Chapter 29
Zander
My mom had me shopping a large part of the day. It was driving me crazy to be away from Livie and the kids. I knew she was right. Once they moved to New York, I wouldn't be home to visit much. We both tried to get our moms to come with us, but neither of them wanted to move. We knew they would have each other right next door. I knew it was going to be hard on Livie not having her mom there to help her. She was going to be home with the kids, so I was hoping that would help to make things easier for her.
When we finally pulled into the driveway, I was exhausted. I ran into the house to do a few things. I planned on spending the rest of my time next door. As soon as I walked in the door, I saw a note on the table in front of me.
Z,
I hope you had a great time shopping with your mom. We missed you. Go upstairs to your room. I have something for you. Please, for once, follow directions.
Love,
Livie
I shook my head at her smart-ass comment and walked upstairs. The day seemed to go on forever while I was with my mom. I couldn't wait to see Livie and the kids. My bedroom door was closed. When I opened it, there were balloons floating through my room. Each of them had a love message on them. On the other side of the room, hanging from the closet door, was a very nice suit. There was a card attached to it, so I walked over to read it.
Z,
There are sixteen balloons floating freely through your room. Each one represents a year of my life without you in it. Those were the hardest years of my life. We both went on to follow our dreams only to be led back to the same spot our friendship began. You always were the one that kept me grounded. You are my everything. I love you so much. I remember the first time I saw you. You were the cutest boy I had ever seen. That was the beginning of the most amazing relationship in my life.
Please put on this suit and go back downstairs.
I love you so much,
Livie
I had no idea what she had planned. Maybe she was taking me out to dinner, I thought. Either way, I needed to get to her. I couldn't wait another moment to see her. Every second I was home with her and the kids was precious. In one month, we would finally be together.
I quickly changed into the suit and slipped into the shoes that were on the floor beneath it. She said to go back down. I ran my fingers through my hair, looked in the mirror, and walked down to find April and Jack dressed up and waiting for me. They looked so adorable, as they stood there with huge smiles. April handed me a card and giggled. I shook my head and opened it.
Z,
If you followed my directions, this is your final card. You are the sweetest, most loving, and sexiest man I have ever met, and you are mine. I love you so much and hope that you love me half as much as I love you. Please come and meet me in our spot. It's the place we first connected and talk for hours. It's the place I spent the most important moments of high school. It's the place where I fell in love and knew my life would never be the same again.
Do you remember what I told you the first day we met?
I love you so much, Z. I'll be waiting for you.
Love,
Livie
I took their hands in mine and we walked through the backyard.
"You both look very nice," I said.
"Mommy said we can't play with you right now. We're in our nice clothes," Jack said.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"I told her you play in your nice clothes, but she said we couldn't today," he said.
"We'll play later," I said, as I looked down at him.
He smiled and nodded. April pulled at my hand.
"We need to go," she said.
She was just like Livie. I smiled and followed her lead. When I looked up at saw Livie standing at the entrance to the woods, my breath caught. She looked so beautiful. Her dress was pink and flowed perfectly from her body. She looked radiant. The smile on her face made melted my heart.
Looking at the perfect, selfless woman in front of made had my head spinning. One question after another ran through my mind. Would she be happy with me? Was I good enough for her? Was I good enough to be a father to our three kids? I could operate on people with the steadiest hand, but as I walked closer to her, my hands began shaking. I didn't want to disappoint the three of them. Would I be the husband she deserved? I never wanted to hurt Livie. It was my job to protect and care for her. Could I be everything she wanted and needed? I knew she was everything to me. There was never a day that went by that I didn't think about being with her. I knew that I would do whatever it took to give her the life she deserved.
I wasn't sure what she had planned, but I couldn't wait another second to hold her. As soon as I got to her, she reached out her hands to take mine.
"I love you so much, Z. I hope you know how much you mean to me. You always have. You're it for me. It's always been you. We can't wait another minute to bring you into our crazy, busy, loud, and loving family. We talked so many times about our wedding. Each time you told me you wanted me to have exactly what I wanted. All I want is to have you by my side. No matter how many times I thought about marrying you over the years, my mind always came back to here. So many important things happened here. This is it, the perfect spot. Will you make the happiest woman alive and marry me right here, right now?"
I looked into her eyes and fell even more in love with her.
"I can't think of a better time or place to make you mine, Livie. You make me happier than I have ever been. I'm going to be the best damn husband there is. I'm going to take care of you and our kids every day for the rest of my life. I want nothing more than to make you my wife right here, right now."
I took her face and kissed her. She took my hand and walked into the woods. April was at her side, and Jack was at mine. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She had done so much. There were lights everywhere. It looked like stars in the sky. She had chairs for family and friends. There was music playing. We all stood together as we professed our love to each other. Livie was so beautiful. I couldn't have imagined a more prefect wedding. There were so many memories surrounding us there. It was the best moment of my life. We became a family.
The next month flew by. Livie and the kids had done a great job labeling all of the moving boxes. They arrived a week before my family. I had everything unpacked and put away before they got there. We wanted the kids to have an easy transition.
I showed up at the airport and waited at the baggage claim. They had each checked a bag, and I wanted to get them before Livie started tossing them around. The bags got there before they did. It made me laugh. I could see Livie and the kids shopping around in the stores on the way out of the airport. When I saw her, I knew my eyes lit up. They were there. My family was finally there. I ran to them like it had been months since seeing them. It was the best feeling in the world to wrap my arms around all of them.
They were moved in two weeks before Christmas. I hadn't decorated the tree yet. The day after they arrived, we decorated it together. Livie sat in the chair with her feet up, while the kids placed the ornaments where they wanted them. When it was finished, we watched a holiday movie and had popcorn and cocoa.
I looked around the place. It was perfect. We were all curled up together on the couch. It wasn't quiet or spotless. The kids had already made it home. There were toys on the floor and books with crayons on the table. It was nothing like it used to be, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I looked over at the tree. The decorations were all on the lower half. I looked up at the bare spot and laughed.
"We can move them around later," Livie whispered in my ear.
"No," I said with a smile. "It's perfect."
"Seriously," she said. "My mom always filled in the top of the tree."
"We aren't moving one thing. That is their tree. Each year, more and more of the tree will be filled in. I like it just the way it is."
Livie squeezed my arm and laughed. I wrapped my arms around her and kept my
hand on her stomach. I loved feeling the baby move around, which seemed like every second.
"How did I get so lucky?" she asked.
"It wasn't luck," I said. "You marched into my life and told me you were going to be my wife. I thought you were just messing with me. Who knew you had it planned all those years."
She looked up at me and laughed.
"It wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be," she joked. "It only took me twenty years."
Chapter 30
Zander
Valentine's Day came, and I had a romantic evening planned. Both of our moms flew in to be there to watch the kids. I knew they weren't leaving until after the baby was born. We would have plenty of time to spend with them. It would be several weeks before that was happening. Then they would stay to help take care of things.
The kids loved their new school. I had taken them to see so many things since Christmas. They were excited for summer to come. I promised we would all go as a family to show their mom the things they were seeing that she was missing. It didn't seem to bother them at all that the city was much bigger and louder than what they were used to.
We were all comfortable in our new routine as a family. I cut back on my hours at work but was still able to take care of all of my patients. Livie had the kids on a schedule. She loved being able to take them to school and pick them up. I loved watching her waddle around the house. Their homework was usually done when I got home. I really liked walking in to the smell of something cooking. We took turns reading the kids their stories and always tucked them in together. The place was full of laughter, toys, and running around. There were tears and arguments as well, but that was part of being a family.
The kids were happy to have their grandmothers there with them. I knew they would be excited. They saw both of our moms every day before they moved. We let them call them whenever they wanted. The times were getting to be less each week. They really were adjusting well.
I was with my last patient of the day and couldn't wait to get home to take my beautiful wife to dinner when my phone rang. I let it go, thinking I would be done in just a couple of minutes. It rang again, and I decided to take it. I stepped out into the hallway and answered it.
"Happy Valentine's Day, beautiful," I said. "I'm with my last patient. Can I call you right back?"
She didn't say anything.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. "It's going to be a great day. We're going out for a romantic dinner. I can't wait to see you."
"It's going to be better than that," she said quietly.
"What?" I asked.
"We're going to have a baby," she said.
"Where are you?" I asked nervously.
"On my way to the hospital," she said calmly.
My mind was going a mile a minute. I couldn't think straight.
"I'm on my way," I shouted.
"Take your time. Finish with your patient. We have plenty of time," she said.
"No," I said. "I'll leave now. Do you need anything? Where are the kids?"
I heard her laugh.
"Calm down, Z," she said. "Both moms and both kids are here. We are just fine. There's time. Finish with the patient. They didn't come there to be sent home after they waited for you."
"How are you so calm, Livie? We're having a baby," I said.
"You operate on people, Z. You've done much harder things than have a baby. It'll all be fine. Just calm your ass down, finish with your patient, and meet us there. We love you, baby."
"I love you too," I said.
She had a way of bringing me back to reality. I took a few deep breaths before going back into the room and finishing with my patient.
When I got to the hospital, the kids were so excited. They were able to stay in the room for most of the time. Livie was so calm. She watched cartoons with one child on each side. The nurses would come in to check her, and she'd go right back to the kids. She really was an amazing mom.
I was so excited to hold our new little one in my arms. I still couldn't believe we were having a baby.
When the time came, our moms took the kids to the waiting room. Livie didn't want anyone there but me. I was so scared. Nobody would ever know from looking in our room that I was the one who was a doctor. Livie spent more time reassuring me than I did her. She was calm and cool the entire time. I'd seen ladies freak out and scream while they were delivering. Livie was the exact opposite. She was always perfect.
Livie had only been to the new doctor once since she had moved to New York. Her second appointment was supposed to be the next day. She completely skipped the once a week visits.
I was by her side the entire time. Everything she needed, I did. When I heard the cry of that little baby, I couldn't help the tears that came from my eyes.
"It's a girl," the doctor said.
I looked into Livie's eyes and smiled. We were both a mess of tears. The doctor let us see our beautiful little girl. When he sat back down, he looked up in shock. My heart instantly dropped. What the hell was wrong, I thought? Please let Livie be okay was all that ran through my mind.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I'm not sure how to tell you this," he said, just as Livie winced in pain. "You're having another baby."
"What?" Livie and I both yelled together.
"You're other doctor never mentioned anything?" He asked. "I've only seen you once since you've been here. We hadn't yet done any real checking. That was starting tomorrow."
Livie looked down at him. It was the first time in years that I had seen her not in control.
"I probably would have mentioned it to you had I known," she snapped.
It took all I had not to laugh. I was so lost and could only imagine how she was feeling. I was happy, scared, pissed, and excited all at the same time.
"Two babies," I said.
The doctor looked up and nodded. I looked down at Livie and could see fear in her eyes. It was time to be there for her. I didn't care how scared I was of letting down two children, I knew I had to hold it together for her. She rarely ever needed anything. Livie was independent and always took care of herself. I watched her slowly losing her control over her emotions. I leaned down next to her ear.
"We're going to have two more babies to love. This is going to be amazing. We're going to do it together, baby. I'm going to be right there every second. We're going to be a perfect, loving family. I can't wait to meet our surprise bundle. Come on, Livie. We're going to be just fine. I love you, sweetheart."
She looked over at me.
"I don't know what I did to deserve you. Thank you for loving me," she said, as she touched my cheek.
"Let's have a baby," I said with a smile.
When we heard the second tiny cry, I kissed her cheek.
"It's a boy," the doctor said.
I leaned down and hugged Livie. She looked exhausted.
"Two babies," I said. "We have two beautiful babies. I'm a dad. I have four kids."
Livie burst into laughter.
"Yes," she said. "You sure do."
They put both babies in her arms. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
"At least we know all that moving around wasn't just one baby. I thought we were never going to sleep," I said.
She laughed and looked over at me.
"You think we're going to sleep with two babies?" she asked.
I laughed and shook my head.
"It doesn't matter. I don't care if I ever sleep. I'm going to be right next to you the entire time. I can't wait to have my whole family home. We can always lock our moms in and not let them leave," I said.
"That sounds like a plan," she said.
We knew our kids and moms were going to be just as shocked as we were. I made sure Livie was relaxed and comfortable before I went to get them. I opened the door slowly and looked in to make sure she was ready. She had a baby in each arm. One had a pink hat, and one had a blue one. She looked up and smiled at me. I would have that picture forever in
my mind. The door opened the rest of the way, and we all walked in. Both of the kids stopped, looked at Livie, and then looked back at me with confused looks on their faces. It took all I had to keep a straight face. I knew exactly how they felt. Both of the moms stopped moving and looked over at each other before looking back at Livie. I walked over to stand next to Livie.
"Meet your new little brother and sister," Livie said.
April squealed in delight. She started jumping up and down. Jack just stood there.
"Two of them," he said.
"Yes," Livie said. "You have one of each."
"That's a lot of babies," Jack said.
I could tell he wasn't as confident as April with the news, so I walked over and scooped him into my arms.
"Can you believe it," I said. "We have two babies to share and love. You're their big brother. I'm going to need lots of help protecting two babies. Do you think you can help me with that?"
Jack's eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face. He nodded and looked down at the babies.
"Yes, daddy," he said, and I almost lost it. "I'll be the best big brother there is. I'll make you so proud."
Livie looked up at me with tears in her eyes, just as they started sliding from mine too.
"I'm proud of you every single day, son," I said.
It was the first time he had called me dad, and it melted my heart. As I looked around the room to see everyone I loved, I knew I was the luckiest man alive. All of my dreams had come true. It was funny how that worked. My dreams had been right there in front of me the whole time. I just needed to open my eyes and make them happen.
Epilogue
Olivia
Ten Months Later
I sat exhausted on the floor in front of the Christmas tree and looked around at the mess before me. When I looked up at the decorations, I noticed they were higher than they were the year before. It made me think about April and Jack. They had grown so much since the last year. April was playing with a doll house Zander had spent hours putting together. Jack was playing with the tool bench Zander had also put together the night before. Jessica and Justin were playing together with a pile of new toys. April and Jack had picked out their names with us. They wanted them to have the same first letter. It was adorable. There were toys, paper, and cardboard boxes everywhere. Z sat down next to me and handed me a wrapped box.
A Blast from the Past (A Second Chance Romance) Page 18
