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“Because now it’s not only us we need to think about. You and Zane have thick skin, Avery. I’ve learned to toughen up but this baby, our baby, will have to deal with this for their entire life. Before they can even understand what any of it means.” She sat on the bed, knees to her chest and cried into her hands cupping her face.
I didn’t know how to console her and it made me feel useless. How could I assure her we’d be okay and make it through this when her fears about what might happen were justified?
“Oh God, what if they’re teased? What if they’re judged?” she said between hiccuped sobs.
Kneeling in front of her, I rubbed her thighs to console her. “I don’t know about all of that Chlo. I can’t say it won’t happen. I mean kids are assholes and mean but that shouldn’t stop you from doing something you’ve always dreamt of. Having a baby, starting a family with the man you love. With the man who loves you, not to mention you know I’ll be there every step of the way as a stand in momma.”
She lifted her head to look at me. “You’ll be just as much their mom as I will be.”
“I won’t Chlo, and I’m definitely okay with that. Kids are not in my future. I’ve never dreamt of having a giant pregnant belly, dealing with what it will do to my figure after.”
She scoffed. “Thanks for that, it isn’t like I’m not already freaking out.”
I reached for her stomach, rubbing it as I looked into her eyes. “But it doesn't mean I won’t love it with every part of me. This baby is a product of the two people I love more than anything in this world. We shouldn’t give a fuck what other people think because they will be loved more than any other being in the world.”
Her face softened, and her lips slightly twisted up at the sides. “Besides, I'll be the cool aunt. Everyone knows kids always love their aunt more.”
* * *
The moment Chloewent into labor, three weeks early on Christmas Eve, I knew it was meant to be. A Christmas miracle which gave our lives a new sense of purpose. Hailey was more than we’d ever dreamed of. She was gorgeous. Beautiful blond hair like her mother, and the intense dark green eyes of her father. Not to mention she was definitely showing she’d also inherited his temper.
“Hailey Avery Anderson, are you really not going to cooperate?” Zane hisses playfully as Hails sits propped up on a blanket over the grass in our backyard, a beautiful candy cane decorated smash cake in front of her. Zane’s kneeling before her with his camera in hand trying to catch the perfect photographs to capture this moment in time.
But of course, Hails has her own plans. Instead she stands up, wobbling on two feet as she tries her best to steady herself.
“Quick Zane, set the camera to record,” Chloe shrieks as we anticipate Hailey’s about to take her first steps. Of course since she’s stubborn, inheriting that wonderful trait from all of us, she’s thus far refused to walk, immediately sitting back down whenever we’ve stood her up. It’s only fitting she finally takes her first steps on her first birthday.
It’s late December but since we stayed in Florida, it’s a mere seventy degrees out on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
Hails is wearing a white onesie with the number one decorated like a candy cane and a frilly red and white striped tutu. She has a headband over her blonde curls that looks like a bow you’d put on a Christmas present and cute matching gold sandals.
I walk over to the edge of the blanket and kneel facing her with my arms open. “Yes baby girl, come to Auntie Avery.”
Hailey’s smile widens when she sees me and without a second thought waddles her way to me, looking absolutely adorable as she takes her first steps without falling. Once in my arms she lets herself go and I cradle her, standing to swing her around and pepper kisses all over her face.
“Hailey, I’m so proud of you!”
Chloe rushes to our side and wraps her arms around us, kissing the top of her head. “Oh Hailey. You never cease to amaze us, my sweet girl.”
I hand Hailey over to Chloe, and take a step back, allowing her to have this moment with her daughter. Chloe’s been an amazing mother and you can immediately see that Hailey means absolutely everything to her. She’s taken some time off from school, choosing to start her credential program online to be there for Hailey until she starts preschool at age three.
Zane joins Chloe and hugs Hailey, twirling her around in his arms. Her laughter echoes in the wind, a beautiful, whimsical sound of an angel. He places her back in her mother’s arms, snapping a few shots of the two of them against the beautiful backdrop of the sun beginning to set on the horizon.
The air cools as the sky darkens. The sudden impending storm making its way over to us sends a shiver up my spine. I cross my arms over my chest when I feel Zane come up behind me after setting his camera on the tripod facing the two of them.
“Need me to keep you warm, babe?” he asks, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. The scent of his cologne immediately has me running feverish. Combine that with the way his muscles tighten around me and I’m ready to drag him inside and wrap my legs around his waist.
I shake my head, leaning back against his shoulders as we watch the two beautiful blonde’s dancing around to the Christmas music Chloe’s put on her phone. “The warmth inside of my heart right now is enough to melt the strongest of winter storms.”
“Yeah, they’re something else aren’t they?” he says, and I simply nod my head in agreement. “But so are you Avery.”
I roll my eyes, annoyed because Zane and Chloe are determined to believe that them having Hailey has made me feel like the third wheel in our relationship. It hasn’t. I know that they both love me as I love them. That Zane and Chloe share a daughter only cements their relationship for life. I already know they’re my forever. I don't need to have a child to make me feel like our relationship is complete.
“You know I’m too confident to allow their relationship to make me feel lesser, Zane.”
He nuzzles into my cheek as he laughs. “Yes, Avery, and it’s one thing I love most about you. I’ll admit I was afraid when Chloe first told me she was pregnant that it would affect our relationship, but now I see it’s only strengthened our love.”
“Hailey is a part of the two of you. Half Chloe, half you. Of course our love has multiplied. Having Hailey with us has made this family stronger.”
