Chapter 14- Nurturing
Author's Note: Thanks for the views everyone. I'd really love to know what you think, so please review if you can. :)
~0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
One heartbeat. Another. After taking in a deep breath, Bay lets out a scream. She hadn't... she couldn't... Things weren't making sense. Trembling, she kneels down to check on Callie. As dampness soaks into the knees of her pants, things slowly become clear. Callie is in a heap in front of her, her leg sticking out at an unnatural angle. It is then that Bay notices the dull gleam of white sticking out of Callie's thigh and the metallic scent of blood. Standing shakily, Bay manages to make several steps backwards before the world turns black and she collapses heavily onto the ground.
She is awoken by a great splash of cold water that immediately jolts her upward.
He Uncle gives her a concerned look before dropping the bucket and reaching forward to haul her to her feet.
"Wha- what happened?" Bay says, trembling with cold.
Ty gives her a wordless look. Bay is shocked by the fear in his eyes as he stands a few feet away from her. When Callie groans, Ty's distress increases tenfold. Instinctively compelled, Bay steps forward and pulls Ty into her arms as best she can manage. She holds him and drinks in his warmth as the faint sound of sirens grows steadily louder.
When the paramedics place a brace on Callie's neck and gingerly roll her onto a backboard, Bay feels Ty bury his face in her neck and let out a faint, keening moan. Straightening up, he pulls away and crawls into the ambulance with Callie, nodding vaguely as the young paramedic tries to sooth him.
Before Bay can even blink they're gone.
Shivering in the cool night air, Bay feels every sensation hit her at once- stinging in her palms, the prickling of goose bumps, the paralyzing fear, and the worst of all, the thick and heavy feeling of guilt resting on her heart.
"Come... I will take you to find them," her cousin says softly, more serious that Bay thought was ever possible from her.
Staring blankly, Bay allows herself to be guided into a tiny car. She doesn't even move as Garielle buckles her in and tosses a cardigan onto her lap. The drive takes twenty minutes and Bay stares out the window as they pass by other houses, each batch growing more closely together until they hit mainstream Chartres.
The red glow of the emergency lights shock her and Bay throws herself out of the car before it's even come to a full stop.
Peeling through the doors, Bay looks around wildly for Ty.
"Madam," an attendant asks her, "are you quite alright?"
Bay nods distractedly. "Ty!" she calls out the moment she finds him pacing in the waiting room.
"Bay," he breathes, pulling her into his arms. "She's in surgery... her leg..." he chokes, unable to continue.
Swallowing thickly, Bay softly says, "Can they save it?"
"I don't... they weren't..." he trails off, shaking his head.
"I'll go and ask. I know French," she says awkwardly. "Just sit."
Ty nods a slips into the most secluded chair possible.
"Callie Jane Mendoza- I wish to know about her," Bay demands hotly.
The clerk barely blinks. "Are you family?"
"Well..."
"Well is not an answer. We only talk to immediate family."
Shaking her head, Bay swears under her breath.
Slipping in the seat next to Ty, all she can manage to say is, "She's in surgery. They don't know when it'll be done." She feels bad about lying to him, but Bay thinks that right now, it's the right thing to do.
Dozing lightly against the other's shoulder, both Bay and Ty are startled awake when the nurse shakes them.
"Doctor will speak to you soon," he tells Ty softly. Brow wrinkling, Ty opens his mouth before facing her.
"The doctor will be out to talk soon," Bay translates quietly.
"Oh," Ty says. "Ok. Yes."
Smiling faintly, the nurse leaves them once the doctor has entered the room. "Mr and Mrs. Mendoza?" she greets warmly in clear English.
"I'm not- we're not married," Bay interjects.
The smile falters slightly. "Ah, well then. Mr. Mendoza, young Miss. Mendoza will be ready to see you soon. " Turning away from them, she beckons for Ty to follow her. When Bay moves to stand with him, the doctor shakes her head. "Are you family?"
"Well..."
The doctor shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but only immediate family is allowed to visit at this time and to receive status updates."
Bay crumples. She's desperate to know how Callie is doing.
"It's ok with me," Ty interjects. "I consent to her knowing."
The doctor shakes her head. "I'm sorry Mr. Mendoza, but our hospital policy regarding the condition of our patients is unwavering, particularly when it comes to minors."
Ty huffs in frustration.
Sensing an outburst, Bay reaches out and squeezes his wrist. "It'll be fine. Just tell her that I love her."
Ty looks at her tenderly as he presses a quick kiss on her forehead. "Ok. I'll be back in a bit."
0o0o0o0
Sitting in a stiff chair, Bay gazes out the window at the sunrise. Has it really been hours? Ty had been at Callie's side since she left the operating room, only coming back to tell her that she was awake, but very drowsy and confused. Bay still didn't even know if Callie's leg had been saved or not. She'd give up her own right hand if it meant that Callie's leg would still be there. The girl loved surfing so much and Bay couldn't possible bear the guilt of being the person responsible for taking away that source of happiness.
Stretching out her sore back, Bay makes her way to the hospital garden that one of the kind nurses had shown her an hour ago. The fresh air would do her some good.
Smiling as the faint hints of the sun brush against her cheeks, Bay feels relaxed for the first time since the family dinner several hours ago.
Walking more deeply into the garden in search of a secluded bench, Bay longs for her sketchbook. The simplicity is so beautiful that it's begging to be captured on paper.
Bay frowns when she notices Ty sitting on the secluded bench. Rushing forward, she blurts out, "Is Callie ok?!"
Ty nods sullenly.
"What is it?" Bay ventures cautiously.
Sighing heavily, he says, "After she fell back asleep, the doctor told me that they don't think that she'll ever regain full mobility of her leg. No more surfing."
Guilt floods though her. Callie is not going to take this well when they tell her.
"I'm sorry!" Bay blurts out suddenly.
"Sorr-" Ty starts, but Bay quickly interrupts him.
"I was yelling at her and said all sorts of terrible things and I didn't listen and I should have tried to catch her or break her fall. I think I spooked her actually and that she fell out of the tree. I never should have yelled. I was so mean to her! I told her to get her ass down and that she'd ruined the vacation and was acting like a brat and that we were going home early because she was acting out. It's all my fault! She hates me and you should too, and I understand if you want to break up and never speak to me again." Bay finally stops to take a breath, not daring to even look up at Ty.
"Marry me," he says quietly.
Bay nearly swallows her tongue. "What?" she says slowly, afraid that he's lost his mind.
"Will you marry me?" he says more firmly.
"But... but... but, why?"
"I love you," he says quietly. "I've wanted to ask for a long time. And besides, it's Callie you should be saying those words to, not me. You can't do that if you're not officially a part of the family. She'll be here for weeks."
Bay stares at him. "Is that why you're asking me? she says slowly.
Ty pauses. "Not really," he admits. "But you should be able to see her. You should be able to see me if something ever happened and we should be able to see you if you ended up in hospital. That can't happen if we're not married."
Bay is speechless. Sensing tension, Ty continues on.
"Remember when I told you to be brave and leave your comfort zone and I pushed you out of it?"
Bay grimaces when she remembers spraining her ankle after freaking out when jumping off of the tower that Ty had pushed her to climb without informing her of what she had to do.
"I remember," she says flatly.
"Sorry," Ty whispers uncomfortably. "I don't remember if I ever apologized."
"It's fine," Bay says quietly. "It was a long time ago. It doesn't even come close to the worst thing you've ever done."
Ty flinches at the sharp reminder of the cheating lie. Bay feels bad for bringing it up and causing him pain, but it really was the worst thing he'd ever done to her.
Shaking his head, Ty says, "I've gotten you to leave your comfort zone for me, but I've never left it for you. You deserve someone like that."
Bay feels her heart sing. Before she can say anything, Ty awkwardly adds, "With what happened to Callie and Adaline..." He shakes his head slightly in order to clear his thoughts. "This last week has shown me... how beautiful and precious and short life is. I don't want to spend a minute more without you as my wife and me as your husband." Sliding gingerly to his knees, Ty says more confidently, "Will you marry me, Bay Madeline Kennish?"
Bay has no idea what's going on. Never in her life had she expected to be proposed to in a hospital garden in France due to an accident that she had caused. With Liam she'd imagined the cheesy restaurant proposal. With Ty the first time they dated, she'd imagined him quietly handing her a ring box at his ramshackle house. The second time she'd imagined it happening at Maui Kansas at the top of the Ferris wheel. Each time with Emmett had involved his motorcycle and the timeline he'd made for her. She'd never thought of proposals with her other boyfriends or flings; Noah and Tank and her Emmett-cheating rebound had never inspired those kinds of feelings. This time with Ty had generated dozens of scenarios- at dinner with her family, in bed after making love, at the beach on the Fourth of July. But never this. Never after hurting Callie. Taking in three deep, satisfying breathes, Bay focuses on all the love she feels for Ty and Callie and says, "Yes, I'll marry you."
Watching as Ty fumbles in his pocket, Bay marvels at all the words that he said. He was so reserved when they were anywhere but her apartment. He really did leave his comfort zone for her. Her heart glows with pride.
Bay gasps when she feels the cool metal ring being slid over her finger. It looked so familiar, but she can't quite place where it's from.
"Adaline gave it to me the last time we met," he says awkwardly. "I think she wanted me to propose at your graduation dinner. I'd thought about it, but it wasn't right to ask without you knowing about the whole Air Force thing."
Bay offers him a wan smile. Some things never changed. Ty's consideration of her was one of them.
Tugging on the ring -it's a touch too small- Bay turns to Ty and says, "When do you want to do this?"
"Now?" he offers. "They gave Callie some pain meds. Told me she should be asleep for a few hours. I think we can manage being away for that long."
Bay can't help but smile. This is so selfish of her and them but she doesn't care at the moment. "I'll call my Uncle. He can sit and watch her while we go to the embassy in Paris."
0o0o0o0
Lacing their fingers together, Bay and Ty make their way up the steps to the plain building. Pausing, they stand together as a kind stranger takes their picture.
"Would you be our witness?" Bay suddenly blurts out.
The dark haired man smiles. "Of course. Your name?"
"Bay," she replies. "And he's Ty," she says gesturing towards her fiancée.
"I am Pierre, he answers in turn.
Bay barely manages to contain a gasp. She'd never met her Grandfather Pierre, but Grandma Adaline had always spoken fondly of him. This must have been a sign from her that what they were doing was the right thing to do.
0o0o0o0
"I am so honoured to be you witness," Pierre chatters excitedly as they sit together in the waiting room. "My boyfriend and I are planning to marry next summer. Will you be having a full wedding at home?"
Bay nods at him, smiling gratefully as they are called up to the front.
"You wish to marry and put forth adoption papers," the clerk says as she scans their forms.
"Yes," Bay and Ty answer at the same time.
"What is the age of the minor female being adopted?"
"Eleven. Her birthday is in the middle of December," Ty replies, squeezing Bay's hand tightly.
"We may need to discuss this with her then," the clerk says as she types rapidly on the computer. "But we can certainly make the initial requests without her. And the wedding can proceed forward immediately, so long as you have the licence form filled out and the required two witnesses present."
Bay pushes the licence form forward. "Our witness are over there," she says, pointing at Pierre and his boyfriend.
"Names?" the clerk prompts.
"Pierre James Boudreaux and Michel Rene Vimy," Ty answers quietly.
"Ah," the clerk says. "They both do many witness signings. They are two very kind fellows. Things will be much harder when they relocate to Normandy after they marry."
Shaking her head in amusement, the clerk continue to clatter away at her keyboard. Finally, after twenty long minutes, she declares, "Congratulations you two. We may now proceed."
Beckoning Bay and Ty and their witness forward, they make their way into a private room. In the corners are large stacks of candles. Bay wonders how many people end up getting married at the embassy in Paris. There seem to be enough unity candles for a small country.
Standing in front of a small table, the clerk begins to make the official governmental and policy remarks. Bay ignores them and drinks in the appearance of her gorgeous soon-to-be husband. He's never been more beautiful to her than in this very moment.
Clearing her throat, the clerk begins by facing Ty. "Mr. Tyler Salal Mendoza, do you take Ms. Bay Madeline Kennish to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour her, and keep her for better or worse, in richness or in poorness, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful only to her, as long as you both shall live?
"I do," Ty answers firmly, gazing deeply into Bay's eyes.
Shifting towards Bay, the clerk offers her a quick smile."Ms. Bay Madeline Kennish, do you take Mr. Tyler Salal Mendoza to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honour him, and keep him for better or worse, in richness or in poorness, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful only to him, as long as you both shall live?
"I do," Bay replies, wiping tears out of the corner of her eyes.
"Do you have the rings?" prompts the clerk.
Bay shoots Ty a look of panic. They don't have any. Just her engagement ring.
Shaking his head in amusement at her worried expression, Ty pulls out a tiny velvet pouch and fishes out two simple silver-coloured bands. Handing the thicker one to her, Ty runs his thumb over what will soon be her ring. Bay shivers when she sees him do it again.
Facing each other, Ty slides her ring onto her finger, which fits perfectly. Staring into Ty's eyes, the whole world recedes and it is just them; just Bay and Ty, facing the world together.
"Ms. Kennish," the clerk prompts. "It is time to place Mr. Mendoza's ring on his left hand."
Laughing awkwardly, Bay does just that, leaning forward to kiss Ty's hand before she lets it go.
"By the power invested in me by the United States of America government in France, and on behalf of Seattle, Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife as of May 9th, 2022. You may now kiss."
Leaping forward, Bay wraps her arms around Ty's neck and smashes her lips against his in the most passionate kiss that she can muster. Ignoring the laughs of Pierre and Michel in the background, Ty dips Bay with their lips still pressed firmly together. Seeing stars, Bay finally pulls away and takes in a deep breath. Pierre and Michel clap wildly, making her flush a deep red.
Gesturing for them to stand beside her at the front of the table, the clerk pulls out the forms, a strip of ribbon, a fountain pen, and three candles and set of matches. "Will you be taking your husband's name? she says, addressing Bay directly.
"Uh... umm," she stutters, not knowing what to reply.
"We'll be sharing both our last names," Ty interrupts. "We've shared everything up 'til now, so why is this any different?"
Heart swelling with feminist pride, Bay boldly signs her new name onto the contact, swaying slightly when she sees Ty's new name adorned next to hers. Pierre and Michel's signatures quickly join theirs on the thick paper. The clerk then presses a wax seal onto the paper and promptly rolls the scroll up, fastening it with an emerald green ribbon.
"Pierre, Michel, if you please," the clerk directs, nodding towards the candles. Facing their new friends, Bay watches as Pierre and Michel strike their matches and light the candles at the same time. Clutching the candle that Pierre hands her, Bay turns to face Ty and the fat white candle between them.
"Ready? he whispers.
"Ready," she replies firmly, their candles joining and lighting the larger one together.
Linking hands, Bay and Ty kiss over the candle before softly blowing it out.
"Many congratulations," the clerk says as she cleans up, placing their unity candle in small box alongside their marriage certificate. "You'll receive two photos to mark the day- one of just you two and one of the four of you together."
Smiling softly, Bay allows for Ty to lead her to the front steps. Cradled in his arms, the photographer captures the moment that they both look fondly into the other's eyes. That shot is quickly followed by a sillier photo, with Pierre and Michel mimicking her and Ty's first married kiss while they watch on amusedly. Before they know it, the photos have been printed off and placed into the box alongside their candle and certificate, they have bid farewell to Pierre and Michel, and have made their way to the hotel a kilometre away from the Louis Pasteur hospital in Chartres.
After a quick conversation with her Uncle about Callie's status (still asleep and unlikely to wake up for at least two more hours), Bay gives Ty a nervous glance. Married. It feels funny to think the word. Despite the fantasies, she'd never imagined this future for herself. The Kennish-Mendozas. Shaking her head, Bay wordlessly pulls her sundress off. Ty swallows visibly.
"You look beautiful," he whispers, slowly backing them towards the wall. "I can barely... contain myself."
"Then don't," Bay finds herself whispering back.
And so he doesn't.
~0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
One Week Later
Bay sits by Callie's side and watches as the girl clumsily eats with her left hand. The thumb on her right hand had been fractured in the fall and her arm was now wrapped up in a bright pink cast. When she had attempted to draw a picture on it, Callie had slapped her hand away and turned around so that Bay was facing her back. Every single time that she had attempted to open her mouth and talk to Callie, she had been met by a glare so powerful that it made Bay's own teenage murderous looks seem like a smile.
Sighing softly, Bay flicks on the t.v. and turns it to Callie's favourite show. A new episode was scheduled to air and Bay hoped that it would make the kid happy. Nothing she did seemed to do that, but then again, Callie's face always lit up when it was on. Today seemed to be no exception. Even as the French language dubbing covered the entire contents, Callie's face had softened. Every once in awhile she would even glance over at Bay.
"How are my beautiful girls?" Ty chimes as her enters the room.
Before they can answer, the doctor slips in behind him.
"Us beautiful girls are fine and dandy, Mr. Mendoza," the doctor answers back with a cheeky grin. "Miss Callie here is ready to be discharged after a quick shower and a dressing change."
"Really?" they all say at the same time.
"Really," the doctor confirms. "You're well enough to head home and receive outpatient care there."
"Good," Callie retorts crossly. "I can finally take of myself without her hovering over me."
Bay winces at the remarks directed towards her. Callie's been less than cooperative in the last week in Bay's attempts to help her shower, change, and use the toilet.
"Callie," Ty warns firmly.
"Whatever," the preteen says, rolling her eyes. "When can I surf? I've missed way too much of it. I should've been at least four times by now! It's May 16th!"
"Callie," the doctor says softly, stepping closer to the bed. "Haven't they told you?"
"Told me what?"
"Callie, you'll be lucky if you can walk without a limp. I'm sorry to say that your surfing days are over. Your body simply won't have the strength to surf."
"What?!" the girl howls, her face turning red with fury.
"I'm so sorry," the doctor says calmly.
"You're lying! Dad, tell her she's lying! She's wrong. "
"Lovebug," Ty says gently, using her nickname from when she was a toddler, "it's true. Your leg was very badly hurt. Your femur and foot shattered and your ankle and knee were very badly sprained. You won't be able to stand on a surfboard while catching waves. It will be too painful and you'll hurt yourself more."
"Nooooo," the girl whines quietly, shoulder shaking with silent sobs. "It's my favourite thing. I don' wanna stop. It makes me happy."
Bay twists her fingers in her lap. They're so tightly twinned that they're bloodless and shaking. She's never felt so horrible in her life. She'd give up all the art in the world just so Callie could surf again and be happy.
0o0o0o0
Dropping the pink bag onto the hotel bed, Bay glances back at Callie. The girl hasn't said a single word in ten hours. It was completely unlike her.
Bay runs her thumb over her ring once again. It still hasn't hit her that she's married now. Married. Maybe that would cheer her up. Callie had been looking forward to the very day that she could be Bay's maid of honour. Catching Ty's eye, she taps on her ring. Immediately a smile blooms across his face and he nods at her.
Perched on the bed next to Bay, Ty reaches forward and clasps Callie's hands.
"Honey," he starts, "we have something very special to tell you."
"What?" the girl croaks out slowly.
"We've gotten married. We'll be having a super special ceremony in a few days, right here in France," Bay says with a smile.
Ever so slowly, a smile grows across Callie's face. She ducks her head in embarrassment and says, "Really?"
"Really," she and Ty both answer.
"Will... will you still be my maid of honour?" Bay ventures quietly.
Callie ponders for a minute. "So long as I get to pick your colours," she finally answers with a small smile. "No way am I gunna wear black."
Bay sends her a mock pout before giggling. "Well, what colours do you want then?"
"Pink," Callie answers immediately. "And orange," she adds as an afterthought.
Blegh. Bay hated both pink and orange. But she wants Callie to be happy and if garish pastel pinks and oranges makes her happy, then she'll do it.
"Sunset colours," Ty says thoughtfully. "Good choice, Munchkin."
Leaning back comfortably, Callie relaxes in her wheelchair and watches t.v. while Bay scrolls through several websites from nearby boutiques. Most of the dresses are either ugly, inappropriate, or too expensive. Finally after two hours and inspecting at least a hundred dresses, Bay finds the one she wants Callie, Daphne, Rose, and Maxi to wear. She was so glad that Ty had phoned her father and that he'd managed to get almost everyone except for Nikki to France for the wedding. Even Bradley and his sister were going to come.
Turning the computer towards Callie, Bay shows the girl the dress she's picked out.
"Wow," Callie says after a moment. "I like it. I thought you were supposed to hate bridesmaid dresses, like they always do in the movies."
Bay snorts softly. "Those movies are all terrible."
"I like them," Callie replies hotly. With a vicious glare, she twists herself and deliberately faces towards the television.
Sighing deeply, Bay wonders how long it will take for Callie to begin forgiving her and to let go of this anger.
0o0o0o0
Five Days Later
Dressed up in a simple long-sleeved white dress, Bay glances at her four bridesmaids and Ty's groomsmen. Bradley catches her stare and offers her a heart-melting grin before turning back towards Daphne. Bay can't help but feel the faintest twinges of jealousy when she recalls their storybook-like meeting. Daphne had fallen backwards on the stairs at the metro station and Bradley had caught her a split-second before she would have hit the ground. It had been completely random that they'd both been going to the exact same place at the exact same time. Even though they'd barely known each other for scarcely more than three days, they'd connected deeply. Bradley had even picked up the very basics of sign language so he could converse with her. Bay could tell from Daphne's loud giggles that he was making a lot of mistakes, possibly even deliberately making them in order to get her to physically correct him. One of Bay's favourite parts about new relationships had been that giddy feeling of anticipation and joy. It was obvious that both Daphne and Bradley were feeling it. She was glad that her sister was finally experiencing this for the first time in ten years. She hoped that she would eventually feel the comfort and knowledge that a long and stable relationship would bring. Despite the string of relationships and flings between Liam and her ex from three months ago, Bay hadn't seen this side of Daphne except for her relationship with Wilke. It was nice. Happy Daphne was one of her favourite people to be around.
"We're almost ready to go," her Mom says as she and Regina fuss over the finishing touches on her hair and makeup. "Places everyone."
Bay watches as Daphne and Bradley take their places at the front, followed by Toby and Rose, and then Maxi and Miguel. Bay's heart clenches when she sees Callie wheel next to Carter as they take their places as the maid of honour and best man. Callie looked so grown up in her long dress and flowery crown.
Pressing Adaline's old locket against her lips, Bay glances up at the ceiling of the tiny chapel in order to calm herself down. Pierre and Adaline had married here, not quite sixty years to the day. Bay feels closer to her than ever. She needs that today.
Bay startles when she feels her Dad take her arm. The nerves in the pit of her stomach explode and fill her whole body with fear.
"Baby baby Bay," he tease gently. "If you want to run, I can give you a ten minute head start, but I reckon Ty is faster than you." This coaxes a weak laugh out of Bay. She suddenly remembers the daydream that she'd had about Angelo being there for her wedding. Even though it's been eight years, the wound from losing him feels as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. He should have been here for this. He should have been here for her.
"Honey," her Dad whispers. "Angelo wouldn't want you to be sad." He pauses briefly before saying, "At one point we had both discussed how we would handle your wedding. We'd decided that we would both do it. Both share in the moment. But now that he's passed, you're Mom and Regina and I have come up with a different plan."
"What?" Bay startles. But before she can say anything else, the doors are thrown open and Daphne and Bradley march forward. As each pair enters the main room, Bay's trembling increases.
"I am so proud of you, Honey," her Dad says, pressing a kiss to her forehead. And with that, Bay begins to walk down the aisle with him. A third of the way down she sees Regina. John lets go of her arm and Regina loops hers through it. "I am so proud of you, Honey," she says after kissing her forehead. Bay smiles nervously. She walks another third of the way down before Regina stops and her Mom takes her place, kissing her forehead and whispering, "I'm so proud of you, Honey." Bay's heart glows with love at the nurturing gestures. She'd never expected this. Soon enough she reaches Ty, and the support of her parents push her closer to him. Happy tears rim Ty's eyes and for a moment, the whole world disappears except for him.
"Son," her Mom and Dad, and Regina all say at the same time, "we are not giving Bay away to you. We are instead welcoming you and your daughter into our family officially." Overwhelmed with emotion, Ty ducks his head.
"I love you," Bay gushes as she hugs each of her parents. "Thank you for everything."
Glancing back towards Callie, Bay bravely says, "I love you too...my daughter."
Callie's face flushes and her eyes water. Bay can tell that the girl is both embarrassed and pleased by the gesture.
Behind her, Bay hears Ty gasp. She hadn't told him that she'd thought of Callie in this way for a long, long time, well before she'd put forth any adoption papers. It felt completely natural to call Callie her daughter.
Standing in the tiny church where Adaline once married her beloved, Bay now truly understands what family means to her and she'll always treasure it.
~0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
Three Days Later
"The papers have been processed already," Bay says as she checks her emails while waiting for their suitcases. "It went through everywhere. We still need to wait on official name changes though," she adds with a frown. "And we need to book a meeting with the family court for the adoption."
"The Air Force knows too," Ty says quietly as he listens to one of his voicemail messages. "They've proposed to move us to a larger house cuz you're moving in officially. Only a kilometre further west. Closer to the bay."
Bay rolls her eyes at that. Ty was always so cheesy about her name. "When will that be?"
"Soon I reckon. I have a meeting in a few hours," he yawns. "I'll ask then."
Bay nods solemnly. "Call me when it's done?
Ty offers her a quick nod. "See you later, Wifey."
0o0o0o0
Pacing up and down the hall, Bay feels a growing pit of dread in her stomach. It has been hours and hours, and Ty still hasn't called. She's terrified that something has happened to Callie. Ty always calls when he says he will, unlike her. Time never escapes his notice.
"Sit down, Bay," Daphne grumbles as she comes out of the kitchen carrying two bowls of soup. "He'll call soon enough."
She shakes her head. "No. I'm fine."
Suddenly the phone rings. Bay leaps for it, knocking the receiver clear off the coffee table. "Hello?!" she shouts breathlessly.
"Well hello, Darlin'," greets Bradley. "How's it hanging?"
"Fine," she says slowly. "Back home already?"
"Yup," he answers. "Just sent my sister off to Perth. Now I'm sitting on the North Shore, wanting to talk to a certain lovely lady before catching some waves."
"Well I'm honoured," Bay replies cheekily.
Bradley's rich laugh echoes in her ears. "Well I was actually hoping to speak to the other lovely lady in the house."
"Bradley," Bay starts gently. "You are aware that you need to either Facetime or call through a video relay service, right? Daphne will never be able to hear you otherwise."
"Oh. Oops," he groans comically. "Let's just say that long flights make me a bit wonky."
Bay can't help but laugh and when she does, she feels the tension leave her bones. "I won't mention anything," she mock swears. "Guide's honour."
"Good," Bradley replies. "Tell Daph that I'll Facetime her in ten. Thanks Darlin', and before I forget, congratulations."
"Thanks," she replies with a laugh.
Daphne gives her a quizzical look when she hangs up.
"It was Bradley," Bay signs quickly. "He'll be Facetiming in about ten minutes." At this statement, Daphne's features light up. For some odd reason, Bay finds this strikingly beautiful.
Finally Bay feels the tell-tale sign of her phone buzzing in her pocket. "Hello," she answers, stepping into her room for privacy.
"Hey," Ty answers huskily. "Callie had a bit of an... incident when I said we'd be moving. Think she misunderstood. I finally explained it well and that calmed her down."
"Oh," Bay breaths. "Of course." She pauses for a moment. "Did they say when the new house would be ready?"
The silence between her and Ty drags on for several tense moments. "In a week," he answers slowly. "Two bedrooms. No more roommates either. Just the three of us."
Bay shivers. Just their little family in a little house. And when Ty is done with the Air Force, they'll move into a bigger house... maybe have a bigger family. She knows that she and Ty both want at least another child, but they've never spoken about when that would happen. Ty wasn't due to finish his enlistment in the Air Force until the end of June 2023. That was more than a year away. More than a year of waiting before they could even try. Bay simply didn't want another child growing up in such turmoil after seeing what it did to Callie. Even though she doesn't like it, Callie would be at least thirteen years older than her sibling. Bay had always imagined having her children all very close in age, with no more than a two or three year gap in between them.
"Bay?" Ty chimes softly. "You still there?"
"Yeah. Right. Sorry. I was daydreaming."
Ty chuckles. "About the art you'll put on the walls?"
Well she wasn't thinking about that, but she certainly is now. "Yupppp," she says, popping the p. "Will we have good light for painting?"
"Umm, I'm... I'm not sure," he replies. "I was shown around, but didn't really pay attention."
Bay stiffens. That was most unlike him. Ty had a knack for small details. Something was wrong. "Is something going on?" she ventures quietly.
After a moment and what sounds like a great deal of effort, Ty says, "Yes. But I can't talk about it now. There's nothing I can do."
Bay feels her stomach drop. He must've extended his contract. They must have offered him something that he couldn't refuse. He always did shit like that without talking to anyone. Bay knew that it was because Ty didn't like to cause pain, but she also knew that he ended up even causing more pain as a result.
"Are you sure?" she prods.
"One hundred percent. It's confidential."
Taking in several deep and steady breaths, Bay shoves downs the anger and hurt. "Ok," she replies quietly. "I won't ask about it again."
"Thank you," Ty breaths, relief clearly evident in his voice.
Bay just sincerely hopes that it's nothing major. She's not sure she could take another blow like that.
0o0o0o0
One Week Later (Beginning of June)
Glancing about the tiny house -bigger than the one in Japan but smaller than her old apartment- Bay grins and laughs giddily. This would the first house of the Kennish-Mendozas. Bay's adoption for Callie had just gone through and the girl had boldly added the Kennish name to her own without a second thought. The move had touched Bay and made her heart glow with love and pride.
"You won't be smiling come tomorrow morning," Ty says with a wicked grin as he deposits a box next to her. "The commute is murder. I'm lucky that Callie is a morning person, otherwise she'd have killed me by now."
Bay groans. It will take her upwards of ninety minutes to get to the school in time for morning prep. She'd be leaving long before the sun was up, a completely unnatural time to be awake. She was glad that she only had one year of this to deal with. After that, it would be straight into the heart of the city for them.
They spend the next hour comfortably unpacking. With Callie at school, Bay sets up the girl's room in just the way she likes it- surfboard in the corner, hockey net as her headboard, all her trophies and seashells on a shelf above her bed, a bright blue lava lamp on her nightstand, a fuzzy orange rug by her bed, and eye-wateringly pink walls and sheets. Callie's bright and bold taste sharply contrasted her own more muted and dark one, but Bay loved the room, particularly the bubble chair in the corner by the small window.
"All done," Ty calls out. "Just need to set up the art in your very specific and nitpicky way."
Bay sticks out her tongue at him. Honestly. Despite his love of art, Ty knew absolutely nothing about it. She still didn't understand his placement of black and white photos next to neutral coloured paintings. His old living room had been mind numbingly drab. Ty was lucky that this time, that wouldn't happen. Not with her around.
Dashing out to the car, Bay makes to grab her art. Before she can even open the trunk, Ty has scooped her up into his arms. "Not so fast, Wifey," he says with a grin at his favourite nickname. "I'm carrying you over the threshold first. This house is in desperate need of christening and I won't wait a moment longer." Bay shrieks and laughs as Ty gallantly makes his way into the house and up the stairs into their small, but very private bedroom.
Later, after hanging up all the art and spending time together in the kitchen and living room, Bay lays contentedly in Ty's arms on the old leather couch. Very rarely did they get an afternoon like this to themselves. They always made the most of them when they did. They had missed this for the last month, what with all the drama surrounding Callie and her accident. Callie. Accident. Every now and again, Bay had these moments of plasmatic guilt. She hadn't told Ty about these feelings... she hadn't had much of a chance to do so.
"What's on your mind," Ty asks simply.
"Callie," Bay responds lowly. "I'm just... I've said sorry at least fifty times and she almost never acknowledges it. And now with the adoption just being made official and her last name changing and the way things are changing so, so fast... I just... I don't know what to do."
Ty looks at her thoughtfully. "Forgiveness is a process. It takes more than just words. She needs to see that you're sorry too."
Bay nods. She'd gotten Callie a charm bracelet with several little charms already attached. One of them was the Eiffel tower with a little heart surrounding it. Another was a tiny surfboard resting on a wave. Bay hoped that Callie would see the meaning in them.
"You'll get used to the change, too," Ty adds once he notices that Bay's thoughts have calmed. "Even Callie will get used to it. If she can do it, then so can you."
Bay glances up at him. There had been something about the way that he'd spoken of change... something far more serious and heavy about it. "Ty..." she starts.
"They're sending me away," he interrupts. "I don't know where... It's some intense mission. They say I'm one their most skilled workers and now that I'm no longer officially a single-parent, they can send me out to where I'm needed." His voice is tinged with both pride and resignation. Bay just feels numb.
"Away..." she mouths. "When?"
"On the fourth," he answers hesitantly. "To Colorado for a week of prep. Then it's off to no man's land... for a year," he swallows thickly.
"But that's in two days," Bay squeaks. "And a year! You... we..."
"I'm sorry," Ty soothes. "I've wanted to tell you since I found out when we got back."
"The meeting... that's what this was about."
Ty grimaces and nods.
"Callie?" Bay questions lowly.
"I'll tell her tomorrow," Ty says softly. "She's been so stressed that it happening this way will cause less problems."
Bay's not so sure about that. "You'll tell her tonight," she directs firmly. "Then we'll take tomorrow off and go out as a family. To the zoo and dinner."
Ty studies her thoughtfully. "She'd like that," he finally says.
Slipping her dress back on, Bay gives Ty a grateful look. She's glad that he listened to her advice for once.
0o0o0o0
One Week Later
Bay stares at the flight radar page, not caring that Ty's flight isn't publically listed on it. It's the only thing that makes her feel close to him. Soon he'll be thousands of kilometres away, in a desolate corner of the earth so far away that she can't protect him.
Glancing down at her phone, Bay realizes that she still has at least an hour before she'll head to Forks to pick up Callie from Claire's new home. Bay glances at the copy of Eclipse on her nightstand. Despite her increasing workload due to the proximity of summer vacation, she had been bored enough to pick up the series, reading it ironically. Bay still remembers how crushed Callie had been when her best friend had moved to the Twilight town a few days ago. In order to feel more connected to her, the girl had immediately spent her allowance on the series and had read through them with Claire via Facetime. Claire's presence had comforted Callie's in light of Ty's deployment, something which Bay felt sick with guilt over. It had been all her fault- if Callie hadn't have been hurt, they wouldn't have needed to get married so hastily, and without the marriage, Ty couldn't have been sent away. Bay was honestly surprised that Callie hadn't argued with her over it. She suspected that the late night calls with Claire had helped and she wasn't planning on stopping them, even despite Callie's clear morning sleepiness.
Swiping mindlessly for her messages when her phone chimes, Bay accidently opens an app. Before she can close it, what's displayed on the screen catches her eye and makes her stomach swoop like she's fallen off a cliff.
Period Tracker:
Your Period is 19 Days Late.
~0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
End of Chapter 14.
Please review!
Random Note: Sorry for the super massive delay everyone! School (unfortunately) comes first and November and December are always horrendous months for me (likewise for March and April). But now that I'm on break, I've been able to finally get some casual writing done. Thanks for your patience!
I've taken some liberties with how things work marriage and adoption wise. But who knows, maybe I'm predicting the future. ;)
Hope you enjoyed the cliffhanger at the end of this chapter. I'm planning on getting some more writing done, so that something can be posted next week. :) Thanks again for all your support!