by Tara Brent
I find Maya hiding out with Lucas in her old bedroom with a box of YA novels on the floor by the bed. I pick one up and look at the girly cover before tossing it back into the box. She lifts her tired head out from under her pillow.
“You want to elope?” I ask her.
In the end, we decide on a Town Hall wedding on the day Tiff arrives in town. Maya states that Tiff will be pissed if she misses the big day. In the morning, we send out texts telling everyone to meet us at Town Hall at three. My heart is confident of the future as I watch Maya walk toward me in a simple white dress that stops at her knees. Tiff hands her a bouquet of white roses on the steps of Town Hall as we walk in. Lucas screams during the entire ceremony, and I drop my phone walking to the car, but I’ll only remember today as perfect.
After the ceremony, Maya, Lucas, and I stop off at the nursing home to see Ted. Vince is already there, showing him pictures on his phone. When he sees Lucas for the first time, the light in my dad’s eyes takes years off his grizzled face. He insists on sitting up in his chair, so he can hold the baby. The aides help Ted up, and Maya hovers over Lucas as Ted has him in his lap. I reach into my pocket and scowl at my smashed phone.
“I got this, Jackson.” Vince holds up his phone and takes the shot.
I smile at the picture as Vince holds it out for me to see. “It’s a great looking picture, bro.”
Lucas starts to cry as sleepy babies do and starts to rub his eyes with his fists. Vince laughs and pulls him into his arms. “I guess I have one more sibling to watch over, bro. I’ll take him home in your car and meet you both at the house.”
We stay a while longer before we head over to the reception. Our guests are waiting for us to arrive at the Victorian. I hold Maya’s hand looking up at the old house hemmed in by new construction. Someone has decorated the walkway and the steps with garlands of white daisies and silver ribbons. Electric candles are on each step, heading toward the open door. Music and laughter greet us on the sidewalk, and I give Maya’s hand a squeeze. There’s a lot of memories in that old house.
“You think you want to live here, Mrs. Hayes?” I ask her.
Maya pulls a face. “I’m all about nostalgia, Mr. Hayes, when it’s shiny and new.”
“We could build a house big enough for the four of us.”
She stops walking and tugs me back. “Who’s the fourth? Do not say Vince?”
I laugh, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “I meant my dad. I thought about hiring a nurse,” I choke up a little. “It would mean a lot to him in his last days.”
Maya gazes up into my eyes. The look of love in hers warms my soul. I pull her into a kiss that threatens not to end. Dizzy on her feet, she pulls away and inhales deeply.
“You always do that to me,” she sighs.
I look at the house, and I can hear howling laughter coming from inside. “They won’t notice if we go missing for another hour,” I tell her.
“Maybe we should cut the cake first, and then they won’t mind as much?”
I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. “We could play high school and park the car by the reservoir. Make out in the back seat and get a head start on baby number two.”
Maya giggles. “Too bad there’s a development by the reservoir. Remember the place you and Vince developed. The residents paid a lot of money to live in a premier location. I don’t think they’ll want to see us out the window.”
I wink. “Maybe it will be on a live stream later, and we can add it to the album.”
She grabs my hand, and we head back to the car. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
Epilogue
Maya
Six months later
“Say, grandpa. That’s it. Grandpa.” Ted shakes a blue teething ring, and Lucas tries to grab it in his hand. They’re so adorable together, and though Ted has his bad days, he has his good days too. Thankfully, today is a good day as he plays with Lucas in his high chair in the kitchen.
“Brrrr.” Lucas blows a spit bubble as he tries to shove the ring into his mouth.
I grab a wet wipe, but Ted just laughs at the spit covering his hands. Nina, his home aide, walks over, but I wave her away. “I got it, Nina but thanks.”
Ted smiles at Nina. “You can’t tell us apart, can you? We act alike.”
Nina shakes her head. “You have a larger vocabulary.” She places her hand on Ted’s shoulder. “You look like you’re nodding off. Maybe you should relax.”
“I’m having fun with my grandson,” argues Ted in a playful tone. “He was just about to call me grandpa.”
“What if you both take a nap?” she asks.
Nina has Ted wrapped tightly around her little finger, and hiring her has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. She’s also from Bridgetown and a recent high school graduate before receiving her health aide certification. She was an instant fit into our cozy household on her first day.
“Do you need help getting him into his recliner?” I ask.
Nina shakes her head. “I got this, Maya. Ted, we’re going to sit in the living room and wait for the snow.”
Ted frowns as Nina starts to push his wheelchair out of the room. “You can keep that snow.”
“We won’t have to shovel it, grumpy,” she reminds him. “Don’t you want your grandson to have snow for his first Christmas?”
Tiff walks past them into the kitchen. “Nina, you could sell a space heater to a snowman.”
Nina smiles. “Hey, Tiff, is it falling yet?”
Tiff pulls her coat tight and stamps her feet. “No, but it’s cold out there. Warm in here. How’s it going, Ted? Are you going to make it snow for the baby?”
“If you teach me how.” He winks as they leave the room.
Tiff shakes her head. “That old man is sassy. How are you doing, kiddo? Ready for the snow, or praying that the weatherman is wrong?”
I smirk. “Well, since I opted for online classes, it can do whatever it wants outside.”
“Oh, you’re cruel,” Tiff replies, “I have to drive into the city. My marketing class doesn’t end for another week.”
“Why didn’t you take it online?” I ask.
“I want to meet people again,” she explains. “You know, men. I picked the wrong town to move to in South Carolina. It was a retirement community. I wouldn’t have minded if someone had a cute son with a degree to hook me up with.”
I laugh. “Are you staying for lunch?”
“Of course.” She pulls Lucas out of his chair, and he squeals with delight to see Auntie Tiff. “How’s my godson? Is he waiting for Santa?” She touches her cheeks to his. “Oh Maya, I used to have cheeks this soft. I’d give him a five-star review for being a baby. I want to take him home.”
“You know you could stay here,” I suggest again. “The house is huge.”
“What did Jackson think when he bought it?” she asks. “Is he planning on filling the house with more kids? One for each room?”
I moan. I made the mistake of letting my real estate husband buy a mansion because it was a good deal. I point out to him it was a good deal because it’s forty minutes away from everything. We moved from Bridgetown to the scenic village of Wards Ridge in Upstate New York. I’m exaggerating about it being the center of nowhere. It’s a quaint community, but for someone who’s lived surrounded by congestion and people all her life, this place is uninhabited.
“It’s a beautiful house,” Tiffany gazes around the gray and white kitchen. She runs her hand over the pristine subway tile on the counter. “You have perfect taste, and I never been in a house with a solarium before but girl...” She shakes her head. “I’m not a nun yet. This place is isolated.”
“I’m not going to hide you away,” I tease her. “You can leave and mingle with other people. Jackson kept his penthouse in Bridgetown.”
“For what?” she asks.
“Not sure, Vince may rent it from him, or you could rent it.”
Tiff has a faraway look in
her eyes. And I wonder if she’s thinking about the penthouse with an impressive view or about Vince. I’ve noticed how her face beams whenever he appears. She loves Lucas from the tip of his head to his tiny toes. But part of the reason we see her so often is because Vince likes to hang out with his nephew. I wouldn’t mind having Tiff as a sister-in-law, but I’m not sure I should meddle. I don’t want to lose a friend.
“I’ll think about it,” she replies. I place a plate of Chinese chicken curry in front of her. She tries a small forkful and hums her approval. “Maya, we really need to do something together again.”
I reach for the milk in the fridge and place it on the counter by our cold brew. I’ve been cooking more since I decided to stay home with Lucas. That experience with Foxtrot has made me jaded, but I might try an app again.
“Perhaps a cooking app.”
She shakes her head. “No, I need a dating app.” Tiff places Lucas in his chair and then digs into her food.
I give her a stern look. “We signed a non-compete clause when we sold the company.”
Tiff makes a face. “So let them come find me and sue me. They screwed up our app. It’s clickbait now.” She takes another bite of food. “I need a new dating app, so I can meet my own quality man.”
“I’ll think about that,” I reply, “but I want to spend my time with Lucas and appreciate the fact I don’t have to date anymore.”
Tiff smiles. “May we all be as lucky as you.”
There’s a minor flurry of activity as Jackson strides into the kitchen, balancing a hundred cardboard boxes in his arms. Okay. It’s an exaggeration, but I only know it’s him because I can recognize his long legs and thick sole boots. He zigzags to the breakfast nook and places most of the boxes on the table. The rest drop onto the floor.
Jackson smiles as he scoops a box. “Let’s get ready to wrap some presents.”
“You’re kidding me.” I scowl. “You don’t know that many people.”
Jackson lifts Lucas out of his chair and kisses his chin. “Nope, but I know one special one.”
“Don’t be a grinch, Maya,” Tiff pouts.
“Who is being a grinch?” Vince walks into the kitchen, carrying a shopping bag. Another game console is peaking out, and I doubt that’s for Lucas. He’s brought his nephew enough toys and also a few for Jackson. Vince’s gaze lingers on Tiff as she tilts her head and gives him a sweet look.
“Hi, Vince, are you helping out Santa?”
He places the bag down on the counter and takes Lucas into his arms. Then I see my brother do something I rarely see him do. He flirts.
“I was checking his list for your name, and I didn’t see it. “
“What, it wasn’t there?” giggles Tiff, putting down her fork.
“I was checking the wrong list.”
On no, he didn’t say that out loud. And in front of witnesses. That was so corny, I cringe for him, but Tiff is lapping it up like a kitten with a bowl of cream. She tilts her head and flashes Vince her sexiest smile.
“What can I do for Santa to get back on his good side?”
I want to moan, but I don’t want to blow this for them with my opinion. The flirting has intensified over the last month. Vince is taking it farther this time, but will he finally do something? He can’t keep showing interest and then leave Tiff hanging, or I’m going to lose a friend.
Jackson holds me from behind, hugging me close and placing his chin on my shoulder.
“We used to talk like that,” he whispers.
“We never did,” I reply as he kisses my cheek.
“Sure we did. Who do you think has been giving Vince lessons?”
So it could happen. My big brother and my best friend. I watch them talk, but I can barely picture it. I always imagined Tiff with someone who parties as much as she does. Someone who likes attention on social media. Someone who blazes trails while making obscene amounts of money.
But Vince. Well, who pictures anyone with their sibling? I always picture him at home.
Tiff stands near Vince, and Lucas grabs one of her long twists. He tries to put it in his mouth, and Tiff tickles him. He laughs louder than a siren, and that little boy is the ambassador of happiness in this house.
“Did you tell Santa what you want for Christmas?” She smiles at Vince.
He looks away. “I’m still thinking about it?”
Looking disappointed, Tiff shrugs her shoulders and sits back down to eat. Vince fumbles the ball at the goal post. He can’t screw this up again. Tiff is a wonderful woman, but she can only wait for so long.
Jackson gives me a little squeeze. “Don’t worry, Maya. I’ll talk to him.”
Lucas sticks his bottom lip out as he reaches for me. I untangle myself out of Jackson’s hug and go to my baby. Lucas kicks and smiles as I lift him up in the air.
“Who’s been a good boy for Christmas?” I coo. “My boy’s been good, that’s who.”
Lucas laughs and grabs my sweater in his tiny fist. He looks at me with his stunning gray eyes and says, “Mama.”
Gawking, I burst out laughing and hug him tight as Vince begins to applaud.
“Maya, won it,” cheers Vince. “His first word was mama.”
Jackson smiles. “My amazing wife deserves the honor. She’s the superstar mom that would do anything for our little man.”
Smiling, I beam at Jackson. My girly crush became the perfect husband that loves me completely. I’m so happy that what I’ve always wanted turned out to be the best thing for my little family.
The End
Did you like this book? Then you’ll LOVE
The Billionaire’s Secret Regret
“You told me you were on the pill. I don’t even know if I want kids.”
The words were like a slap to my face. His words made my eyes water and I tried to swallow down the lump that had formed in my throat...Can I EVER forgive him?
Start reading - The Billionaire’s Secret Regret. NOW!
Sneak Peek -
Prologue
My heart was hammering in my chest as I waited for his response. Yet, my older brother's best friend, and the love of my teenage life, Rick, just stared at me. His face turned pale and he looked like he couldn’t believe the words that had just come out of my mouth.
“I’m sorry, did you just say you’re... you’re...” His words trailed off as he looked at me in disbelief.
Uncertainty and fear bubbled inside my stomach; the anxiety from what I was experiencing was causing me to feel nauseous. “I said I’m pregnant,” I repeated firmly as I steeled myself for his response.
“You’re joking,” he said, before letting out an awkward laugh.
The fact that he was laughing about it like it was some kind of joke stung me deeply. I’d never been so serious about something in my life. I wasn’t sure how it had happened, it was just a mistake. I’d always been sensible about contraception. I had a plan for my life. I wanted to go to college, I wanted to wait until I got married. I was only eighteen for Christ’s sake. Yet, even the most careful of girls could apparently get caught out. But I was one hundred percent sure that I was pregnant. I wouldn’t have told him if I wasn’t. It had been several weeks since my period was due and the little stick I was holding in my hand couldn’t lie. I’d taken one, and then another, and then another, but they all read the same thing - two strong blue lines - pregnant.
“Why would I joke about something like this?” I asked, staring at him and feeling a little in shock at his response. I tried to hold it together, to keep my emotions in check, to not get upset, but it was impossible.
Rick’s expression changed, his smile wiped off his face as it dropped. “You’re not kidding. But... Samantha, I... you know I’m busy with my business. I... all my money has gone into the business. I can’t afford this.”
He looked frustrated at me - like it was somehow all my fault and that I had tricked him somehow. But that wasn’t true at all.
“I wouldn’t expect you to—” I st
arted.
“Where would you live?” he interrupted. “This is the opposite of what I need right now. How did this even happen? You told me you were on the pill. I don’t even know if I want kids.”
The words were like a slap to my face. His words made my eyes water and I tried to swallow down the lump that had formed in my throat.
Don’t cry, don’t cry. You can do this, Samantha...
“I... I am on the pill. I promise I’ve always taken it, and besides, we normally use condoms,” I stuttered out, feeling attacked by his words and the fact that he was making me feel like I had to explain myself to him. He was talking to me like I was a child that deserved to be scolded. I was so confused. He had never spoken to me like this before.
“B...but you told me you wanted kids, we’ve talked about it.”
We’d talked about plenty of different things on nights under the stars, over text messages and on dates in cinemas and in secret midnight meetings. We had talked about a lot of things over the past year together with hushed words as we hid our relationship from my brother, Josh. I didn't know what would happen if my older brother knew what his best friend was really getting up to every time he slept over. Now I guessed there would be no hiding what had been going on.
“Yeah, but not now,” he instantly rebutted, his words becoming sharp. “I mean... you've only just graduated high school, Sam, and I'm far too busy with everything I have going on. I meant in the future, in the far, far future that I wouldn't dismiss the idea of kids... not that I wanted to knock up my best friend’s little sister.”
I logically knew that’s what I was, but to hear it come from his mouth made me feel tacky - like it was an ugly thing to be. He stood from where he was sitting on the edge of my bed in my childhood bedroom and he started to pace the room, clearly panicking.
His words caused an immense ache to creep into my chest and it was at that moment that I felt my heart break. The more stressed he looked, the more I could feel his panic rubbing off on me too. I hadn’t expected this kind of reaction. I had thought I had known Rick. It wasn’t like I expected him to be over the moon. As he said, I was too young, but I had thought that he would come around to the idea.
