Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 91 - Smile

Isabella quickly became very much the princess that everyone had been waiting for. Bam smiled so much that his co-workers teased him, a feat he didn't think possible mere months ago. Rainy, having never had a younger sibling, doted on Isabella like she was her own living doll. She didn't even mind changing diapers or pitching in with the laundry.

Bam would have liked to take more time off work but the snow didn't let him rest and he knew that one must make hay while the sun shines - or in his case, shovel snow when the wind blows. Besides, he was Rainy's ride to school and he wasn't about to let Rainy's education fall by the wayside. Rainy was loving school, making good friends and excelling in her studies. Just another reason for Bam to wear a proud smile.
October was just happy to be home with Isabella and settling into being a mom. Her recovery was speeding along with no complications. She relished her days alone with the baby and her evenings with Bam and Rainy, laughing and visiting as they prepared and shared a meal together. When October first discovered she was pregnant, she never dreamed this happy little family of four would be the outcome.
The extended family had expressed their joy at Isabella's birth by sending packages and cards. Matt and Amber were making more plans for their upcoming nuptials. October could hear the excitement in Amber's voice whenever they had time to chat on the phone. Bam and Matt spoke often in preparation for the beginning of shipping season. Bam promised he would be there as soon as he could but they both knew that Matt may need to begin the season without him. That wasn't a worry. Bear, Gabe and Noah were capable crew on the Integrity. Even Amber and Rosanna would help when needed; if Rosanna happened to be visiting Browntown and if Matt would quash down his feelings of over-protectiveness long enough to let Amber get on the boat.
August and Birdie had been back to Calgary twice since Isabella was born. August brought special ingredients and cooked new recipes for them to try out for his restaurant menu changes. Both times Birdie regaled them with wild stories of her adventures in the back country, tracking bears for the research project she was part of. Birdie really had found a place where she could blossom into the person she wanted to be.

Robert checked in with a weekly phone call and several texts. He drove out to the house a few times to have lunch with October to 'discuss the photography industry trends' or so he said. October knew he just needed an excuse to come out to see Isabella, of whose cuddles Robert couldn't get enough. October was happy to have the company just the same.

Ami and Billy remained absent in body and mind. Bam knew that Rainy spoke with them often. He paid her cell phone bills. He would never begrudge his sister a relationship with their parents. If she was talking to them about him and October and Isabella, he didn't care. He wasn't hiding from them. He was waiting. For what? He couldn't say exactly. Perhaps an apology. Perhaps something else. He was too wrapped up with his new family to spare much thought about it at the present.

~*~

Bam slowed to a stop in front of the school library and texted Rainy to let her know he was waiting. Moments later she emerged from the building with a petite blonde girl and a sandy-haired boy. Bam watched carefully as Rainy gave each a quick hug and bid them goodbye. The girl waved at Bam as Rainy opened the door and hopped into the truck.
"Who was that?" Bam asked as the truck pulled out of the parking lot.
"That's Sarah and Mike." Rainy replied as she clicked on her seatbelt. "Sarah is in my home room."
Bam shoulder checked to change lanes. "And Mike is...?" He tried to be nonchalant.
Rainy groaned and rolled her eyes. "Not my boyfriend. No need to go all big brother mode."
Bam chuckled. "So he's just a friend?"
"Yes."
"More than a friend?"
"No."
"Would you like him to be more than a friend?"
"Ba-am!" Rainy sing-songed. "No! I learnt my lesson. No boys for now."
Bam nodded. "Chase was a jerk." He mumbled.
"Yes he was." Rainy readily agreed.
"And Mike is just a friend?" Bam persisted.
"Yes!" Rainy repeated adamantly.
Bam shrugged. "Just checking."
"Hm mm. Sure." Rainy said, unconvinced. Bam yawned. "Rough day?"
Bam nodded while yawning a second time. "Yes, Isabella was up three times last night."
"I thought only October got up with her on work nights." She mused.
"Yes, but I still wake up. Hopefully October got a nap today. She's been pretty tired lately too."
"Why don't we stop and grab some take out to surprise October for supper? She has to be feeling a little lonely being stuck at the house all day. Let's do something nice for her."
Bam smiled as he glanced over to his sister. "Yeah, I like that idea. Chinese?"
Rainy nodded enthusiastically.

~*~

"October?" Bam called when they arrived at the dark house. Rainy flipped on the light switch inside the front door. October mumbled from the couch in the library and sat up. She shushed them quickly. "She's sleeping." She glanced up the stairs to the nursery.
Bam set the bags down and went over to her. He kissed her sweetly. "So were you. Sorry we woke you."
October shook her head. "It's okay. I should have started supper already."
"We brought home Chinese." Rainy chirped.
October leaned over and gave Bam a peck on the cheek. "Oh, I knew there was a reason I love you."
"It was Rainy's idea." He confessed.
"Oh, Rainy. I love you even more." October grinned.
"Hey!" Came Bam's adorably childish protest.
"Ha!" Rainy teased and danced a little jig on the carpet. "She likes me better."
Bam stuck his tongue out at her.

October got off the couch and stood to fold the blanket. Bam gasped as she laid it on the back of the couch. "Where did you get that blanket?"
"It came in the mail today. Isn't it gorgeous?" October smoothed her hand over the pastel yellows and purples of the soft, flannel fabric.
"From who?" He sounded more demanding than he intended.
October frowned just a little at his change in demeanour. "I think it is from Rosanna. It was post-marked from Seattle but there was no card or return address. It's a shame, I would like to write her a thank you note. I can probably get it from Bear."
Rainy whispered. "Do you think...?"
Bam pursed his lips and shook his head. "I don't know, Rainy." He said  quietly. Without another word, Bam picked up the paper bags and exited to the kitchen.
October frowned at Rainy. "What was that all about?"
Rainy sighed uncertainly, not sure if she should divulge. This was kind of between October and Bam. "Did I miss something?"
Rainy glanced toward the kitchen and said in a hushed tone. "Mom made every one of us kids the same kind of blanket when each of us was born. I'm almost certain this one came from my mom, not Rosanna."

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