Call Her Mine (Harmony Pointe #1)- Melissa Foster Page 0,96
see her as often as you’d like.”
She shook her head, no longer trying to hide the rivers of tears streaming down her cheeks as she said, “Things are going downhill fast. I don’t want her to see me at my worst. This will be my final goodbye.”
They talked for a long while, and Ben told her about Aurelia and how Bea had brought them together. He learned that Caroline had known Brad in college and had stayed in touch via texts and phone calls the last few years. But she’d been in such deep denial when she’d received her diagnosis, she’d truly believed she could beat her fate.
“Thank you for understanding. I’m looking forward to seeing Janie.”
“We call her Bea,” Ben said.
“Bea. That’s beautiful,” she said through her tears. “Jane means gift from God. She truly is a gift.”
Gift from God. Another spear of regret stabbed him for thinking Caroline hadn’t even cared enough to pick a meaningful name. “Yes, she is truly a gift, Caroline. Thank you for trusting me enough to bring her to me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
AURELIA WORRIED HERSELF into a frenzy Sunday night over how she would react when she saw Caroline with Bea. Would she burst into tears for both mother and daughter? She wanted to be open and welcoming and worried she might make things harder for Caroline if her sadness broke free. But from the moment Caroline arrived Monday morning with her friends Brad and Nelson, Aurelia felt a sense of relief and a kinship with her. She was warm and lovely and had a sense of humor despite all she was dealing with, and she approached the day as a gift rather than a goodbye. It was easy to see why Ben would have been attracted to her. She was strong, and she was smart and kind.
Now Aurelia and Ben sat in the living room with Caroline and her friends. Caroline cuddled Bea on the rocker, wearing the most serene expression. She closed her eyes, nuzzling Bea’s neck, and when she opened them, her love billowed out. “Nothing smells as good as she does,” Caroline said softly.
“Except at three in the morning when she has a messy diaper,” Ben said.
They all chuckled.
Caroline rubbed her nose along Bea’s cheek and said, “I’ll never forget you, sweet Janie, and I hope you’ll never forget me.” She touched Bea’s foot. “The first time I felt you kick, I didn’t recognize it for what it was. But you wanted me to know it was you, didn’t you? Because you did it again and again. And the first time I held you? I have never known love like my love for you, baby girl.”
Aurelia fought tears.
“I will remember every second with you, and everything about you, until my very last breath,” Caroline said softly to her daughter. “And I know that you are well loved.”
“I’m going to get the bag from the car,” Nelson said, and quickly left the room.
Brad and Caroline exchanged a look of understanding. “I’d better go with him.” Brad followed him out.
After they left the room, Caroline said, “Nelson doesn’t like to cry in front of other people.” She nuzzled Bea’s cheek again and said, “But we’re not going to cry, are we? Because this is a blessed day, a day I’ll never forget.”
Aurelia leaned against Ben, trying desperately to hold back tears, and whispered, “You did the right thing.”
When Ben had returned from their visit yesterday afternoon looking like he’d been through hell and told Aurelia and his family what had transpired, they’d all broken down. Aurelia had cried for Bea and Caroline, for Caroline’s friends she hadn’t yet met, and even for Ben. She and Ben learned that every fleeting moment counted, and nothing—nothing—was meaningless. Ben confided in her and said he felt like he was losing Caroline, too, even though he barely knew her. That had brought more tears, and she understood where he was coming from, because every time they looked at Bea, they’d see Caroline’s face and they’d miss her. After taking Flossie home and finally crawling into bed, emotionally spent, Aurelia had realized she’d also been crying for herself and the loss of her own mother.
Caroline looked at them now and said, “Please don’t cry. I know the gravity of our situation, but because of you and Ben, my baby girl will have a wonderful life, full of family who loves her. That’s what I want to carry with me when I walk out this door, not the image