The CEO’s New Baby

“Apparently, he is. But how did you know?” Kayla asked, looking at her mother with a raised brow.

“He had to tell someone. Who else was going pack your bags?”

“But where is he taking us?” Kayla asked.

“That, my dear, is not mine to tell. You get your ass outside and see what your husband has to say.” Her mother was trying hard not to smile. Her lips were trembling trying not to curve.

Kayla wasn’t very sure what to think of the surprise. Sure, it was a nice distraction, a beautiful gesture that arose memories she cherished above everything else. But still, Ryan should have told her about it. He should have allowed her time. She needed to think about everything that was going on, they had to if they even wished to solve anything.

But, despite all that, there was no point in telling her mother all that. She was simply a messenger. She needed to talk to Ryan about it, and unfortunately, she was bound to wait until they were alone.

“Come on, Mommy!” Emily was beyond excited. And she had every right to be. She didn’t often get the chance to go on trips with both of her parents. Her daughter didn’t even wait for a response, she excitedly ran out the back door.

“I didn’t even get to change,” Kayla exclaimed. She didn’t need a mirror to know that she looked worn-out. Her faded jeans and white shirt were as dull as the grey cardigan she had on. Those clothes had felt right that morning, when she had gazed into her closet seeking something in which she would be able to cry comfortably in. But now, when she was on the merge of leaving on a ‘special’ road trip, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

“You look beautiful. Plus, I packed some cute outfits, you will be able to clean up just nicely.”

“But-”

“No buts, darling. You are going on that trip. He is only taking you for the weekend. You get two days off. Only two. And after that, you will be able to stay and pity yourself in your pajamas all you want,” her mother joked, making her lowly chuckle.

Tanya was right, and Kayla knew that. She needed a clear mind to find a solution to everything that was happening, she needed to get out of the role in which she was the victim of a tragic occurrence. She may have been dying, but she was alive for now. And she damn well needed to feel so.

“Thank you, Mom.” Kayla’s arms wrapped around her mother without hesitation, pulling her in a tight hug. Feeling her mother so close to her, with her familiar perfume lingering in the air she was inhaling, made Kayla feel safe. They had been through so much together, and she was more than sure they could endure one more round of whatever life was willing to throw their way.

“You didn’t!” Kayla exclaimed, her hand flying to cover her mouth as she looked around her.

Kayla twirled around slowly, her eyes trying hard to take it all in. Everything was the way she remembered it. The barn where she had snuck out when her dad was still alive, the little house just down the road. Even the grass seemed to be the exact same height that it had been the last time she visited it.

Looking around her, it was as if she could see visions of the past, ghosts wandering around her, reminding her of the memories she cherished more than life itself. Being back there reminded her of the time when she and Ryan were still unsure of what they were, when the love between them had been a simple attraction enhanced by the baby growing inside her belly. That had been different times, of course. They held their own beauty, their own magic. Those days made them what they were today, the couple and the parents they declared themselves to be.

“How did you rent the house? That house was never up for rent!”

“That is for me to know, and for you to enjoy.” He smirked.

“Where are we?” Emily’s voice could be heard from behind her. She could sense the excitement in it without even looking.

“This is where Mom and I took our first trip.”

“Is that true?” Emily asked, and Kayla turned around and smiled, looking through her lashes between Ryan and her daughter.

“Yeah. He made it a surprise back then too,” she said. Unfortunately, that was all they could share about the place. Emily was still too young to understand why that place meant the world to Kayla. She was too young to be introduced to the thought of death or the thought of losing a parent the way Kayla did. Ironic as it was, that was why Kayla had always refused to mention her father in front of Emily. But it seemed that the one thing she tried protecting her daughter from was following her. If things kept proceeding the way they had been, she was bound to be mentioning such dull things to Emily after all.

“Do you see that house down the road, Em?” Ryan asked, as he kneeled beside her, his finger pointing at the blue little cottage not far from the barn by which they stood.

“Yeah.” Kayla had seen that house before. She had admired it every time she went there. She loved how cozy it looked, how homey and welcoming the simple design was. In fact, she remembered mentioning it to Ryan all those years ago.

She remembered saying something along the lines of, “I wish they would rent that place. I would do anything to stay there at least one night.”

“That will be our home for the weekend.” Ryan looked Kayla in the eyes as he spoke those words, his gaze seeking her reaction. Kayla gasped as she heard those words. There was no way he would remember what she had said. Too much time had passed by. And yet, the proof that he did indeed remember was right there.

Kayla felt like crying, again, for the tenth time that day. Only this time, she wanted to do so because of how overwhelmed she was.

She did not know what she had done to deserve such happiness. But she appreciated it. She was loved and supported by the best man in the world. God may have tried her countless times now, but he had rewarded her too.

“But before we go there and show Mommy the little surprise I planned for her, we are going to show you yours.”

“A surprise? Where is it?” Emily looked around, her green dress flouting around her as she ran around Ryan in excitement. Kayla shook her head and chuckled, her head shaking slightly.

“Right there.” That was when Emily and Kayla first noticed it. The three horses at the fence right by the barn.

They were all brown with long manes draping from their sides. There was also a man there tending to the smallest horse, feeding it fresh hay from the big basket to his right. The man did not pay them any attention, he kept on petting the horse and feeding it, while Kayla and Emily stared.

“Well, are we going to ride or are we going to stay here all day?” Ryan asked.

That was all it took for Emily to go wild. She grabbed her dad’s hand and dragged him through the grass and toward the horses. Her squeals could be heard in the distance echoing through the empty area around them. Kayla took a minute to watch them. Seeing Ryan and Emily this happy filled her heart with a warmth she couldn’t feel otherwise. Soon enough, another soul would be blessed with that kind of unconditional love, and nothing could make her happier.