First Girl (Reece Bibby)

Chapter Twenty Five

Seven Months Later

I rushed into the hospital ward, telling a nurse the name of my best friend before she pointed me in the right direction. I didn't take my time following her instructions as I turned the corner to find a door. I took a deep and shaky breath before knocking and then opening the door. Claire looked up at me with the biggest smile on her face before she returned her attention to the baby in her arms. My heart melted at the sight.

Barclay stood up and walked over to me, pulling me into a hug. "We'll let the nurses do their thing now," he said before ushering me out of the room. A nurse slipped past us and into the room where Claire and the baby were.

"Fancy a coffee or something?" Barclay asked me and I nodded. The two of us left the ward and walked along the endless corridor towards the hospital café. "He's not over you," Barclay told me, breaking the silence that had settled between us. "Reece?" I questioned and he nodded. I stayed quiet for a moment before saying, "I miss him...desperately."

Barclay nodded as if he understood. "He's doing really well with his kid. He's a really good dad, Char. He's a changed man now, honestly, you should see it," he told me, causing me to smile weakly. "Does he know I'm in London?" I asked. Barclay shook his head just as we arrived at the café. "He's visiting Claire anytime now. That's why I brought you to the café. I wasn't sure if you wanted to see him," he explained before ordering our drinks. My muscles tensed and I felt myself starting to panic.

"I want to see him," I finally said after taking some deep breaths and calming myself. Barclay looked at me, slightly surprised. "Are you sure?" he questioned and I nodded. "Okay...we'll go after our drinks. But Char, I don't know how he's going to react. You left him with very little closure and that was so hard for both him and James. Thankfully, James was able to move on. Reece has a kid so it wasn't as easy for him. Charlotte, I know it's hard that you can't have kids. I can't even begin to imagine how heavy the weight of that pain is. But maybe this is your chance. Be a good step mum to that child. I know you can do that because I know you're strong enough. Sure, it'll be hard. But when have you ever taken the easy option?" Barclay explained. He was always brilliant at advice. I suppose he had an outsider's perspective.

When we'd finished our drinks we headed back to the ward. "I'm nervous," I spoke quietly when we reached the door of Claire's room. "I'm not surprised," Barclay replied while chuckling, "But you'll be fine. It's only Reece." Barclay gave me a quick side hug before he opened the door and the two of us went inside.

Reece was sat in the chair beside Claire's bed with a baby sat on his lap. He looked up at me and the smile he had on his face faded away. "Hi," was the first thing I managed to say. Reece stayed quiet for a moment before replying with, "Hey." What was I supposed to say to him?

"Do you want to hold her?" Claire piped up, bringing my attention to her and I nodded as I walked towards her. I put my bag down on the floor before carefully taking Claire's baby from her. I looked down at the adorable baby in my arms and my heart melted. "She's so beautiful," I whispered and I heard Claire hum in response. And for the first time since Claire had told me she was pregnant, I didn't feel a single ounce of jealousy. I just felt the need to rush over to Reece and kiss him and tell him I was sorry. I desperately wanted to make things work with him and his baby.

Barclay took his baby girl from me and I walked around the bed before bending down beside Reece's chair. The child sat on his lap stared at me before smiling. He looked just like his dad. "I've always believed in second chances," I whispered before looking up at Reece, "And I love you too."

Reece's lips curled into a smile before he said, "This is my son, William." I smiled at the child sat on Reece's lap before returning my attention to Reece. "I'm sorry," I told him and he nodded. "I'll accept your apology if you kiss me," he replied, causing me to smile. I stood up and pressed my lips to his, receiving cheers from Barclay and Claire.

Finally. I finally had Reece back. After seven months of missing him.