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PAIGE
Paige took a deep breath, as she drove to Rylee and Nick’s house. It had been a long day at the office, one of those days that felt like it went on forever. She loved her job, but lately her negative mood had been making her days unbearable. Not to mention the little fight she and Tyler had had last night. She hoped visiting her best friend, Rylee, Nick, and their new baby would help turn her day around.
Nick let Paige in the house. “That grin seems to be permanently on your face now, Nick.” She teased.
He shook his head as he led her to the living room. “Sure is. I can’t help it.”
“Hey girl!” Rylee called from her spot on the recliner. “Have a seat.”
“Your husband is jollier than I’ve ever seen him.”
“You aren’t joking! I don’t think he’s stopped smiling since Lila was born. Even through diaper changes and crying fits, he’s still grinning like a goof.”
“Please,” Nick said sarcastically, as he kissed Rylee on her cheek. “Why shouldn’t I be smiling? I have everything I ever wanted here in this room. And have you seen little Lila? She’s adorable!”
“Okay, you got me there.” Paige leaned to look into the bassinette where little Lila was sound asleep. Nick wasn’t wrong; she was absolutely beautiful. A smile pulled at Paige’s lips as she stared at little Lila.
“Will Tyler be stopping over, too?” Rylee asked.
“No. He said something about going over Trina’s.” Paige tried not to let her face show her emotions, but she failed. She settled in on the couch.
“Paige?” Rylee questioned.
She knew the smile had left her face, even as hard as she tried to not let it. “It’s nothing.”
“Hey, Nick.” Rylee grabbed her husband’s attention. “Would you mind making some sandwiches for lunch?”
“Sure thing!” he responded cheerily. “Paige, can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’ll just take a bottle of water.” She looked at Rylee as Nick left the room. “You guys don’t need to feed me. And I can get my own water. I’m over here enough that you don’t need to wait on me,” Paige protested.
“Relax and let Nick get the food and drinks. There isn’t a lot to do around here when the baby is sleeping, and he wants to feel useful,” Rylee answered. “Plus, you look like something is bothering you. Spill.”
Paige and Rylee had grown up together, and Rylee could read her like a book, even when no one else noticed.
Knowing it was useless to fight it, Paige told Rylee all about Reggie the kitten. She left out the baby blues, and Talia’s big news. But she was sure those secrets weren’t safe, either.
“I can’t believe you made him sleep on the couch.” Rylee chuckled.
“I didn’t make him do anything.” She shrugged. “I was mad, and I threw his pillow at him. He took that as I was making him sleep on the couch.”
“Because you were.”
“Maybe.” She shrugged again. She hadn’t thought he would stay on the couch.
“You knew Tyler’s stance on pets when you married him.” Rylee reasoned.
“I know! And I know I should’ve discussed getting a pet first. It wasn’t fair of me to just spring this on him, but it was just something that happened.”
“Paige, I get that. It’s out of character for you to be impulsive, so I’m thinking that threw him. I’m pretty sure he loves everything about you, but since he’s so methodical about everything, it must’ve been hard for him to be surprised like that.”
Her friend wasn’t wrong. She and Tyler weren’t exactly opposites, but he was usually more tightly wound, whereas she was the more laid back one, and they just worked.
Paige nodded in agreement.
“The worst part is, I flipped out, and he didn’t even do anything to deserve it! I mean, he wasn’t happy about Reggie, but that was it, and I lost my cool. I don’t even know why.” She really didn’t. Maybe it was PMS time, because she sure felt like she was out of control.
“And you made him sleep on the couch, with the kitten,” Rylee added.
“I know!” Paige gasped. She was even horrified by her own actions. “But not with Reggie. He came upstairs and slept in the bed with me.”
“Oh my god, you made Ty sleep on the couch, but the kitten slept in his bed!” Rylee chuckled. “But for real, you have to apologize for being so impulsive, and then show him why you were so crazy in love with the little guy that you acted without thinking. Once he falls in love with Reggie, he’ll understand.”
“Tyler fall in love with a kitten? I don’t see that happening,” Paige retorted.
“You might be surprised.” Nick interrupted as he brought lunch and drinks out to the living room. “He’s got a big heart, and I don’t think even pet fur on his furniture can change that. Plus, if it makes you happy, then it makes him happy.”
Rylee made an unsure face. “He’ll probably hire a cleaning service because of the pet fur, but I do think he will fall in love with the little guy.”
“I’m sure he’s already hired one,” Nick said with a chuckle. He sat down on the couch and leaned over to stare into the bassinette. “I can’t believe she’s still sleeping.”
“Shouldn’t you be grateful she’s resting?” Paige asked.
“Yes. But Daddy here can’t sit still. Look at him.” Rylee nodded towards Nick, who was gently taking Lila out of her little bed and into his arms. “Hon, don’t wake her.”
“I’m not. I just want to hold her,” Nick protested. “Uh-oh, look who’s awake.”
Rylee shook her head and chuckled. “You are like a kid in a candy store with her!”
Nick shrugged unapologetically. “I can’t help it.” He looked at Paige and said, “I never could’ve imagined this is what it would be like. Work has always been my life, but now I can’t imagine how I was so married to my work, especially when I have the two most beautiful women at home.”
Paige watched Rylee’s face turn pink and a bashful smile form on her face.
“You are too sweet for words, Mr. Talon,” Rylee said. She motioned to Paige. “Keep me company in the kitchen, while I put a bottle together for her.”
Once in the kitchen, Paige could still hear Nick doting over baby Lila. Opening the refrigerator, she asked, “Can I help you do anything?”
“No,” Rylee answered, shutting the refrigerator door. Her face was serious. “But you can tell me what else is wrong.”
Paige shook her head, not knowing where to start. Her eyes burned, and she was afraid she was going to break down in tears. It was no use lying to Rylee. She simply blurted out, “Talia is pregnant.”
Rylee stopped what she was doing and stared at Paige. “For real?”
“Yep.” There wasn’t much she could add to the news. Those three simple words were enough. Taking a deep breath, she choked back the tears and was sure she was in the clear from any waterworks. She didn’t even know why she was feeling like this.
“Well, I can’t say that I saw that coming. But it isn’t any secret that those two are madly in love. Harrison must be thrilled.”
“He is.”
“You don’t look too excited.” Rylee’s eyes narrowed as her stare intensified.
“Aren’t you supposed to be making your baby a bottle?”
Rylee rolled her eyes at Paige’s attempt at distracting her. “Yes. And I can do that and listen to what is going on with you at the same time. Then spill why you look like someone died, when this is wonderful news.”
Paige shook her head, not knowing how to answer that.
“How long have you been trying?” Rylee asked without missing a beat. “And don’t think I’m going to gloss over the fact that you never confided in me about it. We’ll just table that discussion for a later date.”
And there it was. She had been waiting for her friend to pick up on it. And it was her fault that she hadn’t opened up sooner. Paige slid down into a kitchen chair and looked up at Rylee. “A year.”
“Huh,” Rylee mumbled. She shut the refrigerator door and sat down at the table with Paige. “I assume you are seeing a doctor?”
Paige nodded. “Yeah. She said there’s nothing wrong that she can see.”
She let out a hard breath. Not knowing why was the worst part.
“Well, you’re young,” Rylee said.
“I know, and because I’m young I shouldn’t worry. Blah, blah, blah. I’m tired of hearing that.” Paige regretted the outburst as soon as she said it. She had been so overwhelmed lately, and it had her not acting like herself.
“No, you’re right to be concerned. However, maybe worrying isn’t helping your situation. I obviously don’t have experience in that, since I wasn’t expecting Lila. But they say once you stop trying, it usually happens.”
“Look,” Paige began. “I didn’t come over here to bring you down with this. I’m here to visit with you and your new little family.”
“I know that. But, don’t keep things from me simply because I just had a baby. I’m still your BFF. And remember, that last F stands for forever.”
“Hello?” Nick stuck his head into the kitchen. “We were starting to wonder if you two got lost. Someone is starting to get hangry.”
“Yeah, we got sidetracked. I’ll be right there,” Rylee said, as she got up from the table.
When Nick left them alone again, Paige could feel Rylee’s eyes on her. Turning around to face Rylee, she asked, “What?”
“Does Lila...” Rylee stopped in the middle of her question.
Paige had asked herself Rylee’s unspoken question many times. Does seeing Lila cause her heartache? “No. I love that little girl. And I love you and Nick. Anything I’m going through is all on me. Don’t think for one second that Lila has anything to do with it.” Of course, Lila made Paige a little sad that she hadn’t been able to get pregnant, but she was overjoyed for her friends. “And that’s why I didn’t want to bring it up during your pregnancy. And like you and my doctor have said, I’m still young.”
“For the record, I am not minimizing this. If you want to come over here, look at that little baby face and then cry, I’ll be your shoulder to cry on. But the nice thing about Lila is that she will always end up putting a smile on your face. Even when I’m exhausted and she’s crying, I still can’t help but smile at her little chubby cheeks.”
Her friend was right. Lila was a surprise addition to their family and a blessing. Paige stood up and hugged Rylee. “You get her bottle ready, while I go out and help the new daddy. If little Lila is anything like her mommy when she’s hungry, he’s going to need the help!”
“Funny,” Rylee answered sarcastically, as Paige hurried out of the kitchen.
“You want to feed her?” Nick asked, already laying the baby in Paige’s arms.
Paige looked down at those chubby cheeks and those little blue eyes, and she knew exactly what Rylee was talking about. There was no way to feel sad when looking at this little sweetheart. No matter how heartbroken she felt, this little one seemed to make that all disappear. Rylee brought Paige the bottle, and she fed Lila while Nick and Rylee ate lunch.
Once the baby had fallen back to sleep, Paige hated the idea of disrupting her slumber. She simply stared at her as she slept until her own arms decided to fall asleep.
“Let me put her down. I know that as little as she is, she does get heavy after a while.” Nick gently took the baby from her arms.
“Paige, are you sure there’s not more going on with Tyler than a kitten?” Rylee asked.
“What do you mean? All I did was get a cat.”
“I mean, is it possible that Tyler is under some kind of stress that you don’t know about?”
“I don’t think so. But things have been kind of busy lately.” They were both under stress. Talia’s announcement had made their pregnancy journey even more difficult.
“Look, Tyler is a level-headed guy. There has to be more to this than just a cat. And I get he is mister neat freak, but still... he loves you. There’s got to be more going on. Don’t you think?”
“It’s interesting that you say that, because don’t you think that I’m the one with more going on?” Paige closed her eyes and counted to three before she continued.
“So talk to me,” Rylee begged.
“Talia didn’t even want a kid.” She felt like she was whining. What type of terrible person couldn’t be happy at her sister-in-law’s pregnancy announcement?
“Girl, I know. And I can see it in your eyes. You are sitting there thinking what a horrible person you must be to not be tickled pink about this. But you aren’t. I bet if you sat down with her, she’d tell you the same thing. I mean, I guarantee she was not planning on this happening.” Rylee attempted to comfort her.
“I’m sure she wasn’t planning this. And I really am happy for her. I’m just...” She wasn’t sure how to put her feelings into words.
“Just upset it isn’t you. I get that. And there’s no shame in that.” Rylee reached out and took Paige’s hand. “And maybe Tyler is feeling the same way?”
“I never thought of that.”
“Maybe give him a break about Reggie the cat. He’ll come around; he always does, especially if it’s for you.”
Rylee wasn’t wrong. They’d been friends forever. She had a way of telling Paige when she was overreacting without actually saying it.
“Well, I better get home. Time to face the music, and make Ty see what I see in that little furball.” She grabbed her coat and slid it on.
Rylee moved to get up off the recliner. “If I was a betting woman, I’d bet you that he was already in love with the little guy.”
“Rylee, don’t get up. I can show myself out,” Paige said.
“I’m allowed to stand up! I can’t sit all day. I do need to move around a little,” Rylee said, as she got to her feet.
“Just not overdo it,” Nick said from the couch with Lila in his arms. He carefully got to his feet and carried Lila to Paige. “Say goodbye to Auntie Paige.”
“Bye sweetheart.” Paige cooed.
“I’m going to stay here. I don’t want her near the front door where she might get a chill. Nice to see you, Paige. And give that husband of yours a chance.”
“Thanks. You take care.” She hugged him goodbye before walking to the door with Rylee.
“Nick is right, you know,” Rylee added.
Paige nodded. Tyler was a good man, even if he did irk her sometimes. She was the one who tended to hold onto grudges too long.
“I’m betting by the time you get home, Ty will be showering you with flowers and apologizing for being so Tyler like,” Rylee said.
She knew her friend was right.
“Every couple has disagreements. It’s normal,” Rylee added.
Paige knew it was a normal part of marriage, and it wasn’t as if they never fought. Working so closely, they were bound to butt heads. Her husband was just as good at apologizing as he was frustrating. That thought made a little smile creep over her lips.
“See, you can’t even help but smile when you think about him!” Rylee teased. “We just have those types of men. They are as adorable as they are infuriating.”
Paige hugged Rylee. “Girl, you’d better get some rest, and give your body time to recover so you can take care of that baby girl.”
“Paige,” Nick called. “I need you to remind her of that, because she won’t listen to me.”
“Women have been doing this since the beginning of time. I’ll be fine. I can still recover, even if I want to walk to the refrigerator for a snack,” Rylee countered.
“Good luck, Nick!” Paige called, as she opened the door to leave.
“And Paige,” Rylee added.
Paige turned to look at her friend. She forced herself not to roll her eyes, knowing there was more marital advice coming her way.
“Put his pillow back on your bed.”
