Bailey Meadema: So long London and hello Manchester ( kinda)

3: Evening meal

Viv POV

It was a day I had envisioned for years—a day filled with joy, love, and the pure magic of a family coming together. My girlfriend, Beth, and I, along with my best friend Leah and our adventurous five-year-old daughter, Bailey, had just experienced the thrill of our gender reveal on the soft sands of a Turkish beach. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as we found out that our family was expanding with the impending arrival of a baby boy. I could scarcely believe it. A boy! A little man to join our beautiful chaos!

After we shared our joyous news, my mind began to drift towards food. The gentle lapping of waves created a rhythmic background, and the light breeze was a reminder that life was not just about big moments, but also about those delicious, everyday experiences—like sharing a meal together. "Let's wander and find a place to eat," I suggested, unable to hold back my excitement.

As we strolled along the beach, unconstrained laughter echoed in the air. Leah was busy keeping Bailey entertained, spinning elaborate stories about pirates and mermaids as we passed by vibrant local restaurants, each boasting fresh seafood and aromatic spices. I watched the two of them, my heart swelling with affection. Bailey was wearing a little yellow sundress that danced in the breeze. She was a whirlwind of energy, and I cherished every moment of motherhood—I was blessed to have such a lively daughter and a beautiful partner to navigate this journey with.

Eventually, we settled on a cozy beachfront restaurant adorned with fairy lights, offering a stunning view of the surf. We took our seats and sifted through the tantalizing menu. Just as I thought everything was perfect, I noticed that our little Bailey was feeling the effects of the day—her eyelids growing heavy, fidgeting in her chair.

"Uh-oh, looks like someone is getting fussy," I whispered to Beth, who smiled knowingly. In an instant, she began to bounce Bailey gently on her knee, her soothing movements bringing a sense of calm that only a mother can provide. I watched them, enamored by this display of love. But moments turned into ten minutes, and Bailey was still fighting sleep. It didn't take long for her to transition from sleepy to upset.

"Here we go," I muttered, bracing ourselves for the inevitable tears. Just as I reached across to take Bailey and comfort her, Leah intervened. "I've got this," she said, taking Bailey from Beth. I was both relieved and apprehensive. I knew Leah had her heart in the right place; she always looked out for us.

"Where are you taking her?" Beth asked curiously, her brow furrowing slightly.

"I'm going to take her for a little stroll on the beach," Leah replied confidently. "I'll put her in the pushchair, and she'll think she's in bed." With that, Leah placed Bailey in her pushchair, pulling up the hood to shield her from the light. I watched as Leah reclined the seat, creating a cozy space for Bailey, but the little one was still crying.

Beth and I exchanged a glance, one filled with the understanding that comes from years of navigating parenthood together. "Let's talk about our baby," Beth whispered, clearly eager to shift our focus from our distressed daughter to the new chapter we were beginning.

My heart soared as I placed my hand on Beth's baby bump, feeling the warmth radiate between us. "He's going to be so loved," I said, casting my gaze back up at Beth. I leaned in, pressed my lips against her bump, and then followed with a sweet kiss on her lips. Our connection deepened in that moment; it was as if my soul recognized how far we had come together.

Forty-five minutes had somehow flown by when Leah returned, walking with purpose and a still Bailey. Just as our food arrived, we were greeted with Bailey's sleepy little face, which was a mixture of confusion and joy upon waking. The scent of freshly grilled fish wafted up to greet us as I felt genuinely grateful for this moment, encapsulated by laughter, food, and renewed dreams.

After finishing our meal—each bite tasted sweeter as we relished the time spent together—we made our way back to the beach for some evening magic. As we walked, I noticed Leah whispering to Beth, exchanging conspiratorial glances. When we got to a seemingly random spot, they both turned to me with cheeky smiles and insisted, "Stay with Bailey here! We have a surprise!"

"Okay," I said, intrigued but unsure of what to expect. They hopped into a golf cart, grinning from ear to ear, leaving me curious and slightly bewildered. With a gentle squeeze from Bailey's tiny hand, I felt a rush of pride knowing I had family surrounding me.

A brief moment passed, and soon enough, Leah came back to get Bailey and me. "Time to unveil the surprise," she said, her eyes shimmering with excitement. As we approached the new location, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and curiosity; with every step, the ocean's waves whispered soothingly, urging me to enjoy the moment.

When we reached our destination, I was met with an extraordinary backdrop—a massive sign glimmered under the sunset, reading "Marry Me?" I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes; the pure sincerity of the gesture was overwhelming.

Beth stepped forward, her eyes filled with love and determination. "Viv, since I met you, you have been the best mama to our Bailey. You've supported us, and now, as a way to thank you, I want to ask you: Vivianne Margheretha Marina Astrid Miedema, will you marry me?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. "Yes! Yes, I will!" I exclaimed, rushing into her arms as we shared a passionate kiss, sealing our promise of forever with warmth and affection.

As we made our way back to the hotel with Bailey, the excitement of the day began to fade into a tired haze. Once inside our room, I gently laid Bailey down in her little bed, the excitement of the proposal still buzzing in my mind. But much to our dismay, Bailey woke up, her eyes wide once again—totally done with this day's adventure!

"Let's get her to sleep," I suggested to Beth, both of us fighting back chuckles at the irony of our newly engaged status overshadowed by our loud little girl. It took us two and a half hours filled with lullabies, gentle rocking, and playful whispers to finally coax her into dreamland.

With Bailey nestled safely in her bed, I shared a tender moment with Beth. Kissing her softly, I felt as if this day was more than a celebration of our gender reveal and a proposal; it was a celebration of love in its many forms—friendship, motherhood, and lifelong partnerships.

As we slipped beneath the covers in our hotel room, finally savoring the stillness of the night, I reflected on our rollercoaster of emotions throughout the day. Pulling Beth close, I realized angels must have been watching over us, guiding us to this moment—a future brimming with endless love and countless blessings lay ahead, and I couldn't wait to embrace it all.

Authors notes:

I will write longer parts but I'm not doing well mentally so it might take a few more short chapters and then some long chapters...

Arsenal v Chelsea was a shit show...

Sloppy on the ball and that goal shouldn't have happened.

Poor performance by both teams just Chelsea fall lucky (as usual)

Lucy_Keira6 hope you enjoyed the part