Page 132

Story: Tiny Precious Secrets

“Why would I be mad?”
“At Bug. I didn’t want you to be mad at Bug.”
She drifts off to sleep and I turn to see Bug wiping at her eyes. “You heard that?”
She nods.
“You could do far worse in the stepmom department, I hope you know that.”
She nods again. “I know, Dad. She’s… pretty great.”
I’m hoping Allie heard the compliment, but I doubt it. I’ll tell her about it later. I still can’t believe she didn’t tell me, and she kept it secret in the interest of her own relationship with Darla. Damn, that woman is going to make one hell of a mom.
Bug and I take turns holding Christina while Allie sleeps. After a few hours, there’s a light knock on the door and a nurse comes in rolling a bassinet.
I hop off the couch and race over. “Is this for good, or just a little while?”
“Dr. Bundy released him from the NICU. He’s doing great.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“Did you hear that?” Bug leans over and says to Christina, “Our brother is one tough little dude.”
Allie stirs and I roll Alex over to her. “Somebody really wants to see you.”
Her hand flies to her mouth. “He’s good?”
“He’s better than good.” I pick him up and place him into her arms.
“Beautiful family,” the nurse says, then leaves.
I wrap my arm around Bug, who’s still holding Christina. “I’d have to agree.”
Once Allie has traced every feature on Alex’s face, she asks, “Have they seen each other yet?”
“Not since they were vying for space inside you.”
“I think they should meet.” She motions for Christina. “I’d like to introduce them.”
I gather her up from Bug and put her into Allie’s free arm. “Guess we’ll have to get used to balancing two of them, huh?”
She situates them both like she’s already a pro. “Christina, meet Alex. Alex, this is Christina, but her big sister calls her Chrissy.” Unable to wipe her tears, they flow freely down her face. “And I’m your mom.” She turns to Bug. “Maybe one day, you’ll let me be yours.”
I can tell it’s hard for Bug to contain her emotions, no matter how much she’s trying. She smiles, trying to brush them off. “Maybe. But you realize you’d have to marry my dad before that could happen.”
I cock my head. “Are you saying you’d be okay with that?”
“I’m kind of surprised you haven’t already done it.”
“It’sherfault.” I point to Allie. “She wouldn’t let me marry her without your blessing.”
“Wait… seriously? So all this time, you were waiting onmeto be okay with it?” She looks more than a little guilty. Walking over near Allie, she leans close to each baby then says, “They say go for it.”
I take the opening when I see it, and pull the engagement ring out of my pocket. I’ve been carrying it around for nearly six months waiting for this opportunity, no way am I letting it slip by. I drop to a knee beside her bed. “You’ve stolen my heart. You’ve had my babies. We have the blessing.” I hold out the ring. “Nowwill you marry me?”
Since the day she told me about Christopher, I haven’t seen her cry this much. The difference is, these are happy tears. Tears of joy and hope. Tears I’ve shared in more than once on this monumental day.
She nods over and over. “Yes. Of course I will.” She holds up her left hand the best she can while still securing Alex. “It’s beautiful,” she says when I slide on the ring.