Page 122 of Where I Should’ve Been

“So, what now? What are you going to do?”

I laugh. “Slow down. Choose me. Live happily ever after, I guess.”

“Fuck yeah. Life here looks damn good on you, I’ll tell you that.”

“Thank you.” I smile at him and search his face closely. “And what about you? What are you going to do?”

He sighs. “Well, I don’t think I can hang around here much longer. I thought Bennett would thaw eventually, but I don’t think I’m getting anywhere, and I don’t know, maybe I’m better off just leaving him alone. I’m headed back to New York next week.” He shrugs. “Time to start handling things there. I need to get the galleries steady—find the right people, make sure what you built doesn’t fall apart just because the wrong Bishop’s name is on the paperwork.” He smiles at me, but it’s a little sad around the edges. “But just know, anytime you need me, you call me, and I’ll be here.”

I nod. I understand. I understand it all too well because it used to be me, dancing on the periphery of really living my life. “I love you, Logan. And I’ll work on Bennett. We’ll find a way to be a family again, okay? I promise.”

His smile is sad but handsome as ever as he leans over the table to hug me, whispering in my ear, “Walk me to my car, okay? The crew found something in the fire before they started demo, and I felt like it was something you guys might want.”

I do as he asks and wait patiently as he grabs it from the back seat. When he hands it to me, my breath catches in my chest. The photo album from the guest room box, full of Abigail and Lucy and the Tad who loved them. This is the best news I’ve gotten all day.

“Logan Bishop, you are full of surprises.”

When the moment is right, I’ll be able to give them to Tad. And then, our family will really be whole.

51

Tad

Monday, June 28th

Paper crinkles with Breezy’s heavy breaths as the ultrasound tech moves the goopy wand across her adorably blossoming bump, trying to get the best view. Our baby bounces and kicks and rolls, and Breezy’s laugh as she watches it all happening in real time is the best sound in the world.

“We’ve got a wiggle monster on our hands, folks, but I think…yep, I have, finally secured the money shot.” The tech smiles, moving the wand around again and clicking the ball in the center while the machine bings several times. “Do we want to know what we’re having? Or are we waiting for a surprise?”

I look to Breezy, who simultaneously looks to me, and we both smile.

“It’s up to you,” I tell her, and her smile grows.

“But I was going to say it’s up to you,” she counters, and the sonographer laughs.

Breezy turns back to the screen, trying to get a peek, and with that small gesture, I know her answer without her having to say it.

“Let’s hear it.”

“Ah, yay!” the sonographer cheers quietly. “I love this part.” Reaching down below to the printer of the machine and handing us both the photo, she smiles. “Congratulations, Mom and Dad. It’s a…boy.”

“Oh gosh,” Breezy laughs with joy-filled tears shining in her pretty blue eyes. “Between the Bishop and Hanson testosterone track record, I think I’m going to have my hands full.”

She’s never sounded happier to be put out, and I feel the exact same way.

Leaning forward to touch our lips, the sting of my nose warns of happy tears I don’t dare try to hold back. “A boy. A perfect, beautiful, amazing baby boy, made by the two of us.”

Breezy nods, our foreheads rubbing together. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby. More than anyone in this world will ever comprehend.”

She touches her lips to mine again, and the tech shoves back in her chair while another round of pictures prints from the machine. “Congratulations again, guys. You’re one of the sweetest couples I’ve seen in here in the last…well, five minutes or so.”

Both of us laugh, and I reach across Breezy to shake the young blonde’s hand while Breezy takes the string of black-and-white photos. The sonographer returns the gesture with a strong hand and then focuses on Breezy.

“Take your time getting up, okay?” she instructs. “It’s normal to be a little light-headed after being on your back for so long, and you can use this rag to clean the goo off your belly before you put your clothes back in place. When you come out, just check out at the front desk like normal. The report will be in your portal by tomorrow, but baby looks very happy in there, okay?”

“Thank you so much,” Breezy replies, her heart so obviously in her throat by the sound of her voice, I can’t help but squeeze her hand in mine. When the door closes behind the tech, she turns to me. She’s never looked more beautiful, and this is a woman who’s never looked anything but for her entire life, I’m sure of it. “What did I do…” She shakes her head. “What did I do to deserve this beautiful life?”