Rachel meeting reader after Bel talks her mothers ear off about you and reader being a complete mess because she’s going to be meeting THE Rachel Price and Annabel calming her down 😭
My first bel ask!! I would like start of by saying thank you anon for sending in this thought. True one you are(: secondly after finishing trorp I honestly have no idea what to do with myself. Honestly it was a spectacular read. From the characters to the dynamic of the family. I loved Rachel from the beginning and loved her even more at the end. So this ask makes me happy. This is just a request and I am working on a longer angst riddled heart clenching bel fic. But of course reader is the light at the end of the tunnel) this takes place after a fair amount of time. Fair warning this is my first bel fic and I’m still getting use to writing her so if she seems a bit off have patience with me she will get better as I continue to write 🫶🫶 💌 anon don’t be shy!! This is just my first bel fic I hope it gets easier with time! Pippa I feel I know well enough to write and bel I am just figuring out. Hope to know what you liked about it!
A Heartfelt Dinner with Rachel Price
Paring: Bel Price x fem reader (takes place after the events in the book but nothing is spoiled) not edited yet. Typos will be present most likely. Read at your own peril 🤣
Warnings: Bel price stealing my heart with some good old price charm, fluff, some suggestive comments, the price girls cussing like sailors, Rachel being the best mother alive.
Bel had told you the invitation would arrive, making sure to give you enough time to process it. But it was a whole different story when the invitation arrived in a delicate envelope, its edges slightly crumpled from your nervous fingers. “Dinner at the Price residence,” it read, and your heart raced. Rachel Price—the formidable mother of your girlfriend, wanted to get to know you better. Bel hadn’t told you about what her mother went through. It was a topic you knew not to tread upon. It was Bel’s story not your own. Not that you minded, you didn’t need to know the details, all you wanted was to make a perfect impression on mommy dearest.
Bel had laughed at you, shaking her head while her eyes shined her cheeky laugh bright. “Your such a little nerd! Carter was right when she said you were a little suck up! I’ve seen you with Mr Thripp” bel began, “Mr thripp your lesson on the case of Finneas gage was amazing! Could I borrow the book for extra reading?’ ‘My favorite one! I can’t go to the mall Carter I’m helping out at the old folks home’ Bel teased, “my mother is not so easily impressed as Mr Thripp is I am afraid” she countered, pinching your cheeks with soft fingers while you only took her teasing in stride.
You were lost in thought as you both walked home from school, bel’s hand laced in your own. What did Rachel Price like? Did she like flowers? Should you bring her some? Did she even like flowers? Did she prefer chocolate? Maybe some cookies? Surly after being kept in a basement for years she would have enjoyed some treats?
“I can see your mind unraveling and as much as it is cute to watch, I love your little mind a little too much so try not to bust your head trying to appease my mother. Rachel already likes you, I’ve talked you up too her for months. Plus Carter really sells it with your ‘good girl who is student body president and spends her time at the animal shelters’. Thank you Carter Price you wanted to say.
You sighed, letting out the air that traveled in your throat, thankful enough that Rachel had some sort of picture to go off. It was quiet for a second, you girls both trying to regain your thoughts. “This really means a lot to me that my mother wants to meet you. She and I haven’t had the easiest time getting to know each other” Bel’s face flushed, her brows furrowed and her lips curled. “When she came back I was so angry. I wanted her gone, I convinced myself she was the enemy. Back to hurt my dad and I. I was hostile and I treated her like a stranger in my home. Things are better now. I-I love my mom. And even though some days it still hurts I know she loves me too and it’s enough to out way the hurt. I mean it still hurts like a shit ton of bricks but-“ you laughed.
“I understand” you simply said, nuzzling your nose into bel’s cheek, noticing the flush when your lips met her nose. She only responded with her usual, “Your getting your slober all over me!!” She faked wiped the kiss from her nose, but you could see the way her hand stilled on her nose, the soft hints of blush on her cheeks that told you enough. You had left after that, trying to come up with a way to impress the Rachel price.
“Think your mom will like my homemade apple cookies?” You yelled back to your girlfriend across the road, watching as Bel only rolled her eyes before giving you a reassuring thumbs up, you almost laughed at her expression. Her lips curled and her eyes wide, almost like she found it amusing to think of you baking a treat for her mother. Most likely because Bel knew you a little to well and knew you would be running around like a chicken without a head in the kitchen, making batch after batch and making her be the test subject. ‘Honestly your such a little domestic housewife with your baking and making me try your cookies! What are you trying to do turn me into a wild beast who’ll gobble you up the second I get a eyeful of your legs in that skirt?” You could almost hear her voice in your head. Definitely something bel price would say, maybe with a few colorful curse words in between.
Bel’s prediction had been right. You had raced home and made batches upon batches of cookies. Apple cookies, pumpkin cookies and even your grams special strawberry cheesecakes cookies hoping they would impress your girlfriend’s mother. Your range in baking was not extensive, but you knew your way around a baking sheet and that was all that mattered . The only thing that kept your nagging subconscious at bay. This dinner had to go well. Rachel had to like you. She had too. If she didn’t you might as well pull a Romeo and Juliet. You blanched inward at the statement. Maybe that was a little too dramatic, a bit like a Bel Price statement. It mattered that Rachel liked you, because you were more than fond of her daughter. Bel had been your special person. You use to play as babies together, would even after Rachel disappeared. Charlie would drop of bel for hours, Carter coming along too sometimes. You grew up close, even when bel had pulled away after the statements Sam Blake had made about her dad you still kept by her side. Sitting with her, helping her dutifully with homework even when she would snap at you with those eyes. Eyes that no matter how hard or how angry you loved. Sam Blake didn’t know why you tried with Bel, constantly nagging that Bel was damaged goods and you would never reach her. You had immediately scoffed and told her off, a white hot fury in your veins. You could still see a shocked Sam Blake as she held her binder tight in her hands as you walked off. You never spoke to Sam Blake again after that. She was conceited and lacked any human empathy.
You had spent the days researching Rachel Price’s case. Of course you did. How could you not? You wanted to understand Bel’s mind. The way it worked, how she felt, the secrets she was hiding behind those price blue eyes. You wanted her to know you were by her side. Bel at first seemed agitated as you were always around but you saw something different in those eyes. She never snapped at you, not after your little interaction with Sam Blake. You guessed she had heard through the grape vine. There was always a question in her grey eyes when she would eye you. Why are you doing this? Why me? But you never said anything. Till one day a couple months after Rachel reappeared you Invited her to a student council meeting for school, because ‘the school could really use your input. You seem like you have wonderful suggestions’ you could have slapped yourself in the face for that one. Bel had eyed you with her classic dark gray eyes, her eyes set in a furrowed brow her lip curled like she didn’t give a single fuck about it. You had laughed, a soft and sweet one, had eyed the linoleum floor of the school, a blush on your cheeks. “Never mind. It was a stupid idea. Why would you want to be in a room full of nerds that focus on why the boys sink in the bathroom is broken for the hundredth time” you had mumbled , “it was stupid of me. I guess I just wanted you to know that…that you’re invited”. ‘That I see you’ ‘that I want you there’ you had turned on your heel, desperate to get away from the scowling girl. But thankfully somehow Bel had seemed to find it cute. At least that’s what she had said now. You were sure you looked like a dork. But Bel had simply asked “what time?” With that glint in her eye that made your heart race. You told her, thinking she wouldn’t show. It wasn’t a Bel Price type of scene. Nothing was anymore. So when Bel had appeared that day, walking into the meeting room taking a seat like she owned the place eyes on you the whole time, making you nervous while you spoke to the group you were more than surprised. Bel seemed to notice the way she had made you nervous, a smirk on her features when she had eyed you a little too long causing you to stumble over your words. Blue grey eyes dancing across your eyes. Studying you, analyzing you. ‘Why did you invite me today? You could almost hear her in your mind. When asked about what she thought of adding to the meeting Bel had only shrugged, “the Rachel price shrine could be taken down now” was all she said, a bite to the end of her words, but softening just a bit when she eyed you.
The Rachel price shrine. You knew how much it had hurt bel to walk past that everyday for years. But you couldn’t take it down, knew how much it meant to the community even now with rachel reappearing.
“I’ll definitely see what I can do” you had told her that day all soft eyes even when the other kids had argued about it stating the historic value and other concepts you didn’t even bother hearing because bell was looking at you like she was thankful.
So it was so no surprise when Bel had waited for you you to leave the building, you holding the box full of the school’s clothes drive for the homelessness initiative in your hands. Bel had been leaning back against the school wall, hands in her pocket. She had nearly scared the crap out of you when she had popped up from out of nowhere. “Here I’ll take that, it looks heavy” she had stated. Bel had helped you to your car, and then had asked you out. Simple. You two had been good friends and it was an easy decision. “Do you want to have pizza with Carter and I next Tuesday? Carter has a dance meeting an hour after and I could really use some company”. You agreed. So from then on you had been inseparable. Then came to the confession, Bel had confessed first. Told you she had a crush on you ever since you both were five and you had helped Carter after she had fallen of the slide at the park. It was cute how you had rushed over, all eager kind eyes. Ready to help. From then on bel was yours. And you were hers.
You hoped Carter would help you with this dinner in return for your aid years ago in the park. Not that you needed it. Your parents always said you had a confident air about you. Now was the time to let it glow.
You felt your cheeks blush crimson as you stood at the Price’s doorstep, a tin of your strawberry Cheesecake cookies nestled in your cookie tin, a special cookie tin your great grandfather had acquired from the war in Germany. “Survived the damn Nazis this tin can sure make it through a family dinner” your grandfather had said upon you asking for the tin. You had chosen it because it was beautiful, a fine tin with colorful flowers and images of soft German clouds. You hoped Rachel would like it. It had a certain charm too it. Just like you.
You didn’t even have to ring the doorbell because the minute your fingers made contact with the doorbell the door was already open, Bel standing in front of the threshold. Her pale gray blue eyes wide upon eying your attire. A dinner dress with colorful blue lace that ended just above your thigh (that had been for her. Although you would never admit). Your brows creased, nervous fingers tapping on the tin. “Is it too much? I feel like it might be too much” you spoke fast. Bel only eyed you, a slight gulp evident in her throat, a fresh coat of ruby cheek’s adorning her usual pale complexion . “Is it too much??No…I think you look…” her eyes traveled down to your outfit, noticing the way the dress hung close to your figure. Still appropriate enough to wear to a first meeting of the mother, but also just enough to leave bel with a slight case of too hot under the collar. With your perfect curves and pale thighs just begging for her fingers to graze. ‘Keep it in your pants, Price’. She warned herself.
“Beautiful…you look beautiful..among other things. is that lace?” Bell squeaked, her fingers itching to press her fingers against the soft fabric, feel your skin underneath. Hot and soft against her fingertips.
“It is!! Isn’t it so cute!! My grandma gifted it to me last year and I’ve never found an occasion to wear it so I thought why not put my best foot forward for my girlfriend’s mother” you nervously rambled, it was cute how hard you were trying. Bel only really had one thought as she eyed your figure in that perfect lace dress, ‘thank you grandma’ bel was sure it would be headlining in her dreams tonight, but only for a few seconds because the prize was what was underneath.
Bel immediately taking the tin of cookies from your hands leaned in to peck your lips, moving back to eye you in your eyes, “you look absolutely stunning sweet cheeks” she spoke, moving in to press another kiss onto your lips, this one slow and steady, mapping out the taste of your lips. Bel could get use to this, kissing you. In fact she was and it was you would usually pull apart and tell her to focus. It was hard, with your lips that were soft and your hand that was warm on her cheek.
You wanted to pull away, you were sure Mrs Nelson from next door was alerting the media now. But all it took was the soft way bel’s left hand had slowly wrapped around your waist, pulling you impossibly close, lips now moving wild against your own, getting lost in the push and feel of her lips. Your stomach churned in the most delicate way, your heart pounding in your chest as you breathed through your nose, the sound of lips echoing in your ears. Bel seemed to enjoy the way you leaned into it; eyes closed and mouth hot against her own.
“Wow just look at her go! And here comes our number 5 Bel Price! She’s feisty she’s mean and she’s currently eating her girlfriend like a lean machine!” Came the voice from behind. You pulled apart right away, moving to immediately hide your cheeks and giggles in your girlfriend’s shoulder. Bel didn’t look to pleased as she eyed Carter from the doorway. Her lips too red and too cold to be that color just because of the warmth.
Bel only stared daggers at her sister, well cousin to the rest of the world. “Why do you always to have cockblock me Carter” bel mumbled, grey eyes staring steel into her cousins eyes. You laughed, watching as Carter only rolled her eyes, “I’m pretty sure you were holding your girlfriend hostage with the way your hands were on her. My god it looked like the grip you had on that one ride at storyland” Carter spoke, her eyes moving to you in that Carter way, smooth and calm. “Great story by the way y/n poor bel puked all over the couple in the next row. Had to buy them shirts”.
Bel’s cheeks flashed red, “I didn’t know you had to wait an hour to digest your food Carter!” She snapped back playfully punching Carter’s shoulder.
Carter only laughed before moving to hug her cousin, bear hugging her, “I’m only kidding you bel. I’m sorry. I apologize for my rudeness.” Carter spoke, and bell scoffed, “your just saying that”. Carter chuckled, “I am being dead serious bel. Now Say I love you Carter” she spoke. Bell sighed, eyes moving to Carter. A softness laced in them. “I fuckin love you Carter” she mumbled, just low enough for you to hear.
Carter nodded, smile wide and victorious. “There we go! That’s the spirit. Now y/n you look lovely! I love that dress!”.
You smiled bashfully, thanking Carter. You were about to follow Carter into the house when you turned back, “why don’t you go in Carter I have to get something from the car” you spoke. Carter nodded, saluting to bell before marching in. “alright. I’ll see you inside y/n”.
Bel’s eyes followed you as you opened your car door, moving to pull out a fresh bouquet of flowers. The smell of nature filling your nostrils. You fluffed them, moving some around. An assortment of baby pinks and emerald blue meeting your eyes.
“You got me flowers?” As soon as the words were said you frowned, eyes wide. Bel thought these were hers? A sudden flash of panic filled your heart. These were for Rachel. So she could have a great first impression. So she could look at them in the vase and think back to how kind and generous you were. You had originally thought to buy two, one for your girlfriend who insisted she hated flowers, or “despised them with all her heart” but kept the single rose you had given her on your first date. Ultimately you had only bought one on account of not thinking your girlfriend would want one.
“Oh these? Um-“ you could just give the cookies to Rachel, and the flowers to bel. But it was only till a playful smirk filled your girlfriend’s features. “You are the cutest human on earth my god! Your face! Relax sweet girl I know those are for my mother. But it was cute that you were willing to give them to me” bel spoke, moving to take your hand and walk up the steps.
You were instantly hit with nervousness. Bel’s fingers grounded you as she closed the door behind you. Sensing your nerves she moved in to whisper. “You’ll shine just like a star. My mom will just love you”. You hoped she did. God you did.
Bell took your hand in hers, fingers lightly caressing your hands. It was almost like a dream meeting Rachel. You had seen so much news on her throughout the years. Missing posters and tv news. Had seen a picture of her in bel’s house once. But seeing the woman in the kitchen with her soft apple cheeks and bright smile it was like she had never left. Like somehow she had always existed in the price household. Never truly gone.
As soon as her deep blue eyes met yours you froze. She looked so much like your girlfriend. Family genetics were strong for the Price family. Her smile was wide, charming, warm as she eyed you. Eyes moving over to bel who seemed to have an unspoken language with her mother.
Rachel’s smile was infectious as she moved her eyes on you, the same familiar color inviting you in because you looked into those eyes everyday. You took in her birthmark on her cheek, the mark that bel had told you about when she had met her mother in that dusty road that fateful day. The identifying mark that the police had put on every single missing poster and every news program within a 200 mile radius.
If you were being perfectly honest Mrs Price was attractive. Very with her long blonde hair that curled and soft charming smile. No wonder Bel had made you swoon.
You smiled just as bright, “Mrs Price! It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. I hope you enjoy treats, my grandmother makes a special recipe of strawberry cheesecake cookies and I just know they are as sweet as you” you spoke. Bel’s eyes widened at the end, a curious look in her features. Carter seemed to smile wide, she knew you were a little charmer with your soft kind smile and popular girl air but this was a whole level.
Rachel seemed to like that. She smiled wide, moving to take your tin from your hands, before pulling you into a soft hug. You were startled at first, but gradually leaned into it.
“You’ll have to forgive me sweetheart I’ve just heard so much about you from both my girls that I feel like I know you” she spoke, moving to softly caress your cheek.
You blushed under her touch, your school girl act coming out.
“I also know that when meeting a mother flowers are in order. I hope you like these Mrs price”.
Rachel’s eyes glistened ever so slowly as she took the flowers, “oh these are just beautiful. Oh thank you so much y/n. You are so thoughtful. No wonder my Annabel is smitten by you. And please! Call me Rachel. Come in! Dinner is ready”.
You watched as Rachel took the flowers in her hands, moving to nestle her nose to inhale the sweet scent. Bell smiled back at you, a smirk really. A smirk that you knew meant, ‘you little suck up’. But she was proud of you, you could see it in her eyes. The dining table was set nicely and you thanked Bel who had pulled your chair out for you, moving to press a gentle kiss to your forehead in the process. You blushed, bel was unusually physical today. No that she wasn’t all over you like any other day, it had took months of breaking down her walls when it came to physical affection.
Carter sat next to you on the left, her blue eyes the similar shade of blue, but maybe it was the light but it was the first time you noticed how the shade of your girlfriend’s eyes was a grey hue and Carter’s were clear as the sky on a good day.
Rachel was still rustling around in the kitchen, her eyes glittering as she eyed you sitting around the dinner table, bel’s body subconsciously mirroring your own. She watched her girls as they chatted animatedly with you. Watched as Carter giggled at a joke you said, her mouth wide and eyes holding affection as you whispered into her ear. Carter had just raced about you. How kind you were, clever, always being considerate of others. “She’s like the best friend I’ve never had”.
Bel had been an entirely different situation. Bel has always been headstrong, Rachel knew that. Even as a baby she had been stubborn. Stubborn when it came to doing tummy time. Rachel would hold those memories close, the images of a tiny little blonde baby crying but with such determination as she stretched her little body on the playing Mat. It had took time to repair the relationship, but bell at the end of the day knew her mother loved her with all her heart. Knew she would do anything for her. So when bel had come in one day eyes nervous but steel determination behind them and had said she wanted Rachel to meet her girlfriend it had been like a break through.
Annabel had been a bit overprotective when it came to you. Back when Rachel had first gotten home and tension was high and dangers lurked on every corner Rachel had seen the picture in bel’s room. When she had been searching for a book she had caught sight of the golden frame curled on the desk, stationed right by the bed. A spark of curiosity had filled Rachel. A mama bear instinct that seemed to roar to life after years of having to lay dormant. She liked to say she knew Annabel well enough to know that the picture was positioned in such a meticulous way that it could only mean that bel had put it there herself. With purpose.
It was a picture of of you and bel. One of those Photo Booth tickets at the mall, black and white checkered images printed on the piece of paper. Rachel could remember feeling like her heart had been ripped out. Because bel was smiling the widest she had ever seen. It was akin to seeing the sun shine, the warmth that radiated off bel’s eyes as she peered at you, like you were the sun. Bel’s nose crinkled and her eyes on you. Rachel hadn’t seen that part of bel yet. So…carefree. She was familiar with the analyzing grey eyes that seemed to follow her like she was a stranger in the house. Like a hawk, searching for anything that seemed off. Of course now bel eyed her with soft eyes. No longer the hostile girl she once was.
“Holy shit y/n these cookie are amazing!” Carter’s voice brought Rachel out of her head, with a steaming tray of Mac and cheese in one hand and a ham in her other Rachel made her way into the dining room.
You looked pleased that Carter had enjoyed your recipe, but rachel was the first to swoop in and take the tin from her youngest daughter, “carter save the rest for later! I’m making my famous cinnamon hot chocolate” rachel turned to you a gleam in her eye , leaned down and whispered, “bel just loved my hot chocolate when she was a baby, she’d get it all over her face and then I’d have to bathe behind her ears” a shine glimmered in Rachel’s eyes as she moved to sweep some strands of blonde strands from Bel’s face. A mother always. Bell didn’t seem to mind, and if she did she didn’t say anything. Just let her mother’s fingertips move the strands away from her cheeks. Bell had mentioned she was learning to let Rachel love her. It seemed like such a odd statement to others. Letting your mother love you? But you knew for bel it was the start of something new. Because ever since Rachel had been back bel had created a boundary between them. You didn’t blame her for it, and you were happy she was finally letting the poor woman love her. As only a mother could.
You smiled, eyes moving to bel who only smiled awkwardly. “Mom” she hissed, not unkindly.
Rachel only giggled, pinching her daughters cheeks as she placed the dishes of steaming food on the table. A small honey ham, rolls and gleaming potatoes that looked so good your mouth watered.
“Rachel I hope you don’t mind me saying but this food looks Amazing! My grandmother would be proud!” You spoke.
Rachel smiled that gleaming smile. “Complimenting my cooking? I like this one” she joked, turning to bel.
Rachel then moved to sit down in front of you, blue eyes watching as bel moved to grab a plate, placing one in front of you. Bel was all attentive when it came to you. Whispering to you, asking you what you wanted, only for you to smile and take her plate, asking the same questions. It was almost sweet how you both exchanged stolen glances as the plates passed each other.
“So y/n I’m told you are the senior’s class president? That must be quite the job to handle. I was my senior class president back in high school. Do you still use typewriters?”
You placed the plate full of food in front of bel, making sure to be attentive as you eyed Rachel. Her soft eyes moving between you and her daughter, who couldn’t quite take her eyes of you. Her cheeks a forever hue of crimson. Eyes dark as they eyed you.
“It’s definitely been a very challenging job” you spoke, “but I like challenges. As for the typewriters-“
“Good because this one-“ carter began, pointing her fork at her sister, humor in her tone, “all challenge”.
Bel only rolled her eyes playfully.
“I’m mostly in charge of the school’s treasure fund and field trip planning. We’ve had many successful field trips because of our passion for our students. Bel has been amazing at helping me in with some projects.” You spoke.
Bell smiled from behind her fork.
Rachel couldn’t help but smile, “really?? Isn’t that something. It usually takes a crowbar to get Annabel to do anything related to school” Rachel joked.
You laughed, you knew bel had a less than enthusiastic opinion on schoolwork. Which why now she had been in on top of her game, working twice as hard to get her GPA higher.
“Bel!” Carter spoke, eyes wide and annoyed. “You didn’t tell aunt Rachel that Mr Thripp cornered you last week to tell you that he was so proud of you! Her GPA went up by four points! At this rate you’ll be uhauling with y/n for college” Carter spoke, her voice laced with genuine appreciation.
A smile lifted onto Rachel’s lips. One you recognized. You had seen it on your own mother’s face countless times. Joy. Pride. But you knew by the way Rachel’s eyes glimmered that she was beyond proud. Despite her emotional eyes she remained as stoic as ever. You imagined bell had told her to try to be as normal as ever tonight.
“That is just…wonderful. Simply wonderful. I am…I am so proud of you Anna. Look at you my sweet clever girl! Did you know she was talking already at 9 months? You’ve always been my little firecracker”.
You expected bel to roll her eyes or leave the comment alone but she only caught her mothers eye. Held it there, a language you didn’t speak but could feel.
The moment was soon done when Rachel moved her eyes back to you.
“What do you like to do in your spare time honey? Carter’s filled me in and what you do for school but I just know a girl like you must have hobbies. Do you have any siblings? What’s your mothers maiden name?”
Your answers fell of easily enough, smiling and making Rachel laugh when you told her you were a big fan of reading. Rachel had smiled and said she had been too. You found out that your mother had gone to high school with Rachel and even had been been at her wedding. “I should have known you were her daughter, a heart like yours doesn’t come around often” Rachel spoke, eyes moving to bel swiftly.
While you were busy taking to Rachel about your home life, your little brother who you loved to death and many other funny anecdote you knew she would enjoy Carter had gotten bel’s attention from the other side of the table, a smirk on her lips. “I think mom found her new favorite daughter” Carter mouthed. Bel had smiled at that, but then blushed like a tomato when she realized the implication. Her grey eyes watched her mother with you. How Rachel looked happy. Genuinely happy. Maybe this was what she was meant for. This life. It wasn’t perfect, but it was hers. She had a mother, a sister and you.
True to her word hot hocolate was served and you watched as Bel moved to pour the hot drinks into the mugs, Carter standing alongside her in the kitchen whispering away. You wondered what they were talking about, although you knew. You. Carter was all animated and Bel looked beyond embarrassed.
It was only when you felt a soft hand touch your shoulder that you tore your eyes away from the girls and took note of Rachel. She looked back between her girls and you, a smirk on her features. Her finger twisted in a motion, moving to her lips like a secret. “I have something to show you. But you’ve got to keep quiet otherwise bel will know and I won’t hear the end of it”.
You eyed bel who was still busy talking to Carter and looking far less annoyed. You got up from your chair quietly and followed Rachel to the living room. There you watched as Rachel took a small album from the bookshelf. Held it out to you, “this is bel’s baby album. I made this for her the day she came home from the hospital.” You watched as Rachel flipped the book open. Rachel’s handwriting no doubt accompanying the photos of a little red baby dressed in the hospital baby gown.
“Nine hour labor. I remember being so scared..but once I held her in my arms I realized I would do anything for her”.
Rachel showed you some more, flipping through the only memories she had of her daughter. You realized these were the memories she had held close to her, these memories.
Anna’s first day home.
First bath
First tooth
First crawl
It also didn’t help that bell was the cutest baby alive with her chubby cheeks and cheeky eyes.
“Thank you..for showing me these Mrs price. I really appreciate you. Bel loves you you know. She talks about you all the time”.
Rachel moved to eye her girls in the kitchen, “it’s not been easy with Anna. Sometimes I think back to seeing her in her car seat. Looking up at me with those eyes. And now I look at her and see a woman. And she’s so beautiful…” Rachel moved to you.
“Your mother was a good friend of mine. And I know you’ll be good to my daughter. I hope you know how much I appreciate that”.
Carter and bel had moved into the room with the hot chocolate and Rachel placed the book back on the shelf.
By the end of the evening as bel walked you to the car she was smiling ear to ear. Her cheeks flushed from the cold.
“I told you to go inside you are going to get sick!” You spoke.
Bell shook her head, moving to kiss your nose, your forehead.
“Screw the cold. You did wonderful in there. My mother practically loves you”.
You smiled, “your mother loves you bel. And I love her. She’s so fascinating and fun! She showed me your baby book-“
“In my defense what baby looks cute at that age!!-“
You only shushed her, brought her close by the tip of her coat. Her body flush with yours, the weight of her arms heavy around you. You pressed a soft long kiss against her lips, savoring how cold they felt a giant yours.
“Goodnight bel” you deadpanned smiling when bell let you go and stepped aside. “Text me when you get home. Drive safe”. Carter came out too, hugging you and tackling bell into a hug as you peeled out of the Price’s driveway laughing when Carter saluted you the whole way.
You were pretty sure you smiled the whole way home.
4 notes
·
View notes