Braylee sat up in an attempt to get comfortable. She’d been sitting in the same position for too long and had a nagging ache in her lower back.
Alex relaxed his hold on Braylee. “We’ve been seated in the same spot for a bit. Let’ grab a cup of coffee to stretch our legs. It might help with some of your kinks. We’re making a coffee run. Does anyone else want one?” He stood and held out his hand to help Braylee up.
Braylee rolled her shoulders. “Mmm…that sounds so good. I’d love a cup.” Before Braylee could finish her sentence, Stephanie blurted out, “You know you can’t have coffee. It wouldn’t be good for the baby.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she realized her mistake.
Alex swallowed deeply and sat back down slowly. Did he hear Stephanie right? Did she say Braylee was pregnant? That was impossible wasn’t it? Well, not literally impossible, but almost. “What did you say, Stephanie?”
If looks could kill, Stephanie would be six feet under. Fabi sat up straighter as he waited in anticipation of Braylee’s response.
Nervously, Braylee’s tongue darted out as she licked her lips. “This wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to have this conversation.” Cautiously, she gazed into his eyes, hoping for a positive reaction. Her voice was almost a whisper. “Yes, I’m pregnant.”
Cecily clapped and squealed. “This is awesome! Grandma is going to flip out…in a good way of course.”
Shocked couldn’t describe how Alex was feeling. “So, you being sick wasn’t a bug?”
Braylee shook her head no.
“This is real? I’m going to be a father? Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. A doctor confirmed it.” She covered his hands with hers and placed them over her stomach. “I know everything is happening fast. It’s scary but in a little over six months, you’ll be a dad.”
Everyone else in the room disappeared. In this moment, it was just the two of them. Alex touched his forehead to hers as he fought the tears from trickling down his face. He was losing the battle. Gently, he tipped Braylee’s chin up as his face hovered over hers before placing his lips on softly on hers. He couldn’t tell if it was the salt from his tears or hers that he tasted. It didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered except for them. After a while, Alex pulled back. “No, it’s not too fast for someone who thought the closest he’d ever become to being a father is Cecily. Braylee…” His voice almost gave out. “You’ve saved me in more ways than you will ever know. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“I feel the same way about you. And, the best part is we can spend the rest of our lives trying.”
*****
An hour later, James Hinsdale arrived back to the waiting room. He looked worn and tired. “Well, your mother is settled in for tonight. They will need to evaluate her, but more than likely she will need in-patient care for a while. I’ll need to find a place for her, and…” Mr. Hinsdale broke down in tears. Braylee and Stephanie were right by his side.
“Daddy, we are a family…”
Stephanie chimed in. “A dysfunctional one but a family nonetheless.”
“We will deal with this together.” Braylee turned to Alex although she was talking to her father. “I don’t want you to be alone. Please stay with us for a couple of days.”
How could he deny Braylee? She’d given him so much. Not that he wanted to. “Mr. Hinsdale, please come stay with us for as long as you want. We’ll get Mrs. Hinsdale the best doctors available.”
He nodded. “Leaving her here is hard. She always made me promise never to have her committed. But, I’m determined to make my family whole. This is what’s right, and this is what’s best. This is a new beginning for all of us.”
*****
Alexandro, Cecily, and Braylee arrived home close to midnight. More than likely, they wouldn’t see Fabi until tomorrow since he’d driven Stephanie to her apartment. And, Mr. Hinsdale was loathed to leave Katherine at the hospital, so he decided to stay over with her. However, Braylee would pick him up in the morning and bring him back to stay with them for a little while.
While the three of them should have been exhausted, Alexandro’s and Cecily’s excitement was contagious. The two of them had already started treating her with kid gloves.
Cecily was talking a mile a minute but the moment Alex noticed Braylee attempting to stifle a yawn, he called it a night. Once, Cecily was settled; they walked back to their bedroom arm in arm. Braylee rested her head on his shoulder. Just as they made it to their room and she was about to step through the door, Alex swept her up into his arms. “Alex!” She laughed. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like, I’m carrying you over the threshold.”
Braylee wrapped her arms around his neck and basked in his attention. “Isn’t that what newlyweds are supposed to do?”
He shrugged then kissed her lips. “I feel like one. And, I’ll do it again once we’re married.”
She turned serious
