As I looked around the house at all the balloons that were hanging everywhere, I walked up to Julia’s room, where Ellery was getting her ready for the party. The minute she saw me, she said, “Dada” and smiled. As soon as Ellery put her princess dress on her, Julia walked over to me and hugged my legs.
“Can you keep an eye on her while I go and get ready?” she asked.
“Of course I can,” I said as I picked up Julia.
I took her out of the room and went downstairs. She smiled and pointed when she saw the balloons.
“Those are for you,” I said as I kissed her cheek.
She looked at me and then screamed to hold one. I took one out of the bunch and gave it to her. She smiled as her hand wrapped around the ribbon that was tied to the balloon. She babbled on as she put her hand in her mouth and looked up at the balloon she was holding. I love my little girl so much. Ellery was my queen and Julia was my princess, and nothing would ever change that.
Guests had started to arrive and the party was underway. We had a total of one hundred people show up to help celebrate Julia’s first birthday. It was a day of fun, laughter, and good times with friends and family. Ellery even went to the extreme and invited Sarah. She came with her boyfriend, and they both seemed really happy. Cassidy and Ben were still dating and he confided in me that he was going to ask Cassidy to marry him. Denny had some aggressive chemo treatments for a month and was in remission and doing well.
Julia was exhausted by time the party ended and she was getting cranky. After the last of the guests left, Ellery and I took Julia upstairs and put her in the bathtub. When her bath was finished, Ellery put Julia in her pajamas, we both kissed her cheeks, and then Ellery laid her down in her crib. I held out my hand to Ellery and she took it as we walked out of Julia’s room, shutting the door behind us. We both stood outside the door for a moment to make sure she didn’t scream. The caterers and cleanup crew were cleaning the house, so I took Ellery outside and down to the beach.
“That was a great party.” I said as we sat down in the sand.
“Thanks, honey. It was, wasn’t it?” She smiled.
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it as we looked ahead at the ocean water. “Now that we’re alone, there’s something I need to tell you,” Ellery said.
“What is it, sweetheart?” I asked as I looked at her.
She turned to face me and took my hands in hers. With a big smile, she placed my hands on her stomach. “We’re going to have another baby!”
I sat and looked at her shock. “What? Are you sure? When did you find out?”
“I found out this morning. I wanted to tell you right away, but with all the people in and out, getting the house ready for the party, and then the guests arriving, I figured it would be better to wait until we were alone.”
The joy that shot through me was incredible. I was so happy that Ellery was pregnant again and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. I cupped her face in my hands and I kissed her lips.
“I’m so incredibly happy. Tell me you’re happy, baby?”
“I’m so happy. Maybe this one will be a boy.” She smiled as she rubbed her tummy.
“It is a boy. Aunt Sadie said so, remember?”
We laughed and hugged each other tight. I got up and held out my hand. Ellery placed her hand in mine as I took her into the house and straight up to our bedroom to celebrate the news.
***
The next eight months passed by so quickly. It seemed like it was only yesterday that Ellery told me she was pregnant. She was scheduled for a C-Section tomorrow morning. We found out through the ultrasound that we were having a baby boy. I was elated at the news that we would have a boy to carry on the Black name and hopefully, someday, take over Black Enterprises. Julia was growing fast and becoming, what Mason liked to call her, a diva. But she was still my little princess and she had me wrapped around her little finger.
After I put Julia to bed, I walked into our bedroom, where Ellery was sitting sketching on her sketchpad. The Chicago building was finally up and running and the Art Gallery was doing very well. I took off my shirt and pants, put on my pajama bottoms, grabbed my laptop, and sat on the bed next to Ellery. I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She turned to me and smiled.
“I need to talk to you.”
“About what, baby?” I asked as I opened up my laptop.
“I know we talked about a couple of boys’ names, but I’ve already decided on one for this child.”
“Is that so? You decided on a name without consulting me?”
“Yes. Does that really surprise you?” She smiled.
“No, it doesn’t. What did you come up with?”
“I want to name our son Collin, after your twin brother.”
As I put my hand on her large belly, I smiled at her. “I would love to call my son Collin. Thank you, sweetheart,” I said as I kissed her.
“Good, I’m glad you’re on board with it. I really wasn’t sure how’d you feel about it.”
“Collin would be honored to have his nephew named after him.”
Ellery smiled and went back to her sketch pad. I answered some emails and read some articles.
“By the way, how’s Ben doing?” she asked.
“Ben’s doing good. He’s settled in his office, and he’s buried up to his neck in legal bullshit.”
“I think it’s great that you hired him, and I know Cassidy is happy.”
“He’s a great lawyer. He’s marrying my sister, and he’ll be at all the family functions. How could I not hire him?” I winked.
“Just think, this time tomorrow, we’ll have our second child. I never thought I’d have one child, let alone two,” Ellery said.
“Me neither, baby. I never saw kids in my future, until I met you.” I smiled as I looked over at her. She looked so tired. I pushed her hair behind her ear and ran the back of my hand across her cheek. “Why don’t you put your sketch pad away and get some sleep. You look tired.”
“I am tired. It’s been a long day,” she said as she closed her sketch pad and set it on the nightstand. She leaned over and gave me a kiss on the lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I smiled.
It hadn’t even been five minutes and Ellery was sound asleep. I was thirsty, so I got out of bed and headed downstairs for a bottle of water. On my way back up, I stopped into the spare bedroom that we had turned into a nursery. I flipped the light switch and looked around. The painted ocean blue walls with colorful fish, coral, and seaweed made you feel like you were standing in the bottom of the ocean. The turtles Ellery had painted on the wall were amazing, as were the stars up above on the ceiling. She spent three months painting the room and she just finished putting the final touches on it yesterday. I smiled at the thought that come tomorrow, I’d have a son, and we’d finally be a family of four.
Chapter 39
Ellery
Six years later…
We took the kids out to dinner before heading over to FAO Schwarz. Christmas was in three weeks and the kids were excited to see Santa Claus. We sat in the restaurant, waiting for our food. Julia was sitting next to Connor, and Collin was sitting next to me. Both kids were coloring a picture. Julia kept looking at the group of women who were at the next table. They kept looking over at Connor. I noticed her looking at them, but I didn’t say anything. The waitress walked over and set our food down in front of us.
“Julia, eat your chicken fingers,” Connor said.
“I will, Daddy, don’t worry,” she responded as she kept looking at the table next to us.
I knew those women were staring at my husband and, after all these years, I still had a problem with it. But I’d toned it down, and I didn’t embarrass Connor as much. Out of the clear blue, Julia looked at Connor.
“Daddy, those women keep staring at you and that’s rude.”
I almost choked on my salad as I started to laugh. Connor looked at me with wide eyes.
“I know,
Julia. Don’t worry about it. Just finish your dinner,” he said.
“Mommy, why do they keep staring over here?”
“They keep staring because they think your daddy is very handsome. Now, finish your dinner so we can go see Santa Claus.”
Julia smiled as she ate her chicken. Collin was being a good boy and eating his dinner because he was excited to go to the toy store. As we finished eating, the waitress brought our bill and Connor paid. When we got out of the booth, I took Collin’s hand and Connor grabbed Julia’s. As we were leaving, I instantly froze when I heard Julia speak.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you that staring is rude?” Julia said to the women at the table next to us.
I heard Connor apologizing to them as I smiled and kept walking. When we stepped outside the restaurant, Connor stopped and looked at me.
“Did you hear what your daughter said back there?”
“Yes.” I laughed.
“It isn’t funny, Ellery. She embarrassed me. Now I have to worry about her too?”
I kissed Connor on the lips. “Yeah, I guess you do,” I said as I patted his chest.
“Aren’t you going to say anything to her?” he whispered.
“Why don’t you?” I asked.
When we were walking down the street to FAO Schwarz, Connor stopped and bent down so he was eye level with Julia. “Julia, what you did back at the restaurant embarrassed Daddy, and I don’t want you to do that ever again. Okay?”
“Why, Daddy? Mommy and Aunt Peyton say things to people all the time if they are doing something rude.”
Connor shot me a look and I couldn’t help but laugh. He stood up, took her hand, and growled at me. “Great, she’s just like you.”
“Aw, you love it. She’s protecting her daddy.” I smiled as I hooked my arm around his.
We entered through the doors of FAO Schwarz and the kids were in Heaven. The first thing we did was get in line to see Santa. The line wasn’t too long, and all the Christmas decorations and animated people keep the kids occupied. Connor put his arm around me and kissed my head. I smiled as I rested my head on his shoulder. Julia and Collin got along great. She was protective of her brother and stuck up for him, even with us. It was finally our turn and both kids went and sat on Santa’s lap.
“What do you want for Christmas?” he asked Collin.
“I want a bike and a train set,” he said.
“And what about you, pretty girl?” Santa asked Julia.
“I want an easel and paints, so I can paint beautiful pictures like my mommy. Oh, and I want new Barbies and a baby doll, but it has to be the one that goes potty and comes with diapers and a bottle and really cute clothes. I want jewelry so I can sparkle like a princess. I want this really cool four-story dollhouse with all the furniture and the family of four.”
“My, oh my, you sure want a lot of things,” Santa said.
“Of course I do, Santa. It’s Christmas, and my daddy said I can have anything I want. So I want all that.” Julia smiled as she got off his lap. She started walking way, stopped, and turned around. “Oh Santa, I also want an iPad. The 128GB in white with a Hello Kitty case.” She smiled.
I looked at Connor. “What?” he asked.
“And you blame me,” I said.
He laughed as we walked over and took the kids’ hands.
“That’s a pretty long list of things, Julia,” Connor said.
“Not really, Daddy. There’s more. I’ll give you my complete Christmas list when we get home. I’ve been adding to it for months.”
Connor shook his head and looked at me. I guess I was going to have to have a little talk with Julia on what Christmas was really about. When we reached the big piano, Collin and Julia ran to it as fast as they could. The piano was their favorite part of the store. Connor and I stood back and watched as our two beautiful children played on it.
“Standing here, like this, I feel like I’m watching me and Cassidy,” Connor said.
“It’s amazing how fast time flies.”
“I bought it,” Connor said as he looked at me.
“Bought what?” I asked.
“The big piano. I bought it for them for Christmas. That way we could all play on it, together as a family.” He smiled.
I stood there and shook my head. “What?” he asked.
“I bought one too.”
Connor pulled me into him and kissed my head. “Great minds think alike, baby. That’s okay; we’ll keep one at the penthouse and one at the beach house.”
***
Christmas had come and gone and, before we knew it, summer had arrived and the kids were out of school. We spent most of our time at the beach house. I was sitting down at the beach with my arms wrapped around my legs, when Julia came up to me.
“Mommy, Daddy’s being mean and won’t let me have any ice cream.”
“We’re going to be eating dinner soon. So I agree with your daddy. No ice cream until after dinner.” I smiled as I tapped her on the nose.
“Why are you just sitting here like this? Are you sad?”
“I was just thinking about my mom and how we would spend time at the beach.”
“She’s dead, right?”
“Yes, Julia. She died when I was a little girl.”
“I’m sorry, Mommy,” she said as she put her little arm around me. I’m glad you’re not dead.”
“So am I,” a voice said from behind me.
Julia got up and looked at Connor as she put her hands on her hips. “I’m not talking to you right now,” she said as she stomped away.
I laughed and Connor sighed as he sat down next to me. “Please tell me it gets better,” he said.
“Sorry to break the news to you, but it’s only going to get worse.”
“Great,” he said as he put his arm around me.
Before long, Collin and Julia ran to where Connor and I were sitting. Julia ran up to Connor, threw sand at his back, and then ran away.
“Julia Rose Black, get back here!”
“Sorry, Daddy, but if you want me there, you’ll have to catch me.” She giggled.
Connor looked at me with a huge smile as he ran after Julia. Collin sat down next me and opened his hand.
“Look what I found.” He smiled.
Inside his hand, he held a beautiful pink rock. “It’s for you, Mommy, because it’s pretty like you.”
I took it from his hand and wrapped my arms around him. “You’re my sweet boy, and I love you, Collin.”
“I love you too, Mommy.”
Connor caught Julia and carried her upside down back to where we were sitting. Julia was laughing while begging him to put her down. Connor set her down and kissed her cheek.
“Look, the sun is about to set,” I said as I pointed out into the ocean water.
As I held Collin in my lap, Connor pulled Julia onto his and he put his arm around me as we sat there and watched the sunset over the ocean water as a family.
Epilogue
“Look at you,” I said as I walked through the door.
“Hi, Dad.” Julia smiled as she turned around and looked at me.
I took in a deep breath as I shook my head. “You’re so beautiful, Julia. You look just like your mother did on our wedding day. Where did the years go? My little princess is all grown up and getting married,” I said as my eyes started to swell with tears.
“Daddy, don’t. You’re going to make my mascara run and then Uncle Mason will kill you.”
“You’re right, and we can’t have that.” I smiled.
“I can’t believe I’m getting married. The last year of planning went by so fast.”
“Life goes by so fast. Just twenty-three short years ago, I was holding you in my arms for the first time. Now, before you know it, you’ll be making me a grandpa.”
“Not for a while, Dad.” She laughed.
I took in a deep breath and took her hands in mine. “I guess now is as good a time as any to have a little talk with you.”
/> “Dad, if you’re going to make me cry, please let’s save it until after the wedding.”
“You’re my little girl and you always will be. No matter how old you are, you’ll always be my angel. Today, I’ll be giving you away to your husband and as much as I like Jake, it’s still hard. Your mother brought light into my dark world and, the day you were born, you made it brighter. I want you to know that.”
“Daddy,” Julia said as she put one hand on my chest. “You have been the best dad any girl could ask for. You gave me everything I needed to be comfortable, you loved me even when I didn’t deserve it, and you taught me about life. You and Mom gave me the best childhood I could ever ask for, and you showed me what love was. The love that the two of you share and give is amazing and, thanks to you, I found that love with Jake.”
“I know you did, and I know how much he loves you. I can see it when he looks at you, and I’m proud to call him my son-in law.”
“He told me you told him that.” She smiled.
“He did?”
“Yes, after you took him out to dinner the other night to have your little talk.”
As I smiled at my little girl, the door opened, and Ellery walked in.
“Please tell me your dad isn’t making you cry?”
“Nah, we’re just having a little father-daughter talk,” I said.
“Which results in tears,” Ellery said as she looked at Julia.
Julia laughed and turned around and looked in the mirror. Collin walked in and told me he needed help with his tuxedo. As I started to walk out the door, Julia called my name.
“I love you, Dad.” She smiled.
“I love you too, baby.” I smiled back as I walked out of the room.
***
After I helped Collin with the cufflinks on his tuxedo, I walked into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. A few moments later, Ellery walked in.
“Are you okay, Connor?”
“I’m fine,” I said as I got up and fixed my bowtie in the mirror.