Rising

by Wendy Smith

  I smile at the sound of Kaia’s voice.

  “It is Daddy, but you have to be quiet.” I raise my free hand to my lips. “He’s very tired, and he needs his sleep.”

  Cole opens one eye.

  “Daddy needs a lot of sleep because he’s old, and old people need sleep,” I finish.

  His lips twitch. “I’m not that much older than you.”

  “A month is a long time. That’s four whole weeks.”

  “Daddy!” Kaia shrieks. She jumps onto the bed and slams herself between us. I move over to give her space while she wraps her arms around his neck and snuggles in against him.

  “How about we go and see your room today?” he says.

  “Can we?” she asks.

  “We need to ask your mother, but I’m sure we can. You’ll love it, Kaia.” He fixes his gaze on me. “The only question is when you two can move in. I don’t want to waste any more time.”

  I grin. “Neither do I. How about we have breakfast and then go and investigate this room?”

  “I’m hungry,” Kaia says.

  “So am I. I hope there’s lots of breakfast in the kitchen for me,” Cole says.

  She squeals as Cole tickles her, then pulls away and jumps off the bed.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” I say.

  Kaia disappears, and the sound of the television blares when she turns on cartoons.

  I lean over, and kiss my husband on the lips. He slides his fingers into my hair and pulls me down hard.

  Laughing, I tug away. “What’s that for?”

  “Calling me old.”

  “I’ll have to do that more often.” I kiss him again, and it would be easy to get lost in him but for the sound coming from the door.

  “Mommy.”

  He lets go of me. “I can’t wait to show you the changes I’ve made at home. The ones you didn’t stop to look at when we were there.”

  “I can’t wait to see them. Let’s go get some breakfast.”

  “If you have something to keep her distracted for a while, I’ll give you breakfast.”

  I chuckle as I pull myself off the bed and walk to the door. “There’s plenty of time for that, Cole Masters.”

  “Never enough.”

  My heart swells as I walk to the kitchen, replaying last night in my mind. I love Cole. I want to be with him for the rest of my life.

  There’s no turning back now.

  This house will be our home.

  “Go and check out Kaia’s room,” Cole says.

  I take Kaia’s hand and lead her up the hallway. I push the door open.

  Tears prick my eyes. I didn’t come in here last night. Now, I see everything.

  Kaia’s beloved cartoon characters still cover one wall. The rest of the room is painted pale pink, Kaia’s favorite color. The bed has dark pink blankets.

  “Mommy.” Kaia’s eyes are wide as she looks from one side of the room to the other.

  “You did all this?” I turn to ask Cole.

  He shrugs. “I had some sleepless nights.”

  “It’s beautiful. Kaia, do you love it?”

  “Yes!” She claps. “It’s so pretty, Daddy.”

  I take Cole’s hand in mine. “Your daddy is very clever.”

  He raises my hand to his lips. “My family inspires me. Come here. I’ve got something else to show you.”

  My mouth drops when he opens the door to the room next to Kaia’s. There’s a crib in the corner, with the same characters as the ones in Kaia’s room dangling on a mobile. It’s painted cream, and has the same nightlight as the one in Kaia’s room.

  I fight back the tears as he stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

  “I’m ready,” he murmurs in my ear. “I’m ready for all of it.”

  “Cole, it’s beautiful.”

  “There are still some finishing touches to do, but I thought you’d like to take care of that.” He turns me toward him. “So, when are you moving in?”

  I lick my lips. “I’m not sure. Maybe in a few months?”

  His eyebrows twitch. “Months?”

  I grin. “How about next weekend, then? Is that acceptable? We don’t have a lot of stuff.”

  I laugh as he sweeps me off the floor and into his arms. “I’ll sort some movers out. The sooner you two are here, the better.”

  “And then we’ll be three.”

  Cole nods. “I can’t wait.”

  “There’s something I need to tell you too.”

  His eyebrows rise.

  “I’m quitting the bar. And if you’ll have me, I’ll quit the day job too. I’d like to have some time with Kaia before she starts school. Especially with this baby on the way.”

  “You got it. We’ll be fine.” He places me back down. “Now, how about that movie day? I’ve got some new DVDs and plenty of popcorn.”

  “Popcorn. Yay!” Kaia comes running into the room.

  “Someone’s got good hearing.” He laughs.

  “When she wants to.”

  Kaia tugs on my shirt. “Mommy. Is this my room too?”

  Smiling, I bend and kiss her on the forehead. “No, sweetie. Daddy and I have something to tell you.”

  I grin at Cole. “Do you want to tell her?”

  “Can I?”

  I nod.

  He picks Kaia up, and carries her over to the crib. “This is where your baby sister or brother is going to sleep. Until they’re big enough for you to play with.”

  Her mouth falls open. “Baby?”

  He nods. “Mommy and Daddy are having a baby, Kaia.”

  She claps, and I hug both of them. “You’re going to be a big sister.”

  Cole kisses her temple. “How about we go into the living room and start our movie day.”

  “Sounds like a great idea,” I say.

  I snuggle with him on the couch, Kaia on his other side. These are the days we’ll all cherish forever—the days when we knitted our family together and were what we were always meant to be.

  Maybe one day my memory will return, but right now, it doesn’t matter if it does or it doesn’t.

  Love is undeniable between us.

  And I’ve made my peace with the past.

  17

  Brooke

  I’m exhausted. We don’t have a lot of possessions, but moving them from the apartment to the house was tiring. Cole and the movers do the heavy lifting, but packing and unpacking leaves everything aching.

  Kaia’s over the moon. All the effort is worth it to see the happy smile on her face.

  Cole cooks dinner with Kaia helping while I put my feet up.

  This is the life I always wanted: the three of us being a family and being happy. I pat my stomach. It’ll be the four of us soon enough.

  “Brooke, did you want to eat at the table?” Cole asks.

  “Do we have to?”

  He laughs. “Not at all. I gather you’re comfortable there.”

  “I’d be happy to live on this couch right now.”

  Cole brings me a plate laden with chicken and mashed potatoes. I groan. “I’m never going to eat all of this.”

  “You don’t have to. But I figured you’d be hungry after today.”

  “I am.”

  Kaia sits beside me, a chicken nugget sliding off her plate as she does.

  I shake my head. “Be careful.”

  She picks it up off the floor and pops it in her mouth.

  Kaia giggles. It’s good to see her so happy. No more crying for daddy because he’s right here. She dips the next chicken nugget in ketchup, and I bite down a laugh as it’s smeared over her mouth.

  I look down at her. “You can have your bath after dinner.”

  Kaia pouts.

  Cole grins. “I can make it with bubbles.”

  Her eyes widen. “Bubbles?”

  “I’m sure there’s something in the bathroom that’ll make some bubbles.” He moves his gaze to me. “We could have a bath before bed too.”

  I g
rin. “I love that idea.”

  “We can’t all fit in the bath.” Kaia giggles.

  We burst out laughing.

  “No, we can’t.” I shake my head. “Eat your dinner.’

  She smiles, and picks up another chicken nugget.

  When we’re finished, Cole collects the plates. I protest, feeling the need to do something, anything, but he won’t let me. He kisses me tenderly, and leaves to fill the dishwasher.

  I have the perfect man. Even if I feel useless.

  Cole comes back after a few minutes. “Come on, Kaia. Let’s get you bathed and ready for bed.”

  She rounds the couch and disappears up the hallway with Cole.

  I look around. Cole’s taken care of everything. There’s nothing for me to do. I could get used to this. At least, for a while.

  I pick up the television remote and turn on the TV. Flicking through the channels, I settle on the news. It’s enough to keep my mind occupied for half an hour, though bed is calling.

  Kaia runs into the room, this time dressed in her pajamas.

  “Good night, Mommy.” She hugs me tight, and I close my eyes, just breathing her in. Seeing her happy is everything.

  “Good night, sweet girl.” I kiss the top of her head.

  She jumps down from the couch and takes Cole’s hand.

  “I’ll read you a story, and you go straight to sleep. Okay?” he asks.

  “Can we have the star lights?”

  “Of course we can.”

  I sigh contentedly as they walk up the hallway. There was such a long time when I would never have believed this—that we could be a family again. Yet here we are, in our new home for a fresh start.

  I close my eyes. The thought of a hot bath with Cole is wonderful, but sinking into that soft bed is even more appealing.

  “She’s fast asleep.”

  I jump. I’ve never been one for falling asleep just anywhere, but while Cole was busy putting Kaia to bed, I think I was nearly out to it.

  “That didn’t take long.”

  “It’s been a long day for all of us.” He sits beside me on the couch. “Happy?” Cole asks, nuzzling my ear.

  “Very.”

  I yawn, and he laughs. “Am I keeping you up?”

  I know what I’d like to be keeping up, but I’m so tired I don’t think sex is on the cards.

  “I don’t think I’ll be much good for anything except sleeping tonight.”

  He drops his head to nuzzle my neck, and I sigh.

  “You are such a distraction.”

  “That’s the aim.” He laughs against my skin. “I love that you’re here.”

  “I love you.”

  He pulls away. “Let’s renew our vows.”

  I grin, and my mouth falls open as he drops to one knee in front of me and pulls a small box out of his pocket.

  “I presume you have your wedding ring somewhere, and I never bought you an engagement ring the first time with everything being so rushed.” He takes a deep breath. “So, I got you this.”

  He opens the box, and inside is a diamond solitaire ring.

  “Cole, it’s beautiful.”

  He takes it out of the box. “It’s a symbol of how much I love you.”

  Tears prick my eyes when he slips it on my ring finger and it’s a close fit. “Wait. How did you do that?”

  “Took a guess with the help of a woman in the jewelers. I got it a while ago, but now seemed like the time to give it to you.”

  I laugh. “I can’t wait to tell Kaia.”

  He nods. “Me too. She’ll be so excited. No registry office this time.” Cole moves up from the floor to the couch. “There’ll never be anyone else for me, Brooke. There never has been. You’re the one who makes me want to be a better person, and my heart belongs to you.”

  I reach for his face, palming his cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  We’re going to be a family again.

  And this time it will last.

  Because this time, there’s real love.

  Epilogue

  Cole

  “Nervous?” Dad asks as I fiddle with my cufflinks. I hate these things, but I wanted Brooke to have the wedding she always wanted. It’s not like we had a fancy wedding last time around.

  “Very. It’s crazy. You’d think the second time would be easier.”

  He smiles, and grips my shoulder. “You’re doing it for love this time. Oh, I know you two loved each other before, but you married Brooke out of a sense of duty. This time’s different.”

  I nod. “When did you get to be so wise?”

  “When I realized just how many mistakes I made back then. I’ll never forgive myself for the way I treated Brooke.”

  “She’s forgiven you.”

  “That’s because your wife is a very understanding woman. She reminds me of her father so much. I don’t know if there’s really any doubt about her paternity.”

  I smile. “Would it matter?”

  Dad shakes his head. “No. I’ll treat her like a daughter no matter what. The way she should have been treated.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “You make me so proud, Cole.”

  For the first time in a long time, we feel united and strong.

  I didn’t just get Brooke and Kaia back to become a family. Everyone I love has all come together.

  And today is just the icing on the cake.

  The backyard has a small group of chairs in front of a floral arch. We didn’t want anything fussy, but we wanted to make this wedding more of an occasion than the first.

  The people we love are all here. Mike and Liz, who are dating now, sit waiting along with Katie, Eric, Marcus, and even sour Jenny. Brooke wanted to invite the people who had made a difference in our lives, and they all fit the bill. Rosalyn’s here with her daughter.

  I grin as I walk through the middle of our friends and family to the celebrant.

  “Ready?” The celebrant asks.

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Somehow, Brooke put all this together in the past month, and it’s beautiful. She’s radiant with joy, and she’s looking rested and stress-free for the first time since I found her again. I’m sure a lot of it comes from her being able to spend more quality time with Kaia. This new baby will get all of her.

  And all three of them will get all of me.

  I look up as the music plays.

  When I see her, she takes my breath away.

  She walks down the aisle toward me, and there’s no father to give her away. Brooke radiates in her short bright yellow dress as she approaches me bathed in sunlight. She wanted today to be full of light and happiness to set the tone for our future life.

  Kaia’s dress is a bright blue.

  Brooke’s hand in hand with Kaia, and our little girl has a smile as big as her mother’s. They both have eyes just for me. It’s overwhelming. I don’t know which of my girls to look at.

  Tears are in my eyes by the time Brooke takes my hand.

  “You look beautiful,” I whisper.

  I shift my gaze to Kaia, who’s standing on the other side of Brooke. ”You look beautiful too.”

  Kaia giggles and swings on her heels, and her cheeks grow pink. “Daddy.”

  I smile as Kaia shuffles between us. This is what we wanted. Our whole family together.

  “Good morning, everyone. I’m Cathy Simmons, the celebrant, and I’m honored to be here to celebrate the renewal of Brooke and Cole’s wedding vows.” She smiles. “This is going to be a really special ceremony as Brooke and Cole reaffirm their love for one another, and afterward the couple wish to invite you inside for food and drinks to celebrate.”

  She turns to me. “Cole. Would you like to share your vows with Brooke?”

  I nod. We wanted to keep this brief as Brooke’s still struggling with the fatigue of pregnancy. This one’s hit her harder than her pregnancy with Kaia did, and while we’re so close to telling the world about the baby, it’d be
nice to keep it to ourselves for just a little longer.

  “Brooke, every morning I wake up feeling blessed. To have you back in my life has made me complete, and I promise I will cherish each and every day with you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  She tears up, and I let go of one hand and catch the tears one by one with my index finger as they escape down her cheeks.

  “Brooke?” The celebrant prompts.

  Brooke breathes in deep, and licks her lips. “I love you, Cole. I have done since we were five years’ old, and you pinky promised to be my best friend forever. We took the rocky road to be here, but the only thing that matters is that we are here, and we’re together.”

  It’s clear she’s struggling, and I squeeze her hands.

  “Today, Cole is not only making promises to Brooke. He also has some things to say to their daughter, Kaia.”

  Brooke shuffles behind Kaia, a wide grin on her face. I look down at my daughter and clear my throat. Taking her hand in mine, I kneel in front of her. “I, Cole, promise to always be a good daddy. I’ll be there whenever you need me to be. No matter how old you get. I love you, Kaia.”

  The small congregation gives us a collective awww as my daughter throws her arms around my neck.

  “Love you, Daddy,” she says.

  I stand, lifting Kaia with me. Brooke hugs both of us, and for a moment there’s no one else around. Just the three of us.

  My family.

  Kaia waves goodbye as she gets into the car with Mom and Dad. They’re staying at a nearby hotel, and had already offered to take her for the night when she got wind of where they were staying. She wanted to visit their little house again. I hope she’s not too disappointed it’s a different hotel.

  It’ll be weird not to have her around. While Brooke and I have been looking forward to peace and quiet, Kaia’s presence is everywhere.

  The one thing I am glad for is getting the chance at a second wedding night. One where Brooke feels loved and wanted. The one she should have had in the first place.

  There’ll be no awkwardness between us this time.

  “I’m impressed you’re trusting my parents with Kaia.” I kiss her again, lingering on those sweet lips.