Page 79 of Trust In Me

The morning passes by in a blur, as we all eat breakfast together then open presents. Liam takes Hallie outside, saying he has a big surprise for her. We’ve all been banned from going to the bottom of the garden now for the last three weeks. Liam erected a massive tent to cover the area, and he wouldn’t let any of us near. We all thought it was something for the party we are having here this afternoon, but no. Now the big tent has a bow attached to it, and Liam carries Hallie over to it.

We all gather in the middle of the garden, and he hands Hallie over to Bree so he can go to the tent ready for the big reveal. “Hallie Bear. I can’t believe you have been in our lives for a whole year now. You are sweet, kind, and so incredibly funny. Even when you are causing chaos you enrich all our lives. So, as your favourite uncle, I wanted to make sure you got an extra special present.”

Liam and Kian pull the tent down, revealing a massive children's play area. It’s all made out of wood, and there’s climbing frames, slides, swings, and a whole host of other games. There’s a large sandpit with a little paddling pool beside it. Then over to the side there’s a full-sized, adult trampoline, that I suspect is just as much for our use as it is Hallie’s. The play area is designed to look like this magical palace, with boats and dragons, and even a big tower for her to climb into when she is older. It’s the type of gift that she will be able to explore more the older she gets, and so it’s no wonder that Hallie’s face lights up brighter than a Christmas tree as she squirms in Bree’s arms, desperate to go and play.

As I take in the beautiful area that Liam has created for my daughter, emotion clogs my throat. “You did this all for Hallie?” I mutter, already knowing he would do anything for her.

Nodding, Liam gives her a big smile before replying. “Well, she may have to share it, but that won’t be for another few months at least.” Liam looks over at the small bump that his wife now has on display. They are due to go for their main scan next week, and the baby is finally at that age where they can find out the gender. Which is something that’s causing a lot of arguments in the house. Bree wants to know, she wants to be able to prepare and plan. Whereas Liam wants it to be a surprise. He doesn’t care if it’s a boy or a girl, they will be loved and adored no matter what. So that argument has been going on for a while. I keep my mouth shut. I know not to contradict a pregnant woman.

“I may have to move out when it comes time to teach her how to share,” Kian jokes, pointing at Hallie, and I don’t fucking blame him. Hallie’s used to being the centre of attention, and is used to having Liam’s full, undivided attention. So, I imagine when the time comes and she has to learn to share him, we will need to keep an eye on the baby. My girl can be ruthless.

While Ryleigh and Shane keep Hallie occupied in the play area, the rest of us work our asses off getting everything ready for Hallie’s party. Kian and Freya blow up more balloons. Liam’s in charge of helping the man set up the bouncy castle that we hired, as well as getting all the party bags put together. While Bree and Mia are in the kitchen preparing all the food, I put together a playlist that will both appeal to children, but won’t make the adults attending want to blow their brains out.

As well as family and a few close friends, Mia has invited some of the mums and babies from the local playgroup they go to every week at the library. Hallie loves it there, and she’s made some friends that she plays with really well. We decided to invite them because we didn’t want it just to be an adult party. We want Hallie to play with other children her age. Besides, Kian and I have already vetted everyone who received an invite, and anyone who accepted were screened using a full security check. Nobody is entering this house without me knowing they aren’t a threat.

The party’s start time arrives quicker than we all expect, and we rush around making sure everything is perfect. Mia has taken Hallie to get her changed into the princess dress she picked out when we asked what she wanted to wear. As Mia walks down the stairs, holding my little princess in her arms, I’m so fucking blown away. Mia’s changed into a short, white sundress with little flowers dotted across the bottom, and she looks so fucking perfect. The ball of pink in her arms is even wearing a matching princess gown, and the big smile on her face lets me know today is already a winner. No matter how the rest of the day goes, just seeing the smile my girl has is more than enough for me.

The guests begin to arrive. Obviously Liam, Bree, Freya, Kian, Ryleigh, and Shane are already here. The girls and Shane arrived yesterday. I’m pleased to see Finn and Evan have been able to travel over from Ireland for the party, claiming they wouldn’t miss their niece’s birthday for the world.

Annette also made the trip, and from the moment she arrived, she hustled into the kitchen, taking over from Mia and helping Bree. She insisted that Mia should be greeting guests with me. Declan and Belle arrive shortly after Annette. Belle remained close with the girls since they met on the hen night, and she came to visit Mia in hospital regularly. Liam and I have even spent some time getting to know Dec with Kian, and he’s actually not a bad guy. He’s a bit uptight at first, but he soon loosens up when you get to know him.

Paddy, Clodagh, Desmond, and Von are next to arrive, competing over which grandfather can shower Hallie with the most love. Even though Paddy isn’t technically related to Hallie, it doesn’t stop him doting on her. It’s so weird to see Desmond behaving like a normal human. Although, something is going on with him and Evan. They appear to be in the middle of a fight, which is unusual for them as they are normally so in sync. Evan is like a mini version of Des, or he was, until he started to rebel. I make a mental note to find out what’s going on with them, as it can’t be anything good.

The tension rises when Whiskey and Shayla arrive, nobody quite knowing how to approach them being here. But as soon as Mia greets Shay with a hug, everyone seems to settle. Even Hallie shuffles her way across the garden to demand a cuddle from them both. I don’t miss the way they smile as they both share a cuddle with her. Hallie has an incredible ability to cut through all the bullshit and tension, and draws everyone together and that’s exactly how the party goes.

Everyone spends the afternoon talking to each other, and generally having fun. The Doughtys do their best to act normal in front of the baby club mums. Although, I don’t miss the moment when one of the baby club mums, Jessie, walks over and begins hitting on Kian. The guy is a flirt, always has been, and normally everyone just ignores him. But this time, the more Jessie flirts with Kian, and he flirts back, the more it winds Freya up. At one point, when she stomps into the house in search of more wine, I catch the mischievous glint in Kian’s eye. Asshole is flirting in front of her to deliberately make Freya jealous, and surprisingly, it’s working. In fact, it works so well that Liam smacks him around the back of his head and tells him to behave.

We all have a particular moment of shock when Desmond carries Hallie onto the bouncy castle, and he spends time jumping up and down, laughing with her, before shouting for his kids to join him. One by one they reluctantly climb onto the bouncy castle, and it doesn’t take long until they are all laughing and having fun.

“Come on, Kellan. I said I want all my children on the bouncy castle,” Desmond shouts, grabbing the attention of the whole party. I guess my paternity status is no longer a secret. At first I’m a bit lost for words, but as all the Doughty kids hold their arms out for me to join them, my heart starts to swell.

“Go on, Kel. They’re your family,” Mia mutters in my ear, as she pushes me towards the bouncy castle. I close the distance, and as I climb on, everyone begins to bounce, throwing me all over the place. We all end up cuddled together, each Doughty holding the shoulder of the next, as we bounce up and down in a circle, my daughter in the middle. She jumps up and lands on her bum, laughing her head off each time she does it, looking around at all her family as she does.

This is exactly what I wanted. All the people I love, all the people that love Hallie, all gathered together on a day that is just about her. It’s one day where we all put our differences, or our personal shit, to one side, while we shower this beautiful girl with all the love we have. Seeing her happy, laughing, having the best day, that’s all I could ever have wanted.

The event starts to die down after we cut the cake. The baby club mums leave, and it’s just our family and friends that remain. The sun’s starting to set in the distance, and everyone looks knackered from the fun of the day. Hallie’s sitting on Shayla’s knee, munching on some cake, while we all gather around the firepit to keep warm.

As soon as Hallie’s finished eating, and Whiskey’s helped clean the chocolate cake off her grubby little fingers, I know I’m not going to get any better moment than this. The sun is setting, bright pinks, purples, and oranges are flooding the sky. All our friends and family are surrounding the firepit, smiles on their faces. I take a big, deep breath, ignoring the nervous flips my stomach is doing, and the fact that I can hear my heart racing in my ears. No matter how nervous I am, I know it’s just performance nerves. I have no hesitation over what I’m about to do.

As I get up to grab Hallie from Shayla’s knee, I subtly slip my hand into my jeans pocket, to make sure it’s still where I put it. Feeling the velvet box, I smile as I grab Hallie. I clear my throat, indicating I’m about to make a speech. My friends and family look confused, as they know I’m not much of a public speaker. But I know I can do this.

“First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming. For showering my daughter with presents and love. Today wouldn’t have been anywhere near as amazing as it has been without you in it. Each and every one of you plays a special part in Hallie’s life, and I hope to see you all at every one of her birthdays in the future.” I make sure I look at Shay as I say that last part.

Mia and I have talked about it a lot over the last couple of weeks, and we’ve decided that Shay should be part of Hallie’s life, as a friend. One day, when the time is right, we will tell her that Shay is her birth mother, but not until I decide. There won’t be shared custody, set visiting days, or overnight stays. She can be part of Hallie’s life, in the same way a friend might be. She can come to family events, come and see her for a play date, if it’s okay with us, but it won’t be a regular thing. That’s the best I can do, and when I told Shay that, she said it was more than she ever expected or thought she deserved. Both she and Whiskey were very grateful, and if I'm honest, they’ve fit into the family dynamic well. Finn and Shay get on like a house on fire, and Whiskey is friendly to everyone, except me. He’s still a brooding asshole to me, but I don’t blame him.

Taking a big, deep breath to try and stabilise my nerves, I sit down next to Mia, with my daughter on one knee, while I reach out to grab Mia’s hand. I try to block out the rest of my family and I speak just to Mia.

“Mia, I don’t think there’s ever going to be a better time to do this. I want to tell all the people that matter to us exactly how I feel. I love you. I think I’ve loved you from the moment I met you. Our shattered souls found each other, and we used our broken pieces to heal. We became one shared soul, and I can honestly say that my heart beats just for you. When Hallie was born, I didn’t think it was possible to love someone as much as I love her. Then you came along, and it was a different kind of love. A slower one that crept up and bit me on the ass. I love you so much, and I truly believe I’d be lost without you. Hallie and I are so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives. So, we have one very important question to ask you.” I let go of her hand, dig the ring out of my pocket, and flip the lid open before handing the box to Hallie. Obviously she attempts to put it in her mouth first, earning a laugh from all the people watching, until she lets me guide her hand to pass the box to Mia.

“Mia, would you do me the incredible honour of agreeing to be my wife and Hallie’s mum?” I ask, and I watch as tears stream down Mia’s face, hitting her beautiful, big smile. Thank fuck, they’re tears of joy.

“Yes!” she chokes out, and I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Leaning down, I whisper in my daughter's ear, giving her the instructions we’ve spent the last two weeks practising. “Give the box to Mia, and what do you say?”

Hallie reaches over to pass the velvet box to Mia, and as she gives her the box, her voice rings loud all over the garden. “Momma.”

Everyone gasps. Hallie says dada, and a whole lot of baby talk, but she’s never said anything else. We’ve spent the last two weeks practising, and the closest I’ve ever gotten is a “Ma,” which, to be honest, I would’ve taken. But, she manages to get the whole word out, I see the pure joy etched across Mia’s face.

Taking the ring out of the box, she slides it onto her ring finger, and thankfully it’s a perfect fit. You have no idea the amount of sneaking Liam and I had to do to make sure we got the right size. It’s a simple white gold band, with a solitaire diamond in the middle. Understated but stunningly beautiful, just like its owner.

Once the ring is in place, she throws her arms around Hallie and me, before pressing her lips against mine. Just like every other time she’s kissed me, we forget where we are, and that we are surrounded by people, and I want to deepen the kiss. Luckily, she has the good sense to pull away, and she plants a kiss on Hallie’s nose, which gets Hallie giggling in between her big yawns. My baby is exhausted, but she’s determined to stay awake as long as possible, which I’m okay with. Today is a day I’d like to continue forever. I’m surrounded by my family, by the people I love, and Mia has just made me the happiest man alive.

If someone had told me a year ago that this is where I would be, I would have laughed. I never saw myself forgiving or being friends with Shayla. I never thought I’d be an actual Doughty, even if they did always treat me as one. Hell, a year ago, I didn’t think I could be a dad. It’s the best job in the world, and I couldn’t be without my little monster. Now my family is bigger than ever, and I have Mia to share it all with.

If you’d told me I would be getting married, thinking about adding more kids into the mix, I would have wholeheartedly denied it. Thinking you had gone mad. Now, it’s the only thought in my head. Imagining Mia carrying my baby. A little baby with mine and Hallie’s eyes, but Mia’s face. I see our future, and it’s so fucking perfect. Who knew two people who were so broken could learn to trust and find happiness? I didn’t, but I’m so fucking glad we have. I can’t wait to spend forever with my girls!