Pieces of Me

by Laura Farr

  “You look beautiful, Lex,” Cooper says as he walks into our bedroom. I drop my hand from my stomach as he comes to stand behind me, meeting my gaze in the reflection of the mirror. Turning around, I wrap my arms around his neck.

  “Thank you.” Reaching up on my tiptoes, I kiss him, snaking my tongue into his mouth. He kisses me back, his tongue stroking against mine. I’m even more in love with him today than I was a year ago, if that’s even possible. He and Bella are my whole world. Despite my nerves about the unplanned pregnancy, I can’t wait to expand our family. I just hope he feels the same.

  “Mommy, can you tie my bow?” Bella cries as she barrels into the room. Pulling out of the kiss, I grin at Cooper. He’s smiling back and my heart swells. Bella has been calling me Mommy for about three months, and I love it. It was just something we fell into. She’d called me it a few times when we were alone, and I hadn’t said anything, not wanting to upset her. When she’d done it in front of Cooper, I’d been worried about his reaction, but the smile that lit up his face had told me he was fine with it. I was no longer Lexi. I was Mommy, and every time she called me it, I found myself smiling.

  Emerson is still a huge part of her life and we talk about her all the time. The house is full of pictures of her, and I insisted none be removed. Even hers and Cooper’s wedding picture is sitting on the mantlepiece in the sitting room. Some people might think that’s strange, but I’m grateful for Emerson. She gave me Bella and made Cooper the man I fell in love with. She deserves a place in our lives.

  “Of course I can, baby girl. Come here.” I step out of Cooper’s embrace and kneel in front of her, tying the pale pink bow on her dress. “You look beautiful, Bells.” Her long, brown hair has grown even longer over the past year, and her curls hang past her waist.

  “So do you, Mommy. Can we go now?”

  Cooper laughs and scoops her up.

  “Are you ready, Lex?” I nod and pick up my purse, quickly looking inside to check that the sonogram pictures, along with a gift I got for Bella, are inside.

  “Yep. Let’s go.” Following Cooper and Bella out of the bedroom, I grab my and Bella’s cardigans off the banister before following them downstairs.

  Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up at the marina. Cooper parks the truck and jumps out, releasing Bella from her car seat. They’re whispering, and I smile as I wonder what secrets they’re sharing.

  “Hey, what are you two whispering about?” I ask as I make my way around the side of the truck.

  “Nothing, Mommy. Which is our boat?” she asks, conveniently changing the subject. I laugh and take her hand, leaving Cooper to grab the picnic from the truck. Leading her down the dock, I stop in front of the impressive boat.

  “Is this it?” she asks in awe, her green eyes wide.

  “Yep. Come on.” Tugging on her hand, I climb onto the boat and turn to help her. Cooper follows and quickly puts a life vest on Bella.

  “Everybody ready?” Cooper asks, standing at the wheel.

  “Yes!” we both cry, and I watch as he steers the boat out of the marina and into the open ocean. I sit on the deck while Cooper shows Bella how to steer, eventually letting her take the wheel on her own when we’re far enough away from the marina.

  “Mommy, look! I’m driving the boat!” she cries, excitement lacing her voice.

  “Well done, Bells! Where are you going to take us?”

  “Daddy says we have to go back to your special place.”

  My eyes find Cooper’s and he winks before guiding her to steer toward the bay where we went on our first date.

  It’s only about ten minutes, and I watch the lights from the shoreline twinkling in the distance. I wasn’t sure whether I should tell Cooper about the baby tonight, especially having Bella with us, but I really don’t think I can wait. After I’d seen the obstetrician, I stopped off in Oceanside and bought Bella a t-shirt with the words “Big Sister” on the front. I know she is going to be so excited. I can’t wait to give it to her.

  “We’re here,” Cooper calls out, pulling me from my thoughts. He walks over to me, setting the picnic blanket out on the deck. Seeing that Bella is struggling with the basket, I take it from her and place it next to me on the blanket. Opening the lid, I reach inside to fetch out the picnic.

  “I’ll do that,” Cooper says quickly, grabbing the basket from me. I look at him in surprise as he sets it behind him. He sees my reaction and smiles. “I don’t want you to see what I’ve got us for dessert, babe.” Bella giggles beside me, and he flashes her a look I can’t read.

  “Mommy, I need the toilet. Can you take me?”

  “Sure,” I tell her, pushing myself up. She grins at Cooper, and I frown in confusion.

  “The toilet’s just down those steps.” He points to the left of the boat, and shaking my head, I take Bella’s hand. The steps are narrow, and we go down them one in front of the other. As we get to the bottom, it opens out to a small living space. There is a kitchen with a seating area, a double bed beyond that. Pushing on a door, it opens to reveal a small bathroom.

  “In here, Bells,” I tell her. “I’ll wait here.” She goes inside and closes the door. “Don’t lock it,” I shout through the wood.

  “Okay.”

  A few minutes later, I hear the toilet flush, followed by the faucet turning on. “Everything okay?” I shout through the door.

  “Yep!” The door opens a few seconds later, and she’s standing in the doorway, grinning at me. “I’ll go first,” she cries, sliding past me and running up the stairs.

  Laughing, I close the door to the bathroom and make my way back to the deck. As I reach the top of the stairs, my hand flies to my mouth when I see Cooper down on one knee, a ring box in his hand. I’m frozen to the spot as silent tears pour down my cheeks.

  “Bella, can you bring Mommy over here?” Cooper asks. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her nod as she walks toward me. She slips her hand into mine and tugs me toward Cooper. When I’m in front of him, she lets go of my hand and sits down next to him, a huge smile on her face.

  “Cooper?” I whisper as I kneel in front of him. He reaches for my hand, his fingers lacing with mine.

  “Lexi, I love you more than I ever thought possible. You’re my best friend, my lover, and an amazing mother to my daughter. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” Tears continue to fall down my cheeks and my stomach swirls with butterflies. “But I am asking for more. I’m asking you to be my wife…” He pauses and opens the velvet ring box, revealing a beautiful platinum ring with a single tear drop diamond. “Lexi Beaumont, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?” He looks nervous, but he has no reason to be.

  “Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. His face lights up with a smile and he takes the ring from the box, slipping it onto my finger.

  “I love you, baby,” he says, kissing the ring that’s now sitting perfectly on my ring finger.

  “I love you too, Cooper.” Throwing my arms around his neck, I hold him tightly. I feel two little arms reach around us both and I pull away slightly so that I can pull Bella into our embrace.

  “Are you happy, Mommy?” she asks.

  “I am, sweetheart. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.” I kiss her head, overwhelmed with all the emotions I’m feeling.

  “I helped Daddy choose the ring. Do you like it?”

  “Bella, I love it, and knowing you chose it makes me love it even more. You did a great job at keeping it a secret.”

  “I may have bribed her just a little,” Cooper confesses.

  “Daddy said I could have a puppy if I didn’t tell you,” she says flippantly. My eyes find Cooper’s and I burst out laughing.

  “Is that right?” I pause, thinking this is the perfect time to share my news. “I think I might be able to do better than that.”

  “Two puppies?” Bella exclaims. Cooper’s eyes go wide, and he shakes his head in a silent no. Laughing, I reach for my bag, pulling out the t-shirt I’d broug
ht for Bella.

  “Come here, Bells.”

  I beckon for her to stand in front of me and with her back to Cooper, I remove her life vest and slip the t-shirt on over her dress. I suddenly get an attack of nerves as I see her wearing it, and I wonder if this is the best way to break the news. Glancing over Bella’s shoulder, I see Cooper watching me, and I know it’s too late to chicken out.

  “Turn around, Bella,” I whisper, a wave of nausea washing over me. I watch Cooper as he reads what’s on the t-shirt. His eyes widen and a huge smile takes over his face.

  “Really?” I nod, and Bella spins around.

  “What does this say?” she asks, holding the t-shirt away from her body as she tries to read the words. “B…i…g,” she sounds out. “Big. I can’t read the next word. Daddy, what does it say?”

  “It says, sister, baby girl.” His voice is quiet, but the huge smile remains on his face.

  “Big sister?” she asks, and I wait for her to work it out. Suddenly, her eyes go wide and her face lights up with a smile. “I’m going to be a big sister? Lexi, you’re having a baby?”

  “Yes…and no.” Cooper frowns, and Bella looks confused. “I’m not having a baby, I’m having two… Twins.” I reach into my bag and pull out the sonogram pictures.

  “Two babies?” Bella whispers in awe. I find Cooper’s eyes again and I swear he’s close to tears. Standing up, he pulls me up with him, winding his arms around my waist.

  “Twins?” he asks, and I nod.

  “I only found out today. I know we didn’t plan this, but tell me you’re happy?”

  He steps back slightly and places one of his hands on my flat stomach. “Happy? That word doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now. Not only has the woman I love just agreed to become my wife, I find out she’s also carrying not one, but two of my babies.” He presses his lips to mine and cups my face. As he pulls away, he rests his forehead on mine. “I don’t think you’ll ever really know how happy you’ve made me, Lex.”

  Tears are running down my cheeks again as I hold out the sonogram images for him to see.

  Sitting back on the deck, Cooper pulls Bella onto his lap as he shows her the pictures. The babies are still tiny at eight weeks, and I smile as she asks him where they are. He shows her again, and she nods her head, but I know she’s confused.

  “It takes a long time for the babies to grow, sweetheart,” I tell her. “How about you come to the next appointment with us and you can see them on the big screen?” She nods excitedly, and Cooper smiles at me over her head.

  The excitement of the engagement and the news of the babies proves to be too much for Bella, and after eating her picnic, she promptly falls asleep. Cooper carries her to the leather seats at the other end of the boat and covers her with a blanket. I’m putting the food away when Cooper comes back to the deck.

  “Leave that, baby. I want to watch the stars with my fiancée.” I smile and lie down on the blanket, snuggling into his side. We lie in silence for a few minutes, overwhelmed by the beauty of what’s above us. “Are you happy, Lex?” he asks, his eyes on the stars.

  “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I can only see myself getting happier.”

  “Let’s not wait to get married. Let’s do it soon.”

  “Cooper, I’d marry you tomorrow if I could.”

  He chuckles and pulls me closer. “I’m not sure I can manage tomorrow, but how does in a couple of weeks sound?”

  “It sounds perfect.”

  “Then it’s a date.”

  After a few minutes, I tap him excitedly on the chest. “Cooper, look. A shooting star. Quick. Make a wish.”

  He turns to me and shakes his head. “I don’t need to. Everything I could ever wish for is right here, Lex.”

  I smile at him, knowing he’s right. “I’m crazy in love with you, Cooper Matthews.”

  “And I’m crazy in love with you, Lexi Beaumont.”

  Who needs shooting stars when you have crazy love?

  The End