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“She’s great. She’s perfect. They all are. His name is Tyson.”
I notice all the smiling faces but don’t see Beckett. I look down at my watch. Andie has been at school for hours. I wonder where he is. I can’t help but be disappointed. I want to share this moment with him.
Eventually, we all head into Jade’s room. They’re holding a clean and healthy baby boy. He definitely has a full head of blond hair.
I reach out my hands. “Can I hold him?”
She nods and I take him. I can’t help but start crying. It’s such a crazy feeling of instant love. I turn around, willing Beckett to walk in, but nothing.
Looking back at Jade, I say, “He looks just like you as a baby.”
I notice Declan wince. I know he regrets not being there for her birth. He never got to experience this moment as a parent. I want him to have it in spades as a grandparent.
I carefully place Tyson in his arms. Tears are pouring out of his eyes. I’ve never seen him cry like this.
Melissa wraps her arm around me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m perfect.”
“I mean about the article this morning.”
“What article?”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, nothing. It doesn’t matter.”
I sigh. “What now? Who else could they possibly find from my life? There’s no one left.”
She shakes her head. “Enjoy today. Deal with it later.”
Tyson is passed around to all the extended family. He’s going to be surrounded by so much love.
Reggie and Victoria arrive and run to hug me and offer their congratulations. Reggie scrunches her hose. “Shitty timing for a bullshit article. Are you okay?”
“I’ve been here since the middle of the night. I guess I need to go online. I haven’t seen it yet.”
I pick up my phone and Google my name. I audibly gasp at what I find. There was an alleged source this morning claiming that I engaged in prostitution for drug money in my early twenties.
I cover my mouth. “Oh my god, Reg. What the hell?”
“I’m sorry, babe. You don’t deserve this.”
I text Beckett a few times throughout the day but he’s not answering. I have no idea why.
In the late evening, I kiss Jade, Tyson, and Collin goodbye as I head out for some much-needed sleep. I just want to crawl into Beckett’s arms and sleep for an entire day.
When I exit the hospital, I hear a few cameras click. These people are vultures.
Nico is standing there. I smile at him. “Is everything okay with Beckett? I haven’t heard from him all day.”
Nico is stoic. “Mr. Windsor said for you to stay at your house tonight and that he’ll call you in the morning.”
“What’s going on? Is this about that stupid article?”
“Ms. Tremaine, you should go home.”
Who is Nico right now? He’s acting like a stranger. Whatever. I’m too tired to care. I won’t let their nonsense bring me down on such a magical day.
BECKETT
