Second chances Book 5/6

Chapter 21

Tilly's delivery was experienced as an Oscar party, everyone was present, Sean having managed to free himself, not wanting to miss it for anything in the world. Everyone was feverish in the waiting room, until Abigail came out, her arms raised, running to throw herself into Bethany's arms.

"I am a mom!" she cried, hugging Bethany so tight she knew she'd bruise. "Kara, come," she asks, hugging her. "It is thanks to you that I have this life. I love you so much. Sean, Shanna. There's a new redhead in the neighborhood, and she's a competitive one! She is magnificent!"

Pulling away from Bethany, she embraces her friends, holding them strong in her arms, kissing them.

"I have loved you both since day one."

"Mrs. Stone?" interrupts a nurse as she is in Kate's arms and holding Kris's hand.

"It's me," she said, wiping her eyes.

"You can go. Only the family.

— All here are my family, Madam," Abigail smiled.

"Close," says the nurse, smiling, amused and used to it.

"Yes, close. All. They are all my sisters, and my brother.

— Okay," smiles the nurse, "but a few minutes then and not all together."

Entering the bedroom with Bethany and Kara, Abigail proudly introduces them to Clara-Rose who is sleeping against Tilly's bosom. Bethany and Kara can't help but cry, as images of their encounter materialize. All this path traveled, together, until today.

Abigail apologizes, pulling out her phone, then rotating the screen, showing Tilly and their granddaughter to her in-laws. Her Midlands accent coming out under the nervousness, she is British again, in her way of expressing herself, of behaving. Hanging up, promising to send them photographs and videos, to make up for the fact that they couldn't come because of a bad fall from Tilly's father on the stairs in the hall. Abigail had reminded them that the contractor's estimate has been signed and that he will be doing work to install a ramp in a few days, finishing the stairs. Staying together for a few minutes, the girls don't need to talk, they understand each other. They are a family, a real family.

"Can we come in?" Shanna asks as she sticks her head out the door, Bethany and Kara, apologizing for monopolizing the girls and the heiress, leaving their place, but not without embracing Abigail and Tilly.

Entering the bedroom, Shanna and Sean hold hands, looking at Tilly and the little wonder clinging to her.

"Thank you," Abigail whispers, confirmed by a smile from Tilly. "Without you...

— It's okay, Abby," Shanna said, hugging her. "You are family, we are linked, forever.

— She will be loved and raised well," confirms Tilly.

"I know," Shanna agrees.

"Her stepsister will be watching over her," smiled Sean. "Do Bethany and Kara know?

— No, it's our secret, I want it to stay that way, if you don't mind," explains Tilly. "Shanna, I could never give you what you gave me, but...

— Do not say anything. You deserve a little happiness, and knowing that by this little bit we are bound is enough for me. We are a real family, girls. We'll leave you, Kate must want to see you. We'll have plenty of time to see each other later. Our girls will grow up together," Shanna cries as she hugs Sean before hugging Abigail and placing a kiss on Clara-Rose's forehead. Opening the door, Shanna goes to join Bethany, hugging her, as Kate and Kris enter the room.

"Here is the heiress, the redhead everyone is talking about!" smiled Kate, placing a peck on Tilly's cheek. "Look at those little lips, it's your spitting image! Looks like she wants to drink, right?