Originally, I thought it would erupt into a shouting match, but after my talk with Derek, and hearing his call to Steve, I’m pretty sure things will be fine.
We’re all ready to let bygones be bygones and move forward together.
I take Steve by the hand and lead him over to the couch. The three of us sit down and look at each other as if we’re all wondering where to begin with this conversation.
Steve sits close to me and puts an arm over my shoulder. But Felicity wakes up right at this moment and starts to cry.
“She already has great timing,” I joke, and the guys laugh.
I excuse myself from the room and go to pick her up. Then I bring her back into the room, holding her over my shoulder.
I sit on the couch next to Steve and begin to feed the baby, hoping that the conversation will be productive and we can all be a happy family.
Chapter 19 – Steve
Once I hung up the phone with Derek, I’d immediately driven back to Janice’s parents’ vacation house. I wasn't that far away anyway.
I was shocked that he was here talking to Bella and that he wants to apologize. I guess I shouldn’t have been all that surprised, though. I mean, this is what both she and I had hoped for. We hoped that it could somehow work out between all of us and that our friendship would be fixed.
I had been really fearful of Derek’s possible reaction based on how he’d been treating me before, but maybe the fact that Bella and I are now openly together and have a daughter will make things different.
Now that we’re all three sitting on the couch— four, actually, although Felicity is more technically lying in Bella’s arms as Bella sits on the couch— I’m anxious to find out.
"Look, I already apologized to my sister, but now I need to apologize to you as well, Steve,” Derek begins.
I guess we’re off to a good start.
“You were right,” he continues, which sounds like even more music to my ears. “Iwasjealous because you got drafted and I didn’t— it felt so unfair, although I swear, I was also happy for you, but it was hard not to be sad and angry for myself.”
“That’s totally understandable,” I tell him. “I’m just glad you’re talking to me about it. It must really suck and itisunfair because you deserve to play pro ball too.”
“Yeah. Well, I’ve worked through that but I’m sorry I took it out on you. And even more than that, it was the timing of things and the odd feelings I had about what might be going on between you and Bella, which neither of you were telling me about,” Derek says.
“That makes sense too. We shouldn’t have been hiding from you and sneaking around behind your back. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” he tells me. “I was just being very overprotective of my little sister, and I regret doing that because I ruined our friendship. My behavior also led to you almost missing out on you finding out about your baby. I didn't know right away that you were the father but I kind of had some sort of a feeling.”
This surprises me, but I guess it’s another thing that shouldn’t. Steve has always been very intuitive, and he knows Bella and me well. Of course he probably had some suspicions or gut feelings.
“When I found out that she was having a baby, I just didn't want to face the reality that you being the father could be a possibility, because I always believed you to be a player and felt that you weren't well suited for a serious relationship," Derek explains. “I mean, don’t take it too personally. I’m not sure what kind of guy our age is ready for… well… all of this, especially one who is having the time of his life playing in the NFL!”
He gestures to Felicity as he says this, and I get what he means although of course I feel differently. I'm just glad that he's being honest and clearing the air between us.
Now it's my turn to answer.
"Well, I can see how you would think that but that’s how Iusedto be. I never thought I would want a relationship and a baby so young in life, either. But that was then, and this is now. This isBella.”
She smiles at me as I say that, and I wink at her. She’s so damn gorgeous and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her and our cute little baby in her arms.
“Trust me when I say I've completely changed. Even back some time ago, before I knew about the baby or pregnancy, I felt that being with Bella for good would be a real possibility for me. I do have a very strong feelings for your sister and I would never hurt her or treat her like she’s expendable,” I assure him.
He nods and I can tell hebelieves me. I'm glad.
"Well, all of this is very good to know. I hope that things work out for you, and I give you my blessing on this relationship," Derek says.
Bella smiles at him as she finishes feeding the baby. I reach over and pat Derek’s shoulder.
"Thanks so much. That means a lot to us. I'm glad that everything is fixed and that we're friends again, " I respond.