by Renea Porter
Seeing Rylee, though, just proved to me how much I did want her and the family we had spoken about. I wondered how far along she was. Three months? Four months, maybe? Thinking about me not being there every step of the way, it broke my heart. If she had told me, I would have been here for every second of it. Then again that was my third strike and I couldn’t blame her for bouncing.
The divorce papers were signed now and I was getting my act together. Turning twenty-six without Rylee by my side, it didn’t make sense. But I knew if she forgave me, it would be for the greater good.
Picking up my phone, I called Kyler.
“What’s up, man?” he questioned.
“Hey. Can I get Rylee’s number and address? I promise I will not make contact with her until tomorrow.”
“Sure. What the hell?”
Grabbing a piece of paper, I wrote her information down.
“Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“Good luck.”
“Hey. Did your girlfriend say anything about Rylee after checking on her?” I was curious.
“Yeah. She was pissed at you. Look, you gotta talk to her yourself.”
“You’re right.”
“Thanks.”
“Sure. Talk to you later.”
“Later.”
Hanging up with Kyler, I decided to call Rylee even though I’d promised Ky I wouldn’t. Her phone rang three times before she finally answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Ry. How are you?”
God, why was I so damn nervous? It felt like my heart might beat out of chest.
“I’m fine. You?”
“I’m good.”
“Liar.” I swear I could picture her smiling right now.
“You’re right. I’m a wreck without you, Ry. And I would like to see if I can ever earn your trust again. Can we meet for coffee at least?” I corrected myself because she was pregnant. “Or tea.”
The line was quiet for a long time. Then she answered, “Sure. You know Sal’s Frap?”
“I know the place.”
“Three o’clock work?’ she asked.
I smiled. “Yes. That works.”
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow at three.”
“Tomorrow. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Hey, it was a start. At least she agreed to meet me. It felt like my heart was beating a mile a minute. Maybe I was having a heart attack at twenty-six years old. Going over everything in my head, there was a lot we needed to discuss. And now that I was in Cabazon, I was closer than ever because of the new opportunity I was presented with. Since I was on a month-to-month lease, I let my landlord know I was moving out. Packing the boxes, I was ready for the new chapter in my life. If that meant Rylee would move on without me, I wouldn’t like it, but we would co-parent our child, because I did want to be in the child’s life.
If it meant Rylee would give me one more shot, it would make the next chapter that much sweeter.
***
My car was packed to the brim including taking up all the room in the trunk. Before settling into my new digs, I needed to see Rylee first. To see where her head was at. But the first thing I did when I woke up was send more roses to Rylee. Hell, I wasn’t sure what her favorite flower was. I’d have to make a note of that at a later time.
Rylee. Rylee and the baby were my focus right now as I headed to Sal’s Fraps. When I arrived, Rylee wasn’t there yet, so I ordered for the both of us, and grabbed a table by the window. I spotted her as soon as she walked through the door. She still stole my breath away and my heart quickened. Her belly was round and noticeable as she wore a black skirt and a baby pink, short-sleeve sweater. I waved as soon as she spotted me.
When she approached the table, I stood. “Hey.” I smiled.
“Hi.”
“I went ahead and grabbed you a tea.”
“Thanks. And thank you for all the flowers. It was a little excessive.” She chuckled.
I wanted to stand to hug her or even touch her in some way but I refrained as she sat across from me.
“I wanted to show you how much I still care about you and us. Most importantly, how are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. I’m sorry.” She stopped to take a sip of her tea. “I should have called you and told you.” She cradled her stomach.
“I’m glad you are meeting me today. I’ve been looking for you and you are a hard person to locate and here you were this whole time.”
“I rented a house, and I was doing some upgrades to keep myself busy.”
“I got my divorce finalized. And I’m getting my shit together.”
“Good. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m really sorry about your brother the other day. If there was a way I could apologize to him, I would. I’m really sorry.”
“I’ll text you the number.”
“Thanks. When are you due?”
“March. I’m fourteen weeks along.”
“I can’t believe I missed so much already. Is there any way I can work my way back to earning your trust?”
“I don’t know, Levi.”
“Either way, I would like to be in the baby’s life.”
“I would like that. I have an appointment day after tomorrow if you want to come. It’s at two.”
“I’ll be there. I got a new car and it’s very reliable now. I won’t break down in the middle of nowhere now.”
She laughed. “Good. Is that your car out there that is filled with boxes?”
I smiled. “It is. I’m moving.”
“Oh.” She seemed taken back by finding out I was moving.
“I’m gonna be in Cabazon. So, I’ll be an hour and forty-five minutes away, an hour and a half in good traffic.”
“Well, I would like to see it.”
“How about after your appointment?”
She nodded. “I’d like that. Look, seeing you is making me realize how much I do miss you. And you are making the effort. If you want, we can start slow. I don’t want to rush into anything.”
I smoothed my hands over my jeans. “I can live with that. God, I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, too.” I could tell how genuine she was by her smile and the way her eyes sparkled. She touched her stomach. “Do you want to feel the baby move?”
My eyes welled up. “Yes.”
I scooted my chair closer to hers as she guided my hand on her belly. She smiled constantly when she talked about the baby. And my heart swelled once I felt movement. “Oh my god.” I looked up and met Rylee’s eyes.
“She’s really active.”
“She?” I questioned.
“I think it’s a she. But I’ll be happy as long as they are healthy.”
“As long as they take after your good looks,” I confessed.
“Can you imagine a little Levi or a little Rylee?” She asked with a smile.
“Oh boy. We’re in trouble.”
Chapter Thirty
RYLEE
It was the day of my appointment. My stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies, knowing I would see Levi again. I don’t know why he made me so nervous. I did know. I still deeply cared for him and I think I still loved him. I was carrying his baby, so it was hard not to still love him.
I know people make mistakes and Levi had made his share. How could I not give him another chance? One last chance.
“Sorry I’m late. That construction is a bitch.” Levi panted as he jogged up to meet me at the entrance of the doctor’s office.
“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re here now. I’m already checked in, so they’ll call me back in a few minutes,” I told him as we headed inside.
“Okay.” Levi’s leg bounced up and down.
I smiled. “You don’t have to be nervous. It’ll be fine. And if you want, they might be able to tell the sex of the baby.”
“They can tell this early?”
“Yes. Do you want to know?”
“Yes. Do you? Because whatever you want, I�
��m okay with.”
I laughed. “If we can find out then let’s see. I’ll need to know how to decorate the nursery.”
“Rylee Raegan,” my name was called by the nurse.
Levi sucked in a breath and let it out before making our way back to the room.
After talking with the doc, she recommended I take it easy, especially now. “You are considered high risk. So, we need to continuously monitor you for the time being. Try to stay active, but no heavy lifting. Go for walks and you can do light duties. Are we clear?”
I nodded.
“I’ll make sure she follows orders,” Levi assured him.
“Can you tell the sex of the baby?” I asked nervously as she hooked up the ultrasound.
“You mean babies.”
“Did you say twins?” I asked.
“Twins.” She took a close look at the ultrasound. It looks like you’re having two boys.”
“Oh my god.”
I looked to Levi, and he looked like he was in shock.
“We’ll know with more certainty in a few weeks about the sex. And we want to see you back here in two weeks, just to make sure everything is okay as we need to closely monitor you.”
“Okay.”
“If you have any questions, you can call me here at the office.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
“Thanks,” I said before she left the room.
“This is so surreal,” I said, wiping the goo off my stomach. “Are you happy?” I asked Levi because he hasn’t said a word since the doctor said we were having twins.
“I’m so happy. But I’m still shocked. Goes to show, my boys are definitely swimmers.”
I laughed.
“Let’s get some food,” Levi suggested once I was dressed and ready.
We checked out and scheduled the next appointment.
“Where to?” Levi asked.
“I would love a steak and a baked potato.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Once we arrived at the restaurant, we ordered food and talked more about our babies.
“Can you believe we’re having twins?” I asked.
“I can’t believe it.
I agreed. “I’m still in shock.”
“We should stop by the bookstore, so I can get books on all things baby.”
“Okay. But no matter what you do, or read, you will never be prepared when the babies come.”
“We should find a place, get a nursery ready…”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy there,” I told Levi.
“Well, you should see my place I’m about to move into. I’m excited for you to see it. And I got it with you in mind as well.”
“Now I’m intrigued.”
Our food arrived and we continued talking as we ate.
“We can start telling people now. We should get pictures done and send out announcements,” I told Levi.
“My mom will be so excited. Her first grandchild,” he replied with happiness.
“Grandchildren,” I corrected him.
“We can probably get them done at the back of my place. It is very picturesque. I don’t want you worrying about anything. Let’s get out of here and I can show you.”
***
Since we arrived at the doctors separately, we both drove to this place Levi was dying for me to see. I followed behind him since I still wasn’t familiar with the area that much. Pulling up into the driveway, the place was a super cute house. It was two or three levels, had a few large columns on each level, and a deck was on each level as well. The exterior was fairly new looking; updated recently. The large porch was covered so you could sit out in the rain and not get wet. A few white steps led to the porch.
Levi rushed over to open my drivers side door and offered his hand. Taking it, we stood for a moment, admiring all the details of the outside.
“This is super cute. You bought this?”
“I did.” Grinning from ear to ear, he waited for my reaction.
“How?”
“Let me show you around, then we can sit and talk.”
I nodded in response, while he still held my hand. The butterflies continued dancing in my stomach, and I couldn’t help this overwhelming feeling. Part of me knew I could easily fall back into what we were before. I wanted to trust him. I wanted to be a family, but I was so scared of getting hurt again. How much pain can one take?
Levi paused as we stood in the foyer. “This is the foyer, where we would greet guests.”
“Guests?”
“Rylee, I bought this to turn into a bed and breakfast.”
I covered my mouth with my free hand. I was in shock.
“Come on. I’ll show you the other rooms.”
He led me into the living room, and it was very modern for a bed and breakfast. To the right was the large kitchen with updated appliances.
“This is so beautiful, Levi. I can’t believe you bought this.”
“It has six bedrooms and even has an attic that is transformed into a large bedroom with a master bath. Plus, a private bathroom in three of the larger rooms.”
Now the rooms needed a little work, but nothing a fresh coating of paint and some updated décor couldn’t fix.
“What do you think so far?”
“I’m speechless.” I blinked a few times trying to process this.
“There’s even a guest house out back. It has two bedrooms. So, if you wanted privacy.”
“Levi. What are you saying?”
He grinned, showing off his dimples. “I want you to live here with me and run this place. If you want to.”
I went to open my mouth, and he stopped me. “Think about it before you answer. Let me show you what the back looks like and the guesthouse before you say anything.”
And he was right; the back yard was so cute with flowers, plants and it was very picturesque with the sun almost setting now. The sky was a version of pink, oranges, white and yellow.
We walked through the yard to the guesthouse. Everything was on one floor, and it had all the basic needs of a family house. A living room, a kitchen with a nook area for a decent table. It had one full bath and two nice size rooms.
“Well?” Levi watched my every move as I walked around the place.
“I love it, Levi.”
“Let’s head back in the main house and I’ll make you some tea and we can sit and talk for a minute.”
“Sounds good.”
Sitting at the dining room table, I waited for Levi to bring us tea. I took a few moments to process what happened. Was this a dream?
“You made your dream a reality,” I told Levi as he placed a hot tea in front of me.
“I always knew I had an inheritance. And I wasn’t able to access it until I turned twenty-five. I used some of the money to pay off my ex-wife. Money talks. I never told you because I really wasn’t planning on touching it. But when I saw it could be a motivator to get a divorce, I used it. Half of the rest I put down on this. And I was hoping I could win you back. But I don’t want to pressure you into anything. I know I have to earn your trust back from what I did. It was shitty of me for not being proactive on my affairs.”
“Look. We’ve having twin boys. Everything before this is in the past. Let me collect my thoughts and process everything. I’ll call you in a day or two and I’ll have an answer for you.”
“Of course. Absolutely. And I want you to know…”
I should have been getting ready to leave. But Levi came over, standing in front of me, taking both of my hands in his. “No matter what you decide, I want to be there for you and our boys.”
I wanted to cry. Happy tears of course. My mind was pretty much made up. But like I said, I wanted to sit with it for a few. Clear my head.
“I appreciate that.”
I reached up to hug him, and he planted a kiss on my cheek.
“I’ll walk you out.”
Chapter Thirty-One
LEVI
It had been two days since I heard
from or saw Rylee. I couldn’t help but constantly pace the floor of my new place wondering if she was going to call. I wanted her to call. I wanted a family with Rylee. There was nothing I wanted more than her and our babies she was carrying.
“Where do you want this, boss?”
There was a new guy working for me, and he was bringing in some hardwood flooring for the first floor.
“Right over there for now.”
I was doing some of the work myself. Cheap labor. I hired on a manager to take care of the day-to-day things for the guests and bookings. I definitely wanted to be hands on as well, but with doctor appointments and everything baby related, I wanted to be around for Rylee if and when she needed.
Once everything was settled, Luke would move into promoting the bed and breakfast online and in advertisements. But first, I needed a name for the place. Trying to keep my brain active with work, I did my best not to dwell on wondering if Rylee would call or not. This bed and breakfast had most of my inheritance into it, and babies sure wouldn’t be cheap. I laughed at the thought of being a dad to twin boys. Rylee and I sure would have our hands full with a pair of Bateman boys.
Hearing a car pull into the driveway pulled me out of my thoughts. Stepping outside and down a few steps, I spotted Rylee getting out of her car. Before I could say anything, she spoke. “Let’s give this another shot. But don’t mistake this as me letting everything slide. Fuck up again and I can’t be responsible for my actions.” She grinned, but I knew she wasn’t joking.
Smiling wide, I pulled her toward me and lifted her off the ground, spinning around with delight. “You mean it?”
“I do.” She gripped my face and planted a kiss on my lips.
“A few more months and you won’t be able to lift me up like this.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re still as beautiful as the day I met you.” I slid her back down so her feet were planted on the ground.
“What are you doing?” she asked as I took her hand to head inside.
“I’m laying the hardwood flooring throughout the first floor. Oh, and this is Luke. He is taking care of bookings and then will transition into promoting online and advertisements.”
“Luke, this is Rylee, my…. girlfriend and mother of my babies she’s carrying.”