Bailey #2
“I just want to be more confident in my role as a mom before the summer is over. Momma isn’t going to be right down the hall anymore, and she won’t be able to rescue me anymore.
” I absentmindedly trace a pattern on his chest with my finger.
His heart is pounding under my hand, “I know you’ll be there too, and we work so well as a team, but in the week and a half Rowan has been home she has been such a big help.
” I take a deep breath, settling deeper into the comfort of Aiden’s hold.
“I also want to get as much sleep as I can before school starts because I know once we get there it will be full steam ahead, and sleep won’t be as easy to get. ” I chuckle.
“Sleep is good.” He laughs, “We will sleep when we are dead. We just need to communicate with each other about what we need. If you’re feeling extra worn out, I can take all the nighttime feeds for a night, and I know you’d do the same.
If you need alone time, just let me know.
It will be a lot of work, but that little girl is worth it, and we make a great team, Blue. ”
“What about you? Anything you want to accomplish before school starts?” I ask.
“One thing. This summer has been amazing. I have done everything I set out to this summer, except one thing.” He says, pushing me into a sitting position. He reaches under the pillow to his right and pulls out a black ring box exactly like the one at the hospital.
I gasp, and tears start forming in my eyes, “Yes.” I whisper.
“I haven’t even asked you yet.” He laughs and shakes his head.
“Fine, ask your question.” I tease.
“I have a whole speech planned. Bear with me.” He says, takes a deep breath, then begins his speech, “Eighteen years ago I looked out my window and saw a little girl sitting on her driveway. I walked my four year old ass right out of the house, ran over to that little girl and declared us best friends before I ran into my house and told my momma that I was going to marry that girl someday. It took much longer than I would have liked to convince you to get to this point with me, but I wouldn’t change a single second of it.
In those eighteen years, we have seen ups and downs, laughs and cries, made friends and lost some.
We have welcomed our daughter into the world, and grown closer with each passing day.
Eighteen years ago, you became a Baker whether we knew that’s what was happening or not, and I think it’s about time we make it official.
Don’t you?” I nod my head giving him a beaming smile, “Bailey Nicole, will you marry me?” He opens the ring box and the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen is nestled in the pillow.
It’s a rose gold band with an oval diamond with a halo of smaller diamonds around it.
“Aiden Matthew Baker, of course I will marry you!” I say before launching myself at him. Kissing and hugging him like my life depended on it.
“She said, ‘yes!’ He yells and I hear cheers coming from outside the trampoline and the porch lights are flipped on.
We sit up and he pulls the ring from the box that somehow stayed in his hand during my attack.
He slips the ring on my finger before grabbing my hand and leading me out of the trampoline.
The moment both of us are fully planted on the ground we are surrounded.
Momma hugs me tight tears streaming down her face, whispering how much she loves me in my ear, the girls surround me wanting to get a good look at the ring.
I get quick hugs from all the guys before Pop is pulling me into a hug.
“You’re still going to walk me down the aisle, right?” I ask him sheepishly.
“Like I told you the first time you asked me, it would be my greatest honor.” Pop says kissing my cheek before heading to hug Aiden.
15 years old
I’m sitting at the island at the Baker’s house when I hear footsteps on the stairs.
“Bailey, it’s the middle of the night. What are you doing awake?” He asks walking over to the cabinet by the sink and grabbing a glass and filling it with water from the sink.
“I couldn’t sleep. I came down for some of that tea Momma swears by.” I say a smile playing at my lips.
Momma swears this nighttime blend tea helps her sleep, so she drinks it every night. I’m not sure if it works or not, but it’s worth a shot.
“I think she just likes the taste of it, and uses the fact that it’s supposed to help her sleep as her excuse to drink it every night.” He chuckles at that. “You wanna talk about what’s keeping you up?”
I shrug my shoulders, “Honestly, there is so much. I was thinking about game night tonight, and how amazing it is to be part of a family like this. How you guys love each other so much. How I wish my parents loved me even a fraction as much as you and Momma love Aiden, Charlotte, and the twins.” I wring my hands together.
“Then I got to thinking about how if I have kids someday I want them to grow up in a family like this one, I want them to know that they’re loved, that they can always count on me and whoever my husband will be.
I want them to grow up in a family full of love, not a house like mine, all cold and with a complete lack of love. ”
“I’m so sorry that you have to deal with this Bailey, but you know that we love you just as much as we love our biological kids, right?
” Pop puts his arms around me, and I lean into his chest, “Your kids will grow up in a family and they will always know they’re loved, because they will always have the Bakers in their corner.
Someday, you’ll get married and have kids, and we will be by your side every step of the way. ”
“Can I ask you something?” I say looking up at him.
“You can ask me anything.” He says.
“When the day comes, will you walk me down the aisle?”
“Are you sure you want it to be me?” His voice is thick with emotion.
“You are the best example of a father I have. My father has been nothing but cold and distant with me, but you have been amazing. And when I think of the man I marry someday, I want him to be just like you. I can’t think of anyone better.” My voice is tentative, “So, will you?”
“It would be my greatest honor.” He says, kissing my forehead.
He goes to sit on the stool next to me, and we sit in silence for a little while, me sipping my tea that has gone cold, and him drinking his water.
After I’ve finished my cold tea, I tell him I’m going to try and get some sleep, and head upstairs.
Skipping the twin bed I know I should sleep in, crawl into bed beside Aiden, and fall asleep.