AN: FINAL CHAPTER. I DO HAVE AN EXTRA FINALLY BUT I THINK THIS IS THE BEST. THANKS FOR READING! LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINIONS.
CHAPTER 96 THANK YOUI listen to the soft purr of the engine, while I enjoy the sensation of the wind ruffling my hair. I slowly open my eyes to see how the sun shines strong and radiant high in the sky illuminating the beautiful landscape of the road. I don't know how long I've been asleep, I didn't even realize when I fall. Unconsciously I turn around on my sit to look at the back of the car and find Phillip fast asleep in his special baby chair. Next to him is Lizzie also asleep and behind me young Richard looking through the window with his headphones on.
—Did you rest?— Kyle's voice makes me turn to my side to see him, a smile draws his face as he concentrates on the road.
—Yes.— I admit placing my hand on his knee. I stare at him for a couple of seconds. I have to confess that I love how he looks with those dark drop-cut glasses on his face and his somewhat tousled blond hair shining in the sun's rays.
—It won't take long to get there.— He informs me without raising his voice much.
—Good.— I say remembering the last time I drove down this road to get to the cute little house by the sea. It is the first time that we bring Phillip to his grandmother's house, since Bernie rents an apartment in the city, we have not had the need to come here. But she already misses her ocean.
I can't believe my little man is about to turn one. It seems to me as if it was just yesterday that he came into this world. That he came to make my life completely happy, to fill me with peace and happiness. Bernie insisted that we celebrate his birthday at her house with a nice meal and I was not planning to deny her. I think we all need a vacation. I went back to work a couple of months ago and, even tho I've cut in hours to be able to spend as much time as possible with my child, it has been exhausting. Kyle, for his part, continues with both jobs staying busy during the week, but hr has stopped working full weekends so he can be with us. And, even when cases keep me working on weekends I am calm knowing Phillip will be safe and happy with Kyle.
I look down at my hand and carefully observe the ring that decorates my finger, the few rays of the sun that enter through the window make it shine even more, as if the presence of it is shouting at me. A week ago our engagement became official and it constantly makes me feel strange to see the proof of it, there beaming in my hand. The most incoherent thing about it is that the only thing that comes to mind is Elliot with a huge smile on his face telling me "I TOLD YOU SO"
—You won the bet.—
—What?— I think I spoke out loud without thinking. I turn to see Kyle and smile at him.
—Nothing.— I lie without stopping to smile.
Silence takes over the car again, it is incredible that even without seeing I can immediately identify the unique sound Phillip makes when he sleeps and how his breathing is so different from everyone else's.
—Elizabeth, we're almost there.—I hear Richard's voice and turn immediately to see how he lightly shakes his sister's arm. My gaze wanders to Phillip's chair, who, to my surprise, already has his huge blue eyes open and looks at his sister with a doubtful face.
—Good morning sweet boy.— I say calling his attention and achieving his smile showing the few small teeth and making two pretty dimples on his cheeks.
—Mom!— My heart beat accelerates like it always does when I hear him call me that. I think that I will never really get used to the happiness that my little angel causes me.
Soon we are all in the house preparing everything for dinner. Phillip gets a bit cranky with the heat until he starts crying so I pick him up and takes him to the room to take all of his clothes off.
—uff Is my boy feeling hot?— I talk to him while I get rid of his pants. I try to make him laugh a little tickling his little feet, he retires them laughing at last. — Do you wanna go and see the sea?— I lift him in the air to play with his belly.
—Fresh at last?— Phillip looks up over my head to find Kyle behind us which makes him laugh even more.
—Come here champion.— Kyle takes him in his arms and brings him close to his face, filling him with kisses.
—I'm going to put something more comfortable.— I take the chance that Phillip is already distracted with Kyle. I look in my small suitcase for a dress that I'm sure I packed. Kyle just nods without taking his attention away from the little boy and walks to the door to lock it. I hurry to remove my top blouse and the little shorts that I decided to wear this morning.
—You might want to put on your swimsuit.— He tells me, leaving the little one on the bed with the pacifier and two pillows at the sides of him while he takes out his own swimsuit. I don't grumble and I'd better look for mine among the clothes.
I turn slightly to undo the bra so I can put the top on, remembering the last time I wore it. Back when I was trying to hide a small belly that now doesn't even seem to have ever existed. But the proof of that is the little one sitting on the bed right in front of me.
I feel Kyle's warm hands on my waist as he hugs me from behind and I look at him through the full-length mirror on the side of the bed. I smile when I see his gaze in his reflection as he lifts my hair and his lips gently kiss my neck.
—You are so damn beautiful.— He whispers making me shiver.
—Liv! Kyle!— Elizabeth's call gets us to part immediately. —We are heading to the beach!— She complains from the other side of the door.
—Bllssslbaaalaaa!— Little Phillip yells some strange babble in response.
—We are coming!— Kyle answers as I rush to put on my clothes. He chuckles silently and walks away arranging his clothes back in his suitcase. I bend down offering my arms to Phillip to lift him, he accepts with a smile trying to stand on the mattress without much success.
The three of us went out together until we reached the back door of the house and out onto the sand, which is too hot for my liking so I walk quickly and cautiously to reach the one that is wet and cool. I turn my head a little to see Phillip's expression, his eyes are wide as saucers, his fleshy and shiny lips form a perfect "o" and his hand holds on to me tighter.
—Hey Phil.— I whisper in his ear. —Do you like the sea?— He turns to see me and points his little index finger towards the water with a doubtful expression in his eyes. I give him a smile and continue my way until we get a little closer. Suddenly Dickie and Lizzie appear running straight into the sea while they chase each other playing. Phillip starts laughing and moves in my arms demanding that I put him down wanting to join his older siblings. I carefully bend down and place him on the ground without letting go of him completely, electing that he starts to pull on me to run but he rather remains immobile. I watch as he moves his little feet on the sand and I imagine that the new sensation is what has caught his attention. He pulls on my hand to squad and be able to take a bunch of sand with his other hand. He's focused on the material but won't let go of me. So I decide to sit next to him. He takes his time inspecting the sand as I just watch at him mesmerized. He then raises his pretty blue gaze towards the sea. He lets go of the sand he was holding and points at the sea and, out of nowhere, he starts laughing.
—Dadda!—
I freeze for a few seconds. He has never said that word before. I slowly look up at the sea trying to figure out what he is referring to. Or who. Kyle is not there. But it's amazing what my eyes show me. Elliot is standing on the seashore, right in front of us, looking at us... at all of us. The little boy continues to laugh and stands up with difficulty without letting go of my hand pulling me even more towards the sea. I try to stand up fighting against the fragility that I feel in my knees. As we get closer, the image of him fades more and more until he disappears along with the waves. It was seconds... but I am sure I saw him.
—ooww!— Phillip's moan makes me lower my gaze again to see how the water has reached us and it wet his little legs while he tries to hang up on my arm. I lift him up with agility and he clings tightly to me while still laughing.
—oh oh.— He complains trying to show me his wet legs.
—That's ok my love.— I assure him trying to calm him down, although the one who needs to some calming is me.
"I am here." His voice is so clear mixed with the lullaby of the wind until it mixes with the laughter of Lizzie and Dickie.
It reassures me something that I have always known, but now I understand a part that had not crossed my mind before. Not only is he with me, he is not only with Phillip but he is with each and every one of those who need him close.
—Can you say sea?— Kyle appears out of nowhere, removing me from my thoughts. I decide to keep them just for myself. The little boy smiles as if what he just saw was something totally normal and points towards the water.
—Sea. That is the sea.— Kyle tries as he has become used to try and teach words to him.
—Mom!— he shouts excitedly, looking at me with joy.
—What is it my Phillip? Do you want us to go in?— Kyle takes my free hand and begins to walk out to sea. I make sure to hold Phillip tight enough and walk cautiously on the sand feeling the water begin to hit my legs. Once we are inside, past the place where the waves hit the shore, the little one begins to hit the water with his little hand, managing to wet the faces of the three of us.
—Come here my boy.— Kyle calls him, stretching his arms at a distance that seems enormous to me.
—Kyle, he is learning how to walk and you want to teach him how to swim already?— Lizzie puts my thought into words.
—He's a baby.— Richard joins us. —He knows how to swim.— Kyle nods as it was an obvious thing to know. He looks at the clinging baby on my arm and encourages him once again. I try not to let go of Phillip who is soon stretching toward him with force. —Come here little guy.— Kyle insists.
—Are you sure?— I ask him with fear.
—Trust me.— Kyle tells me and well... I do trust him. And the water is as calm as a swimming pool so... I stretch my arms to put Phillip inside the water away from my body. He throws himself energetically towards Kyle and begins to move his limbs without fear. I let go of his body slowly and walk behind him afraid that at any second he will sink but, to my surprise, he begins to swim lightly and gracefully. Elizabeth laugh invades all of us and the baby is soon in Kyle's arms smiling and trying to get back into the water.
—Come back with mommy.— I practically beg him. We start playing with the little one and soon I am not worried anymore. We swim for some minutes until Kyle, always been the doctor, decides that there has been enough sun exposure for the child. I hurry to get rid of Phillip's soaked diaper and go into the room so I can put on the clothes we chose for the his party.
—I'm going to take a quick shower. Do you want me to bathe him?— Kyle asks me.
—Yes, that would be grate.— I don't want him to be all sticky with sand. —In the meantime I'll help Berne with the food.— I let him know as he takes my little naked man in his arms.
—We won't take long.— He keeps talking as they go into the bathroom. I take out the comfortable dress and a pair of matching sandals. —Ahm.. By the way Livie. If an airport taxi arrives, can you receive them?— The doubt invades me immediately... airport? Is Munch so lazy that he actually took a plane here instead of coming with the others in Casey's truck?
—Who's coming from the airport, Kyle?— I push trying to get more information.
—Ahm...— He is hesitating? —I Invite...— Phillip's laugh interrupts him and I can picture them under the spray already.
—Who?— I push once again.
—My parents.— My clothes fall from my hands and I feel like my stomach shrinks at such news.
—what?— I walk into the bathroom already feeling my body getting warm with nervousness.
—Well, they want to meet you two and I thought Phillips birthday was a good idea.— I open the shower curtain trying to give him my best glare but the image of them both with foam on their messy hair is enough to make my mood stop. —Hey.—
—Kyle. Couldn't you ask me? At least let me know?— The tone of my voice matching with the lump on my stomach.
—I'm sorry. I wanted it to be a surprise.— He confesses as he tries to make a funny hairstyle on my child's head.
—A surprise it is.— Phillip looks at me and smiles trying to splash me with the water. —Naughty boys.— I complain closing the curtain again. I take a big breathe before getting out to help Bernie and try to distract myself from the fact that I am about to met Kyle's parents.
Luckily they doesn't arrive until Kyle is ready to receive them himself. As soon as I saw the airport taxi arrive I ran into the room, took a quick shower, put on my dress on, and tied my hair into a ponytail. I try to take a deep breath and calm my nerves, before deciding to leave the room.
I can hear the voices coming from the living room and try to identify those that are unknown. I know the kids are out on the beach playing with Fin and Casey, Munch and Alex went out for a couple of sodas at the store, so if I'm not mistaken it must only be Bernie, Phillip, Kyle and his parents.
I walk trying not to make noise until I see the pair of suitcases at the entrance, they are not big, maybe they do not plan to stay long. I dare to lean slightly over the edge of the wall to see my Phillip in the arms of his grandmother and next to them Kyle who immediately realizes my presence. He gets up and walks around the small sofa until he reaches my side. He offers me his hand and tries to get me to walk a little more to get out of my hiding place.
—Look who decided to join us.— Bernie says smiling. I try to smile as I see the two people who don't take their eyes off me.
—Hi.— I say noticing that my voice does not show my nerves, which I appreciate. —You must be Kyle's parents.—
—In bones and flesh.— His mother answers me with a sweet voice, but that is not exactly what makes me keep quiet but, rather, her beautiful and huge green eyes that stand out in her face. I immediately remember that photo that Kyle keeps of his sister. —And you must be Liv.— The nickname takes me by surprise but I imagine that that is the way Kyle refers to me.
—Hi, I'm Robert Beresford and she is my wife, Camila Beresford.— The old man introduces himself politely offering me his hand, which I gently shake.
—Nice to meet you. I'm Olivia Benson.—
—Mom!— Phillip walks with Bernie's help until he reaches my legs and immediately demands my attention. I bend down and take him in my arms.
—And he is my son ...—
—Phillip. We've met already. Haven't we handsome boy?— The little boy smiles at Camila and his cheeks turn a bit reddish. —Kyle has told us a lot about you two.— I feel like my heart gets emotional at her words and I can't help but look at Kyle's gaze who smiles at me as he puts his arm around my waist.
We all ate together and sang Happy Birthday to Phillip making him laugh over and over again. He even tried to blow out the tiny candle on the cake without much success. And the time to break the news arrived. We've decided to do it sooner than later since Kyle was actually nervous about Elliot's family reaction. They know we are together but he is afraid on how would making it permanent could fetch it all. He doesn't want them to think he is in anyway trying to take Elliot's place in my life or in Phillip's. So we have to face it. Today. My nerves ate at me and the heat increased around me until a gust of wind sneaked through the window to give me the security I was looking for and thus, holding the hand of Kyle, we announce our engagement.
—I want to announce that a few weeks ago I made a decision, one that I hope you accept with joy.— He turns to see me and then I notice that my gaze is somewhat blurred. I try to control myself but the sudden applause and laughter do not give me much choice. Soon I feel everyone's hugs and I hear beautiful blessings from everyone's mouth. I feel like if the fear I felt was totally unnecessary.
As soon as I can, I move away a little from that space full of happiness. I observe Phillip surrounded by his new family, so happy and full of energy that my soul fills with joy. My sun shines again, with more splendor than ever.
I sneak out the back door of the house to calm my feelings and looking up there in the distance I see him walking on the seashore with a smile on and his shining blue eyes at me.
"Thank you," I say the words once more in a whisper, hoping that the wind will take them to Elliot.
THE ENDAN: THANKS FOR READING THIS STORY. FINALY IS OVER. I HOPE YU ENJOYED IT. AN: NOW I'M GOING TO WORK ON ETERNITY AND DECISIONS. I'VE POSTED A SURVEY ON ETERNITY TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU WOULD LIKE I FINISH FIRST AND I'VE RECEIVED SOME ANSWERS SO... IF YOU ARE INTERESTED ON ANY OF THEM LET ME KNOW. STAY SAFE!
