Twenty-six

TWENTY-SIX

Mia

"We're so proud of you."

Strong, protective arms I'd relied on nearly all my life were wrapped around me. "Thanks, Dad."

My father loosened his hold on me, took half a step back, and placed a hand on each of my shoulders. "You're doing a fantastic job."

I inclined my chin down slightly with understanding and acceptance. "I'm trying."

"That's all that matters," my mom chimed in. She was standing beside my father, and she was holding my son in her arms. "You might not feel like it's enough, but I promise it is. We tried with you. We tried with Albert. And we questioned every decision we ever made when it came to the two of you, but look where we are now. It's going to be the same for you with Milo."

I smiled.

Milo.

My son.

The reason my whole life had changed for the better. He was just a week and a half old, and I was already wondering how I ever lived without him. I could just barely remember what life was like before he came along.

My parents had been here from the day he was born, lending a hand and helping me with this transition into motherhood. I was beyond grateful for their help, because they made it possible for me to focus my effort on my son without needing to worry about anything else. They took care of meals and house maintenance. They were around in the middle of the day when Brock was at work, so if I needed to use the bathroom or take a shower, I didn't have to worry about Milo being alone. They were a tremendous help.

Albert had also come for a visit. He arrived in Charter Oak a few hours after Milo was born, and much to my surprise and delight, he brought his new girlfriend with him. He and Elena had stayed in town for four days before they needed to head back home, but they promised they'd be back for another visit soon. My brother was such a proud uncle.

And now, the grandparents were getting ready to head back home. Brock had just called a few minutes ago to ask me if I needed him to pick anything up on his way back from work, and since I didn't, we knew he'd be arriving at any minute.

"I hope you're right. I just want to be a good mom," I told them.

As my mom swayed from side to side with her grandson in her arms, she didn't hesitate to tell me precisely how she felt. "You are already the best mom. Milo is the luckiest boy in the world."

Tears filled my eyes. "I feel like I'm the lucky one."

They nodded their agreement. "That's true, too."

No sooner had they gotten the words out, the front door opened. Brock stepped into the room a moment later, and a wave of contentment washed over me. He offered a quick hello to everyone, but he came right to me and kissed me. "How was your day?"

"It was good. And yours?"

He sent a small smile my way. "I missed you."

My heart. He'd been doing this for days, and I still hadn't gotten used to it. Brock was the best.

This man meant the world to me. He had stepped up in the biggest way long before Milo was born, and he hadn't stopped stepping up after my son arrived. Months ago, I'd attempted to envision what my life would be like as a single mom. I'd had so many thoughts about how things would be for me, and I was slightly terrified about facing this all on my own.

Sure, I knew my parents were going to be here at the beginning, but I was also well aware that time would come to an end. My thoughts for months had been focused on what my life would be like once they returned home.

And even though they were just now getting ready to leave, I didn't doubt that everything I believed would be the case for my life as a mom would be wrong.

Because I had Brock. He was a man who would walk through the front door after work, come straight to me, kiss me, and tell me he missed me.

Then, as I'd seen him do every day since I'd been home from the hospital, Brock sought out Milo. He found him in my mother's arms, kissed the top of his head, and gently placed his hand over it. "Hello, little man," he whispered before kissing him once more.

Milo was sleeping and didn't move a muscle.

Brock finally turned his attention to my parents. "Everything all good?"

My father gave him a nod and said, "I got everything packed up for us, but we didn't intend to leave until after you got home."

It was true.

My parents were leaving to head back home today, which was why they'd given me the pep talk only moments ago. And while I understood they had stayed until Brock returned because they didn't like the thought of me being on my own, the reality was that he'd have to wake up tomorrow and head to work when my parents were back at home. But I guess it made it easier for them to leave knowing he was here.

"Will you be staying for dinner tonight?"

"No," my mom said. "We really should get on the road, since the traffic can get a little chaotic. I wish we could stay forever with this little guy, though."

"Let me give him a cuddle quickly before I get the bags in the car," my dad said.

It was obvious my mom didn't want to let her grandson go, but she begrudgingly handed him over. Despite being passed between my parents, Milo didn't wake.

Brock moved back to stand beside me again, and after my parents loved on Milo for a bit longer and my dad had carried their bags out to the car, my mom ultimately handed my son back to me.

"I miss him already," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

"Thank you for being here for me. I don't know what I would have done without you two," I rasped.

"We wouldn't have missed this for anything," Mom replied.

"You would have done okay, though," Dad interjected.

I was grateful for his faith in me. "I appreciate that. I'm going to need that boost of confidence as I head into these next few weeks."

Brock wrapped an arm around my back, his hand settling on my opposite shoulder. "You'll be okay, Mia. I'm going to be here for the next two weeks with you."

Confused, I glanced up at him with a curious expression. "What?"

He smiled at me. "I would have done it for right after he was born, but since your parents were here, I thought it would be better for me to take off so I could help you after they left."

I blinked my eyes rapidly, attempting to digest the information Brock had just shared. "Are you telling me you took two weeks off from work to be here with Milo and me?"

"Yes."

"Oh, boy. She's going to cry," my dad declared.

That was all it took.

Brock's confirmation I hadn't misheard him, and my dad's announcement that I was about to get emotional. I broke down into tears, wondering what I'd done to deserve a man like Brock, a man who'd take two weeks off from work to help care for his postpartum girlfriend and her baby. A baby that wasn't even his.

I didn't care that he'd just gotten home from work. I buried my face in his chest and cried my eyes out.

And as I did, no less than a half dozen thoughts ran through my mind.

My baby's father had only seen him once. Susie had shown up at the hospital the day I delivered Milo, and she'd stayed with me for quite a while that day after the delivery. She remained there when her parents arrived to meet their grandson, a meeting that had gone far better than I'd anticipated.

Susie returned the next day to visit her new nephew. Her parents had shown up again as well. And later in the day, just before dinnertime, Todd made his appearance. He held Milo for no more than fifteen or twenty minutes, and it was clear he wasn't comfortable. I had a feeling he was there mostly out of obligation, not because he truly cared about his child. Witnessing that interaction he had with Milo, I was glad I hadn't accepted his proposal two months earlier—there was obviously nothing genuine behind it. If he had truly cared, Todd would have made the effort over the remaining two months of my pregnancy to prove his child was important.

Even if he hadn't done it then, he could have shown up at any point in time since I'd left the hospital. His family had visited several times. They were just as smitten with this little boy as I was, as my family was.

And now, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I knew that it wasn't just my family, Susie, or her parents that cared about Milo. It was Brock, too. He adored him. He'd even gotten up in the middle of the night with me and the baby several times. And apparently, he intended to be here with the two of us for the next two weeks, because he knew my parents were leaving.

Milo and I were never his burden to bear, but he took us on without batting an eyelash. The best part about it was knowing that he didn't see us as an obligation, as something he had to do. He did what he did because he loved us. I didn't have to question it. I knew Brock loved my son as if he were his own.

Pulling my face back from his chest, I tipped my chin up and said, "We don't deserve you."

"You both deserve the world, Mia."

I heard a small cry, but it didn't come from Milo. It was my mom. She had her hand covering her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks. Evidently, Brock's news had caught her off guard, too. When my eyes slid to the side, and I took in the look on my father's face, I nearly lost it.

He was just barely hanging on to his emotions. Despite them, he stepped forward, clapped a hand on Brock's opposite shoulder, and said, "It takes a real man to step up and care for a woman and a baby, especially one that's not his. I'm honored to have met you, Brock."

Brock dipped his chin. "Thank you, sir. I don't know what else to say except for that and that I love both your daughter and your grandson, and it's my honor to be able to look after them."

With that, and regardless of the high emotions in the room, my parents felt confident enough to be able to leave to head home. They knew I was in good hands.

We exchanged tearful goodbyes, and my parents promised it wouldn't be long before they were back for another visit.

And once they left, Brock did more of what he always did. He took care of me by urging me to look after Milo while he grabbed a shower before making us dinner.

Motherhood was messy.

It was just as my parents had said when they left two weeks ago to head home. I had questioned every decision I made. I wondered if I was doing the right things. I was constantly worried about my baby, wanting to make sure I didn't screw this up.

But despite the worry and chaos and messy diapers and sleepless nights, motherhood was beautiful.

It was the most fulfilling and rewarding thing I'd ever done in my life. I couldn't imagine not having experienced this, of doing what my beautiful son's father had asked me to do when he learned I was pregnant. I was sick at the thought of not having Milo.

He was almost a month old, and it had been the best month of my whole life.

I'd worked out a new rhythm at home since my parents left. I'd tried to adapt to what would be the actual reality, and I was so fortunate to have Brock by my side while I figured it out. He supported me through it, giving me the means to navigate this new part of my life in whatever way I best saw fit. And if I did something that didn't make sense or I made a mistake, he didn't hesitate to pick up the pieces when I was a wreck and on the verge of tears.

Brock hadn't officially moved in with me, but ever since I came home from the hospital, Brock had spent every night with me. And since he'd been on vacation from work since my parents left, he'd spent nearly all day, every day, with me. Usually, Brock only left to make a trip to the grocery store or to run over to his house for something.

Today was one of those days. He'd gotten up early this morning and made breakfast for us—I was finally craving eggs again—but after we ate, he ran out for a quick trip to the store and to get gas in my car. The last time we went out had been to take Milo to a doctor's appointment. Milo had been fussy after that appointment, so we drove straight home. Brock didn't like the idea of the car being low on gas, so he wanted to get that taken care of immediately.

I heard the garage door open, realized he'd returned, and couldn't do anything but smile. He was back.

But when the door opened, and he stepped inside, I was stunned.

Because Brock wasn't alone.

He came in behind a mess of balloons that were being carried by my favorite little girl, Izzy. There were so many balloons, I couldn't even see Brock's face.

But I knew he was there.

And as those balloons traveled in my direction, not only did Izzy become visible, but Brock did, too.

I'd been sitting on the couch with a sleeping Milo in my arms, and Izzy came to a stop in front of me. As excitedly as she could while doing it in a whisper, she said, "Happy birthday, Mia!"

Tears filled my eyes. Happy or sad, I felt like I spent a lot of time crying these days.

It was my birthday.

I'd forgotten about it completely.

But Brock hadn't.

He didn't forget anything when it came to me.

"Thank you so much, Izzy. I thought you would be in school today."

She shook her head. "Daddy told me that Uncle Brock called and said I needed to have the day off from school, because we had to celebrate your birthday together."

I shifted my attention to Brock again. "You're the best guy in the whole world."

He grinned and came over to sit down beside me, placing the large present on the floor in front of us. Izzy moved to sit next to him. "Izzy and I got presents and cake for you."

"And balloons!"

"And balloons," Brock confirmed. "How about I take this boy from you for a little bit, so you can open your gifts?"

"Gifts? There's only one gift there," I noted.

Through his soft laughter, he teased, "Looks can be deceiving."

Curious, unable to stand the wait, I shifted Milo in my arms and placed him in Brock's protective embrace. Izzy looked at Milo like he was the best thing she'd ever seen. "He's so cute," she announced.

"You were that cute when you were his age, do you know that?"

She nodded. "Daddy tells me all the time."

"Why don't you help Mia with the gift, Izzy? Can you lift that for her?"

Izzy happily hopped down and picked up the gift. It was almost as big as her, but she didn't let that deter her. Not wanting her to get hurt, I reached out and helped. And once it was in my lap, I said, "This is wonderful. I'm so excited. I forgot it was my birthday today."

"How could you forget your birthday?" Izzy questioned me. "My birthday is one of my favorite days of the year."

"It sounds crazy, doesn't it?" I asked her as I began untying the bow at the top of the cellophane wrapped package.

Milo didn't seem the least bit bothered by the noise the wrapping made and continued sleeping.

I got the bow off, pulled down the wrapping, and revealed what was inside. Brock hadn't been kidding. Looks were deceiving, because I was staring at a basket filled with everything I could have ever possibly wanted right now. There was everything there to pamper myself with a spa day, snacks, fuzzy socks, an oversized blanket, books, two DVDs, and a small white box. I picked up the white box, opened it, and found a velvet jewelry box inside. I was already emotional about the gift basket, and when I saw the necklace which had a bar with Milo's name engraved on it with his birthstone, I was crying all over again.

"Do you like it?" Izzy asked.

"I love it, sweetheart."

Brock had shifted Milo into one arm and draped his other around the back of the couch, so his hand could settle on my opposite shoulder. He gave me a squeeze. "I want you to treat yourself today. You've been working so hard to take care of Milo, and you deserve a little break. Izzy and I will hold down the fort here while you go help yourself to a nice long bath and some pampering."

I dropped my head back into the crook of his arm. "You're so good to me. I love you."

Brock kissed my forehead. "I love you, too. Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, go and enjoy some peace and quiet for a bit."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" I asked.

"If I did, I wouldn't have gotten you what I did. Izzy and I have got this covered. Whenever you're done, I'll make peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, we'll have some cake for dessert, and if you're up for it, Izzy was thinking we could do some coloring."

My heart melted. It was the simplest things that Brock did that meant the world. He was giving me time to rest and recharge. He'd given me a necklace that had the most beautiful meaning. And he was going to make peanut butter sandwiches for all of us before we colored. It wasn't anything fancy, but I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Knowing my son was in great hands, I leaned toward Brock and gave him a kiss. Then I reached out to give Izzy a big hug. "Thank you so much for coming to celebrate my birthday with me. You'll keep a close watch on Milo for me, right?"

She nodded furiously. "I'm going to be a babysitter when I grow up."

I laughed and stood. "I think this will be great practice for that."

With one final look at the man who'd stolen my heart and given me the world, I turned and climbed the stairs with nothing but joy and an abundance of love for my new life and the people in it.

I didn't think it could ever get better than this.