Chapter 17
Alexa and I are dressed in matching white tea dresses with navy blue flowers dotted all over and the cutest white ballet Chucks. Alexa picked them out with Lottie when they were shopping for Caroline yesterday and made sure there’s a matching one for Caroline.
Alexa explained she chose navy flowers because blue is her Auntie’s favorite color.
I’m nervous, I’m not going to lie, my tummy is flipping with worry, but I also know Alexa is the ray of sunshine that Caroline needs. We woke this morning early and baked our sweets, Alexa decorated special cupcakes for Caroline having Elsa and Anna but both with blonde hair like Caroline and me she explained, and for Tiny, Buzz from Toy Story. I made sure to have enough for everyone, including the staff, who have been amazing to all of us throughout all our recoveries.
As soon as she opens the door Alexa runs straight to Tiny kissing his cheek and shoves the container just for him in his chest.
“Heaw, big guy. Thanks, faw looking aftaw my Auntie.”
Tiny chuckles and reaches out to rough her curls but Alexa ducks and weaves then stands there with her little hands firmly planted on her hips. “Ohhh no you don’t Uncle Tiny, I’m quickaw than that, I’s been leawning my moves and I needs to look pwetty today, I’m meeting my Auntie.”
Tiny leans in and kisses her forehead, “You always look pretty little lady, now turn around and go meet your Auntie.”
Alexa turns and gasps covering her mouth then beelines straight for Caroline and climbs straight onto her lap and reaches out to hold her face in her little hands. We’re all wide eyed holding back giggles at Caroline’s expression, her eyes are wide with surprise, I don’t think she was quite prepared for all the love that is… Alexa.
“You looks vewy similar to Mommy but a little diffewant, hmmm,” Alexa says assessing my twin, “you don’t have the staw heawt like Mommy,” Alexa says, noticing the first difference, “and yaw haiw is showtaw.”
“That’s because your mommy is special, she has the biggest heart in the world.” Caroline says with a warm smile that I feel in my chest.
Alexa shakes her head, “You do too, I feels yoaw heawt.”
Such pure innocence, out of the mouth of babes. I watch Caroline’s whole body relax and tears start rolling down my face, I step forward to introduce them properly but Alexa beats me to it.
“Hi, Auntie, I’m yaw niece, Alexa.”
A smile softens Caroline’s face and she looks to me with tears threatening to spill over, then returns her gaze to my little love.
“It’s nice to meet you, Alexa. And you have such a pretty little dress, I like it, it’s very cool.”
Alexa gasps, “You has one too Auntie, wanna see?”
Watching their interaction is so cute, Alexa just brings the best out of everyone she meets and as I stand here watching their exchange, I find hope that Caroline will be okay. How can she not with Alexa quite literally in her face giving her heart away to yet another person in need.
“You bought me a matching dress?” Caroline whispers choked up.
“Yes, I bought you lots of pwetties, you wanna see? Oh, and I have yaw special cupcakes, be right back.”
Alexa jumps down and races to me and looks up and smiles wide, I have to giggle because she really is a special little girl, she’s going to love with her all no matter what. I step up to Caroline while Alexander helps Alexa gather everything, we bought for her and hope this makes her feel more human and connected to the world and not a patient being poked and prodded all the time. Sometimes all it takes is a little kindness and to treat people who have ailments with respect and dignity.
“How was that? You tell me if it gets too much, okay?”
Caroline sobs and I see her break, Tiny rushes forward but I hold my hand up.
“Can I hold you Caro?” I question and she just nods.
I sit on the edge of her bed and wrap my arms around her and all her feelings rush through me, flooding me with my own tears.
“I feel you, Caro, I know Alexa is a lot to absorb but she truly is just that good, her love and beautiful little soul helped heal me and my shattered heart. It was instant and crazy, but oh so beautiful.”
Caroline hiccups and pulls away looking into my eyes and her matching ones look more alive and clearer than I’ve seen them this past couple of weeks.
“Your little girl just stole my freakin’ dead cold heart. How?” She whispers, her face bewildered.
“I know the feeling; Alexa has a heart so pure and doesn’t even know she radiates love so freely. But don’t let her sweet fool you, she’s also very sassy, you should see her command all these big strong men, it’s unreal and quite the impressive.”
Tiny grunts, “She’s bossier than a BUDs instructor, but the cutest damn thing to ever command our asses! We all love our princess.”
Caro and I both laugh but I see the way she has noticed a softer side to Tiny, I try not to react so I drop my head and smile.
“Auntie, Auntie, heaw is yaw cupcakes and dwess.”
Caro basically has to catch the flying missile because of Alexa’s excitement. I laugh and shake my head; I love this kid.
“Want to twy it on? Oh, and the Chucks too, they so cool!” Alexa’s enthusiasm is contagious.
“Ahhh, yeah, okay, I’ll go put this on be right back, thank you honey.”
Caroline stands from the bed, turns toward the bathroom, and disappears.
Alexa climbs onto what little space I have left on my lap and rests her head on my chest.
“Mommy, she looks like you but different,” Alexa whispers.
“We used to look exactly the same, Lovebug. But Caroline doesn’t have my freckled heart, that was the only way to tell us apart but we had different personalities, I’m quiet and bookish. Caroline was the outgoing, popular cheerleader.”
“So, will hew face be, okay? Is Doc helping hew?” Alexa asks sad, but with hope in her eyes.
“He sure is, Lovebug, just like he helped me.” I say as I kiss her forehead.
“Good, I likes hew, she’s nice Mommy, just like you,” then smiles brightly, “plus, she’s yaw weal life sistaw and that’s special to me.”
Alexa jumps down and goes to the bathroom and knocks, ‘You okay, Auntie?’
A shaky ‘yes’ can be heard and Alexa asks, ‘Can I’s come in?’
‘Okay,’Caroline sounds childlike and I look straight to Doc with concern and he moves closer, as does Alexander, they’ve both remained in the background letting this unfold with as little intervention as possible.
Tiny doesn’t move he stays where he is, looking calm, hmmm, interesting. Alexa opens the door and giggles as steps in and my heart starts to flutter when she’s out of view but the boys are there ready.
‘You look vewy pwetty, do you feels pwetty?’
Caroline giggles and as she replies, ‘I do, you just made me feel so much better, Alexa. I haven’t felt pretty in a long time.’
Alexa pulls Caroline out of the bathroom and all heads look to my sister, she looks alive and so much happier. I look to Tiny and he’s trying not to let it show but I see it, I see his eyes sparkle while looking at Caroline and it gives me hope.
Doc takes her hand and spins her around making her twirl, “You look great, Caroline, how does it make you feel?”
She smiles brightly, “Human, Doc, I feel a little more like me.”
“Perfect,” he says stepping away.
Alexander nods, “Looking good, Caroline.” Then he steps back over to stand behind me.
“Auntie, do you want to see evewything now or lataw?” Alexa asks politely, I’m pretty sure she’s picked up on Caroline being happy but a little overwhelmed.
“Can I look at them later, I’d like to explore them when alone but thank you for my pretty dress, and that it matches yours and sissy’s, I love it sweety.”
Alex wraps herself around Caroline’s legs and looks up with a smile.
“I’m glad yaw happy.”
We all head out into the garden and spend time walking and enjoy talking, we have lunch together and then Mom walks out, we had it arranged this way so Caroline wouldn’t feel added pressure and they could each meet Alexa separately.
“Alexa, I have someone else I’d like you to meet.”
Alexa gasps and starts looking around, “See that lady with the brown hair holding a soft toy,” I say pointing to my mom.
“Yes, who is she?” Alexa’s voice full of curiosity.
“That is my mom.” I whisper.
Alexa gasps and transfers off her seat to my lap and holds my face in her little hands, “I haves anothaw Gwandma?”
“Yes, her name is Janelle, want to meet h–”
Before I can finish Alexa climbs down and runs flat out and we all laugh, “Brace, Mom, brace.”
Alexander is there just as Alexa launches her little body at my mom. Mom was ready though and takes the force like an old pro and picks her up like she’s done it a thousand times before. I suppose she has really, having two little girls of her own, they come over and sit down next to me in Alexa’s seat and she is looking between the three of us and gets tears.
“Oh, honey, why are you crying?” Mom asks.
“Because this is the best day evaw, I got an Auntie and a GG.” We all smile watching the exchange between the two of them.
“GG, okay, I like it.” Mom smiles.
“Yes, faw Gwandma Janelle,” Alex say nodding in confirmation and we chuckle, she really is such a clever little girl.
“I love it! Hi, Alexa, I’m your GG, I made you something special, Mommy told me you love the book ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ and so, I made you Little Nutbrown Hare.”
Mom hands Alexa an exact replica of Little Nutbrown Hare, that she crocheted.
Alexa’s little gasp pulls at my heart and tears once again roll down my cheeks, I would have tears, I know I would but these hormones are amplifying my every emotion.
“You mades me Little Nutbwown Hawe, I love it and I love you, and I love you too Auntie.”
And just like that, this family meeting has mended another little piece of my heart.
I honestly didn’t know how today would go but I’m so fucking grateful to Doc, he quite literally has given my girl her family back. He’s a God damn saint, Saint Doc, I might have to change his damn call signal.
My angel is absolutely glowing and I want nothing more than for her to have her family with her on her wedding day. I stand and signal for Doc to follow me.
“Good fucking job, Doc, you are a God damn saint.”
“Nahhh man, I just followed my gut and I’m really pleased it’s worked out. I just had a strong inclination with the way Lily is, I thought her family would more than likely be similar, at least I hoped and it looks like my hunch was right.”
“I want to surprise Lily by having her mom and sister at our wedding, do you think they’ll be okay to attend in seven weeks?”
Doc smiles, “Yeah man, I’ll get that cleared. Janelle is almost ready to be released and after today’s meet, Caroline has really opened up and is doing really well, besides Tiny will be at her side,” Doc says smirking.
“Yeah, he’s a goner. He’s just yet to admit it.”
We both start laughing because Tiny is perfect for Caroline, massive lump of a protector, but he is a big ol’ teddy bear and has the patience to endure Caroline’s journey, I can see them being happy together, besides I don’t think Caroline will have a choice, I mean he won’t force her but he will wait patiently for his chance.
“Besides it’s not a big event just our immediate family and a couple of guests, and us boys will watch out for them. And at any time, there’s signs of distress, me and the boys will get them out quietly. They deserve to see our angel walk down the aisle and Lily will bake for us forever, it’s a win-win.”
Doc laughs and I do too because I know he’s fucking right, but Lily would bake for them regardless because she loves my brothers as her own. In seven weeks she’ll be officially mine, my wife, it can’t come soon enough, I’ve wanted to marry her from the moment I saw her with Alexa in her arms and I can’t fucking wait.