She nods, excitement finally starts showing in her facial features. I open the door and step aside so she can enter. She lets out a gasp as she walks into the nursery. The walls are a light blue with fish and seaweed painted on them, creating a fish tank feeling. There is a seaweed green rocking chair next to the crib that has a matching bedspread with little fish on it. Above the crib is a little fish mobile. On the wall across from the crib is a bookshelf that showcases framed pieces of Brookes art. Some of them are drawings and some photos.

“Do you like it?” I ask.

“How… When…?” She stammers.

“While you were downstairs intent on making a toy farmhouse, I was up hear putting the furniture together. I hired a professional to do the painting and completed the final touches when you were in the hospital.”

“Your important meeting you couldn’t miss?”

I nod, answering her implied question. Tears slowly start to trickle down her cheeks. I put Cahal down in his crib and move over to her. I wrap her in my arms and kiss the top of her head.

“It’s okay, Beagchaithnini sneachta.” I rub her back.

“It’s so wonderful, Landon. You’re so kind and thoughtful.”

I smile down at her. “It pales in comparison to your kindness, Beagchaithnini sneachta. Now why don’t you go take a rest while our son sleeps?”

Our son. The words seem surreal.

Brooke gives me a slight nod, and we exit the room. I head downstairs to work in my office while my wife and baby nap. I have been neglecting my work for the last week and do not see much work getting done soon.

Brooke

I do not take a nap as Landon suggested. Instead, I pull out my laptop and book a flight. I am leaving at two a.m. Then I pull out my suitcase. I pack only essential things, comfy clothes, my photo album that I have slowly been filling with pictures of Landon, Sonia, and me. I need to print off a couple photos of Cahal so I could add him to it. I throw in my toiletries then stash my suitcase back in the closet. I put my passport in my purse, along with a book.

On the top dresser draw, underneath my PJs, I pull out my new debit and credit card I had set up a couple months ago. I have been slowly adding money into my new account and have built up quite a little nest egg. I put my old cards on my bedside table and switch my phone out for the burner one I got for emergencies. Then I text Sonia, asking her to come over later today. So we could say goodbye.