“You’re staring,” he teases, lifting his eyes to mine as he presses his lips to Jacqueline’s hand.
She’s had it wrapped tightly around his finger since the nurse came in and put the wristband on him. It was almost as if she feared he would leave if she let go.
“I can’t help it,” I whisper. “I didn’t think I’d see this. How are you even here right now?”
He smiles.
“Schwartz,” he says simply. “There was a reason I hired him, Lace. If anyone was going to get me home to my girls, it was him. About five weeks ago, he came to see me and told me there was a hearing scheduled to review my progress. I don’t know what kind of strings he pulled, but he had Sunny and a few of the other counselors testify and petitioned the court to release me early.”
“How come you didn’t tell me?”
“Honestly? I thought he was full of shit. I didn’t want to get either of our hopes up. Hell, I still don’t think it’s even sunk in for me,” he admits as he draws his attention back to our baby. “I can’t believe I’m holding her.”
“I haven’t held her yet,” I blurt.
His eyes instantly snap to mine.
“What?” he questions.
“After I had her, my mother and father basically hogged her all up. Well, really my dad did. I don’t think he let my mother have a turn.”
“You were asleep when I got here.”
“Labor will knock you out,” I joke.
Lifting himself out of the chair he walks towards the bed and sits on the edge much like I found him when I open my eyes.
“This day just keeps getting better,” he says as he bends his head to give Jacqueline another kiss. “Now, I get to see you hold her for the first time. Open your arms.”
He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I sit up and position my arms as he gently slides her into them. It’s not an easy transition because he literally has to pry his finger out of her grip and she instantly fusses at the loss of her daddy, but once she settles into my arms, the world stops for me. It changed the moment I heard her cry, but it goes completely still in that second. All that exists for me is her.
“Hi, my sweet girl,” I rasp, blinking through the tears clouding my view of her. At the sound of my voice, her eyes open and meet mine. “I’m your mommy, but you know that already, don’t you.?” I whisper the question as I bend my head to kiss hers. “I think she recognizes my voice.”
“Of course she does,” Blackie agrees, his voice thick with emotion. “She probably even knows your heartbeat.”
I lift my eyes to him and smile.
“How wild is that?”
“Not so much wild as it is beautiful.”
Leaning forward, he reaches out and cups my cheek. Careful of the baby, he guides my mouth to his and presses the softest kiss to my lips.
“Thank you,” he rasps against my mouth.
“For choosing me.”
He plants another kiss to my lips.
“For loving me.”
Then another.
“For marrying me.”
One more lingering kiss.
“But most of all, thank you for our daughter.”
“You’re welcome,” I reply as he drops his hand from my cheek. He glances down at our little girl and smiles widely as he traces a finger down the side of her cheek.
“So, Jacqueline Christine, huh?” he asks, glancing up at me.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it…I’m just a little curious. Jacqueline is obviously after your dad, but what made you choose Christine?”
Looking down at Jacqueline, I contemplate my response. Truthfully, the name Christine hadn’t crossed my mind until I heard her cry for the very first time. It was such a beautiful sound…the sound of an angel. I didn’t give it much thought. It sort of just came to me but I think after everything we’ve been through the last few months, it’s safe to say there is someone watching out for us and maybe that someone is the woman who loved him first.
I’m sure some people will think it’s weird, but I never really gave much of a damn what other people thought in that regard. Christine was a big part of my husband’s life and her life was cut short too soon. Giving our little girl her name is the perfect tribute to the woman who has watched over the man we both love and the only way I can ever thank you for not taking him with her.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure we’ve got a guardian angel or two watching out for all of us,” I say finally as I meet his gaze. “It just seemed fitting.”
“A guardian angel, huh?” he questions thoughtfully. “I love that. You know when we first found out you were pregnant, I went to the cemetery and asked her to look out for you and the baby.”
“I think she did a good job,” I reply thoughtfully.
“Yeah,” he whispers, touching his hand to my cheek. “But so did you. I love you, Lace. More than anything in this world, I love you and Jacqueline.”
“We love you too,” I say, swallowing against the lump in my throat. He brushes another kiss to my lips and one to Jacqueline’s head before there is a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Blackie calls.
The door opens and I laugh as a parade of leather files into the room.
“We couldn’t wait anymore,” Wolf explains, clapping a hand to my husband’s back. “We needed to get a look at our girl…”
“Jacqueline, say hello to Uncle Wolf,” I say, turning her in my arms so he can get a look at her. His eyes land on my daughter and I catch a glimpse of his pearly whites through his thick beard.
“You are in so much trouble, Black,” he quips. “She’s beautiful.”
“Oh shit! She’s got your hair,” Riggs exclaims, leaning over Wolf’s shoulder to look at Jacqueline. “If Teespring shit goes south, we can start a haircare line.”
“This guy,” Pipe mutters, coming to my other side. He bends and kisses the top of my head. “How you feeling, sweetheart?”
“I’m good, Pipe,” I tell him. “How’s Liam?”
“About ready to meet his future wife,” he teases, eyeing the baby. Blackie’s face falls at his response and a scowl works its way across his lips.
“Don’t even joke like that,” he grunts.
“Aww, I think that would be cute,” I argue. “Imagine?”
“No, I can’t imagine,” he mutters, holding out his arms. “Come to Daddy, Jacqueline.”
“Oh, you’re so fucked,” Riggs quips.
“Watch your mouth around my granddaughter, kid.”
We all turn towards the door and look at my mother who crosses her arms over her chest and shakes her head.
“It’s no use, her first word is going to be fuck,” she mumbles as my father pats her on the back. Danny releases Reina’s hand and rushes into the room.
“Can I see her?”
Bas lifts Danny into his arms and I watch my brother grin from ear to ear as he stares at his niece.
“Hi, Jacqueline, I’m your Uncle Danny. I’m shorter than the rest of these guys but like them, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”