A/N: Once again, same old story. I'm sorry this chapter took so long, but I was away from my computer for the entire summer. Anyway, please read and review. I really hope you enjoy this!
"I still can't believe we made her," Eric said, marveling over the tiny baby girl resting on his legs. In the three hours since they'd been home from the hospital, Eric had been completely absorbed in getting to know Ellie.
Bridget grinned, "She's pretty spectacular isn't she?"
"Just like her mama," Eric said, leaning over to plant a gentle kiss on Bridget's lips. They were snuggled together in Bridget's bed, enjoying the newness of their little family.
When Eric pulled away to end the kiss, Bridget caught the back of his neck with her hand and held his face inches from her own, "Thanks for coming to be with us."
"There's no where else in the world I'd rather be right now than with my girls," Eric replied, looking deep into her eyes.
Bridget released her hold on Eric's neck and rested her head on his shoulder, her soft blonde hair tickling his neck. "Can you believe this all started at a little soccer camp in Mexico?" She asked, gazing at Ellie as she slept.
"I really can't. I never would have thought we'd end up with a baby, after all we went through. She was quite a big surprise."
"A wonderful surprise," Bridget whispered softly, reaching over to stroke Ellie's hair.
"The best surprise ever," he said, kissing the top of Bridget's head.
"Without a doubt," Bridget agreed. Just then, Ellie woke up from her peaceful slumber and began to cry. She cried softly at first, but her cries quickly escalated to full on screaming. Eric looked at Bridget panicked, unsure of what to do to comfort their baby.
"Do you think she's hungry?" he asked.
Bridget shook her head, "I don't think so."
"You hold her, she knows you better," he said, offering Bridget the baby.
"She knows her daddy too," Bridget insisted gently. "Here, rest her on your chest so she can hear your heartbeat. That's probably all she wants." Bridget placed her hands under Eric's and guided Ellie up to where her ear was lying right against Eric's chest. The baby settled down almost immediately.
"It worked!" Eric said, sounding both surprised and relieved.
Bridget patted Ellie's back gently, "All she wanted was something that sounded familiar. It can be pretty loud and scary out here in the world, huh little girl?" Eric smiled broadly at Bridget as he watched her interacting with their daughter. "What?" Bridget asked with a smile once she caught him looking at her.
"You're a natural."
"You're not so bad yourself. Look at her, she fits perfectly, right there."
Eric nodded, "She's a perfect fit." They sat like that for a while, Ellie resting on her father's chest and looking into her mother's eyes, Eric and Bridget enjoying just being in the same bed, together as a family of three for the first time ever. Eric finally broke the silence, "Can you take her for a minute? I'll be right back."
"Sure," Bridget said, extending her arms to hold her daughter. "Come see mommy, baby doll."
"Don't go anywhere" Eric warned as he left the room.
Bridget laughed, "We won't." She looked down at Ellie, who was studying her mother's face intently. "God, you're beautiful. No wonder daddy is head over heels in love with you. You're only the most perfect baby in the world, and I'm not just saying that because you came out of me." Ellie cooed as Bridget spoke to her, causing Bridget to laugh, "Is that so, huh?" Just then, Eric came back into the room and crawled back into bed. "Daddy's back!"
Eric took Bridget's face in his hands and kissed her on the lips.
"What was that for?" Bridget asked.
"Thanks for making me a daddy."
Bridget swallowed hard, trying to fight back the tears that were welling in her eyes, "It was my pleasure. Thank you for making me a mommy."
Eric took Bridget's left hand in his, "I was wondering if you would think about making me a husband as well." He asked, slipping a large diamond ring onto her finger. "I know it will be crazy, with the baby and trying to plan a wedding and me traveling with the soccer team. But I love you Bridget Ann Vreeland, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you…"
"Yes!" Bridget said before Eric could even finish his sentence. "A million times, yes!"
"Yeah?" Eric asked happily. He kissed her passionately on the lips and could taste her salty tears as she cried, overcome with joy.
"You hear that, baby girl?" Bridget asked Ellie. "Mommy and daddy are getting married!"
--
Early the next morning, Bridget walked around the kitchen, gently bouncing Ellie with one arm while she drank her decaf coffe.
"Morning," Lena said coming into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Lenny." Bridget greeted her friend with a smile.
Lena cupped Ellie's head with her hand, "How was Miss Ellie Belly's first night at home?"
"Good, she only got up twice to eat."
"Really, she only got up twice?" Lena sounded surprised.
"Yeah, she's a champion sleeper." Bridget said with a nod.
"She must get that from Tibby."
Bridget laughed, startling Ellie, "She must!"
"So how are you?" Lena asked, studying Bridget's tired but happy face.
"Really good, Lenny," she said, positioning Ellie on her shoulder and patting her back gently.
"Oh, my God!" Lena squealed when she noticed the diamond ring on Bridget's finger. "Bee, you got engaged!"
"I got engaged," Bridget squealed back quietly, so not to disturb her daughter.
"Oh," Lena exclaimed, embracing both Bridget and Ellie in a tight squeeze, "I'm so happy for you!"
"What's all the commotion about?" Carmen asked, shuffling into the kitchen with Tibby following close behind her.
"Bee's getting married," Lena said, bouncing excitedly.
"AH," Carmen screamed, hugging Bee. "Congratulations!"
"About damn time," Tibby teased lovingly. She then embraced Bridget in a hug and kissed her temple, "Congratulations, sweetie."
"So," Carmen said, "Let us see that gorgeous ring!"
Bridget extended her hand so Carmen and the others could see.
"Eric has good taste!" Lena said.
"He sure does," Bridget agreed, "but I would have said yes if he'd used a ring out of a Cracker Jacks box!"
Carmen smiled, "Who would have thought our little Bee would turn out to be such a romantic?"
Tibby watched her three best friends and their excited, hyper chattering. She studied Bridget's face for any hint of fear or nervousness. Tibby hated change, and she expected everyone else around her to be totally freaked out by it as well. But looking at her friend's face, Tibby saw nothing but pure love, joy and excitement. Tibby wondered how Bee could embrace the changes in her life with such confidence and ease. After all, three days ago Bridget hadn't even been in labor with Ellie and Eric had been half way across the world. And now, here Bridget was, standing in their kitchen with her newborn daughter and an engagement ring on her finger. That much change in such a short amount of time would have driven Tibby to hide under a table. But not Bee, she stood strong and happy as her world change around her. Tibby looked at Bridget's face and knew she was truly happy, and that made Tibby happy.
Bridget gently elbowed Tibby in the side, "What are you thinking about?"
Tibby shook her head and smiled, "Nothing, just admiring the force of nature that is Bee Vreeland."
Bridget smiled, "I love you too, Tibs."
"Alright," Lena interrupted, "I've been awake a whole fifteen minutes, I need my baby fix!"
Bridget laughed, "Ellie, go see your Aunt Lena. She can't resist your cuteness any longer." She handed the baby to Lena.
"Who wants breakfast? I'm making pancakes!" Carmen asked from the stove. Her question was met by a chorus of three 'I do's!'.
Bridget smiled contently as she watched Lena and Tibby play with Ellie and Carmen work in the kitchen. She knew that no matter how much their lives changed around them, no matter how many new and wonderful people entered into their lives for them to love, that this would always stay the same. It had always been the four of them against the world, ever since those fateful pregnancy aerobics classes at Gilda's. Bridget took great comfort in knowing that they would always be there for her, no matter how much everything else changed. They were her rocks, her constant sources of support who would see her through anything. They were the Septembers, and nothing could ever change that.
A/N: Okay y'all, that wraps it up for this story. I really hope you enjoyed it! I know I promised more, but I felt like it was time to end this one. Don't worry; I'm already tossing around lots of ideas in my head for a sequel that will find all the girls facing huge life changes. This story was about Bee, and I'd really like to explore the other three girls as well. If you enjoyed this and would like more, please read and review. Thank you for supporting me through all these years!