AVERY READ SHELLY'S MESSAGES several times. "I wouldn't want the shadow of his sorry ass looming over us, using the baby as an excuse." Then, finally, Ethan's words dawned on her. He was right. David needed to know he was in the past. Her present and future were Ethan. Little Bean was hers, and he could only get borrowed time.
She sighed. Deep in her reflections, she hadn't realized her dad had been watching her from a distance.
"Everything alright, Muffin?"
Surprised, Avery looked in her dad's direction. From the look on his face, she knew he felt she was bothered. So instead of answering, she gave her "princess needs advise" smile. Immediately, her dad walked toward her and sat beside her.
"Your mom and Ella are busy wrapping gifts for the baby shower. I thought of checking on you and my munchkin." Her dad's voice was soothing.
When she saw her dad leaning back on the couch, she slowly rested her head on his chest. Warmth and comfort exuded when she felt her dad's hand slowly massaging her hair. He was the best dad she could have asked for. He came at the right time and the right place. Always ready to comfort her and say the words she needed to hear. And this moment was not an exception.
Her dad cleared his throat. "What's bothering you?"
She took a deep breath. "David is back in Boston. He told Shelly he came in time for little Bean's birth." Slowly, she patted her bump.
Her dad sighed softly. "Okay... Did he contact you?"
Avery leaned closer to her dad's chest. Finally, he put his right hand on her shoulder and squeezed her hand with the other. It was his way of assuring her. He was signaling his readiness to listen.
"He didn't... not yet. Shelly asked Art to bring him camping to buy me time. She wants me to talk to Ethan first." Her speech was slow and monosyllabic.
"Have you talked to Ethan?" her dad inquired calmly.
She shook her head. "Not yet. I don't know what to say to him. I feel guilty bringing my past's baggage into his calm life." A long sigh followed as she closed her eyes.
Her dad knew what she wanted to hear even without looking at each other's faces. "Do you want my suggestion?"
Silently, she nodded, not minding if her dad saw her gesture. She wanted to feel calm, hear the silence, and be comforted by her dad's wise words.
"Tell Ethan the truth. That's what he would want."
Avery turned her head away from her dad and looked at him inquisitively.
"He talked to me," her dad told her. "Ethan talked to me. He's worried that David didn't properly get closure about your relationship. I couldn't blame the CEO." He laughed. "I have the prettiest, most charming, and kindhearted daughter. You are every man's dream, Muffin."
She smirked at her dad and pouted. "I'm not sure right now, Dad. I can be David's nightmare and Ethan's regret."
Jim Jackson shook his head. "I don't think so. Why do you regard yourself less? Where did my fearless daughter go?"
"I felt like I didn't stretch my understanding enough for David, especially since we have little Bean to consider. And now that I'm with Ethan, I feel guilty that I'm bringing all my life's drama to his present and future." Avery cupped her face with her hands in desperation.
Her dad pulled her for a hug and whispered in her ear, "Don't overthink things. Whatever makes you happy. I'll always be on your side. Never feel guilty feeling the happiness you deserve."
"Thank you, Dad. As unbelievable as it may seem, my connection to David will be only because of little bean. Ethan is my life now. I'll tell him that David is back."
***
"Hello, Ave! I'm in Charlotte now for my layover. Ste will pick me up at Daytona Airport. I'll see you at Ethan's house for the baby shower tomorrow."
*
Avery listened to Shelly's voice message. Her best friend and Doctor Stella had planned a baby shower for her at Ethan's house. The two would prepare everything with her parents and Ella joining them the next day. When she called Ethan, she planned to tell him about David but didn't get the courage to discuss it. He was having a stressful day at work, and she didn't want to amplify the situation.
She hoped to see him at the baby shower, but he told her he might be unable to return that day. Instead, he needed to stay for another day to address an emergency. Since they'd been together, it would be the first time Ethan wouldn't be present at an important event in her life. She didn't want to say it, but there was longingness in her heart, knowing he wouldn't be around to celebrate with her.
Avery was surprised to wake up to an empty house on the morning of the baby shower. She had just read in a note left by her mom that everyone except Ella's nanny had already gone to Ethan's place. The note said the driver would pick them up an hour before the celebration. She knew it was Shelly's idea to leave her behind. She wouldn't want Avery hovering around during the preparations.
When she was about to start her breakfast, Ethan called her. When she heard his voice, she missed him more.
"Is the nanny staying with you right now?"
"Hello to you too. How are you? When are you coming home?" Avery's voice choked up. She missed him so much.
"Are you alright, my love?" Ethan rattled, hearing the sadness in her voice from the other line.
"I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I miss you so much."
Ethan heard her sniffling. "I miss you too, my love. My staff and I will finish everything in a day or two. I can't wait to see and hold you."
"We will miss you at the baby shower later. When you come back, I need to tell you something. I can't say it over the phone." Avery sighed aloud.
"I'll be home before you know it. Promise me you won't worry about anything. Whatever it is you need to tell me, don't stress about it. Everything will be fine. I love you."
"I love you. Take your time for what you need to finish there. Ella is excellent. She has Mom and Dad wrapped around her fingers." Avery giggled.
"I love hearing you giggle. I have to go to a meeting now. Eat well. Take care of yourself and our little bean. I love you guys. Bye, my love!"
How she wished Ethan was just an hour away. She knew if that were the case, he wouldn't mind coming home daily. But unfortunately, his position on the board and the hospital HQ's out-of-state location restricted his ability to stay in Florida for more than a week. Ethan had filed for a month's leave from work after her due date. But work emergencies happen. It pushed the start of his work leave to a later date.
Just as she finished her breakfast, the nanny came with her vitamins. There was no denying it was Ethan who'd made the nanny stay with her. Even though he was away, he always made sure she was comfortable.
Ethan's caring was one of his many good sides that still amazed her. Before, she never thought that someone's concern for her comfort could exist like Ethan's.
She was one lucky woman.
***
Avery gasped upon entrance to Ethan's house. Shelly and Doctor Stella had put much effort into preparing for the baby shower. She wouldn't want to make the event any bigger if it were her decision. She didn't want to burden anyone. But seeing how the house was transformed into a magnificent flower garden with a mixture of yellow, green, blue, and pink balloons elated her.
They'd placed a gigantic LED screen with the body of water in the background. On the front corner was a chair designed for royalty. A table for the cakes and gifts stood in the opposite corner. It was any pregnant woman's baby shower fantasy.
Though Avery couldn't help but think that Ethan might have had a hand in funding such an over-the-top event if not on the decorations.
It was like a continuation of Ella's Princess-themed birthday. The baby shower theme was for a queen, which confirmed that Ethan and Ella had influenced the event. Only the father-daughter duo called her their queen. And when Ella came out, she was in a colorful princess dress. She ran toward Avery and gave her a crown resembling the one on her head. Ella's smile reached her ears when her Mommy Pretty happily accepted the crown.
Slowly, the little girl guided her toward the big queen chair. Once seated, Ella helped her put the crown on her head. Avery asked to sit beside her, but Ella declined to her surprise. "No, Mommy Pretty, the chair is for you only."
She felt thankful to see only a few chairs in front of her. At least they seemed to have listened to her request for close family and friends only. When the guests started coming and were seated by a group of ushers and usherettes in black dresses and ties, her parents came in together with Shelly and Doctor Stella. Everyone was all smiles and unable to hide the excitement on their faces. However, her dad's face looked more anxious than excited.
The emcee, who was part of the party planning team, started the program and led the flow of events. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon feast served at a long buffet table. Drinks were overflowing. Funny games, all baby-themed, were played. Ella even rendered a cute song and dance number. Avery felt ecstatic witnessing her mom acting as Ella's cheerleader and her dad as her photographer. She felt happy that through her parents, Ella got to experience having grandparents since the James siblings had lost their parents a year before Ella was born.
When the time for gift-giving started, Avery saw how everyone, from her best friend and Ste, her parents, and Ella, turned cheery to anxious. All the gifts given were everything the baby needed. Because of some of her mom's superstitious beliefs, they hadn't gotten anything for the baby yet. Doctor Stella had made a gift registry to ensure everything the baby needed was on the list of options. At first, Avery was hesitant about the registry, but when Ethan insisted on buying everything, Avery opted for the registry.
Hearing all the best wishes for her safe delivery and seeing all the gifts given, she couldn't help but get teary-eyed. She caressed her protruding baby bump and whispered how lucky and loved her little bean was by everyone who came. After opening the last gift, Avery thanked all the guests. But Ethan's voice that came from the LED screen stopped her.
Ethan's gorgeous and smiling face was on the screen. It warmed her heart. It was thoughtful of him to be with them virtually. Shelly placed a chair at the center facing the screen and asked Avery to sit down.
"My love, this celebration will not be complete without my gift for you and our little bean. In the same way, my life and Ella's wouldn't be complete without you. The day Ella met you and never stopped talking about her, Miss Pretty, I knew then that her life would never be the same without you. So I have a confession to make. Since then, I had started imagining how Miss Pretty looked, inspired by a seven-year-old's description."
Everyone watching laughed. Avery was over the moon with Ethan's words.
"But when I met you in the park that afternoon, I realized it wasn't just an interest I had gotten. You were bewitchingly beautiful inside and out. Even with all the colorful ribbons scattered in your hair." Ethan winked, followed by loud gasps and ahs from the guests. "You captivated not just my eyes but awakened my eight-year-old lonely heart. Since then, you own me, heart, mind, and soul."
Louder gasps and a succession of ums and ohs enveloped the air. Avery tried to hide her tears, but when she looked around, Shelly, Doctor Stella, and her mom were in tears, all smiling lovingly at her. Her dad gave her an emotional okay sign. But, when her eyes reached the nanny, Ella wasn't there, which worried her. She stood up and started gaping around, eager to find the little girl.
Ella suddenly emerged from behind the balloon arc when she was about to voice her concern. The little girl was smiling, pushing a fancy decorated baby stroller with a basket full of more red roses than she had ever seen.
Avery placed her right hand on her chest as she waved to Ella. Ella was her daughter in heart, mind, and soul.
When she was about to approach, her eyes grew, her mouth opened, and her body could not move. Behind Ella came out Ethan, gorgeous in his most laid-back clothing. His face had the happiest smile she had seen on him. One hand held one big red rose, while the other was inside his pant pocket. His eyes focused on hers.
They paused the affectionate gaze they had for each other when Ella shouted:
"Mommy Pretty, I have the 107 roses in little bean's stroller. Daddy's holding the 108th rose!"
***