Page 65 of Vincent
The silver salon was exactly as the name said. Silver wallpapers decorated the walls, and the furniture, comfortable tufted chairs arranged in a conversation area, was in silver and blue. A fire was blazing inside the hearth, giving the room a very cozy atmosphere. She was about to take a single chair next to the large bay window overlooking the gazebo when Vincent took her hand and drew her over to sit next to them. David was still in his arms.
He waited until Mrs. Paddy had served the refreshment and said her goodbyes before addressing the topic.
Turning his son around to face him, he began, "Remember what you wrote to Santa for Christmas?"
The boy nodded solemnly.
"What was it?"
He glanced at Thea before looking at his dad. "I wanted a mommy and a baby sister."
"Well, you will be getting both."
His eyes widened as he turned to stare at her.
"You're going to be my mommy?"
"I-" She took a deep breath. "I know you already had a mommy-"
"No." He shook his head, black curls tumbling over his forehead. "My daddy said she died when I was borned... born. So, will you be my mommy?" he entreated, the expression on his adorable face making her heart turn completely over.
"If you don't mind and your dad is all right-"
"I am," Vincent told her solemnly.
"And you have my baby sister inside your tummy?" David demanded, excitement shining on his face.
"We don't know yet-" She let out a startled gasp as the boy wriggled out of his father's arms and came into hers. Her eyes flew to Vincent when the little arms wrapped around her tight.
"Can I call you mommy now?"
The question had her already emotional and overburdened heart doing a slow rev and tears brightening her eyes. "I would love that."
"Yay! Will you be sleeping in my daddy's bed? Charley's mom and dad sleep in the same bed and they kiss all the time." He lifted his face to hers. "Will you be kissing my daddy?"
"All the time." This time, it was Vincent who answered. Leaning forward, he tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. Wrapping his arms around them, he brought them closer to him, his own heart swelling. "Now how about we eat something and get you changed? Your mother and aunt are coming over soon."
*****
Her fears and doubts evaporated as soon as Viola and Jacklyn came over. They were so overjoyed at the double news that they could barely contain themselves. With an amused smiletouching his lips, Vincent watched as the three women chatted excitedly about the upcoming wedding.
"January is just weeks away," his mother fretted, shooting him an accusing glance, as if knowing instinctively that he was the one who had set the early date. "How on earth are we supposed to get everything ready by then?"
"I have great faith in you." Lifting David into his arms, he flashed them a smile. "We men are going to make ourselves scarce. All this talk about wedding is getting to us. What do you say we go upstairs and give them some privacy?" he asked his son.
"Can we play video games, daddy?" the boy asked hopefully.
"Absolutely. Prepare to be crushed."
Viola waited until they had departed before turning to hug Althea, her eyes bright with tears. "Thank you for bringing him back from the dead."
"Oh. I-"
"He's happy," Jacklyn interjected, her own eyes bright with unshed tears. "And David looks like he's been given a wonderful gift."
"He wants a baby sister," Althea told them tearfully, her own emotions veering close to the surface. "I'm hoping we can accommodate him."
"All right, enough of this now," Viola declared briskly, rubbing the moisture from her cheeks. "The last Saturday in January. Nothing big, something intimate. I believe you would like to have the ceremony here?"
