Chapter 15
Amelia
An hour later, Blake came rushing back to the waiting room. His face flushed with elation.
“It’s a healthy baby boy. Nine pounds, six ounces, and twenty-three and a half inches long. I think I got a football player.” He laughed, pulling up some photos on his phone.
My red-faced baby nephew wasn’t a plump baby despite his size. He was a long and lean kid with the face of an adorable old man. Julia dabbed at her eyes as we all looked at the pictures. Leah and Blake headed to see Amelia first, followed by Julia and my dad.
“What’s on your mind?” Teddy asked.
I bit my lip. If I told him what I was really thinking about, he might get scared off. But what if he didn’t? “I was just wondering if I’ll ever have one of those?”
“A baby?” he asked, his expression unreadable.
“Yeah, maybe I’m just destined to be the fun aunt. I guess that’s ok,” I said.
“Do you want a baby?” he asked, his expression still unphased.
“Yeah, one day. If it’s not too late.” I lifted my eyes to meet his.
Before he could respond. Julia, my dad, and Leah headed over to us. They gave us their visitor’s badges. “He’s so sweet,” Julia said.
“They’re expecting you,” Dad said to me.
“Yeah, so take your time. We’re going to head back to the Inn and let them rest,” Julia said. “Leah’s coming with us. She has a test to study for.”
Leah rolled her eyes but leaned in when I gave her a hug.
“Hey, Ames!" Leah called. “Can you give me a ride to the animal rescue tomorrow morning after breakfast? I promised I'd help out, and I think Dad is a little too busy to take me now.”"
“Of course,” I replied, grateful for the distraction. “Pick you up at nine?”
“Yup, see ya.” She said as she caught up with my dad.
“Here.” Teddy grabbed the giftbag he’d bought and tried to hand it to me. “It’s for the baby.”
“Why don’t you just come with me?” I asked.
Ted rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think Blake would. . .”
“Nonsense,” I said. “Just come with me. He’ll be over the moon full of new baby endorphins. He won’t even care.”
Reluctantly, he stood and walked with me to Sydney’s room. “So, what’s in the bag?”
“Just a little gift for the baby.” He smiled.
Sydney sat up in her bed staring at her new son. She looked exhausted, yet still radiant and Blake was beside himself with joy.
“How are you?” I squeezed in next to Sydney and kissed her forehead. My new nephew was even more adorable than the pictures.
“Overjoyed. Tired. Scared.” She laughed and the baby squirmed. “Oops. Sorry, buddy. Ted, it is so nice to see you. Thanks for coming.”
Blush flecked Ted’s cheeks. “Here, this is for the baby. Obviously he’s too little now, but for one day.” He shrugged.
She opened the bag one handed and lifted out a small brown teddy bear with the phrase “Baby Brother” on the shirt.
“This is so sweet. Thank you, Ted,” she said handing me the bag.
“So, what is his name?” I asked. I had been dying to know. They’d kept it secret for some reason.
She repositioned and handed me the baby. “Meet Logan David McKenna.”
“Awe you gave him Dad’s name?” A tiny tear slid down my cheek. “I bet he loved that.”
Sydney and Blake laughed. “He might have gotten teary-eyed but don’t tell him you know.”
True to my word I picked Leah up at nine am sharp. As we drove through the picturesque streets of Moonridge County, Leah shifted in her seat. Something was on her mind.
“Amelia, why do you think it's important to help others?” Leah asked suddenly, her hazel eyes full of curiosity.
“Wow, that's a deep question,” I said, chuckling. “I guess it's because when we help others, we're not only making their lives better, but we're also improving our own. It's a way to connect with people, to understand them, and to grow as individuals.”
“Exactly!” Leah exclaimed, her face lighting up. “That's why I love volunteering at the rescue. Every time I help an animal find its forever home, it feels like I'm making a difference in the world.”
"Leah, you're wise beyond your years," I told her, feeling a surge of pride for my niece.
Upon our arrival at the animal rescue, Kyle greeted us. His smile was warm and genuine, making me feel instantly at ease.
“Hey, Leah!” Kyle called, waving. “I'm so glad you made it!”
“Hi, Kyle!” Leah beamed, her excitement contagious.
"Amelia, you remember Kyle right? He's one of the regular volunteers here,” Leah introduced us, and I reached out to shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Amelia,” Kyle said, giving me a friendly nod.
“Likewise,” I replied, smiling back at him. “I'm just dropping Leah off today, but I've heard great things about this place.”
“Thanks! We do our best to help the animals in need,” Kyle responded, looking around proudly.
“Okay, Ames, I'll see you later,” Leah said as she turned to me. “Pick me up at three?”
“Yup. Have fun, kiddo,” I replied, giving her a quick hug before watching as she walked toward the rescue with Kyle.
As they approached the entrance, I noticed Kyle gently take Leah's hand, eliciting a shy smile from her. The simple gesture seemed to spark something between them, an unspoken connection that made my heart swell with happiness for my niece.
“Oh, boy,” I whispered under my breath.
I climbed back into my car, leaving the animal rescue behind. As I drove back home, my mind churned with thoughts of Teddy, each memory causing my heart to flutter. His gruff exterior had given way to reveal a tender and caring man, one who shared a passion for gardening and an unexpected ability to support those around him.
As I pulled up to my house, I noticed a man waiting by my front door. He was dressed in a crisp suit, clutching a thick envelope in his hand. An uneasy feeling settled in my chest as I parked the car and approached him.
“Amelia McKenna?” he asked, his tone professional yet oddly detached.
“That's me,” I replied cautiously. “Can I help you?"
“Actually, I'm here to serve you.” He handed me the envelope, and a chill ran down my spine.
“Wait, what?” I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest as I tore open the envelope and scanned the documents inside. The words seemed to blur together, but the meaning was clear: Teddy had filed a lawsuit against me for the remaining cost of his car repairs, and I was being summoned to court.
“Is this some kind of joke?” I demanded, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and disbelief.
“Unfortunately not,” the man replied, his expression impassive. “You have 30 days to respond.”
As he turned to leave, I stood rooted to the spot, the papers clutched tightly in my hands. My mind raced, trying to reconcile the caring, attentive man I'd grown to care for with the cold, legal action he'd just taken against me.
“Teddy,” I whispered, “how could you?”