“How much do you think he weighs?” I ask Sarah.
“Over eight pounds for sure. We’ll get exact measurements when we arrive, though. But in my opinion, he looks like a healthy baby boy. Any ideas of what you’re going to name the little guy?”
It dawns on me that we haven’t said it out loud yet. Heck, we only just decided a week ago. “Jackson Paul. Paul is my middle name, too.” Saying his name for the first time is amazing.
“Jackson Paul. I love that. Welcome to the world, Jackson Paul. You sure do like to make a grand entrance.”
“Lord help us,” I mutter and Ashley smiles, laying her head back on the bed while holding Jackson in her arms. I’m not sure if the paramedics are supposed to let her hold him but I assume we aren’t breaking any laws here. Besides, I’m not sure you could pull Jackson out of his mother’s arms right now.
“I love you,” I tell Ashley.
With a smile, she replies, “I love you.”
“And I love you, Jackson. Thanks for shaking up our world and bringing us together.”
Epilogue
Ashley — One Year Later
“Are you one? Show me one finger, Jackson. One! That’s right! You’re such a big boy, aren’t you?” Grace coos. To say we’ve seen a big turnaround with her over the past year would be a huge understatement. She quit her job, moved back to our hometown to be closer to our parents and Lucy. Nik and I made it clear that we were absolutely fine with her not moving to Liberty. She might have changed some but we’re still not willing to just forget that she at one point asked to adopt our child.
Besides, as much as we love my family, we like our privacy even more. Over the last year and nine months, our family of three has been through a lot of changes and we’ve needed to adjust to those changes. My family has a tendency to be a bit intrusive. Not to say that Josie can’t be, but she’s busy with their own baby as well.
“You’re such a weirdo,” I tell Grace while I put the finishing touches on Jackson’s birthday party decorations. She smiles and stands from her place on the floor where she’s been playing with Jackson.
“Good. Aunties are supposed to be weird.”
Nik raises his eyebrows and I shrug. Grace went from being a rigid, judgmental… well, bitch, to the goofy one in the family. It’s hard not to wonder where the complete one-eighty came from. Aside from her marriage falling apart, that is.
“Whatever you say,” I mutter, tying the string for the birthday banner hanging from the mantel on the fireplace. “There. I think that’s about it.”
Nik lifts Jackson off the floor and comes to me, kissing my cheek. “Looks great, babe.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t do that. You worked hard to make his first birthday special. He might not remember it, but he’ll see the pictures some day and see it.”
“Thank you, honey. Want me to go change him so he’s ready when the family gets here?”
He shakes his head. “I got it. You sit down for a few minutes and rest.”
“You’re the best,” I tell him and he grins, carrying Jackson to his room.
“He’s one of the good ones,” Grace says when they’re both gone.
My heart swells. “He is.”
“I’m kind of jealous,” she admits and I shoot her a glare. “Not because I want Nik for myself,” she’s quick to explain, “but because I have never had that. I don’t know what it’s like to be loved by someone like Nik or Grant. Or Dean, either.”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to tell her. She’s the one who married Samuel. It’s not as if he changed after they said I do.
She shrugs. “It’s my own fault. I was the one who married the dipshit.”
I snort. “That’s true. Wonder how he and… what’s her name again?”
“Blake.”
“Right, Blake. Wonder how they’re doing? Have you heard?”
“I haven’t talked to him since the divorce finalized. But, as much as I hate to admit it, Blake seemed really nice, even if she was a little over-the-top sweet. Maybe it was all fake, you know? Either way, it’s not of my concern anymore.”
“Right. Do you want a glass of wine?”
“You really are a mom now, aren’t you? Wine at your kid’s first birthday party.”
“I’m not having any. I was asking if you wanted some.”
“You’re not having any?” she asks, suspiciously.
“Nope. Gotta keep my wits about me for the party.”
“Hmm. I’ll let it pass because I have news that I wanted to tell you before everyone comes and I’m going to be selfish. I know, I know, this is nothing new but if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right?”
“What’s going on?” I ask, chuckling.
“I’m adopting.”
I set down the platter of fruit that I just pulled from the fridge. “You’re kidding.”
“Not a bit. Not a baby, though. I’m working with an agency to adopt an older child.”
I sit down at the table because this news is just… a lot to take in. “Wow. Do Mom and Dad know?”
“Yeah. I haven’t told Lucy yet, though. I started the process about a month before her babies were born and I just didn’t want to add to the stress. Plus, I wasn’t sure what would come of it. But now we know. The little girl is six years old. Her situation is, well, it’s really sad. Now that I have my own practice and can make my own hours, having a child of my own makes a little more sense.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”
Grace nods and pours herself a glass of iced tea then takes a seat at the table with me. After taking a drink, she sets the glass on the table. “I’m one hundred percent positive. I know all other evidence might point to me being a selfish asshole but I want this, have thought this through, and am so excited to share my life with this little girl. We’ve met and spent time together with her social worker. She’s so sweet and adorable. Incredibly shy, which lessened after a bit. She’s been through so much in her short life and needs someone on her side. I’m going to be that person. She deserves someone who will put her first and show her what unconditional love is like.”
“I have to admit, I’m a little surprised.”
“I don’t blame you for that. But I promise, I’ve thought this through a lot. I’m not doing it for me. The fact is, there are so many children who need love in this world and I have love to give.”
“I’m happy for you, then. And you have my complete support. However Nik and I can help, let me know.”
“Thanks, Ash.”
Nik and Jackson come walking into the kitchen. Well, Jackson toddles in while Nik walks slowly next to him.
Jackson gives me a toothy grin when he sees me and I move my chair, reaching out my arms. He stumbles toward me and I wrap him up, nuzzling my nose into his cheek. He’s the cutest thing on the planet and I can’t get enough of him.
“Don’t you look handsome?” I ask him. Nik’s combed his dark hair so it’s all slicked down and to the side. His chubby legs are covered in a little pair of jeans and he’s wearing a blue plaid flannel shirt that… oh my heart… matches Nik’s.