80. Stairway To Heaven

- - - - - Two Weeks Later - - - - -

~ Audrey ~

“Welcome back to Bermuda, Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt,” Benji greeted Audrey and Killian with his signature toothy smile.

“Thanks, Benji,” Audrey replied. She hadn’t seen Benji, the Vanderbilt’s personal tour guide, since their last visit to Grace Bay two years ago.

“It’s been so long since your last visit. Congratulations on the wedding,” he said as he took their luggage and put it in the trunk of the car. “And I am sorry to hear about Mr. Caspian. I cry when I see the newspaper,”

“Thank you, Benji. I appreciate it,” Killian replied.

Though Benji’s English wasn’t particularly great, Audrey could see the sincerity in his eyes. He must be sad to hear about Caspian’s passing. Whenever he visited Bermuda, Caspian always treated him very well. Benji only worked for his family, but Caspian treated him like a friend. He’d always invite Benji to eat with him and they’d hang out like brothers.

Banji was driving the car and Audrey and Killian sat in the back. Being back in Bermuda for their honeymoon was Audrey’s choice. She thought this place was where it all started, it was only fitting that they’d come back to see it again.

Audrey turned her head to the window and saw the familiar scenery she loved so much. She could see the tall palm trees, white sandy beaches, and the crystal blue ocean. Audrey closed her eyes and she was immediately taken back to that summer where it all started.

The day started pretty much like this one. They got off the Vanderbilt plane and Benji picked them up at the airport. He was driving and Caspian sat in the front, Audrey and Killian sat in the back. Audrey noticed Caspian kept glancing through the rearview mirror to see her, but she was too embarrassed to say anything.

“Welcome to paradise,” Caspian announced. “This place is gonna be our home for the next three weeks,”

Audrey remembered when Caspian first showed her around the mansion. Killian was angry that he had been kídnapped and he had to stay here for three weeks. Audrey, on the other hand, was excited. This was the first time she’d been away from the city on a holiday like this.

Early the next morning, Caspian took her out on the boat. She was enjoying the sun and sunbathing when he came up from the water. He looked so incredibly gorgeous and sexy. And he told her she was beautiful and then he kissed her. That was their first kiss. Audrey couldn’t help but smile at the memory.

“How far along are you, miss Audrey?” Benji’s voice suddenly pulled her from her daydreaming.

“About 26 weeks,” she said.

“Wow. Is it a boy or a girl?”

“It’s a girl,” Audrey smiled, staring at Benji from the rearview mirror. “We're having a girl,”

Audrey then glanced at Killian, and he let out a smile. Killian’s smile was normally warm and generous, but this time he looked like he was holding back. Audrey narrowed her eyes, but Killian only looked away.

That’s odd…

A few weeks ago, Killian and Audrey went to see Dr. Shepherd for her routine ultrasound. Dr. Shepherd was able to tell them the gender of the baby. Audrey was happy to hear that it was a girl, she was expecting a girl. But Killian, on the other hand, seemed tense about it. He said he didn’t care if it was a boy or a girl, but Audrey noticed something was off. He always got rigid every time the topic of the baby came up. Like when Audrey was telling John and Anna about the baby during dinner, Killian would get all uncomfortable and changed the subject.

“Congratulations on the baby,” Benji said again. “I know she will be beautiful like her mother,”

“Aw, thank you,” Audrey smiled.

“Hey, cool it, man,” Killian protested.

“It’s just a compliment, Mr. Killian. Relax,” Benji laughed heartily.

Audrey also let out a giggle. She glanced at Killian and he was smirking back at her. Audrey rested her head on Killian’s shoulder and he held the side of her face with his hand. His fingers were slowly caressing her skin and it felt so good. Audrey closed her eyes and she could hear Killian’s heart beating in his chest. It sounded like music to her ears.

If Audrey was worried about Killian before, she had no worries now. It was probably just in her head. Her pregnancy hormones were talking or something like that. Killian was fine. She was fine. This was fine. No, more than that. This felt like heaven.

Hey, Cas, Guess where we’re at?

Audrey kept her head resting on Killian’s shoulder as she stared out the window. The sun was slowly setting on the horizon. The sky was turning orange and pink and it was a magical sight to see.

Yup. We’re back in Grace Bay. Our little piece of heaven on Earth.

Audrey smiled to herself as she remembered the wonderful memories they shared in this place. Caspian took her out all over town, they tried out the best restaurants, played by the beach, visited a lovely lighthouse on a cliff, and they even went dolphin watching out at sea. Audrey planned to visit all these places again, but this time she’d be the tour guide, bringing Killian with her.

It’s probably not as great as the real heaven, but it’s the closest thing we have.

Killian promised he wouldn’t be working for the next two weeks. He went as far as leaving his phone and laptop back in New York City. The next two weeks should be a special time just for the both of them. It was their last ‘holiday’ before welcoming their baby girl.

Oh, you’re right, by the way. We just found out a few weeks ago, we’re having a girl.

Audrey could already imagine there would be no rest for them once the baby gets here. Killian was leading two large corporations, the Vanderbilt and Huntington Empires, all on his own. And Audrey was working on a special project of her own. That being said, Audrey and Killian were determined to savor this honeymoon as much as they could.

I still miss you, Cas. I miss you so bad. But I’m always happy whenever I think of you.

As the car was riding through a familiar street, Audrey couldn’t help but feel emotional and nostalgic. She remembered talking and laughing with Caspian as they walked down this very street. He was taking her around the market as she was shopping for gifts. Caspian and her tried out funny hats and crazy sunglasses and laughed at each other’s silliness.

Is it weird that I can still feel you everywhere? Like you’re still here with us.

Audrey thought she would cry when she remembered this, but she didn’t. She was only smiling. Maybe Caspian was right. It was better to remember him this way. He was always smiling and always trying to make her smile. It was only fair that she’d do what he asked.

Because maybe you are.

“Here we are, our home for the next two weeks,” Killian said as the car pulled to a stop.

Audrey saw the gigantic white mansion standing gloriously before her eyes. It looked exactly like how she remembered it. It was romantic and grand.

“It looks just like how we left it,” she smiled and stepped down from the car. Two years had passed, and so many things had happened, but this place didn’t change at all. “It's good to know that some things still stay the same,”

Making their way inside the mansion, Audrey’s eyes immediately went to big windows overlooking the backyard and the sea. She pushed the French doors open and stepped out in the grass, staring at the big warm sun greeting her face.

Thank you for always watching over us, Cas.

Audrey kept her eyes on the setting sun as Killian stood right behind her. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her into a hug. Tipping her head back against his chest, Audrey closed her eyes and felt the warm ocean breeze hitting her cheeks. It felt just like it did two years ago. A summer full of romance and taking chances. It felt like home.

I love you, Cas. Always and forever.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

~ Killian ~

Audrey took Killian out to eat seafood by the beach for dinner. She was totally enjoying herself, and Killian was happy to see that. He thought being back in Grace Bay would be hard and emotional for her, but Audrey was handling it surprisingly well. But Killian, on the other hand, was somewhat struggling.

Although he didn’t want to admit it, Killian was under a lot of pressure. After finding out that they were having a baby girl, Killian was hit with a sudden realization that he didn’t know shit about raising a small person. He was totally out of his element and he didn’t know what to do. He kept wishing that Caspian was around so he could talk to him. Caspian, as crazy as he was, was always full of bright and wise ideas. Killian desperately needed that right now.

Hey, Cas.

Later that night, as Audrey was fast asleep, Killian couldn’t sleep so he decided to have a smoke out on the balcony. Killian had stopped smoking ever since he learned about Audrey’s pregnancy. But tonight, he made an exception.

So, guess what? Audrey and I, we just found out we’re having a girl. A baby girl, Cas. Can you believe it?

Killian was staring out into the night sky. Everything was pitch black except for the moon and the stars. It reminded him of the night he and Caspian had a talk on the balcony of Audrey’s Hampton home. They were discussing her being pregnant and Caspian was freaking out about it.

I don’t know about you, but I’m scared shitless. I could really use a brother right now.

Killian knew Audrey would be a great mother. She was always reading books about babies, she handpicked everything in the nursery, and she was taking good care of her body. She was so ready for this baby, and Killian didn't want to let her down.

I don’t know the first thing about raising a baby girl. You gotta help me out here, man.

If Caspian was still around, maybe Killian wouldn’t be so stressed out. They could talk about these things together, and Caspian would knock some sense into him.

I miss you, brother.

Killian looked up to the sky and took a long drag of his cigarette. He tried to listen for any kind of response, but there was nothing in the air but the sound of waves crashing. Killian shook her head and let out a deep breath. White clout of smoke escaped his lips as he did.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Audrey’s voice was suddenly heard. “Are you smoking again?”

Killian turned around and saw his wife standing behind the balcony door. She pulled her robe tighter and stepped out on the balcony.

“Just this one and I’m throwing the rest away,” Killian said reassuringly. He blew the next clout of smoke as far away from her as possible.

Audrey stared at him for a moment and sighed.

“Kill, is something bothering you?” she asked.

“No, I’m good,” he shook his head. “I’m just… thinking,”

“You think too much, Mr. Vanderbilt,” she said as she reached for his hand. “Come back to bed with me,”

Killian immediately threw out his cigarette. Audrey was standing too close to him, he didn’t want her to inhale the smoke.

“Yes, Mrs. Vanderbilt. I will,” he said obediently.

Killian went back inside and quickly brushed his teeth. Audrey went back to bed and waited for Killian to come out of the bathroom. She was staring at her feet and thinking about something hard.

“Hey, Kill,” she said as soon he was back.

“Yeah?” Killian climbed into bed and cuddled her.

“…I’m six and a half months pregnant now. We can do the paternity test when we get back if you want…”

“What? Why are you suddenly telling me this?” Killian’s eyes shot up instantly. He watched her face and she looked almost sad.

“Isn’t that what you’ve been thinking so hard about?” she asked cautiously.

“Is that what you think?” he asked back.

She only shrugged and looked at him with those big beautiful eyes. It made Killian feel bad. He never wanted to smoke ever again since then.

“I don’t care about that. That baby’s mine either way,” he said sternly.

“Kill…”

“I’m just scared I’m not gonna be a good enough dad, you know?” he sighed in frustration. “I want our baby to have the best of everything, but am I gonna be the best dad for her? I don't know,”

Audrey frowned and tilted her head to the side as if she was protesting.

“Killian, you’re gonna be the best dad in the world for our baby,” she said matter-of-factly.

“How’d you know?” he asked.

“I know, trust me,” she said. “I know,”

Killian didn’t know why she was so sure. But the fact that she was sure gave him hope. If Audrey saw something good in him, then it must be true. Even if he didn’t have confidence in himself, he had confidence in her choice. And she chose him.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he said.

“I love you too, daddy,” she replied.

A smile curved up his lips. Audrey was teasing him, and he found it absolutely adorable.

“Come here, you,” Killian pulled her into a kiss as Audrey giggled the night away.

Killian loved hearing her laugh. It was and would always be the best music to his ears.

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