between Levi’s little lips and he was sucking quietly, she unfolded the notepaper she had not placed in the bag this morning.
She recognized the scratchy handwriting immediately and her heart stopped. She held her breath as she skimmed the note, then started back at the top to read it more slowly. Once again, tears threatened to spill, making the words difficult to read.
To my love, my life, my wife, the mother of my son,
I could never say in words just how much you mean to me and how much you are a part of me. How much you push me to be a better man. But I want you to know, you do.
I cannot love you any more than I do already.
Thank you for helping me hang on, and for you hanging on along with me through the rough spots.
I’ll love you forever.
Your Marine, your husband, the father of your son.
~ M
“Holy shit,” Carly whispered, wiping away the tears that finally escaped. That note was the best Christmas present she ever received. She was saving and cherishing it forever. She might even sleep with it under her pillow.
The bell jingled again and she quickly swiped at the rest of the tears and blinked away the blurriness, only to see her brave Marine, her beautiful husband and the loving father of her son walk through the door.
He was the love of her life. Faults and all.
Levi wiggled in Carly’s arms and Matt noticed his son’s eyes fastened on him once he got closer. But while he was happy his son was beginning to recognize him, Carly’s tears caught his attention and his spine became a steel rod.
“What’s the matter? Are you alright? Is he alright? What happened?”
Carly sniffled and smiled. “We’re perfect, you asshole. This was supposed to be a happy day and you made me cry.”
He grinned. “Guess you found my note.”
“Matt...”
“I meant every word.”
Carly blew out a breath and wiped at her eyes. “I know.”
“That shouldn’t make you cry.”
“Of course, it should! I know you don’t take saying things like that lightly. That’s what made it worse. Or better. Or... whatever. It was perfect.”
He stared at her red-rimmed blue eyes and her quivering bottom lip that he wanted to taste. So, he did, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.