by Ash, Nikki
“Yeah, I wasn’t kidding when I said they still act like teenagers.”
There is a short pause and I decide to just say what is on my mind. “I want us to be together.”
She gasps and then quickly collects herself. “Bentley, you just got out of a relationship a few months ago, and we are getting along great as friends. Why mess with something that is working?”
“Just because it’s working doesn’t mean it’s for the best. Sure, a Kia will get you from point A to point B but have you ever driven in a Ferrari?”
“Yeah, well I don’t think either of us can afford the Ferrari. At least the Kia won’t break my bank account.”
I move my seat towards her and put my hand on her thigh. She shivers and I can feel her skin goose bump. I love that I can do that to her. I know she feels what I feel but she is just so damn stubborn.
“Is there more than what you are telling me?”
She looks a bit taken back at my question but after a few seconds she answers softly. “Look, Bentley. My mom warned me all those years ago I would get hurt if I lived my life through my heart, and she was right. I had to listen to her tell me how right she was and what an embarrassment I was to the family. I told myself I would never put myself in that position again. Now I am pregnant and living with my mom listening to her once again tell me how right she was. I just can’t handle it. You just don’t get it.”
So it’s not just about getting hurt… It’s also seeking the approval of her mom. A mom that wouldn’t know what love was if it smacked her in the head. I know how it feels to want the approval of your parents. The problem is her mom is only hurting her with her negative notions about love.
“Please. Just have a little faith in us. I can afford the Ferrari and it won’t break your bank account. I promise. I know you were hurt but isn’t what we could have together worth the risk? Your mom is wrong about love and you don’t need her approval. We can have what my parents have. We can be happy. Please.”
She bites her bottom lip so hard it begins to turn white, so I take my thumb and pull it out from her teeth. “Can I think about it?”
“That’s what you said all those years ago on the beach before you ran for your life.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “That’s true. I did say that and then ran. But I’m not running this time. I promise.”
“Ok, will you go to the wedding with me? I know you will be there with Liz as her maid-of-honor but will you be my date as well?”
“Ok.”
After we finish eating dessert I walk her up to her hotel room. When we get to the door I can tell she’s torn as to whether or not to invite me inside. She has her eyes nervously darting everywhere besides at me. After a few seconds, she mumbles something that I can’t hear.
“What?”
This time she speaks loud enough for me to hear but still at a whisper. “Umm... do you want to come in and watch a movie or something?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
We head into the living room area and I have a seat while she excuses herself to go change into something more comfortable. When she comes back she is in a cute matching two-piece pajama set. The tank top rides up and shows a small piece of her belly.
She looks down at herself shyly. “I swear it fit better the other day. It feels like I am getting bigger by the minute.”
“Pregnancy suits you.”
“Oh, she’s kicking!” She comes over and sits right up against me then takes my hand and places it on her belly. I can immediately feel the baby kick. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.
“Isn’t that so cool? There’s a baby in here.”
I laugh at her comment. “I would hope so! Otherwise you would have some serious explaining to do as to why your stomach is growing outwards like that.”
“Shut up! You know what I mean. When Liz was pregnant we would sit for hours and feel Bella kicking. It’s just so crazy to have a baby kicking in my own belly.”
“She’s a miracle. Our miracle.”
Kayla looks at me with a smile. “Yeah, she is.”
We spend a few more minutes with our hands on her stomach, feeling our little girl move around. When my fingers touch Kayla’s a jolt of something hits my heart and when I look up I can see it affected her as well. I reluctantly move my hands off her stomach but not before leaning down and giving my baby a kiss through her mother’s belly.
“I love you baby girl. I can’t wait to meet you.”
Kayla gives me a small watery smile before looking away towards the television.
We both get comfortable and I flip through the channels until I come across a movie she wants to watch. She yawns and snuggles closer to me and I know it won’t be long until she is asleep.
“Thank you, Bentley,” She says sounding half asleep.
“For what?”
“For always being here.”
“I will always be here, Kayla.”
I give her a kiss on her forehead and she doesn’t even stir. She is already fast asleep.
Kayla
The wedding décor is absolutely beautiful! Liz and Cooper decided to have a small, intimate wedding with just their friends and family and everything is amazing. Because of her being pregnant she didn’t want any type of bachelorette party and of course Cooper didn’t want a bachelor party either. The wedding is being held at their house in the backyard but you wouldn’t even be able to tell it’s a backyard. The entire area has been transformed into what appears to be an upscale picnic. On the outside of the aisles are bright yellow daisies and pink dahlias. In the center of the reception tables are gorgeous planters with the same flowers but instead of just water filling each vase, there are sliced lemons, strawberries, and kiwis inside each one to look like pitchers of lemonade.
The linens are light pink and cover country style wooden picnic tables. Next to everyone’s plates are designer sunglasses for the sun. There are also little umbrellas sticking out of everybody’s cups. On the back of every wooden chair are cute handmade fans that have Cooper and Liz’s name on them with the date of the wedding. The reception area is covered with large white tents and on the back where the food will be is the three-tier light pink cake that is filled with different colored summer flowers.
Liz got this idea from their first family outing. Cooper took Bella and her to the park where they had a family picnic. While it is stifling hot here in Las Vegas, the tents all have fans blowing from the top corners so it doesn’t feel hot.
Since Bentley and I fell asleep on the couch together last night watching a movie, we decided to go by his place so he could get ready and then head over to the wedding together. After checking out all the beautiful décor I head back inside Liz’s house to find her. Instead I find Bella playing in her dress.
“Hey pretty girl, you ready?”
“Yup!”
“Where’s your mom?”
“She’s in her room with Grandma and all the other ladies.”
I give her a kiss on her forehead and head to Liz’s room. When I walk in I am immediately choked up. She looks absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. I spent the day with her yesterday but I wanted to wait to see her dress until today.
She gives me a large smile and hugs me. Our bellies bump and we laugh together. Hayley, Ashley, and Liz’s mom are all there laughing at us as well.
I take her aside for a private moment.
“You ready to become Mrs. Cooper?”
“As I will ever be. Doesn’t it seem like so much has changed so quickly?”
I start tearing up and nod. “Yeah, it does but for the better. I will never forget all the nights we shared in that tiny apartment studying and playing with Bella. It felt like it was you and me against the world.”
A tear runs down her cheek and she wipes it away. “It still is us against the world. The only difference is now we have more people on our side. You just have to let him in, Kay.”
“I know. It’s just hard. Between n
ot wanting to get hurt and not wanting to hear my mom tell me I told you so once again… But hey! This isn’t about me. Today is about you. You are about to be married with two kids!”
We both laugh through our tears and give each other one more hug.
“I love you, Liz. You are my best friend. I am so happy for you.”
“I love you, too. I will always be your best friend. Please just let Bentley in. Please stop worrying about your mom. Please come home, Kay. I miss you.”
I don’t say anything back. I don’t think I can come back here. I have never lied to Liz and I am not about to start now.
We fix our makeup and then head downstairs to meet the guys. Cooper is already outside at the alter waiting. Bella is the flower girl and running all over holding on to her basket with flowers. The music begins to play and Bella heads down the aisle dropping flowers onto the ground. Since I am the maid-of-honor and Bentley is the best man, we head down the aisle next. I wrap my arm around Bentley’s and let him take the lead.
“You look gorgeous.”
I turn my head slightly and laugh softly. “Yeah, right. I look like a damn cow.”
He chuckles but then says, “No, you don’t. You are glowing. You were sexy before but seeing you carrying my baby makes you even sexier.”
I nearly choke at his honesty. Luckily, we make it down the aisle quickly and have to separate so I don’t have time to respond. Hayley and Caleb walk down next, and then Ashley and Kaden.
The music changes to the wedding march and Liz walks down the aisle with her father. She is walking so fast people start to chuckle. She realizes what she is doing and blushes. She is so adorable.
The priest begins the ceremony and both Liz and Cooper opt to say their own vows.
“Liz, the moment I met you I knew you were the one. Unfortunately, it took us quite a few years to get here but here we are, six years later, and I don’t want to ever imagine my life without you or Bella, or the little guy in your belly waiting to come out…”
I look over at Bentley and he is staring at me with unshed tears in his eyes. I want to believe he’s emotional from the words that are being spoken but the way he is looking at me leads me to believe his emotions are for me. I get a lump in my throat as I listen to Cooper continue.
“… And I promise to always laugh with you and to never go to bed angry. I promise to be patient when you say you will be ready in fifteen minutes and aren’t ready for an hour. I promise to fight for both of us when one of us isn’t strong enough to fight, and I promise to remind you every day why giving us a second chance was the best decision you ever made. But most of all, I promise to love you through the storms and the sunshine for the rest of my days. I am the luckiest fucking guy in the world to get to grow old with you.”
Everybody laughs and Cooper apologizes to the priest for his foul language.
“Coop, first of all, I would just like it on record that I never agree to be ready in fifteen minutes.”
Bella yells out in agreement. “That’s true, daddy. Mommy keeps saying you are crazy!”
Everybody laughs out loud and Liz continues.
“I promise to try to get ready quicker. Ok, probably not. I don’t want to lie in my vows. But I do promise to trust you and respect you. I promise to support you and encourage you. I promise to give you at least one more baby…”
“You said two!”
Everybody laughs again and Bentley smiles at me and then glances down at my belly. Listening to their vows makes me think about my parents’ vows. What they must have promised each other, if they made any promises at all. Then my mind goes to Jake and how he didn’t want any promises. I was so willing to give him my heart and all he wanted was my body and to make a fool out of me. I look at Bentley and see the emotions in his eyes. Could I have what Liz and Cooper have together? Could I be with Bentley for more than just to raise a baby with? Could we love each other and make promises and keep them without destroying each other, or will we end up with divorce attorneys fighting over assets?
The priest announces Liz and Cooper husband and wife and they kiss. Everybody cheers and claps, and Bella runs up to join her parents. They walk back down the aisle together as a family and we follow after them.
The reception is lovely. Everybody eats and mingles and then the music starts as Liz and Cooper are called onto the makeshift dance floor to have their first dance. They dance closely to All My Life by K.C. and Jojoba. Once their song ends another begins and other couples make their way to the dance floor to dance as well.
Finally, it is time to cut the cake. Pieces are passed out and I enjoy the sugary goodness while watching everybody continue to dance.
Bentley comes over and putting his hand out says, “May I have this dance?”
I smile and nod my head yes and then stand up as he takes my hand in his. He walks us to the middle of the dance floor and takes my arms and places them around his neck and then puts his arms around me as much as he can with my protruding belly in the way. We sway to the music without saying a word. For these few minutes, it feels like we are in a bubble, just the two of us, and I think about how easy it could be if I would just give in and let this amazing man love me the way he wants to. The song ends and Bentley leans down and whispers in my ear, “Thank you for the dance.”
As we are walking away from the dance floor I begin to feel lightheaded. Bentley takes my arm to hold on to me when he feels me stumble. I feel a sudden pain in my abdomen and double over grabbing my stomach. Something feels wrong, very wrong. I look up at Bentley and he kneels down next to me. That’s when I feel something running down the inside of my leg and when I swipe my fingers along it I see blood.
“The baby…” I begin to say but suddenly everything goes black.
Eleven
Bentley
I am walking Kayla away from the dance floor thinking of ways to convince her to be with me. I saw the look in her eyes while Cooper and Liz were saying their vows and then again while we danced together. Whether she wants to admit it or not, she wants to be loved. She was hurt and is afraid of disappointing her mom, but nonetheless she wants it. Now I just need to convince her to have faith in us.
She begins to stumble a little and I hold onto her. When she bends over I realize something isn’t right. I see her wipe blood off her inner thigh and the next thing I know she passes out in my arms.
“Fuck! Somebody call nine-one-one!” I yell while laying her down gently in the grass. As much as I want to pick her up, throw her in my vehicle, and rush her to the hospital I am afraid to move her.
Everybody circles around and somebody says that the ambulance is on the way.
“Kayla, wake up. Please baby, just open your eyes.” I send up a prayer to the man above that he keeps her close to protect her and our baby.
“Is there a pulse?” I hear Liz ask.
I place my fingers on her neck and feel it faintly. She is sweaty and all clammy but there’s a pulse.
A few minutes later the paramedics arrive and transfer Kayla onto a gurney. I explain what happened and they tell us which hospital they are taking her to.
“I’m going with you. I’m the father.” The paramedic nods ok and I hear my mom and Cooper telling me in the background they will meet us there.
When we get to the hospital, everything happens in fast forward. Kayla is wheeled into a room, still unconscious, and the doctor says that Kayla is experiencing placental abruption and she needs a C-section immediately. Because of the blood loss, I am not allowed in the surgical room and I am asked to wait in the waiting room.
I walk out to the waiting room to find my parents, and all of our friends there. They look at me waiting for me to say something and I lose it. I can feel the tears coming down as my mom’s arms wrap around me. I feel so fucking helpless.
“Bentley.” Liz calls my name. I know she is worried and the stress can’t be good for her baby.
My mom lets go of me so I can tell them the little bit that I know.
“I don’t really know much. The doctor said the bleeding is from placental abruption and because of the loss of blood they are doing an emergency C-section. She was still unconscious when they took her into surgery. They wouldn’t let me go because of her condition. All we can do is wait to hear from the doctor.”
I look around to make sure the sweet little girl can’t hear all of this. “Where’s Bella?”
“Ashley is watching her.”
“I am so sorry about your wedding…”
“Stop it! Our wedding was amazing. What is important right now are Kayla and the baby.”
Liz gives me a hug. I hold on to her like a lifeline and tell her it will all be ok. I keep repeating it over and over again trying to convince myself.
After about an hour, the doctor walks out. “Family of Kayla Peterson?”
We all stand up and he comes over to us.
“First off, I want to say that the baby is okay. We performed an emergency cesarean on the mother and she is doing just fine. The nurses are getting her cleaned up and checking her vitals. Even though she was taken a few weeks before her due date her lungs are fully developed and she is doing well. You will be able to go back and hold her in a few minutes.
“We didn’t know what we were working with until we opened up Kayla; not only did she suffer a placental abruption but she began to hemorrhage which caused her body to go into shock. I tried to stop the bleeding but when her heart stopped and we had to resuscitate her, I had to make a decision. I performed a partial hysterectomy on Kayla. She is in the labor and delivery ward now in recovery and is in a medically induced coma. Because of the severe bleeding and her going into shock, I felt it was best to allow her body to heal. In the next twenty-four hours, we will take her off the medication so she can slowly begin to wake up. Do you have any questions?”