Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

Her husband steps in closer and curls his arm around her waist in the same way that Colton does to me, and just like that, I know this couple is the one. But I’m not stupid enough to announce it to the world until I’ve had a proper chat with them and get a feel for who they are. All I know is that by looking at the way they stand together, I can tell they love each other in the same, all-consuming, forever and for always kind of way that Colton and I do.

What more could I ask for the child growing inside of me?

“Miss Ocean,” Harrison says, putting on his professional hat for our guests. “May I introduce Rebecca and Bryson Bates.”

I give them a warm smile, trying not to be too over the top and keep my cool. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say. “May I offer you any refreshments? Tea, coffee, water?”

“Oh, no, dear,” Rebecca says, walking deeper into the room with her husband at her side. She offers me her hand, and I instantly take it. “I honestly don’t think I can drink anything. I’ve been so nervous about meeting you that I’ll somehow embarrass myself.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Trust me, that’s not possible around here.”

Bryson offers me his hand next, and I get the warmest feeling from him, the same feeling I used to get with my dad growing up. Though unlike my dad, I'm sure this guy isn’t hiding any horrible secrets. “It’s a pleasure,” Bryson says. “I just want to thank you for taking us into consideration and giving us this opportunity to meet with you today. This means the world to Becca and I.”

“Of course,” I say as Harrison discreetly moves around the room, wanting in on the action and finding every excuse under the sun not to walk out. But in all honesty, once they’re gone, I’m going to be asking his opinion on them too, so he better be ready with a full report.

Rebecca and Bryson take a seat on the couch opposite me, and I do some quick introductions. “As Harrison said, I'm Ocean, and this is my boyfriend Colton,” I say before leaning around Colton to seek out Mom in the distance. “And this is my mom, Maria.”

They give warm smiles as Bryson glances at Colton, clearly knowing who he is. After all, his face is splashed on every news channel and magazine in the country. “Thank you for inviting us into your home.”

Colton nods. “Of course, but now that we’ve gotten the introductions over and done with, why don’t you share a little bit about yourselves. What brings you here today?” he questions, sounding as though he’s interviewing for a new lawyer.

Rebecca takes the lead, glancing back at me and quickly dropping her gaze to my stomach with longing before realizing what she’s doing and looking back up at me. “My husband and I met as children, and before I knew it, we were high-school sweethearts. Everything was happening for us, one thing after another. One minute we were dating, then he was taking me to prom. Soon enough he was down on one knee, and as if I blinked, the next thing I knew, we were happily married and buying a big home to raise all our children in, but then everything stopped. Our world slowed down. One year turned into three, and before I knew it, nearly ten years had gone past, and there were still no children filling those rooms. We would try every month, I would go to the doctor and get the right medications, and every single month without fail, my hopes and dreams would crumble.”

Rebecca glances at her husband, who takes her hands, giving her the strength to continue. A single tear rolls down her cheek. “Two years ago, we looked into IVF, and after three failed attempts, I finally fell pregnant. Then at sixteen weeks, we found that my little baby boy no longer had a heartbeat. Due to complications, I was told that I wouldn’t be able to try again and had to come to terms with the fact that I would never be able to birth a child of my own. It crushed me and took quite some time to move on from.”

She goes to continue but struggles to get the words past the lump in her throat, which is when Bryson takes over. “Last year, we started looking into our options, which is how adoption fell onto our radar. We put our names down, had every single check and application form handed in, and every single day since then, we watched the phone, waiting for the call to say that we might have a shot. Then you called.”

“And then I called,” I repeat, feeling the baby starting to kick. Tears fill my eyes as I look at the two sitting before me. I’ve met with four other couples, but these are the only ones who give me this feeling I can’t describe, but somehow I know that these people are the right parents for my child. They’ve fought for this and I know that they’re going to adore this sweet baby.