22. Vincent
“Wow. Look at Uncle Vincent holding a baby,” said Zachary, staring at me in Wendy’s kitchen, smug with his arms crossed.
“I thought the infant stage only lasted until twelve months,” I said, bouncing Sadie on my leg. Between her gumdrop eyes, infectious laugh, and rosy, chubby cheeks, she was a pretty cute kid. “You, Miss Sadie, are a toddler.” I popped my lips an inch away from her face, triggering that giggle I was quickly falling for.
Wendy and Blair were in the other room out of sight, and if I had to guess, they were probably fawning over the engagement ring Wendy hadn’t removed from her hand in over a month. Even Zachary was impressed by the immaculate pink stone I had designed for Wendy. Between the ring and about to purchase a historic Newport mansion, I had never spent so much money in my life in such a short period. But every penny was worth it because I felt like I was constantly moving in the right direction for the first time.
“Give me my daughter back, smartass.” Zachary held out his arms for Sadie, and I transferred the dumpling to him.
“You think you're ready for this, don't you?” Zachary asked, his eyes not on Sadie but on mine. There was a challenge in his voice, a quiet dare. I held his gaze, my hands now empty.
“Ready for what?” I asked, deliberately playing dumb.
“To settle down. Have a family. Live the dream,” he said, bouncing Sadie lightly.
“Are you teasing me?” I stared at the pure joy spread across Zachary’s face as he gazed at his daughter blowing bubbles in his face. The flecks of saliva hitting Zachary’s nose didn’t bother him. If anything, the entire act made him happier. I never thought about being a father and hadn’t given it much attention since Wendy and I got engaged. But, being here with my old friends and their daughter, the idea had officially been planted in my mind. “And why not?” I retorted, feeling an unexpected heat creeping up my neck. Zachary adjusted Sadie on his hip, his eyes holding a new level of respect and curiosity.
“Why not what?” He chuckled, glancing momentarily at the toddler in his arms.
“Why not settle down? Have a family?” My voice wavered slightly, but I stood my ground. I couldn't shake the image of Wendy's radiant smile when she'd slipped on the engagement ring. That memory was enough to solidify my resolve.
Zachary raised an eyebrow at me, clearly taken aback by my sudden declaration, but he didn't reply immediately. Instead, he just rocked Sadie gently, humming a soft melody under his breath.
“You sing now?” I cocked an eyebrow.
“It’s not singing, you jerk.” Zachary scowled.
“I think I heard you sing.”
“Keep going, and you’ll be sorry,” Zachary warned.
“At least you’re not punching me this time. Remember our last happy encounter?” I certainly didn’t forget, as the memory triggered a throb in my ear. “I had never been punched before, and the first time straight to the ear.”
“Sorry about that,” Zachary uttered, clearly not sorry, while kissing Sadie’s forehead.
“Yeah, yeah, you're all apologies now.” I leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Zachary’s face melt, his gaze locked on his daughter.
“I am happy for you and Wendy, though.” Zachary’s eyes shifted from Sadie to me. “Seriously, congratulations.”
“Thanks, Zach. That really means a lot to me. I miss this, you know?” I motioned between us.
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Zachary frowned. “When was the last time we could have a real conversation?”
We knew the answer but didn’t dare say it. Instead, Sadie broke the silence with a sneeze, landing in Zachary’s mouth.
“Oh! There it is.” I threw my head back, laughing.
Zachary winced as he grabbed a napkin with one hand, wiping the snot off his mouth while pressing Sadie closer to his chest. It was like Sadie could do no wrong in Zachary’s eyes: simply amazing. And then it made me wonder, would I ever experience something like that? A part of me wanted to suddenly.
The sound of soft footsteps carried across the room, and there stood my fiancée with Blair. Wendy's hand still wore the engagement ring, its shine matching the radiance of her smile.
“There you two are,” she said, her voice like a lullaby. “I leave you alone for a few minutes and find you playing house in here.” She chuckled lightly, walking toward us. She leaned in to kiss Sadie's forehead and then looked at me. “She’s so precious. Sorry, Zach, but Sadie looks just like her mom.” Wendy’s body pivoted to face Blair, and the two women exchanged winks simultaneously.
“Isn't that a good thing?” Blair gave Zachary a playful smirk, and he surrendered with a nod, his grin widening at the sight of his wife.
“Oh, I wasn't complaining,” he said, wrapping an arm around Blair. The kitchen was filled with comfortable silence for a moment—the type that only came with good company.
Wendy slid next to me, her fingers intertwining with mine. The warmth in my chest spread like wildfire throughout my body. Sadie giggled at something Zachary had whispered into her ear, and Wendy's eyes dazzled at the sound. “I can see you're getting ideas,” she teased.
“What makes you think that?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face.
She let out a small laugh and looked up at me, her gaze gentle yet searching. “Because I know you.”
And then I had an idea. “You guys should go out to eat, enjoy Newport, and we’ll watch Sadie.”
“What?” asked Wendy, Blair, and Zachary.
I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “Why not? You two look like you could use a night out.” I nodded to Zachary and Blair. “We can handle Sadie for a night.”
“I thought we’d all go out, and you could show us Newport,” Blair added, her eyes glued to Sadie.
“And we will. But tonight, you and Zach have a date. Wendy and I will be fine.” I winked at all of them.
Zachary looked dubious. “You sure about that?” As if on cue, Sadie began to twist and squirm, desperately trying to free herself from her father’s iron hold.
I responded with a firm nod despite the slight apprehension starting to creep in. “Absolutely.”
“And you're okay with this?” Wendy asked me, her eyebrows raised.
I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Sure, why not? It’ll be fun.”
Wendy broke into a grin, her eyes twinkling. “Well, alright then.”
Blair and Zachary exchanged a glance before shrugging and agreeing.
“Alright,” Zachary said, his tone cautious but hopeful. “But only if you're sure...”
“We're sure,” I cut in firmly, outstretching my arms for Sadie.
Zachary handed Sadie carefully over to me, his eyes not leaving her for a second. I could see the hesitation in his every movement. Wendy placed a comforting hand on his arm, her smile softening at the concern in his gaze.
“Sadie’s in good hands,” she reassured him, nodding in my direction.
He sighed, finally looking up from Sadie, and gave Wendy a weak smile. “I know she is.”
Blair came forward to kiss Sadie’s forehead before they grabbed their winter coats, their apprehension slowly dissolving into excitement about their unexpected night out.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Wendy and I were alone in the house with Sadie. The little girl seemed to sense the shift in atmosphere because her big, round eyes widened, and she blinked at me curiously.
“Dada?” she asked, her voice small but clear in the quiet room.
With a pang, I realized just how challenging this night might be. I glanced over at Wendy for reassurance. With a nod and a tender smile, she stepped forward. “It's alright, Sadie,” she said, stroking the girl's soft hair. “Daddy and Mommy are out for their date night. It’s just us tonight.”
“Alright, Sadie.” I bounced her lightly on my knee. “Time for some fun.”
“Maybe Netflix has some good kids shows.” Wendy wasted no time skipping to the television and turning it on to the desired channel.
I followed her into the den with Sadie on my hip, and we plopped onto the couch as Wendy scanned every network for something kid-friendly. It was amusing watching Wendy squint against the harsh light of the television as if leaning an inch away from the screen would make her find something quicker.
Suddenly, Sadie pointed at the screen, her little pudgy fingers flapping, and threw a wild squeal.
Wendy chuckled lightly, looking toward me with a wide grin. “Well, I guess we're watching bunnies tonight.” She cranked the volume up and joined us on the couch.
The animation was simple and the storyline basic, but Sadie was entranced, her round eyes glued to the screen. Wendy and I sat on either side of her, our hands intertwined over the back of the couch while we watched Sadie more than the cartoon.
It wasn’t long before Sadie’s eyelids drooped heavily against her will. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t fight off sleep and drifted off midway through the adventures of the cartoon bunny.
“She's out,” I whispered softly, careful not to wake her. Wendy nodded as I scooped up the sleeping child in my arms. My body sank into the deep cushions with Sadie’s sleeping form molded to my body. The child’s weight instantly felt twenty pounds heavier, like the best-weighted blanket on earth.
I caught Wendy gazing at me and Sadie, biting her lower lip trying to quell a smile. “You look like a natural.” She motioned to me, Mr. Mother Goose.
“I’m cozy, that’s all.” I shrugged nonchalantly, but inwardly, her words warmed me more than I'd like to admit.
Wendy moved closer to me on the couch, her eyes never leaving Sadie's serene face. Her fingers brushed lightly against Sadie’s cheek before she leaned back against the cushions, observing us with a soft smile. Turning off the television, she allowed the room to soak in the tranquil silence of the night.
Watching Wendy watch me and Sadie in that peaceful quietude, I was intensely reminded of why I had returned. Why I had risked everything to come back to this woman who had every right to reject me.
“Do you think you’d ever want one?” Wendy asked, and I already knew the answer she wanted to hear. Her question hung in the air. She wasn't looking at me anymore, but her gentle touch on Sadie's cheek suggested her thoughts were far from our present surroundings.
I held Sadie tighter, feeling the rise and fall of her little chest against my arm. My gaze drifted from Wendy to Sadie, and in that moment, I felt a possible shift in my world—an inkling of something that I'd never truly considered until this moment.
“Maybe,” I found myself saying. My eyes were fixed on Sadie, still peacefully asleep in my arms.
Wendy turned to face me, eyes wide with surprise and hope. “Really?”
I met her gaze with understanding and nodded. “Yeah, really.”
Suddenly, Sadie stirred in my arms, her small face scrunching into a frown as if sensing the change in the room's atmosphere. We both stiffened, waiting for the wail. But it never came. Instead, she shifted slightly and tucked her head into my chest with a soft sigh before settling back into sleep.
Looking down at her peaceful face and then back at Wendy's expectant one, I knew more than ever that my heart wanted what it had wanted all those years ago—to be with Wendy. And maybe now even more than before because it seemed to want more...it seemed to want a family with Wendy.
“I’d like to have that someday,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper to avoid waking Sadie.
Wendy’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she nodded, biting her lip to keep herself steady. “Me too.”
There was a long silence between us, the only sound being Sadie’s soft breathing.
Just then, the soft click of the front door interrupted our tranquility as Blair and Zachary’s laughter pierced our home. I almost forgot we gave them a copy of the key before they left for dinner.
They stumbled into the room, their arms linked together. Their faces wore identical expressions of wide-eyed surprise upon seeing me and Wendy on the couch, with Sadie asleep in my arms. Blair's eyes found mine as her laughter trailed off.
“How did you do that?” Blair asked, pointing to me and Sadie while Wendy giggled.
“Do what?” I strained to face Blair.
“Get her to sleep. It’s only nine, and she never sleeps before nine-thirty.” Blair’s eyes shifted to Zachary’s guiltily. “Lately, she’s been tough at bedtime.”
“Yeah, just a tad.” Zachary popped his eyebrows.
Blair half laughed and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face while holding a brown mailer. My brow scrunched when I noticed the package.
“What’s that?” I nodded to the mailer.
“Ah, this?” Blair said, holding up the brown envelope. She shrugged nonchalantly. It was on the front porch just now when we got back.”
Wendy furrowed her brow, standing from her seat and walking over to Blair. “I’m not expecting anything. Are you?” she turned, asking me.
“No?”
“Dinner was amazing, by the way,” Zachary interjected. “You weren’t kidding about the best lobster rolls here. And we ran into your friend, Stephen.” Zachary redirected his gaze to Wendy, making my stomach lurch. “He showed us around his store.”
“His store is amazing,” Blair gushed. “I could have stayed there all night exploring.”
Wendy reached for the mailer and ripped the top open, ignoring everyone.
I pushed myself up from the couch, gently handing Sadie to Zachary, and moved to Wendy's side. She was silent, her fingers trembling slightly as she held onto the last photograph. It was a black and white, recent smiling image of Wendy taken within the last four weeks because I recognized her outfit: dark parka, jeans, and the engagement ring. She traversed Thames Street, happy, carefree, alone. Wendy’s face turned a stark white while my blood raged and my heart thundered in my ears.
I yanked all the monochrome pictures from Wendy’s frozen hands, browsing through them. They were all candids and clueless about being watched.
“Can someone please say something?” Blair implored.
I glanced at the others, a shiver of anger and fear running through me. I held up the photographs showing Wendy at different locations and times. Someone had been watching her, following her.
“These pictures,” I said, my voice rough from the raw emotion surging through my veins. Exchanging a brief glance with Zachary, he already knew. “I went after the wrong person. It’s happening again.”