78. Here Comes The Sun

~ Audrey ~

- - - - - Three Days Later - - - - -

“Don’t be nervous, everything’s gonna be alright,” Audrey said as Killian stopped his tracks. They were standing in front of Maxwell Huntington’s home, and Audrey noticed how Killian’s body tensed the closer they got to the door.

Audrey had invited Killian over for dinner tonight so they could tell her dad about the good news. Killian agreed because he thought it was a good idea. But what he failed to realize was how nerve-wracking this was. Killian got to the door and he froze.

“How are you so calm? You said the last time you did this, your dad got a heart attack,” Killian laughed nervously. “I don’t wanna be responsible for that,”

“That’s all in the past,” Audrey said reassuringly. “My dad knows about everything now. He knows that I love you. And he trusts my choices,”

After two failed engagements, Audrey realized the gravity of this situation, but she chose to remain hopeful. She knew in her heart of hearts that this was the right thing to do. This was what Caspian would want too. And this would be good for her baby. But most of all, Audrey wanted to do this for her and Killian. After everything that happened, they deserved to be happy. They only had each other now. She didn’t want to waste another minute without him.

“Hey, we’ll be alright,” Audrey said as he put a hand on Killian’s stiff face. “Third time’s a charm, right?”

Killian chuckled in response. The irony of everything wasn’t lost on him.

“Alright, let’s do this,” he said as he took her hand.

Audrey nodded her head and pushed the door open for them. She led Killian straight to the dining room where Maxwell, Sebastian, Olivia, and Mikey were already waiting for them. On the table there laid a feast, big enough to feed a small army.

“There they are, we’ve been waiting for you!” Liv squealed as soon as she saw them.

“Girl, get your ass over here, we’re starving,” Mikey ordered bossily.

“Okay, guys, we’re sorry we’re late. But before we start, we wanna say something to everyone,” Audrey said as she glanced at Killian.

“This better be good. I’m so hungry right now I could eat freaking Burger King,” Mikey crossed his arms sassily.

Audrey rolled her eyes and ignored her friend. She turned her head to her dad and walked closer to him. Pulling Killian along with her.

“Dad, everyone, Killian and I are engaged,” she announced, and Audrey couldn’t stop the smile forming on her face.

“What?” Olivia gaped.

“Oh my God!” Mikey squeaked.

“Congratulations, Miss Audrey,” Sebastian smiled brightly.

“Dibs on the maid of honor!” Mikey exclaimed.

“No, not again!” Olivia groaned. “Dude, you’re not even a girl,”

“Who says the maid of honor has to be a girl?”

As her best friends started quarreling about being the maid of honor, Audrey turned her attention back to her dad. Maxwell hadn’t said anything. His face was still stoic and unreadable. Killian was staring at him nervously and Audrey was starting to feel it too.

“Dad?” she said cautiously. “Will you say something?”

Maxwell remained quiet. He was still processing everything. This must be a lot for him. In the span of six months, he watched his daughter got engaged to Caspian, then broke off the engagement to get engaged with Anthony, and now she was engaged to someone else entirely. Maxwell felt guilty for pushing Audrey to get married. She was in a terrible car accident that almost robbed her life. He felt responsible for everything that happened to his daughter. It was only natural that he grew fearful now. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to her ever again.

“Sir, I know this may sound kind of fast, but Audrey and I are in love. We’ve been in love for the past year, and we’ve been through so much together,” Killian spoke up suddenly. He took a step closer to Maxwell and drew in a deep breath. Audrey couldn’t do anything but watch.

“I know that after everything that’s happened, maybe you want us to wait. But there’s never gonna be a ‘right time’. There’s just time and what we choose to do with it. So, I hope you can understand where we’re coming from,”

Audrey smiled at Killian’s words. He was absolutely right. She tightened her grip on his hand and he squeezed her back in response.

“No, I understand where you two are coming from,” Maxwell said finally. He got up to his feet and stared Killian straight in the face. “But son, you have to promise me, you have to take good care of her. Like you said, Audrey’s been through a lot. She deserves to be happy,”

Maxwell glanced at his daughter and she smiled meekly.

“Yes, she does. Audrey deserves the world. And I’ll do everything in my power to give her that and more,” Killian said with such conviction. This was a promise he made to himself, to Audrey, and to Caspian. He would never rest until he made it happen.

Maxwell saw the honesty in his eyes. He nodded his head at Killian. A small smile escaped his lips.

“And you’re sure about this one?” Maxwell turned to his daughter this time. “You know that I’m not going to push you about marriage anymore. You can do whatever you want, it’s fine by me,”

“I’m sure about this one, dad. One thousand percent,” Audrey smiled from ear to ear. She looked up at Killian and her heart never felt so full. “This is the man I want to marry,”

Maxwell also saw the honesty in her eyes. He let out a deep sigh and nodded his head.

“Well, okay, then. I guess there’s only one thing left to do,” Maxwell said as he put a hand in his pocket.

“We eat?” Mikey interjected.

Ignoring that comment, Maxwell stepped closer to Audrey and pulled out her mother’s ring from his jacket pocket. He’d been carrying it with him everywhere ever since she returned it to him.

“Your grit and your strength never cease to amaze me. You’re the best daughter any father could ever ask for. Your mother would be so proud of you,” Maxwell leaned closer and kissed the top of Audrey’s head.

“Dad…”

Audrey was hit with a wave of emotions. A single tear trickled down her face involuntarily. Maxwell only smiled and gave the ring to Killian, motioning for him to do the deed.

“Well, what are you waiting for? he asked when Killian was frozen in place.

Killian quickly pulled his composure and turned to Audrey. His hand was shaking a little as he lifted her hand up and positioned the ring to her finger. Audrey was crying tears of joy as Killian put her mother’s ring on her ring finger.

“Yay!” Olivia squealed happily and raced over to Audrey.

Mikey followed right behind her and the two of them were hugging her excitedly. Audrey couldn’t help but laugh. She opened her eyes to see her dad and Sebastian smiling along with her. And Killian too. He looked like the happiest man on Earth.

“Finally, let’s eat!”

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- - - - - Three Days Later - - - - -

~ Killian ~

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Killian asked. He noticed Audrey had been acting strange ever since they got here.

Killian and Audrey were standing in front of the Vanderbilt mansion. Audrey was invited to have dinner with Killian’s parents. Killian thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to tell them about their engagement as well. Audrey was especially nervous because John and Anna Vanderbilt weren’t like her dad. They didn’t know anything about Killian and Audrey’s relationship, and then there was also one other thing.

“I’m really nervous,” Audrey admitted. “I mean your parents don’t have a clue about us. Let alone, you know, the thing,”

“The thing?” Killian stifled a laugh. “You’re calling our baby the thing?”

“I don't know what to call it. We don’t have a name for her yet,” she sighed.

“How are you so sure it’s a she?” Killian narrowed his eyes.

Audrey was three months along now and the doctor still wasn't able to determine the gender on their last ultrasound visit. Dr. Shepherd said they would know the gender at around 18 to 21 weeks.

“It’s just a guess,” she shrugged and glanced down at her stomach. She had a little tiny bump now, but it wasn’t too visible under her loosely fitted dress.

Killian smiled and took her hand. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and said, “All right, don’t be nervous. My parents adore you. Everything’s gonna be fine,”

Audrey bit her lip and swallowed hard. She wasn’t completely reassured. She was about to say something else, but Killian already pushed the door open and pulled her inside. The next thing she knew, she was being led down the grand entrance and into the dining room.

John and Anna Vanderbilt were already waiting at the table. An army of maids and butlers were standing by all around the room. On the table, there laid a feast that was even more extravagant than the one at her house.

“Mom, dad,” Killian greeted them. “Audrey and I have an announcement to make,”

Audrey shot Killian a nervous look. She hadn’t even exchanged pleasantries with his parents. He was going straight for the kill.

“We’re in love and we’re engaged,” Killian announced proudly. He was completely unapologetic and unashamed. “And not only that, but we’re also thirteen weeks pregnant,”

Killian was smiling triumphantly as he glanced at her, but Audrey was squirming in her boots. How could Killian be so cavalier about everything? Shouldn’t they talk it out first? She was afraid his parents might get a heart attack.

“Is this true?” Anna Vanderbilt spoke up first. Her husband was frozen in shock. She looked at Killian and Audrey for confirmation. “Is this for real?” she asked again.

“Yes, mom,” Killian smiled at her. “It’s one thousand percent for real,”

Killian knew his parents well. Going straight for the kill was the best strategy. Plus, he wasn’t worried about anything because he knew his parents would be happy for him. After everything that’s happened to them, this house deserved some good news.

“Oh my God,” Anna’s hand went to cover her mouth. Her eyes were wide as saucers. “You two are engaged and pregnant…”

Audrey smiled and nodded her head. “Yes, we are,” she said cautiously.

She was watching the expressions on John and Anna’s faces, and she didn’t know what to expect. They were absolutely shocked and caught off guard.

“Oh my God!” Anna exclaimed suddenly. She turned to her husband and put a hand on his chest. “John, we’re going to be grandparents!”

Audrey let out a deep sigh as Anna broke out in laughter and tears of joy. Killian too, he was letting out a deep breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“Oh, Audrey, congratulations,” Anna stood up from her seat and walked over to her. With eyes full of tears, she pulled Audrey into a hug and said, “After everything that’s happened to us, you don't know how happy this makes me feel,”

Audrey couldn’t help but feel emotional. She hugged Anna back and closed her eyes. She could only imagine what Anna must be feeling. Losing a child must be the most horrible thing a parent could endure. She didn't know what she’d do if she lost her baby. And she hadn’t even met her yet.

“Killian, you’re going have your work cut out for you,” John said as he approached his son. His face was stoic and serious as he put a firm hand on Killian’s shoulder. “But… Congratulations, son,”

John’s voice was cracking at the end. Though he wanted to appear strong, he was also feeling emotional. This was a big deal for the Vanderbilt family. He had just lost his son, but now he was gaining a daughter and a grandbaby. It was like there was finally hope at the end of the tunnel.

“Thanks, dad,” Killian nodded his head and gave his father a knowing look.

They may not always see eye to eye, and Killian never understood John that well, but for the first time ever, Killian realized that being a father wasn’t an easy task. John made quite a few mistakes along the way, but he was only doing his best. Killian won’t hold it against him. He only glanced at the little bump in Audrey’s stomach and smiled to himself.

I promise you, little baby. I’ll do better.

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~ Audrey ~

Later that night after dinner at the Vanderbilt mansion, Audrey was feeling stuffy and she woke up at three in the morning. Killian was also having trouble sleeping, he didn’t even sleep at all. Audrey felt like going out to take a walk, so even though it was almost dawn, Killian agreed to walk with her.

They spent the next hour walking around the neighborhood. Audrey felt better after the walk, but they continued walking and somehow they ended up at the Greenwood Cemetery. Audrey then got a bouquet of flowers from a nearby store and they went to visit Caspian’s grave.

“Hey, Cas,” Audrey smiled as she put down the flowers.

“It’s us,” Killian stood next to her.

“We went to your parents’ house today. We gave them the news and they handled it surprisingly well,” she said. “We told your parents about the thing—I mean the baby,” she giggled.

“Mom is really happy. You know she’s been wanting a grandkid for years now,” Killian added.

“We’re thinking about doing the wedding in three months,” Audrey said with a smile. She could imagine Caspian must be happy to hear this too.

“It’s just gonna be a small intimate ceremony,” Killian said.

“Yeah, it’s just our closest friends and family. No paparazzi and stuff like that,”

“You'd think it’s a boring party, but you gotta be there, Cas. We’re counting on you,” Killian chuckled bitterly.

Audrey turned to Killian and saw his eyes glazing over. He was holding back his tears and smiling at his brother’s grave. Audrey’s heart was breaking at the sight. The sun was slowly rising above the horizon and the light was hitting his face in a warm orange hue. It was the most beautiful and heartbreaking thing she ever saw.

“I still miss you every day, man,” Killian sighed. His breath came out in a cloud of white smoke against the cold air. “You have no idea how much I wish I could see you and talk to you,”

Audrey could feel the sorrow in Killian’s voice. She knew exactly what that felt like. Even though life was moving on for both of them, they could never escape the pain of losing Caspian. It was something they’d always have to live with.

“Kill, it’s getting cold,” Audrey said and she linked her hand around his arm. “Let’s go home,” she smiled sweetly.

Audrey didn’t want Killian to be overly downhearted. Killian let out another deep breath and nodded his head. He gave Caspian’s stone another smile before turning away.

We’ll be back tomorrow, Cas.

As the two of them walked on, Audrey turned around to look at Caspian’s grave one last time. For a split second, she thought she saw a man standing over the grave. He had long dirty blonde hair and it was blowing in the wind, covering his face. Audrey narrowed her eyes to get a better look, but as soon as she blinked, the man was gone.

It’s probably just in my head.

Letting out a sigh, Audrey turned back around and rested her head on Killian’s shoulder. Killian turned to her and smiled. She smiled back. Tightening her grip around his arm, Audrey held onto Killian as hard as she could as they walked away.

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- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -