Page 98 of Constantine: Britain's Story: Part 2
While Silas works on Britain, he asks, “Do you two have a name picked out?”We sure do.I look to Britain and see she’s crying as she coddles our son.
“I think we’re going to let his namesake be the first to know, though,” I answer for the both of us. And Silas just nods.
“So, no William Millar the third?”
“Not this time.”Yeah, now that the birthing part is over, we are absolutely doing this again.
Britain
When the peanut falls asleep, I give him a gentle kiss on the forehead and breathe in his baby shampoo and newborn smell. My heart warms a few degrees and I smile.Our baby is perfect.
I reluctantly pass him off to Liam so I can stuff my face with the box of food Carly delivered to the hospital. There’s a small quiche, and cinnamon rolls, and chocolate chip cookies — all my favorite things.
I look up to see Liam watching me, so I cover my mouth to talk, “Giving birth made me ravenous. Don’t judge.”
He laughs. “No judgment, baby. I hold you in the highest esteem, always. You are a fucking goddess.” He stands there swaying with our newborn and I dust the crumbs from the quiche off my baby blue striped pjs Jess gifted me for the occasion. I know people will be here any minute, but this is the best they’ll get from me.
“How much longer till they’re here?” I ask him.
“Any minute, darling.” I nod. “Are you nervous to tell them?” I nod again. “You’re more nervous about this than you were about giving birth!” That’s only partly true. Liam looked moments away from having a panic attack the whole time, so I put on a brave face in hopes he might eventually enjoy it. I think it worked.
There’s a gentle knock at the door, and Alex enters. He has a huge bouquet of flowers, a gift basket, and a teddy bear. He heads straight for me, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“The teddy bear’s from me,” he says and I laugh.
“Your wife did the rest?” He nods sheepishly and I smile at him.
“Knock knock,” a deep voice calls from the doorway, and Liam calls for him to come in.
Connie walks over, heading straight for the baby, looking at him with awe. He holds up a 4-foot stuffed giraffe and whispers, “This is for you, bud,” and I smile. The only thing missing right now is Georgia.
I sit up in bed a bit more and start. “I’m so glad you guys could both make it, because I wanted to introduce you to your nephew,” I motion to Alex, “and your grandson,” I motion to Connie. “Constantine Alexander Millar, we’ll call him CT for short.” Alex’s eyes mist. He comes over, giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but doesn’t say a word as he takes his namesake from my husband.
Connie makes his way over next, giving me a kiss on the forehead then leaning back with tears in his eyes he says, “Thank you, peanut. Your mom and I are so proud of you.”
I can’t hold back the tears and neither does he, so we embrace and cry lightly against each other. We don’t mourn, we celebrate. The love that was, the love we found, and all the love we still have left to give.
BONUS EPILOGUE
Matt
I open the glove box, and pull the small notebook out, telling myself it’s the last time even though I know, it’s probably not.Fuck. I had every chance, every opportunity, every advantage (like this little notebook) and I still couldn’t close on Britain Palomino.
I guess the fact that I still refer to her like a business deal is partly the reason why.
I didn’t expect to ever have feelings for her. I thought it was all business. I was doing what was right for my family, keeping the business in Scala hands. I thought I was doing what my dad had always wanted of me by taking care of her. I thought, if I could do this one thing, he’d be proud.
The jokes on me though. Britain was beyond what I’d bargained for. She was more. So much more. She was pretty, even though I’d had prettier, but she was also smart, and kind. Humble and empathetic. She loved me more than anyone had ever loved me before. And I lovedthat.
I think above all else, I loved her loving me.
The door opening to the hospital draws my attention away from the notebook in the palm of my hand to see my dad walking across the parking lot…beside Alex Palomino. I try not to let it get to me, but it does. He loves Britain and Alex like they’re his own. I’m his own. I’m his onlyown, yet he never ceases to split himself amongst my brothers and Georgia’s kids like they belong to each other.
I watch as Alex and Constantine embrace, my dad giving him a firm pat on the back and then moving closer to our parking spot. I don’t miss the way Alex glares at me as he walks by. But he doesn’t stop, doesn’t say anything, he just heads straight past us as Constantine opens the door, pulling himself up into the car a bit more slowly than I’m used to.
That’s another thing. Everyone else gets to see the strong, happy, healthy Constantine while I get the other version. He lets his guard down with me. He moves slower. He lets me see the illness eating away at his insides.
“Why do you havethat, Matt?” My dad asks without an ounce of warmth or kindness to his voice. I’d been so busy watching Alex, I forgot to put it back away. We both look down at the small notebook in hand and I’m too stunned to say anything for a moment.
