Mateo Francisco Plum, with his father's lovely green eyes, was resting in his mother's arms and Stephanie took a picture of mother and child. It amazed her that her nephew was already several hours old. Everything about him was perfect. He was large at just over nine pounds, he had curling brown hair much like her own, and his eyes were Lester's beyond all doubt. the unique blend of dark evergreen and pale moss with golden flecks- the unique coloring was unmistakable. The birthing center was bright and airy and the room was peaceful- she understood why Valarie decided to deliver here. The midwife was impressed with how well the labor progressed and Val said she felt euphoric after Mateo was delivered. But she had not changed her mind. Stephanie thought, not for the first time, that her sister was an idiot.
She did not understand how Val could walk away from her beautiful child.
Less than 24 hours later, they were back at the beach house surrounded by peace and quiet with ocean waves lapping in the background. Lula was up north with Tank this weekend, celebrating Thanksgiving. It was looking more and more serious between the two of them. Val asked Stephanie not to share Mateo's arrival just yet and it seemed to Stephanie she was soaking up all she could of her son.
Val looked down at the child and saw Les, alive in those green eyes. She kept telling herself that she needed to fully release the dream of a life with Les and just accept that the earlier dream of a life with Steve was what was best.
She would leave her son behind when that time came, but in the meantime she enjoyed every moment of being his mommy.
Christmas came and went, more subdued than in the past. Lula spending more and more time in Georgia and then it was the New Year. Val was less and less patient with her mother, who never stopped complaining that Stephanie had ruined the family by having a baby with some random man. And while Stephanie avoided all the nastiness as her mother was refusing to speak to her, Helen Plum never stopped sharing her disgrace with Val.
"Oh, for heaven's sake mother, she didn't kill anyone. She just fell in love. So please SHUT UP!" Val finally snapped. It was the day before her six-week check and her nerves were raw. She didn't know when she would next see Mateo, hold him, smell his sweet baby newness. She missed him already.
"Honestly, Valarie, I do not know what has gotten into you. Defending your shameless sister and her outrageous behavior."
"Mom, it is bad enough you won't let her come to the wedding. I don't want to hear another word. Not now, not ever. You will not poison my relationship with my sister."
"Well, I never."
"It shows, Mother, it really shows." Val said she had to go as her boss was due any minute, which was Stephanie's cue to knock on the door.
"At least I won't have to live with her."
Val took the evening plane, taking her wedding dress and the small bag of items she would need. At some point she would send for the rest of her things, after she and Steve bought a house. She held Mateo one more time, then kissed Stephanie and boarded the plane.
And cried for the entire flight to New Jersey.
It was two weeks later that Abuela Rosa came by. Stephanie welcomed her in and the older woman went to the kitchen and washed her hands.
"I would like to hold my great grandson, please." Stephanie handed Mateo to her without a word. "Poor Valarie must suffer, to leave her child behind and start a new life. So many women made that choice in leaving Cuba, when Castro first came to power."
Rosa sang Spanish songs to Mateo, and spoke to him of his father, his family and her life in Cuba. Stephanie made a bottle and Rosa fed the child.
"May I tell Lester's parents of your son, Stephanie? I am happy to leave Valarie out of the story, but I think it will help my daughter with her grief."
"Lester's family is welcome anytime."
"You do not ask me about Ric."
"I have no right to know. He is married. He is a father. I have no place in his life."
The older woman nodded her head. "And for that I am truly sorry."
"So am I."
"If you need anything, Stephanie, you need only ask. We have a large family and we will welcome you."
"But only to a point, because I am Ric's ex who everyone will come to understand cheated with his cousin. It doesn't color me in the best light."
"I do not intend to share that you and Ric spent time together. And certainly, nobody else who knows will mention it." Because that was not what actually happened.
Marion will let it slip. Stephanie did not say it but she knew. Ric's cousin would paint her as the worst kind of person. But Mateo deserved to know his family. For Mateo, Stephanie could survive anything.