This is just a little short, drama-free chapter. See you again tomorrow.
Two months later. I was sitting in my rocking chair on the balcony enjoying the sunny day in February, it was still a bit chilly for my taste but this became my favorite spot to sit and read, drinking my apple tea.As I hear my phone ring I put my book down and pick it up from the table beside me. It is Summer, she is back in New York and doesn't travel back here often because the pregnancy apparently triggered her motion sickness and she doesn't like going big distances. But we talk every day on video chat."Hello, Mama Bear." She says as I answer the call."It's not funny, I can nearly get up from the bed. Prue is weighing me down." I am counting the days to finally have her in my arms, but I am also scared. I just hope everything goes well."At least you don't have to deal with the morning sickness, more like all day sickness." Summer says she does look a bit green in the face."But you got the boobs you wanted." I joke."Yeah." She sighs. "Where is my brother?" "He went to get me
"Are you sure?" Domenic asks and I have to fight not to roll my eyes at him, I think I would know if the baby is coming."Yes, Domenic. Yes!!!" I say as I grab onto his shoulder. "We need to go. We need to go right now." Uhh, I just know this is going to hurt like a mother fucker, I need to be in the hospital in time so that they can give me the epidural, otherwise Im going to die."Baby remember the classes, you need to breathe." He says as he helps me walk into the room."I need you to take me to a hospital not give me a lecture." All of a sudden I was feeling very irritated and in a lot of pain. I thought that this was supposed to grow gradually but this already feels like too much."Right, sorry. Hold onto me, I'll carry you." Carry me? Now when I weigh a ton, we might as well jump down the stairs."I can walk, they said walking is good for childbirth. The bags, we need the bags." I try to breathe in and out and I feel like I was a victim of fraud because I don't feel like is doing
"I can't stop staring at her." I say as I watch Pure sleep in the bassinet next to the hospital bed. We just got settled into the private room and Domenic was filling in the forms the nurse got him."I know, but you could use the rest. I'm here." He says as he fixes the little cap on her head."Later, I'm sure Dad will be here any minute now with the rest of the family." They are all probably very excited to meet the newest member of the family, and definitely the cutest."That reminds me, I need to call Summer. She will kill me for not calling sooner." Domenic says as he lets down the papers and digs in his pocket for his phone."Wait, let me." I say as I extend my arm to him. "Let's show her the surprise instead." I take the phone and start a video call making sure you don't see beyond my face. I take three rings before she answers."Hello." I say trying to control the smile on my face."Hey, I tried calling you like half an hour ago, I wanted to show you the perfect yellow curtains
"My God, who did all of this?" I ask as we enter the driveway that is filled with pink balloons and bows all the way to the house."My guess is any of them, after all, it only takes a few calls." Domenic says as he looks out the window with me while Prue sleeps in the car seat."It's a bit much. But then again I didn't expect less from them." We get out of the car and everyone imidiatly surrounds Domenic who carries Prue."I'm home as well." I say as I wave my hand and everybody laughs."Of course sweetheart, welcome home." Dad says as he hugs me. "It's just that it's been a long time since we had a baby in this house." I have to say that after growing up and there being only my mother and me it's comforting to know Prue will have a big family to take care of her."How are Autumn?" Aunt Rachel asks me as she approaches."Good, I can walk a bit better. Who knew that I would also be leaving the hospital wearing a diaper?" I say and they laugh even tho I didn't mean it as a joke. "Le
"Who are you and what are you doing with my daughter?" I say as I rush to her. "Give her to me, now!" I yell and Prue cries while I try to take her from her arms. "Mrs.Davis, please. Let me explain." She says as Domenic and Dad rush into the nursery room. "What is going on?" Domenic asks as he comes to my side and helps Prue with the pacifier while I rock her in my arms. "How did she get in here? She was holding Prue." I say as Prue calms down. "Relax Autumn, this is Mrs.Smith the nurse I hired to help you with Prue." Dad says. "I don't need help to take care of my daughter, especially not a stranger." I'm more than capable of doing it myself, besides I got a bad feeling about her just by seeing her. "Mrs.Davis I assure you I have enough experience with babies, you can trust that I'll take good care of her until you recover completely." She cuts into the conversation. "It's not neccecery," I say again, but Dad puts his hand on my shoulder and says... "Dont be stubborn,
"Are you spying on us?" I ask in disbelief as she almost stumbles to find her footing."No, absolutely not." She says as she straightens her uniform. "I nearly wanted to come and talk to you once again, to thank you for letting me stay. You couldn't image how much I need this job." I look back at Domenic as he scups Prue into his arms."And that is your excuse for gluing your ear to my bedroom door?" I say as I look back at her."I wouldn't, I was about to knock when you opened the door." She says as she looks at Domenic as he approaches from my back."Mrs.Smith I think it's better you return to your room, you will be called if needed. Until then occupy yourself in other matters Mrs.Hendrics may instruct you." Domenic says and she nods her head before turning around and leaving."You still think I'm exaggerating, that is not normal behavior." I say to Domenic as I caress Prue's little face."Go find Summer, ok? Relax for a bit." He says and I feel like I'm crazy once again. Why can no
"I can't express enough how happy I am to have my first grandchild under this roof, may this celebration be the first of many." Dad says as he raises his glass, this family really enjoys making toasts. "I wouldn't mind hosting the next one at my estate, my granddaughter has to see where her father grew up." Gregory says, I sense Prue is not only going to be adored by her father but also by her grandfathers. "Actually I was thinking about having Prues christening at home, in the gardens like Mother and you had for Summer and me. The weather in May should be warm enough, or we could wait til June." Domenic mentioned this to me in the hospital, and seeing how much it means to him I couldn't possibly say no. And besides it's a perfect excuse to go back to New York after a long time. "I would love that, I will order the staff to make sure the gardens are at their peak for my little Prudence." While the rest of us mostly call her Prue, Gregory always refers to her as Prudence. I think it'
"You remember that?" Domenic asks and all that flashes through my mind is... fuck!!!"No, it's not that I remember it's just who else would get it for me. And we are the only ones with that tattoo. It would only make sense that you were the one who got it for me because you know what it means to us..." I'm rambling, I need to stop. "Am I right?" I ask."Yes, I got it for your birthday." He says as he sinks into deep thoughts."Are you ready, it's time we go downstairs." I ask as I turn to look at him in his white suit as Mrs.Hendricks brings in Prue in her little white puffy dress and adorable little white bow on her little head."Oh my God, look how adorable she looks. She is like an angel." I say as Domenic takes her in his arms."She takes after her father." He says and I narrow my eyes at him. "Tho she has your eyes." I hoped she would get his eyes, but the Cromwell Lennon gene prevailed there, just like I got them from my father."She is all fed and changed, after they take a few
Sasha lets him fall into one of our Victorian chairs while Adam and I stand in front of him like parents who are about to scoll their child. But this talk was very necessary, for the sake of our sibling bond and their friendship.I glance at Adam, silently asking him if he’s ready for this. His calm smile reassures me. He’s been patient, waiting for this moment to happen, but I know it’s not easy for him either."Sasha," I start, my voice steady but firm, "we need to have a real talk about all this because Adam isn’t some phase or fling. He’s serious, and I am too. And I need you to accept that. Not just for me, but for us...all of us.""So, let me get this straight," he says, finally breaking the silence, his voice low. "You two have been sneaking around behind my back, hiding this whole thing, and now suddenly I’m supposed to just accept it? What was all that about, huh?"Adam shifts next to me, his hand resting lightly on my back, but I can feel the muscles in his shoulders tense up
...That night... "...so now we are not only friends and brothers-in-law but I had the privilege of being his best man. What he and Autumn have is special, anyone can see that, and all I can say is that I wish them both happiness. Also Autumn I'd like to ask your permission to take him out this Friday to play ball." Anthony jokes as he finishes his best man speech. I once heard of a so-called bromance Domenic and Anthony had pretty much ever since they met each other. Summer said she found it endearing. "As long as Summer gave you permission to go." Autumn hits Anthony with a comeback. "But Friday is a no-go, we have a Lamaze class," Autumn says as she touches Domenic's shoulder. "But you are free to join us," She added to which I started connecting the dots. Why Summer looked somewhat green on her face, why she didn't eat and why would she go to a Lamaze class... "That's a great idea." Summer says and Anthony looks at her strangely. "Why would we go to a Lamaze class?" He asks an
Alex's POV I woke up with a smile on my face as the light of the day shined over my face. Despite the cold, I wrapped myself into a blanket and sat in the corner of my balcony, breathing in the familiar salty ocean air. I used to sit here and watch over the driveway, waiting for Adam's car to drive in, and while everything seemed the same, everything had changed. Now, we were together, dreaming about a future and enjoying the present. A day I once dreaded would never come was now here and the happines set in my chest could be painted in a million colours. I smiled to myself, thinking about how far I’d come. How we had come. With Adam, I had learned to be whole. I closed my eyes, letting the wind brush across my face, and took a deep breath. The salty air mixed with the faint scent of coffee surrounded me too and I suddenly opened my eyes to meet Mrs.Henrdics standing at the balcony door with coffee in hand. "Good morning." She says as she walks over to me and hands me to warm cup.
"How is Autumn?" Eloise asks us as soon as we walk in leaving her cup of tea on the living room table."She is alright, as is the baby. They are gonna keep her overnight. Domenic stayed behind but I think Richard and Sasha will go home soon." I say as her eyes travel to the spot where Alex and I are holding hands when my mother comes to stand by Eloise. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know."So... the two of you..." Eloise gestures between Alex and me. "How long has this been going on?" She asks."A while now," Alex says. "And before you start, it was my idea to keep it a secret. I didn't want our families involved before we were sure of where this was going." "I think that was very sensible of you." My mother says as she joins the conversation. "So now that you are sharing the news does it mean it's official?" "But they didn't share the news, they were discovered in a secret. There is a clear distinction." Eloise says.Alex laughs softly at Eloise’s comment, squ
"How is she? Can I see her?" Domenic asks as he jumps to get to him before everyone else. "Miss Cromwell is fine, she and the baby girl are stable. Her blood pressure went up which caused her to faint. I'm going to recommend bed rest until the baby gets here to avoid any possible complications." The doctor says and one could see and feel the worry melt off of our backs. "Did you talk to her? Did she remember anything? Is that why she had the crisis?" Richard asked as I stepped back and took Alex to my side wrapping my hand around her, keeping her close. Perhaps it wasn't the right moment but being able to hold her in public gave me a sense of power I never had before. "We talked for a brief moment and she described to me what happened, all the excitement of the wedding and the events that happened after took a toll on her, but she remains not remembering the past." We listen as the doctor talks and Alex smiles. We didn't care about the memories so much anymore. Autumn was alright
"What happened?" Richard yells as he runs to Autumn's side, almost crushing down at the site of her unconscious body in Domenic's hands. "I'm so sorry... I didn't think..." Rachel said as she watched what her words caused. "What did you do?" Richard asks her with fury in his eyes but Rachel only stares at Autumn in shock while Leo does the best he can to hold on to her. "Help is on its way!" Alex yells as she comes back and sticks to my side. Her hands are cold as they slip into mine. I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from the situation that was in front of us with both Autumn and Sasha. "Dont wait. Get her in the car and drive to the hospital. I'll go with you and make sure they take good care of her." My dad says as he helps Richard stand up and move away from Autumn. Domenic lifts her in the air, and her veil falls down onto the floor. The sight was heartbreaking, this day turned out to be everything but perfect. First Alice, now this. I just hope it doesn't get any wo
Miguel jumps at Alice, grabbing her hand while the other guy manages to take the gun from her, ultimately pinning her to the ground when Alex pulls me back as the rest of the family gets up and gathers up at the front. “Let go of me, I'm not done yet!” Alice yells as she struggles to free herself but to no use as Miguel ties her hand to her back. “It's over Alice, it's finally over. You won't be able to hurt us ever again.” Domenic says as he presses Autumn to his side while Miguel lifts Alice, her hands pinned at her back. “Take her to the security room and call the police. She won't escape this time, not on my watch.” Richard says while rubbing Autumn's shoulder, trying to make sure she is ok. She look pale, shook but somewhat alright. She held onto Domenic the same way Alex didn't let go of my hand all this time. “He is lying to you, everyone is…” Alice says but Miguel drags her away. She was trying to do damage to the last second she could use. So much haterade in such a s
I always found weddings to be beautiful, yet this one was special. This was about my friend, someone who I knew would always be in my life, but I somehow knew that from the day I met her. Now sitting here, watching the smile on her face as she stared at the face of her loved one, the man she chose yet again despite every odd, despite not knowing the past. A path she chose solely based on what she felt within herself, and that was love. I had my doubts about it, I had my doubts about Domenic... the things I knew about their past, the things I didn't share with anyone else, not Alex, not Richard... I saw the regret in his eyes, I saw the pain but I also saw the love... and I wish them happiness. The same one I wished for myself and the woman who was sitting next to me right now. My love. My Alex. Today wasn't just the start of a new life for Autumn, this was also the day that meant something big for Alex and me. This was the day we would finally stop hiding. The day everyone would final
"Adam, where the hell were you? We are going to be late and you still haven't changed." Mom yells at me as soon as I step through the door. "I had some business to take care of. Dont worry I'll be ready in time." "Business, on a day like this one." Mom asks, her nad on her hip and eyebrow raised scepticly. "You look great by the way, where is Dad? You should go check he doesn't get something on his suit before we have to leave... I'll go shower now, bye." I manage to ramble up and run upstairs to get ready. Luck had it that Rosie had already got my clothes ready and waiting for me on the bed so I showered, got my hair ready, and got dressed just as a text came for me letting me know Derek was booked and taken care of. One more reason to party. ... "See, there was no reason for all that rushing. I had plenty of time to finish my meal." Dad said as we got out of the car at the Cromwell mention. It’s the perfect place for a wedding...grand, romantic, and more than enough to make an