Tara
One Year Later
I stretchmy legs and sigh as the sun sets over the back gardens. The awning casts a long shadow over the lounge chairs and Goldie sits in her seat with her tea and smiles contentedly. We don’t speak much on our nightly sunset watch party, but we do drink tea and enjoy a comfortable silence for twenty minutes or so. I started this a while back when I realized Goldie wasn’t getting out much, and it just became our thing after a while.
“A good one tonight,” Goldie murmurs, smiling at the pinks and oranges flaring across the sky. “Cait would’ve liked it.”
I start, surprised. We never talk about Cait. Goldie hasn’t mentioned her daughter once, though it feels like Cait’s always there, lurking beneath the surface.
“I think she would’ve too.” I clear my throat and place a hand on my swollen belly. “Did I tell you that we know the baby’s sex?”
Goldie’s eyebrows raise. “No, you didn’t mention it.”
“It’s a girl, and I was thinking we’d name her Caitlyn. Maybe she’ll be a Caitie.”
Goldie’s smile is dazzling and she blinks back tears. “I think that’s nice. What does Kellen say?”
“I haven’t asked him yet, but I know he’ll like it so long as you’re okay with it.”
“I’m very happy you’re honoring my daughter’s memory. You were always a good friend, you know.”
“I try at least.”
“Well, dear.” Goldie pats my hand and wipes her eyes. “A very good sunset.”
We lapse into silence for a while. I feel the baby kicking, a slight fluttering like butterflies trying to escape in my belly. I press my hands against my bump and stare into the garden. I’m too pregnant to do much out there since it’s too hot when the sun’s up and my doctor said I have to take it easy, but I’m chafing against my restrictions. I miss the soil and the plants and the breeze. But it’ll be there still after the baby comes.
Goldie’s nurse wheels her back inside after Goldie says goodnight and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I stay outside as darkness falls and enjoy the cool breeze that kicks up from the rocks in the west. I don’t have to wait long before the outdoor lights turn on and Kellen appears with two drinks, one in each hand.
He places mine down in front of me. “Faux-hito,” he says and kisses my softly. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired, bored, and ready to give birth.”
“You’ve got a few more months still.”
“God, I know, don’t remind me.”
He laughs and pulls up a chair right next to mine. He leans over and kisses me again and places his hand on my bump, grinning ear to ear.
“Has she kicked much today?”
“Constantly. She’s so freaking active, I swear she’s going to be a terror.”
“Damn right she will be. She’s my girl.” His smile gets even bigger, if that’s possible.
Kellen’s been busy. He’s more active with the company than he thought he’d be and the dark side of the family takes up a lot of his energy. There are constant fires and emergencies, but from what I can tell, things are good. He’s flourishing, fighting, living his best life, and when he comes home, he leaves all that work stuff at the door and is all about me.
It’s wonderful. Overwhelming, scary, but amazing. He worships the ground I walk on, especially since he knocked me up.
“I wanted to ask you something.” I chew my lip, suddenly nervous, and decide to just blurt it out and skip the foreplay. “I want to name our girl Caitlyn.”
He stares at me in surprise then nods once. “I’d love that.”
“Caitie, or Cat, or whatever she wants to go by, but you know. Caitlyn.”
He kisses me and holds my hand tightly, and I wonder if those are tears in his eyes, but no, it must just be a reflection. Kellen doesn’t get that emotional.
“Since you surprised me, I might as well surprise you in return.” He stands up slowly and holds out a hand. “Come with me.”