by Ford, Mia
“I see you in her face too. The nose? I’m not sure because she’s still so small but I can see both of us and even others right now.” I looked up at her as she spoke, knowing that she meant Mom.
I enjoyed the quiet moments with my baby niece until other family came to see her. I reluctantly shared her, taking in the joy and love that filled the room as my sister and I turned into a bigger family that might never stop growing.
Chapter Twenty-Five
David
Sixteen months later
I walked down the stairs to the sound of voices, running a hand through my hair as I looked in the living room. It was lit primarily by the Christmas tree lights and the fireplace and filled with adults and children. I finished my descent and caught Aubrey’s eyes as she gazed at me with a loving smile.
We were having a lazy New Year’s Day get together and everyone was here. My family was gathered around the room on couches as they watched a game on TV, eating the food that Cammie and Aubrey cooked for today as they laughed and talked. Jacob was sitting with his Vanessa, whom he married last summer in a moment of surprise. He’d never been the settling down type but once they met, she was it for him. My sisters were single, but they were in college and needed to be. I just warned them about the dangers every chance I got, making them roll their eyes.
Today they sat at the end of the couch, holding Braden as they whispered together. My son was born a few months ago after some months of trying and was absolutely perfect. He looked a lot like me but had his mom’s sweet smile and strong disposition. He added joy to our already growing extended family and I glanced at Aurora as she toddled around the couch, watched closely by Brent. She’d been walking for a while now, but he always kept an eye on her when she was making her way about the world. Cammie was holding Tanner as she talked to my mom, rocking the four-month-old to sleep as he fussed in her arms. They got married three months after Aurora was born and were still going strong.
Life was different. Before, I was young and in a band with nobody to worry about apart from myself. I made music, toured, and partied. Looking back. I realized it was a lonely life and smiled as I thought about my life now.
I had a gorgeous house and a little family now. We had a German Shepard that ran around greeting the visitors, enjoying the love they all gave him. I still made music, but it was around them now. I toured less and when I went far away, they came with me. We had friends that watched the dog for us while we saw the world, allowing Aubrey to write for her long-term clients and have that independence. Even Cammie left the catering business when she had Tanner, choosing the road over long hours. She helped Aubrey out a bit and loved that, but we were all just one unit focused on our children. We had a different kind of fun that involved food, holidays and making memories.
I walked into the kitchen where Aubrey was pouring Aurora some milk in a sippy cup. She capped it as I wrapped my arms around her, smiling as she turned to kiss me. “Hi, baby.”
“Hey. I love you.” She told me as I chuckled and pulled her closer. “Is everything okay with Steve?”
“His wife is on bed rest with the baby for the next three months, so we’ll have some down time. He’s not going to be leaving her side.” Aubrey smiled sympathetically, having taken it easy towards the end of her own pregnancy. I never left her side and never regretted a thing.
“I hope everything’s okay.” We’d suffered preterm labor at the latter part of the nine months and Aubrey was in bed almost twenty-four hours. Cammie was there with me to help and we got through it and I knew that we’d help Steve and Alyse through their time.
“It will be. Everyone is there for them.” I heard Aurora calling for Aubrey and my wife handed her the cup with a smile. Aurora smiled brilliantly at her and I admired the close relationship that my wife shared with her niece. Aurora loved everyone but from the beginning, she was bonded with Aubrey. It was almost like she was a second mom to her sometimes. Both of the sisters swore that the little girl had a couple quirky habits that their mom had, like the way she held herself once she started walking and the way she wrinkled her nose when she didn’t like something. Nobody on Brent’s side did that and it made Aubrey cry sometimes.
I also saw the way that Aurora looked at photos of their mom as if she knew her, babbling away in her sweet little voice. Life was a funny thing sometimes.
I took her hand and we went to check on Braden, who was sleeping peacefully. We found a spot on the couch by my parents and joined into the conversation as I played with Aubrey’s hair and satisfying my need to always be touching her. I knew that we’d be alone later when the baby was asleep where I could touch her in the ways I wanted to.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Aubrey
Two Years Later
I peered into my room to see David sleeping in bed after recording hard for the last week. He deserved it and I then walked into Braden’s room to see my toddler sprawled out in his crib, moving a bit in his sleep. I smiled and closed his door as I went downstairs to get some tea. I loved the evenings where I could curl up with a book and read for a while, even though I knew that would be hard tonight.
A: He’s asleep!! When should I tell him.
I needed to talk to someone and I knew that Cammie would text if she could.
C: Go wake him up the proper way and tell that man that you’re having another baby! He’s been wanting this.
A: You know how hard they’ve been working, Cam. Would you wake Brent up for that?
C: For that? Yes.
A: You’re impossible.
I looked around my living room and sighed. I took a test this evening after having pregnancy symptoms for the last couple of weeks. I’d been trying hard since Braden was close to a year old and I was thrilled. My husband was exhausted though and I settled in my oversized chair and looked down at my kindle again.
I wanted a girl this time. I wanted my Rosie to go with My Ora. I was never disappointed with Braden and I’d love another boy. I just wanted a girl full time instead of borrowing Aurora. I wanted to tell David and I bit on my lip.
We had plans the following evening to celebrate his birthday with his family. We were going to dinner at a steakhouse in town with a private room, so the moms wouldn’t be chasing kids the entire time. I knew I was pregnant but not that much and I preferred to wait until the twelve-week mark with family.
I smiled as I thought about my life. I never thought that I’d be married to someone like David, much less my long-time crush. I thought I’d settle for Kyle and have a job and a house, maybe a few kids. I’d seen him in the hospital when I had Braden since his new wife was having their daughter. He’d settled down after he found out who David was and moved on, but his wife wasn’t the girl I caught him with. I hoped that he was faithful to her since he’d made the commitment and had a baby. I hoped that he was happy.
The next morning, I was making pancakes for Braden as he played with some toys when David walked into the kitchen. He poured coffee, kissing me and going to talk to our son as I smiled to myself “Slept good?” I asked as he stretched, still taking my breath away.
“Yeah. I am going to love this day off.” He replied as he grinned at me. David was gorgeous, and I took him in appreciatively before flipping the pancakes. I brought them to the table and secured Braden in his seat to eat as we sat with him, smiling stupidly at one another. When breakfast was over, and I set the plates in the sink, I walked over and slipped my arms around his waist, pressing my lips to his ear as he looked outside. “Aubrey? Are you serious?” He asked in a whisper before turning around to look at me. I nodded, and he pressed his lips to mine hard, holding me close.
“I am. I found out last night, but I didn’t want to wake you up.” I admitted as he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Fuck that. That is well worth losing some sleep over.” He argued as I rolled my eyes.
“You have been working your ass off and sleep is important. I will be pregnant for a few months.” I gave him a
serious gaze and David smiled before kissing me again.
“Can we tell everyone tonight?” He asked as I wrapped my arms around his neck. We had one miscarriage and I never wanted to go through the pain of sharing the news of something that could end again. It broke both of us and he seemed to read my mind before nodding slowly.
“Soon, baby.” I promised as we held each other, quietly celebrating the good news between ourselves.
We had our daughter eight months later. Cammie was there as well as David’s mother to welcome Rosalind into the world. I knew that I felt complete as I looked at her wavy dark hair and little mouth screaming her thoughts about being here. David took his place beside me when they placed her on my chest and I held her against my skin the way my sister taught me to, feeling love flowing all through the room.
Braden was with the twins while we stayed in the hospital getting all kinds of love. They had a place in the city and were both working for separate ad companies after college, making us all so proud. They were great when it came to help with kids or dogs for all of us.
I took my little bundle of joy wrapped in a blanket and held her close. David kissed me and told me how amazing I was for this gift and I held back tears. “I love you so much, baby.” He looked at me as I blinked, feeling the wetness on my cheeks.
“I love you. You and these kids are my life.” I blinked as we stared at each other, linked for that moment before our family started congratulating us and asking to see the baby,
You never know what life is going to throw at you. Sometimes it isn’t what you planned but that doesn’t mean it isn’t right.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Aubrey
I leaned back in my seat, listening to the chatter that filled the auditorium. David sat beside me and held my hand as he kept his head low, not wanting to ruin his sister’s graduation by being recognized by anyone. It was their day.
Cammie was watching the kids, so we could celebrate the twin sisters’ graduation. Emma was getting a Business degree and Mel went with Math, planning to teach. They were polar opposites that way since Emma dreamed of opening her own cafe down the line and use what she learned. For now, she planned to work in a high end one and learn the ropes.
I watched as the students took their seats, wearing dark blue and cream-colored hats. Mom was chatting beside us, beaming with joy with the celebration. The girls were the youngest kids in the family and she complained that she had no more babies, but I knew she was looking forward to some time with just her husband. I know I appreciated it.
The ceremony started, reminding me how boring they were. I got through the initial part snuggling close to David as we played a game, watching as Jacob and Vanessa did the same. They had been married for a year now and were doing great. I was as close to her as David was to Josh and we spent a lot of time together. They just needed to have a baby and join that club and it would be perfect.
They were still working as freelance photographers and having a blast with that. They spent time with us whenever they were in town and the kids loved them. I looked at my in-laws as he wrapped his arm around Mom, holding her close.
I spent so many years with Cammie as a twosome, relying on each other. It was sad and a bit lonely going on without Mom, but my sister was everything. I just couldn’t believe that I had a brother and two more sisters in addition to parents again. They loved my sister and I, treating the four kids like they were all family at every family party. It was special, and I made a point of appreciating it every chance I got.
They got to the part where the graduates took to the stage and I saw the pretty brunette girls standing in the line, arms locked and smiling. Emma had a bob now and her curls looked amazing since she started embracing them. Her sister Mel had her thick hair in a French braid and they laughed at something another student said. When they walked across one by one, we cheered for them along with their other friends. I could see Emma looking over at us as she playfully glared but I knew she didn’t mind. Emma loved attention. It was Mel that was a bit more low key and blushed at our shouts.
We waited in the crowd for them to finish up and meet us out front. Mom held bouquets of flowers for them: pink for Emma and a dark purple for Mel. I held the balloons and glared at David and Jacob as they batted at the big silver one that was supposed to be a diploma. “Stop it!! I’d at least like them to see the balloons before you pop them.”
“You just don’t want to get scared.” David teased me as Vanessa pulled Jacob back with a laugh. He knew how much I hated the sound of popping balloons from one of Braden’s birthday parties where a bunch of the boys got a hold of a few latex helium ones and went to town.
“That too.” I agreed as he cupped my face and leaned in to kiss me. I smiled and pressed against him, getting lost in the moment as students started to mingle with their families. I heard Mom call out and pulled away to see the girls walking over to us, beaming brightly. They got hugs from all of us before getting the flowers and balloons, posing for several pictures.
Dad reminded us that we had reservations for a steak house for dinner after several moments. We walked a few blocks to our cars and Jacob and Vanessa joined us in ours while the twins went with Mom and Dad. They took an Uber to the ceremony earlier to avoid having to get back to a vehicle once it was all said and done. Any parties they would be interested in going to were close, and it was a safe idea, anyway. I slipped into the front of our new, large SUV and watched as David closed the door for me and walked around to the front. I loved that man more every day.
He started the car and pulled off his hat, running a hand through his damp hair. It was summer in the PNW and on the hot side, but he wanted to have a peaceful day. “I can’t believe they graduated,” he said as he looked around the car.
“I can’t believe they grew up on us,” Jacob added as the brothers shared a look. “I’m glad they’re going to live in Seattle near us.” The twins were going to rent an apartment together in the city where they would pursue jobs. Mom would love for them to come back to the house, but it made sense for them to live here.
“I am going to let every guy in town know they’re my sisters and that they shouldn’t lay a finger on them.” David assured Jacob as I rolled my eyes.
“Emma listens to you so much. Good luck with that.” I said dryly as he shook his head.
“Mel loves me. She’ll hear me out,” Jacob said confidently as Vanessa and I laughed.
“Sure. You keep on telling yourself that.” Vanessa teased as she leaned close to her husband. “They’re great girls. Don’t worry.”
“I am sure that hanging out with our kids have made them never want to go there.” I told David as he barked out a laugh. We loved our children, but Braden was a wild little boy while Rosie was a sassy sprite that wanted to do everything her way. At five and two, they kept us busy. I often had help when David was away should we have to stay home while he was on tour.
“No doubt. They’re fucking insane.” He agreed as he stopped at a light, grinning over at me. “Cam must be having a great time with all four of them.”
My sister was surprisingly calm with the kids. She had her two that were only mildly calmer than mine, but she was at peace. She had everything that she never knew she wanted. I always knew how amazing she would be just from how good she was to me, aspiring to be more like her every day.
We drove to the sprawling restaurant where David had reserved a private room. He helped me out of the car while Jacob was helping Vanessa out of her door, his hat back over his face. I held his hand as we walked to the back corner of the building and through a wide door to the room that could comfortably sit twenty. The girls asked a few close friends along and family would be attending that could not make the ceremony.
I pressed my hands over my flowing purple dress as we walked in. The chatter was loud, and I winced as David asked me if I wanted something to drink. He had all the bases covered tonight and had a staff of waitresses getting drinks and our food, so we
wouldn’t have to go into the crowded main room. I told him I’d love some wine and headed over to the girls as he grabbed a waitress. I hugged them again and met their friends that I had not seen yet, all of whom gushed over the fact that I was married to their brother. I was used to that and smiled at Vanessa as I vaguely answered their questions. I tried to keep much of our life as private as possible, particularly with the kids.
He came back with a beer for him and wine for me, smiling at the group of girls. He gave them autographs and posed for pics, excusing himself once they were done so the night could be about his sisters.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
David
I sipped my beer, sitting next to my father and brother as we waited for our entrees. I glanced over at Aubrey as she laughed with my mom, smiling as she met my eyes. She was so damn beautiful, and I still couldn’t believe that she was mine. Tonight, she was wearing a dark purple dress that complimented her skin and hair, flowing down to her knees and over the sexy stomach that she obsessed about. Ever since she had our babies, Aubrey worried, but she’d always been sexy as fuck. I hated women that were skin and bones to begin with and she had curves for days.
She sipped her wine and walked over to me, taking the seat beside me. “I’m hungry.” Her voice was low, and I thought of a way I’d like to feed her as I grinned wickedly. “Shut up right now.”
“I didn’t say anything,” I protested with an innocent expression as she rolled her eyes. I pressed my lips to hers and she sighed happily against me as she leaned closer. “I love you, Mrs. Foster.”
“I love you, Mr. Foster.” I felt her smile before kissing me again and thought about renting a hotel room for the night, so we could enjoy a night without kids. It was so rare for a night of uninterrupted sleep much less sex. I heard the sound of more voices and glanced up to see my aunt and uncle walking in with their kids to the greetings of my mom.
