Chapter 25- Vanessa
Philip's POV
Those first nine months of marriage go by quickly. Penny is ecstatic to find out that she is going to be a big sister. We set up a pink nursery decorated with Minnie Mouse sheets in her white Pottery Barn Crib. You've brought her more baby clothes than she could ever wear.
Vanessa Rose Blake was born on February 14. She is our little valentine. My parents, your mom and dad, my brother and your sister all fly in to see her. Nessa has dark brown hair, tan skin, and blue eyes. She is as pretty as her sister Penny.
Penny is the proudest sister showing everyone her baby. Amy is staying with you every minute she can. Your mom is trying to desperately get in some grandma time.
"You have such a beautiful wife and new baby," my father tells me proudly. That's what I love to hear. How beautiful my twenty-five-year-old wife is. Our whole family spends the weekend at our home in California. Much to your discomfort, Brian shares a room with Amy.
I know they haven't made love yet, but my brother believes he will succeed any day. I tell him he is wasting his time. I tell Brian that you believe Amy is gay. But I can't stop him from pursuing her. Your sister isn't setting clear boundaries, either. She is sleeping in the same bed with him, going on dates with him, and allowing him to touch her all over. She is even moving in with him permanently and out of the dorm. Which will save me money by not having to pay for the dorm. That isn't my fault. That is your sister. If I were him, I'd think I stood a chance with Amy.
What if she wants to be with a man now? We should support your sister's choices. Despite this, I anticipate that no one will meet your standards for Amy.
Hopefully, now that we have Vanessa and Penny to raise, you will allow your sister to live her own life. I know it's hard for you. Your mom is clearly bipolar and you've had to protect Amy her whole life. But Brian is desperate for love. He will give your sister everything. You don't have to worry about Amy.
"I guess I was wrong about Kelly and Amy.I guess they were just friends. She seems to really like your brother," you said on our first day at home.
"I think Brian is good for her. But she has just turned nineteen. She is very young," I said, holding Nessa in my arms.
"She is mature for her age. I just hope he will be supportive of her career. Nothing means more to Amy than being on Broadway," Andrea says, looking down at her daughter.
"He will. My brother wants Amy to be happy," I said, pretty sure it was true. We are silently looking down at our daughter. At that moment, we both know how much this baby looks like Shane. Neither of us says it, but we both know.
Since Amy can't miss her college classes, perhaps we could all visit her in New York soon. i know she loved to spend the time with her nieces," Andrea says, taking Nessa out of my arms and into her. She fed her the bottle I just warmed up.
Andrea decided not to breastfeed and she's sticking to her choice. I tried to persuade her about its benefits for her and the baby, but she didn't feel comfortable with it. I had already taken a lot from her, so I let her have this one. I thought she deserves to have some control since raising the kids is her job.
"I mean, we could go for one week in April. Amy and Brian have plans on spring break," I said, feeling annoyed that she wants to travel with Vanessa being so young. But since she's her sister, I'll try to be understanding. I enjoy visiting New York and could go golfing with my brother or see a baseball game. There are a few concerts in New York I want to see as well. Maybe Amy and Brian could babysit while I take my wife out. "We are going to Paris for spring break," Brian announced, walking into the living room with Amy, his arms wrapped around her waist. "I'm really looking forward to it," Amy said, sitting beside Brian on the sofa. "Maybe you'll come back with an engagement ring," her mom said, smiling. Amelia (Andrea and Amy's mother) was very excited about her youngest daughter possibly marrying a billionaire.
"I actually already have one. We didn't want to take any attention away from Vanessa Rose, but everyone's already here, so it seems like the perfect time to tell you all," Amy said, showing everyone the enormous diamond ring my brother brought her.
Leave it to my gullible brother to propose marriage to a woman he hadn't slept with. Almost as crazy as Amy accepting his proposal. Most likely because her family would frown on living with a man she isn't married to.
Her mom hugged her tightly, saying, "Congratulations!"
"Amy Nicole, I can't believe you're getting married! But we love Brian," her father said, shaking my brother's hand.
"I attend classes at school for a long time. I go every day, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 am to 10 pm. Getting married will help us spend more time together. We wanted to get married before I officially moved in May. Brian was away on business for most of the summer while I stayed there," Amy explains nervously.
"When is the wedding?" Andrea asks knowing it would be soon.
"On the ninth day of March. The Saturday of spring break. We are going to Paris for our honeymoon," Amy says, admitting they are getting married in about three weeks.
"That is soon,"Andrea says, handing me Nessa. I make sure Nessa has burped before placing her in the baby swing.
"By chance, Saint Peter's Church had an opening on that day. The waiting list is usually six months or more," Amy said, pulling on her pink sweater. Brian, putting his arm around Amy, says, "A New York wedding is our dream. And we attend church there already. So the venue is perfect."
"I suppose you are keeping the ceremony simple,"I said, feeling relieved.
I don't have to pay for a dorm because she's moving in with my brother. He'll likely handle other expenses too since they'll be married. This arrangement works well for me, but I knew you wouldn't be pleased.
"Yes, I found a simple lace wedding dress at Kleinfeld. I was thinking you and Penny could wear blue satin dresses. I found some at the dress shop. I brought them already and you can try them on later. Would you and Penny like to be my bridesmaids," she asks, knowing Andrea thinks it's too soon.
"Of Course we will. Whatever you want for your wedding. Will Kelly be a bridesmaid as well?" Andrea asks knowing deep down she shouldn't. Amelia and Michael, her parents, seemed embarrassed when they heard Kelly's name. I had a feeling that something was going on with Amy and Kelly.
"No. Only you and Penny. I have been so busy with college, Kelly and I haven't kept in contact. We tried, but now that we aren't in theatre class together anymore, we had nothing to talk about," Amy says softly looking at Brian.
"Kelly decided to end their friendship, but I have been doing the bestie duties," Brian says, attempting to end the discussion about Kelly.
"Yes, he has been wonderful watching Glee reruns with me and eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream."
"Her favorite flavor is cookie dough," Brian says, his arms around her.
"His favorite flavor is Cherry Garcia," Amy said, giving him a fake smile, around this time Nessa starts crying. I immediately got up to get her. Amy looks over at our new baby daughter.
"Would you like to take her?" I asked my sister-in-law.
"Yes. She probably needs a diaper change," Amy says, taking Nessa into her nursery to change her diaper. We all watch as she holds my newborn daughter, who is wearing a pink sleeper.
"Amy is delightful Brian," my mom says,watching Amy leave the room.
Thanks! I'm a lucky man.
" We are so glad Amy found you. I was worried about her for a while," Micheal, Amy's dad, responds to my brother.
"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Harrison. I am going to take care of your daughter," my brother says , instantly winning over their approval.
"I am going to order dinner for the local Mexican restaurant. We can celebrate Nessa Rose and Amy's engagement." I said knowing we would all have to eat anyway.
"Good idea. Order me some grilled chicken tacos with chips and salsa," Andrea says.
"Yes, babe," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. I ordered enough food to feed a small army. My brother, dad, and I went to pick it up. We all had a nice dinner and enjoyed each other's company. Amy does most of the talking. She tells about how Brian proposed at Central Park, her wedding dress, her theatre classes, and a television commercial she did for shampoo.
My brother never allows his teenage fiance to leave his sight. My dad is very proud, though my mom has some concerns, that his younger son is engaged to a woman as stunning as my wife.
