The Power of Memories
Chapter 21 + 22 + 23 END
Mid April and the hockey season was over for the Bruins. Not surprising considering all the injuries they’d had to deal with. Boychuk was out with a concussion, Bergeron had injured his knee, as had Seidenberg. Tuukka had broken his wrist.
Of course Gregory was pissed that they were out and had to watch someone else lift the cup, but there was nothing he could do. For the past weeks he’d concentrated on hockey. He’d hardly seen Abby, only a few nights when he’d come home from a game and she hadn’t had to work early in the morning. They’d avoided talking about their feelings or rather Abby’s feelings. Gregory was quite clear about what he wanted. Her. A life together with her, a family. Maybe not right now, but when it felt right for both of them. During the run for the playoffs it would only have distracted him from hockey. Abby had been quite thankful for that. It gave her time to think.
But now Gregory had time. More than enough time to talk to her. When he got home from the team meeting, all he wanted to do was see Abby and spend time with her, but she was nowhere to be found. Her phone was turned off, she wasn’t at her place or his. The only thing he could think of was calling Kara.
“She’s here. But she doesn’t want to see anybody. I’m sure she’ll call you tomorrow.”
So much for having a good evening and night. Instead of sleeping well next to the woman he loved, he kept turning in his bed, unable to fall asleep. She hadn’t wanted to see anybody including him. Why? Something must have happened. There was no other explanation. Everything had been good when he’d left her in the morning.
At around five am he got up again and started working out. That occupied his mind for a couple of hours. After a long shower he headed out to get breakfast, his phone always in sight so that he wouldn’t miss her call. He felt pathetic for waiting like this, but he couldn’t control it. He HAD to know what was going on with her.
When he was finished eating his breakfast, he returned home. There was nothing to do for him. For a few minutes he paced around his living room.
“Screw this,” he murmured to himself, took his jacket and stomped towards the door. As soon as he opened it, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Wide-eyed Abby looked at him, key in hand. The shock left her face and gave way to an uncertain smile.
“Hey. Um… I can come back later if you want to.”
“Are you kidding me?” Soupy pulled her inside, closed the door and wrapped his arms around her. A sigh of relief left his lips, his eyes drifted shut. Finally he could hold her to him again. “I was actually on my way to you. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t wait for you to call any longer.”
“No, I’m sorry. I thought it might be better if I just dropped by instead of calling you and setting something up.” She took a step back to look in his eyes.
Carefully Gregory guided her towards the sofa, putting her jacket and his away. He sat down next to her, didn’t know what to say. Luckily he didn’t have to because Abby started talking all on her own.
“I had to get away from everything yesterday to think. About us, about our life, about this situation.” She looked at her hands folded in her lap and bit down on her bottom lip. “I wasn’t sure whether I could stay with you or not. With everything that has happened in the past, I don’t know whether I can trust you or not. I don’t want to get my heart broken all over again.”
Gregory’s heart sank. He felt an ache in his chest that made him open his mouth despite his better judgment. “I know how wrong my behavior was and I’ve regretted it every day of my life until I met you again. I love you, Abby. I want to marry you someday when you’re ready, have a family with you, a house, a dog… All that.”
“Let me finish.” Abby held up a hand and looked at him, still the same warm expression on her face that she’d had minutes ago. “The truth is that I’ve never really gotten over you. I love you and I trust you and no matter what might happen, I would regret it my whole life if I didn’t try this with you. I haven’t been this happy since we separated.”
“Did you really say that you love me?”
“Yes I did.” Her smile grew even wider. “I love you with all my heart.”
“And I love you.” Gregory pulled her close and kissed her. Abby held onto him and buried her head in his neck. This was perfect. They stayed like this, unmoved, for a few minutes until Abby raised her head.
“Did you really mean what you said? That you want to marry me and have a family with me?”
Gregory leaned his forehead against hers. “Yes. I do want all of this with you, but no pressure. And only if you want this as, too.”
“I do.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. I want to marry you. The sooner the better.”
“Wait a second.” He disentangled himself from her and vanished in his bedroom. Curious Abby watched his every step. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. Finally she’d come to terms with herself and her feelings for Gregory. Kara had helped her a lot yesterday. She hadn’t put pressure on Abby, had given her time, but she’d made her think long and hard about what she wanted. The answer had been simple: Gregory Campbell.
With a grin on his face he returned to her. But instead of sitting next to her, he got down on one knee in front of the sofa and opened a small box. In it was the ring he’d proposed with years ago. All these years he’d kept it, not able to return it, still hoping that he might give it to Abby.
“Abby, will you-“
“YES!” she cut him off and threw herself at him. Tears were streaming down her face, but she didn’t care. Neither did Gregory when he kissed her and put the ring on her finger. It was finally back where it belonged. And Abby was back where she belonged. In his arms and in his life.
What Abby had to do the following day was talk to Kara. She’d promised her to call after she’d talked to Gregory, but the day before she hadn’t had time to even text her. Gregory hadn’t left her out of sight for more than five minutes. He’d confiscated her phone and keys so that he’d had her all to himself. They’d had a lot of catching up to do.
Gregory hadn’t let her out of bed until eleven and then he’d made her come back to bed to have breakfast with him. Finally he’d given Abby her phone back. Five calls and three messages from Kara. Abby had texted her immediately telling her that everything was fine and that she’d swing by later on.
Now that she was in front of Kara’s and Benoit’s house, she felt a little nauseous. After all the crying and complaining she’d done, she now had to tell Kara that she and Gregory were back together. Kara normally wasn’t one to say “I told you so”, but Abby still felt a little weird coming to her now with this news. Maybe that was just the excitement running through her veins.
“Look who’s still alive,” Kara greeted her when she opened the door before pulling her in for a hug. “Next time make sure to tell me that your phone will be taken away from you.”
“I’ll try my best.” Abby followed her friend inside, shook off her jacket and took a seat on the sofa. Kara hustled off to the kitchen only to return with two cups of tea. A couple of days ago Kara had stopped drinking coffee and started having tea instead. It was healthier for her to not drink that much coffee anymore.
“Now I want to hear everything about yesterday.” Kara handed one of the cups to Abby only to put it aside when her friend reached for it and she glimpsed the ring on her finger. “Is this what I think it is?” Eyes nearly falling out of her head Kara stared at her until she gave a small nod. “OH MY GOD ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?” When Abby started laughing, Kara nearly tackled her and didn’t let go for a good minute. Kara finally looked up again, a huge smile on her face and tears brimming in her eyes because she was so happy for her friend. “Spill it!”
“He told me that he wants to marry me when I’m ready, that he wants to have a family with me and I realized that I want exactly the same thing. The sooner the better.” Abby sighed and looked at Kara. No, she wouldn’t cry again. “Then he went to his bedroom and return with the ring. It’s the one he proposed with years ago. He’s kept it ever since. He thought that maybe someday he’d be able to give me the ring. You can’t believe how much I cried.”
“Actually I can. I’m nearly crying only hearing about this.” Kara wiped beneath her eyes and took a deep breath.
“What is happening here?” Benoit asked from the door with a frown on his face. They hadn’t even heard him enter the house.
“Jesus, where do you come from?” Kara scowled at her boyfriend. Not that she wasn’t happy that he was home, but he’d startled her.
“From Tuukka.” Benoit took off his jacket and his shoes before he approached them. “So, what is going on?”
“Soupy and Abby are engaged!” Kara couldn’t contain her excitement.
“Congratulations!” Benoit’s smile grew wider. “You two have come to your senses.” He bent down to give Abby a quick hug. “You two belong together, even I could see that.”
“And that is saying a lot.” Kara remarked, trying not to burst out laughing.
“Hey, don’t be mean or I won’t share my news with you!”
“What news?” Both women looked up at him.
“Do you promise to behave?” Crossing his arms over his wide chest, Benoit stared at them.
“Okay,” Kara said meekly.
“Tuukka and Mika are having a little girl.” Slowly Benoit sat down, his eyes still fixed on both women. “He told me earlier and showed me the ultrasound picture. You won’t believe how excited and proud he is.” Tuukka of all people. The one that had screwed every woman that had shown interest in him until he’d met Mika. She’d completely changed him. “He even showed me a couple of things he’s already bought for her. They don’t have a name yet, but at least they have her first skates.”
“That is so Tuukka.” Kara shook her head and wiped her eyes again. She didn’t want the others to see her tears. She wasn’t that lucky though, because Kara realized it, exchanged a look with Benoit and left them alone.
Ever so gently Benoit drew Kara into his arms and held her close for a moment before he asked: “Are you alright?”
“Yes”, she murmured against his throat. “Just a little overwhelmed. I’m so happy for them all.”
Benoit watched her in silence for a moment, but then he decided to tilt her head up so he could look in her eyes. “There’s something else. You know you can tell me everything, Kara.”
She sighed. She took his hand in hers, interlaced her fingers with his before she started talking: “Now that Mika’s pregnant, I had to think about having children myself and there’s something I should tell you.” Benoit gave her hand a little squeeze, urging her to go on, showing her that he was there no matter what she’d tell him now. “There is only about a five percent chance that I will ever have children off my own.”
Kara closed her eyes and lay her head down on Benoit’s shoulder. She didn’t want to look him in the eyes and see his reaction. She’d had years to deal with this. Granted, until now they hadn’t talked about children, but she wanted him to know this.
“That means we’ll have to try more often then.” He kissed the top of her head where her hair was parted.
“What?” Slowly Kara raised her head again to look at him.
“Did you really think I’d have a problem with that?” He cupped her face in his hands, rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. “Kara, I love you and this doesn’t change anything. Don’t ever worry that I might leave you because of this or something like that.” He quickly kissed her lips. “Okay? I’ll enjoy trying with you.”
That even made her laugh a little. Why had she worried in the first place?
Abby stood in the empty apartment and looked around herself. She’d spend a couple of great months here but it was time to move on now. Together.
Now that she and Gregory were engaged they wanted to move in together. It had taken them a couple of weeks to find an apartment they were both happy with. It was close to the Garden, but to Abby’s shop as well. There was enough room for all their stuff and even more. They’d painted the walls and gotten all their furniture, clothes et cetera there. The only thing Abby had to do now was give the keys to the person who’d live in her old apartment from now on.
They talked about the contract and Abby could finally hand the woman the keys. In front of the building Gregory was leaning against his truck, sunglasses shading his eyes, the white T-Shirt loose around his middle but tight around his arms when he had them crossed in front of his chest. For a moment Abby just stood there and looked at him.
“Come on, Abs, we need to get going.” Greg grinned at her and opened the door to get in the car.
“Where exactly do we need to go?” Abby walked towards him and got in the car. The windows were down so they could enjoy a light breeze while driving. She didn’t know where yet.
“To the hospital. Tuukka called me, because he still hasn’t got your number to tell me that Mika has gone into labor.” He started the car, his eyes set firmly on the street.
“What?” Abby stared at him in disbelief. “But it’s a week to early!”
“Relax, hun.” He put his hand in her bare knee. God, he loved it when she was wearing one of her summer dresses. “Everything is fine and we’ll be there in a minute.”
Everything is fine? Abby wasn’t so sure about this, but freaking out wouldn’t accomplish anything, so she tried to stay calm. As soon as they reached the hospital though, she was out of the car without thinking about Gregory anymore. She asked around and finally found Kara and Benoit. Gregory joined them about a minute later.
“Everything’s alright,” Kara calmed her down immediately. “Tuukka is inside with her and he’ll let us know. Take a deep breath.”
Abby did as she was told. One week early wasn’t bad, but it still made her scared. There was so much that could go wrong and they couldn’t do anything about it. She’d like to burst into the room and stay with Tuukka and Mika, but she couldn’t Instead she’d stay out here with her other friends and wait until Tuukka came out of the room.
She wasn’t ready to see him when she looked up again. With a big smile on his face he stared at his friends.
“That was quick.” Kara looked him up and down, not sure what else to say or do.
“They’re both fine.” Tuukka finally found his voice and let them know. He pushed his hair back from his face. “Her name is Iris.”
“Iris?” Abby looked up at him.
“After Mika’s grandmother. And it means rainbow.” He grinned at them proudly, still not believing that he was really a father now. “You want to see her?”
“Yes!” Abby and Kara said in unison and followed Tuukka together, Benoit and Gregory a step behind them. It was easy to make little Iris out. She had blonde hair like her mother, but the same curls Tuukka had. She looked so much like Mika had as a baby. Good for her.
“She is adorable.” Kara leaned her forehead against the glass and looked at the little one bundled up in her blanket. She wouldn’t cry. This was such a happy moment and now that she’d talked with Benoit about her problem, she felt a lot better. And she really enjoyed all this “trying” with him.
“Yes, she is.” Tuukka sighed.
They stayed a bit longer, but decided to come back the next day to visit Mika. Right now she needed some rest. The same was probably true for Tuukka.
Back in the car Abby closed her eyes for a moment. She would make a few cupcakes for Mika, so that she had something nice to eat at the hospital. And the others would probably appreciate it as well.
“I can’t wait until we have our own little family.” Gregory said with a smile on his face.
“Me too.” Abby opened one eye to look at him and took his hand in hers. Yes, she was really looking forward to their life together. The rest of their lives. Finally she was happy again.
Ende
Of course Gregory was pissed that they were out and had to watch someone else lift the cup, but there was nothing he could do. For the past weeks he’d concentrated on hockey. He’d hardly seen Abby, only a few nights when he’d come home from a game and she hadn’t had to work early in the morning. They’d avoided talking about their feelings or rather Abby’s feelings. Gregory was quite clear about what he wanted. Her. A life together with her, a family. Maybe not right now, but when it felt right for both of them. During the run for the playoffs it would only have distracted him from hockey. Abby had been quite thankful for that. It gave her time to think.
But now Gregory had time. More than enough time to talk to her. When he got home from the team meeting, all he wanted to do was see Abby and spend time with her, but she was nowhere to be found. Her phone was turned off, she wasn’t at her place or his. The only thing he could think of was calling Kara.
“She’s here. But she doesn’t want to see anybody. I’m sure she’ll call you tomorrow.”
So much for having a good evening and night. Instead of sleeping well next to the woman he loved, he kept turning in his bed, unable to fall asleep. She hadn’t wanted to see anybody including him. Why? Something must have happened. There was no other explanation. Everything had been good when he’d left her in the morning.
At around five am he got up again and started working out. That occupied his mind for a couple of hours. After a long shower he headed out to get breakfast, his phone always in sight so that he wouldn’t miss her call. He felt pathetic for waiting like this, but he couldn’t control it. He HAD to know what was going on with her.
When he was finished eating his breakfast, he returned home. There was nothing to do for him. For a few minutes he paced around his living room.
“Screw this,” he murmured to himself, took his jacket and stomped towards the door. As soon as he opened it, he stopped dead in his tracks.
Wide-eyed Abby looked at him, key in hand. The shock left her face and gave way to an uncertain smile.
“Hey. Um… I can come back later if you want to.”
“Are you kidding me?” Soupy pulled her inside, closed the door and wrapped his arms around her. A sigh of relief left his lips, his eyes drifted shut. Finally he could hold her to him again. “I was actually on my way to you. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t wait for you to call any longer.”
“No, I’m sorry. I thought it might be better if I just dropped by instead of calling you and setting something up.” She took a step back to look in his eyes.
Carefully Gregory guided her towards the sofa, putting her jacket and his away. He sat down next to her, didn’t know what to say. Luckily he didn’t have to because Abby started talking all on her own.
“I had to get away from everything yesterday to think. About us, about our life, about this situation.” She looked at her hands folded in her lap and bit down on her bottom lip. “I wasn’t sure whether I could stay with you or not. With everything that has happened in the past, I don’t know whether I can trust you or not. I don’t want to get my heart broken all over again.”
Gregory’s heart sank. He felt an ache in his chest that made him open his mouth despite his better judgment. “I know how wrong my behavior was and I’ve regretted it every day of my life until I met you again. I love you, Abby. I want to marry you someday when you’re ready, have a family with you, a house, a dog… All that.”
“Let me finish.” Abby held up a hand and looked at him, still the same warm expression on her face that she’d had minutes ago. “The truth is that I’ve never really gotten over you. I love you and I trust you and no matter what might happen, I would regret it my whole life if I didn’t try this with you. I haven’t been this happy since we separated.”
“Did you really say that you love me?”
“Yes I did.” Her smile grew even wider. “I love you with all my heart.”
“And I love you.” Gregory pulled her close and kissed her. Abby held onto him and buried her head in his neck. This was perfect. They stayed like this, unmoved, for a few minutes until Abby raised her head.
“Did you really mean what you said? That you want to marry me and have a family with me?”
Gregory leaned his forehead against hers. “Yes. I do want all of this with you, but no pressure. And only if you want this as, too.”
“I do.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. I want to marry you. The sooner the better.”
“Wait a second.” He disentangled himself from her and vanished in his bedroom. Curious Abby watched his every step. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest. Finally she’d come to terms with herself and her feelings for Gregory. Kara had helped her a lot yesterday. She hadn’t put pressure on Abby, had given her time, but she’d made her think long and hard about what she wanted. The answer had been simple: Gregory Campbell.
With a grin on his face he returned to her. But instead of sitting next to her, he got down on one knee in front of the sofa and opened a small box. In it was the ring he’d proposed with years ago. All these years he’d kept it, not able to return it, still hoping that he might give it to Abby.
“Abby, will you-“
“YES!” she cut him off and threw herself at him. Tears were streaming down her face, but she didn’t care. Neither did Gregory when he kissed her and put the ring on her finger. It was finally back where it belonged. And Abby was back where she belonged. In his arms and in his life.
What Abby had to do the following day was talk to Kara. She’d promised her to call after she’d talked to Gregory, but the day before she hadn’t had time to even text her. Gregory hadn’t left her out of sight for more than five minutes. He’d confiscated her phone and keys so that he’d had her all to himself. They’d had a lot of catching up to do.
Gregory hadn’t let her out of bed until eleven and then he’d made her come back to bed to have breakfast with him. Finally he’d given Abby her phone back. Five calls and three messages from Kara. Abby had texted her immediately telling her that everything was fine and that she’d swing by later on.
Now that she was in front of Kara’s and Benoit’s house, she felt a little nauseous. After all the crying and complaining she’d done, she now had to tell Kara that she and Gregory were back together. Kara normally wasn’t one to say “I told you so”, but Abby still felt a little weird coming to her now with this news. Maybe that was just the excitement running through her veins.
“Look who’s still alive,” Kara greeted her when she opened the door before pulling her in for a hug. “Next time make sure to tell me that your phone will be taken away from you.”
“I’ll try my best.” Abby followed her friend inside, shook off her jacket and took a seat on the sofa. Kara hustled off to the kitchen only to return with two cups of tea. A couple of days ago Kara had stopped drinking coffee and started having tea instead. It was healthier for her to not drink that much coffee anymore.
“Now I want to hear everything about yesterday.” Kara handed one of the cups to Abby only to put it aside when her friend reached for it and she glimpsed the ring on her finger. “Is this what I think it is?” Eyes nearly falling out of her head Kara stared at her until she gave a small nod. “OH MY GOD ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?” When Abby started laughing, Kara nearly tackled her and didn’t let go for a good minute. Kara finally looked up again, a huge smile on her face and tears brimming in her eyes because she was so happy for her friend. “Spill it!”
“He told me that he wants to marry me when I’m ready, that he wants to have a family with me and I realized that I want exactly the same thing. The sooner the better.” Abby sighed and looked at Kara. No, she wouldn’t cry again. “Then he went to his bedroom and return with the ring. It’s the one he proposed with years ago. He’s kept it ever since. He thought that maybe someday he’d be able to give me the ring. You can’t believe how much I cried.”
“Actually I can. I’m nearly crying only hearing about this.” Kara wiped beneath her eyes and took a deep breath.
“What is happening here?” Benoit asked from the door with a frown on his face. They hadn’t even heard him enter the house.
“Jesus, where do you come from?” Kara scowled at her boyfriend. Not that she wasn’t happy that he was home, but he’d startled her.
“From Tuukka.” Benoit took off his jacket and his shoes before he approached them. “So, what is going on?”
“Soupy and Abby are engaged!” Kara couldn’t contain her excitement.
“Congratulations!” Benoit’s smile grew wider. “You two have come to your senses.” He bent down to give Abby a quick hug. “You two belong together, even I could see that.”
“And that is saying a lot.” Kara remarked, trying not to burst out laughing.
“Hey, don’t be mean or I won’t share my news with you!”
“What news?” Both women looked up at him.
“Do you promise to behave?” Crossing his arms over his wide chest, Benoit stared at them.
“Okay,” Kara said meekly.
“Tuukka and Mika are having a little girl.” Slowly Benoit sat down, his eyes still fixed on both women. “He told me earlier and showed me the ultrasound picture. You won’t believe how excited and proud he is.” Tuukka of all people. The one that had screwed every woman that had shown interest in him until he’d met Mika. She’d completely changed him. “He even showed me a couple of things he’s already bought for her. They don’t have a name yet, but at least they have her first skates.”
“That is so Tuukka.” Kara shook her head and wiped her eyes again. She didn’t want the others to see her tears. She wasn’t that lucky though, because Kara realized it, exchanged a look with Benoit and left them alone.
Ever so gently Benoit drew Kara into his arms and held her close for a moment before he asked: “Are you alright?”
“Yes”, she murmured against his throat. “Just a little overwhelmed. I’m so happy for them all.”
Benoit watched her in silence for a moment, but then he decided to tilt her head up so he could look in her eyes. “There’s something else. You know you can tell me everything, Kara.”
She sighed. She took his hand in hers, interlaced her fingers with his before she started talking: “Now that Mika’s pregnant, I had to think about having children myself and there’s something I should tell you.” Benoit gave her hand a little squeeze, urging her to go on, showing her that he was there no matter what she’d tell him now. “There is only about a five percent chance that I will ever have children off my own.”
Kara closed her eyes and lay her head down on Benoit’s shoulder. She didn’t want to look him in the eyes and see his reaction. She’d had years to deal with this. Granted, until now they hadn’t talked about children, but she wanted him to know this.
“That means we’ll have to try more often then.” He kissed the top of her head where her hair was parted.
“What?” Slowly Kara raised her head again to look at him.
“Did you really think I’d have a problem with that?” He cupped her face in his hands, rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. “Kara, I love you and this doesn’t change anything. Don’t ever worry that I might leave you because of this or something like that.” He quickly kissed her lips. “Okay? I’ll enjoy trying with you.”
That even made her laugh a little. Why had she worried in the first place?
Abby stood in the empty apartment and looked around herself. She’d spend a couple of great months here but it was time to move on now. Together.
Now that she and Gregory were engaged they wanted to move in together. It had taken them a couple of weeks to find an apartment they were both happy with. It was close to the Garden, but to Abby’s shop as well. There was enough room for all their stuff and even more. They’d painted the walls and gotten all their furniture, clothes et cetera there. The only thing Abby had to do now was give the keys to the person who’d live in her old apartment from now on.
They talked about the contract and Abby could finally hand the woman the keys. In front of the building Gregory was leaning against his truck, sunglasses shading his eyes, the white T-Shirt loose around his middle but tight around his arms when he had them crossed in front of his chest. For a moment Abby just stood there and looked at him.
“Come on, Abs, we need to get going.” Greg grinned at her and opened the door to get in the car.
“Where exactly do we need to go?” Abby walked towards him and got in the car. The windows were down so they could enjoy a light breeze while driving. She didn’t know where yet.
“To the hospital. Tuukka called me, because he still hasn’t got your number to tell me that Mika has gone into labor.” He started the car, his eyes set firmly on the street.
“What?” Abby stared at him in disbelief. “But it’s a week to early!”
“Relax, hun.” He put his hand in her bare knee. God, he loved it when she was wearing one of her summer dresses. “Everything is fine and we’ll be there in a minute.”
Everything is fine? Abby wasn’t so sure about this, but freaking out wouldn’t accomplish anything, so she tried to stay calm. As soon as they reached the hospital though, she was out of the car without thinking about Gregory anymore. She asked around and finally found Kara and Benoit. Gregory joined them about a minute later.
“Everything’s alright,” Kara calmed her down immediately. “Tuukka is inside with her and he’ll let us know. Take a deep breath.”
Abby did as she was told. One week early wasn’t bad, but it still made her scared. There was so much that could go wrong and they couldn’t do anything about it. She’d like to burst into the room and stay with Tuukka and Mika, but she couldn’t Instead she’d stay out here with her other friends and wait until Tuukka came out of the room.
She wasn’t ready to see him when she looked up again. With a big smile on his face he stared at his friends.
“That was quick.” Kara looked him up and down, not sure what else to say or do.
“They’re both fine.” Tuukka finally found his voice and let them know. He pushed his hair back from his face. “Her name is Iris.”
“Iris?” Abby looked up at him.
“After Mika’s grandmother. And it means rainbow.” He grinned at them proudly, still not believing that he was really a father now. “You want to see her?”
“Yes!” Abby and Kara said in unison and followed Tuukka together, Benoit and Gregory a step behind them. It was easy to make little Iris out. She had blonde hair like her mother, but the same curls Tuukka had. She looked so much like Mika had as a baby. Good for her.
“She is adorable.” Kara leaned her forehead against the glass and looked at the little one bundled up in her blanket. She wouldn’t cry. This was such a happy moment and now that she’d talked with Benoit about her problem, she felt a lot better. And she really enjoyed all this “trying” with him.
“Yes, she is.” Tuukka sighed.
They stayed a bit longer, but decided to come back the next day to visit Mika. Right now she needed some rest. The same was probably true for Tuukka.
Back in the car Abby closed her eyes for a moment. She would make a few cupcakes for Mika, so that she had something nice to eat at the hospital. And the others would probably appreciate it as well.
“I can’t wait until we have our own little family.” Gregory said with a smile on his face.
“Me too.” Abby opened one eye to look at him and took his hand in hers. Yes, she was really looking forward to their life together. The rest of their lives. Finally she was happy again.
Ende
7/13/13