Disclaimer: Characters are not mine and I make no money.
How I Met Your Mother
The music played while people danced and ate the free food. The wedding party laughed and joked at the bar. I saw my brother and his wife smiling at me from their table, but I didn't care. I was holding the most precious little girl in my arms. I only had to look into her haunting blue eyes to see her mother and I only had eyes for her. From the moment I laid eyes on this beautiful creature, I was in love. Every day after that, just reinforced that love.
"I'm going to tell you a story, little one. It is the story of how I met your mother. When I was 8 years old, I saw the most beautiful creature that God has ever created. She was playing in her backyard with her GI Joe dolls. I thought most little girls played with barbies, but your mom...she was not like most girls. Her face had smudges of dirt and her dress was wrinkled and caked with mud. Her knees were scabbed from a recent fall and her arm was in a cast. I think I remember something about her thinking she could fly.
She glanced up at me when I opened the gate in the yard and her blue eyes pierced right through me. It was like she could see directly into my soul. She hesitated for a second when I motioned for her to come over to where I was. I had to speak to her. I just knew her voice was a beautiful as she was, and I was not wrong. The thing that I remember the most about that first meeting, was her laugh. Your mom could light up an entire city with one laugh. Even at age 6, she was just that special. I knew I wanted to spend some more time with her, so I persuaded her to go to my dad's garage with me. Now, I'm not going to tell you what we did because it was not very nice. I knew from that day forward that I loved your mom.
She didn't know it because I never told her, but I vowed to always protect her from that day forward. And I did, for the most part. We went all through school together and even though I was two grades ahead of her, she was never very far out of my sight. I never got close to her though. I was too scared. I wasn't known as the "good kid" and I didn't want her to turn me away. I was always watching though."
Annabella stretched and cooed at me with a half smile on her little face. I still can't get over how much she looks like my Cupcake.
"I finally got the nerve to approach her again when I was 18. I knew I was leaving the next morning for boot camp and I wanted to tell her how much I loved her. How much I wanted her to wait for me to come back. I saw her working at the Tasty Pastry, which was her after school job. I let her fill you in about her love of the bakery and all things sweet."
The baby giggled at that so I am assuming that she's already been there with Stephanie.
"After watching everyone else leave the bakery that night, I slowly approached the door and went in. Once again...those eyes...when she looked up...pierced right through me. The look on your mom's face was part terrified and part excited. I had hope when I saw the gleam of excitement sparkle out at me. I slowly approached the counter under the disguise of buying a cannoli. Just between you and me, I don't think your mom fell for it."
I adjusted Bella up onto my shoulder and took a deep breath of her perfect baby sent. She already had curls forming and I knew that they would be just as crazy as Steph's are. My heart swelled with love as I held her to my and whispered into her ear.
"I talked to your mom for a bit, and noticed her relaxing. I already told you that I all I wanted to do was talk to her. Well, I let my teenage boy take over. I can't tell you those details either, but let's just say that I don't regret what I did. I made sure your mom knew how much I loved her. At least, I hope she knew. I tried to show her. Your mom was amazing. I could feel her desire and love when she kissed me. After, I was so embarrassed that I let myself get carried away, so I quickly left the bakery. The next morning I left for boot camp. Now, you'll hear different versions of what happened after I left the bakery, but I promise you that those poems were meant to flatter her, not embarrass the woman that I loved. I should have known better. Nothing is easy when it comes to her.
The next time I saw your mom was during leave 2 years later. Well, I didn't actually see her, I saw the Buick as it jumped the curb and ran me over. I was laid up with a broken leg for 6 weeks after that. I guess I can't blame her though. I acted like a jerk. I was never more proud of her though. Her spirit is still the thing that I love about her most. I hope you get some of that spirit, little one."
"Would you like me to take her Joe?" Steph asked as she brushed the babies hair off her face. "I know you've had her all night." I glanced up at her and saw the glow of new motherhood and a woman in love. She had always been beautiful; tonight, though, she was radiant.
"Not a chance Cupcake. Go, enjoy yourself. Bella and I are having a conversation." I said as I smiled at her. She smiled back and bent to give me a kiss. God I love that woman's lips. "Ok, just let me know when you need a break." She replied as she kissed her daughters head and walked away.
"Now, where were we? Oh yeah. I lost touch with your mom when she went to college. I heard that she got married and it about broke my heart. I didn't think anyone else could or would love her as much as me. As you can guess, that marriage didn't last long. So I knew when she divorced the Dick, she was going to be mine. I had it all planned out. I heard from your crazy grandma that your mom had lost her job and was moving back to Trenton. All I had to do was plan an accidental meeting. Before I could make that happen, I got into a little trouble. Won't tell you all about it, because it's not for a baby to hear. What I didn't know was the next time that I saw your mother, she was trying to arrest me, and she was trying hard. After a cat and mouse chase for a few days, she finally caught me and took me to the police station. She also helped me prove my innocence so I wasn't too mad at her. After that your mom and me spent many days together. She was a bounty hunter now, so our paths crossed all the time."
I could tell that Bella was going to sleep on my shoulder so adjusted her a bit to give her the chance to stretch her little legs. God, how this little thing has wormed her way into my heart. I continued my story even though the baby was asleep.
"Your mom and I dated off and on for the next couple years. I still loved her more than anything, but I hadn't told her yet. We had our problems and we fought some. Yet, every time she left, she would come back. I knew that she loved me too, but there was someone else vying for your moms attention. I won't bore you with that story, but let's just say that I was none-to-happy with your mom for a while.
"The day your mom told me that she loved me was the happiest day of my life. She had been kidnapped, again, long story and again not for babies, but after a shoot out I was driving her to the hospital. She said the words I was longing to hear. I knew then that everything was going to work out. It did for a while. But your mom and I still had not got on the same page about our relationship and before too long we were back to fighting."
I glanced down again at the sleeping baby in my arms and stroked her beautiful face. It amazed me how calm I felt just by holding her. She was a healing balm for my soul, just like her mother.
"We did a lot of fighting because of your mom's job. I wanted her to be safe and she wasn't. She blew up cars, houses and even burnt down a funeral home. Although she'll tell you that it was not her fault, any of it. I couldn't make her understand that all I wanted was for her to be safe. I couldn't bear the thought of loosing her. I'll admit that I acted like a jerk sometimes, but I loved her. Her job was not only thing we fought over, she was still seeing the other guy. I knew she wasn't actually "seeing" him, but they were friends and I felt threatened by him. Childish, I know...but what can I say. I'm Italian.
"When I caught your mom in Hawaii with the other guy, I thought my world was crumbling. It felt like someone had taken a hot poker and stabbed it right through my heart. I was so mad that I saw red. I don't remember much so you'll have to get the rest of this from her, but I know I woke up in the hospital after your mom stunned me. She took off back to Trenton and left us there to deal with our problems. Ranger, the other guy, and I had a long conversation. I told him how much I loved your mom and begged him to back off and give us a chance. He agreed and I went home hoping for the best. Turns out my dreams of happily ever after weren't ready to come true."
I sighed, knowing that I was coming to the close of our story. But in my opinion, I was getting to the best part. Snuggling up with Bella, I continued.
"Your mom and I put everything we had into our relationship. I loved her, she loved me and I was ready to make it official. I knew how much she loved her job so I was going to let her keep it, under the stipulation that she get some training. I was even going to let her stay friends with Ranger and his men. I knew how much they all meant to her and I only wanted to make her happy.
"I had the engagement ring bought and had made plans with your mom for a special dinner that night. I was so excited. I knew she would say yes and become my wife. I was working that afternoon before our date when a call came over the radio about a car fire. I knew right away that your mom had done it again. I rushed out to my truck and drove as quickly as I could to the scene. I saw her latest burning and looked frantically for her. When I saw her, my heart stopped beating."
I had to stop and wipe a tear off Bella's head. When did I start crying? Drying my eyes I continued.
"What I tell you next, little one, is something that I haven't told anyone before. No one, not even your mom knows that I was there that day. I told her that I was stuck at another crime scene and couldn't get away." Taking a deep breath I said with a whisper "The other guy was there before me. I saw him run up to your mother and grab her off the curb where she was sitting. The look of relief on his face and the look of peace on hers told me more than I wanted to know. I stood back and watched as he pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes. Then they looked at each other. The look of love between them was undeniable. As much as I wanted her to, she never looked at me that way. I knew then that I had lost my chance. He bent his head and kissed her ever so gently. My heart was breaking, she was mine. I was walking up to confront them when my friends stopped me. I guess they are her friends too, but Eddie was the one who helped me see that they were meant to be together. I already knew that, but it was hard to admit to myself. So I did what I thought I should do and I left. I tucked the ring away in my safe and called your mom to break our dinner plans. She knew something was going on and told me she wanted to talk to me soon. I knew what she was going to say.
"The next time I saw your mom, was the happiest day of my life. For some reason, I felt better about ending things. I felt lighter for some reason, and I just knew something big was going to happen. I love your mom, don't get me wrong. However, I met my true love that day. She was our waitress at the restaurant. Your mom and I decided friends were what we were meant to be and that's what we became that day. Best friends. We still are. She was the maid of honor at my wedding last month. You were still cooking in the belly, but you were there too."
"Alright everyone, it's time for the father and daughter dance. Mr. Plum, please join this lovely bride on the dance floor." The DJ spoke as he started to play "I Loved her First" by Heartland. What a perfect song, I thought. I loved her first and I will always love her, but I wouldn't trade any moment that I shared with the woman currently walking toward me.
"Hey baby. You having fun with Miss Bella?" Candy, my wife, asked smiling broadly. "You need all the practice you can get." She said as she rubbed her growing belly.
"I am having a blast telling her a story, but I think it's going to end soon." I said and pointed to the man approaching me. "I suppose you want this little girl for a dance, don't you daddy?" I asked.
"I would love nothing more" he said with a huge smile. "After all, this is the father-daughter dance." He took the baby from my arms and she woke up and gave him a smile that rivaled her mothers. As he started to walk away holding his daughter I called out, "Ranger." He turned and looked at me and my wife. "Congratulations on the wedding and baby. You are one lucky man." Nodding he turned and headed toward the dance floor and I heard him say, "Bella, I'm going to tell you a story about how I met your mother."
I smiled and pulled my wife to me. I might have loved Stephanie first, but I love Candy most. I think we all ended up right where we're supposed to be.