Wildflowers

Chapter 73

Chapter: 73

Two years later:

'Patrick, we're going to be late' I call from the kitchen.

I am wearing a pair of jean shorts, maroon halter top, with a black fringe duster and black wooden sandals. My hair which is darker now is braided to the side and I am holding Jack on his leash.

'We're coming, baby' he says coming out of Milos's room holding our son.

Milo is 2 now and we're going to be late for his birthday party. Patrick is wearing jeans, a black sweater and some black loafer. Milo is wearing some overalls and a burnt orange tee shirt underneath. He has curly brown hair just like Patrick but he has my eyes and mouth.

'Someone need a diaper change' he says kissing me, softly. 'Mama, dada pup' Milo says.

'I know sweetheart, dada pooped that's right' I say taking him from Patrick.

'Very funny, baby. I did that one time when I was very high' he says kissing me.

'Doesn't matter, it lives in my mind forever' I tell him with a smile.

We drive over to Robert and Julia's house and we walk into the back yard.

'Sorry we're late, one of my boys shit themselves' I say to everyone.

They laugh.

'Man, did you shit yourself again?' Anthony asks Patrick patting him on the shoulder.

'No, it was Milo, man' he shakes his head and Anthony laughs.

'You'll know, once Jen has her baby' he adds.

Jen is about 5 months along and her and Anthony got married a year ago. Her bump is on full display in her jean jumpsuit and blue tank top.

'Hey how's my god daughter?' I ask her rubbing her small bump.

'Active, just like her auntie' Jen says.

'Hey Milo ready for cake?' She asks him.

'Ya, cake, cake' Milo says, clapping his hands, giggling and I smile.

My dad comes up and grabs Milo from me.

'Here's my, Buddy. I can't believe how big you are' he says to him.

'Pop, Pop' Milo says hugging my dad.

My dad has been trying to get him to say pops and he's close but it's just the "S" noises that are proving difficult for him.

'Hey mom, dad' I say giving Robert and Julia a hug. 'Where's Emily?' I ask.

'Oh she's taking a nap. She's going through a growth spurt' Julia tells me.

'Yikes fun. Can't wait for that' I say smiling.

They laugh.

'Here you go baby, a beer for you' Patrick says handing me a beer.

'Thanks babe' I say taking a sip.

We sit around and talk and then we have lunch which is Mexican food. Everything is so good but I am looking forward to the cake. The day is full of laughter, drinks, food and lots of cake. When we get home Milo is asleep and Patrick takes him to bed. I let Jake out and then I go back inside.

'I need to talk you' I tell Patrick.

'What's up baby?' He asks me and I get up and I grab my purse and I grab something out of it.

I hand the photo to him.

'Wait, is this? Holy shit your pregnant?' He says looking at me and I nod.

'Yeah, I went to the doctor a few days ago.' I say.

Patrick kisses he and lifts me up into his arms.

'Baby, this is amazing. How far long are you?' He asks.

'6 weeks, so it's super early but I wanted to tell you first' I say.

He tears up.

'How lucky am I? You already gave me the most wonderful son and now another baby. Fuck' he says and I wipe his tears.

'I love you so much' I say, smiling.

'I love you too, baby' Patrick says kissing me, softly.

Seven months later, I give birth to a beautiful baby girl, Brier Poppy O'Neill, who was born Jan 14th 1975 and she weighed around 7 pounds.

She's perfect and we are so in love with her. Milo has been such a good big brother and I could't be happier with our family. Patrick is now a partner with his dad at the law firm and I still do PI work part time.

Jen and Anthony gave birth to a baby girl named Marnie Jo and I cried so hard when I heard she named her daughter after me, who was born 7 months before Brier.

My dad retired officially from the LAPD and him and Willy have gone back to consulting and the office. Jen did get her PI license and we might go back to work in the future. Anthony is now a teacher for grade school kids and he loves his job. Julia is a stay at home mom now, after they adopted a baby 6 months ago because she couldn't get pregnant again.

I am sitting in the meadow that's off the backyard path in a white dress on a blanket with Brier in my arms wrapped in a light pink blanket.

Patrick comes with Milo holding his hand. He's wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt and denim vest. Milo has on the cutes pair of jean shorts and a taupe sweater. Jack follows behind them and sits down close to me.

'Hey baby' Patrick says sitting down and giving me a kiss. 'Hi babe' I say smiling.

Milo sits on Patricks lap.

'Are you crying?' He asks me concerned.

I smiles, nodding 'Yeah, happy tears, I promise.' I say smiling.

Patrick smiles and I look at him.

'Thank you for bringing back the wildflowers' I say and he kisses me.

'I promised I would' he says.

We kiss again surrounded by our family in our meadow with wildflowers all around us.