Time Makes You Bolder (Sequel to No One's A Fool)

Chapter 15

"Dad, I have a question." Wrenna asked, walking onto the porch, where Mick was sitting. They had broke for lunch, and then beach time. Amy and Stevie had gone for a drive around the island, and most everyone else was at the beach. But Wrenna had returned to the house for more sunscreen, and Mick walked up with her. When she came out of the house, though, she sat down.

"What's up, my darling?" He asked.

"Why did you come to see me when I was born, and spend all those hours holding me? Like, you weren't my dad yet. You didn't have to do that. Were you in love with Mom?"

"I think I probably was, yeah. But that's not why I did it." He told her. "I came to the house because Amy was there, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't traumatized by watching a live birth. And because your mum was a very good friend of mine, and I wanted to meet her baby. I stayed because I loved you. That's the only reason." He looked her right in her eyes, and she began to cry.

"You really did love me from the start, didn't you?" She realized. He stood and wrapped his arms around her.

"I've always told you that. Now maybe you know it was true. You were always mine. And I didn't need a piece of paper from the government to make that true."

~~~~~~~

Stevie stayed in bed for most of the day, sleeping off and on, bonding with Wrenna. The baby barely cried, unless she was hungry or needed a diaper change. Aside from the first few hours, when Mick had held her, Stevie preferred to have the baby close by, sleeping with the baby on her chest or next to her on the bed. Barbara fussed over them, making sure Stevie had everything she needed.

"Mom, I had a baby, I'm not ill." Stevie protested weakly, as Barbara brought lunch to her bedside.

"Yes, and it hasn't even been twelve hours yet. You need to rest so you can heal." Barbara told her plainly.

"I'm sending you back to your house tonight." Stevie said, but she was smiling. Barbara held the baby while Stevie ate.

"She's got your lips, you know." The woman observed. Stevie nodded.

"I know. And his eyes. That's exactly what I was hoping for – my lips and his eyes." She replied. Barbara looked at her daughter cautiously, and Stevie noticed. "I don't think of him when I look at her. Sometimes, but not always. When I first got pregnant and decided to go through with it, Mary said he'd given me a gift. I didn't understand then, but I do now. I'm sad for her that she won't know him, but I'm not sad for myself anymore. How could I be sad when I have her? I couldn't care less right now about Joe, or Lindsey and his drama – any of it. She is my only concern."

"What a perspective change, hmm?"

"Incredibly so. Every time I look at her I'm more in love. She's all I want to focus on right now. I'll go back to the music in time, I know that. And I'm sure I'll have to deal with Joe at some point. But for now, I don't really care. She's the only thing that matters right now. I finally get to have my baby." Stevie reached over and rubbed the infant's head. "She's all I ever wanted."

"She's just perfect." Barbara smiled.

"Do you remember when I came to Scottsdale back in November? I had just decided to keep it, and I was crying and throwing up. And you said it would all make sense when she was in my arms, instead of in my belly?"

"I remember. You were so sick and sad. It was heartbreaking."

"I felt like I had ruined everything. But you were right. It all makes sense now. It made sense the moment I saw her."