Jessica’s swiped at her tears more than ready to move on from all the crying and angst she had experienced over the past week. She leaned closely near his face. “It’s a loud crow.”
“Oh. Well, that makes more sense.” His green eyes seemed to glow. “Stop jabberin’ away like a magpie and give me those lips.”
A smile exploded across her face. “Yes, sir,” she whispered and pressed her mouth affectionately against his.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jessica couldn’t help but feel a surge of love as she looked down at the determined face of her four-year-old. Julia gripped her hand tightly, anxious to see Tim, the little girl begging and pleading to pay him a visit at the hospital. She clutched a folded piece of paper in her other hand, not allowing anyone to see it before him. Jessica still didn’t know many of the details as to what her young daughter had gone through the night of the tornado, only that she was wrapped up safely in the arms of the man she loved, protected from the mayhem as the trees collapsed on top of them. She seemed unscathed both physically and emotionally, especially knowing that Tim was going to be okay.
“Are you ready, baby doll?”
Julia looked up at her with wide blue eyes and nodded confidently.
Jessica brushed her daughter’s fair hair back from her cheek. “Remember what I told you? Tim is very tired and can’t play like he used to. Not yet, anyway. You need to be very gentle around him. He has a big boo-boo on his head, so be careful.”
“I will, Mama.”
The once quiet little girl had a strong confident voice which still surprised Jessica every time she opened her mouth. The chatter between her and her sisters was something she had longed for, and it was now a reality. Her pediatrician had told her Julia would snap out of it at some point in her young life. That she snapped out of it on the night of the storm was a miracle.
Jessica put her hand on the doorknob and paused. “He’s been waiting for you. Go on in, sweetie.”
The summer sun streamed in through the window, highlighting Tim’s immense frame as he sat on a chair by the window, dressed in sweatpants and a loose t-shirt. A dark beanie was on his head, hiding the bandages across his wound. The smile on his face beamed as they came into the room. Before Jessica could stop her, Julia rushed toward him, catapulting her tiny body into his arms. Tim effortlessly scooped the little girl up in his arms and rocked her back and forth, cradling her blonde head in his hands.
“It’s so good to see you,” he whispered.
Jessica clamped her hand over her mouth as she tried to keep her emotions in check. When they finally pulled back from one another, she noticed Tim swiping tears from his face with the back of his hand. Julia immediately got comfortable on his lap and offered him the paper.
“For me?” he asked, holding her firmly in his grip. Her daughter shyly nodded.
As Tim unfolded the paper, Julia laid her head against his chest and pointed, explaining what was on it.
“This is you and Mama. That’s me, and that’s Jennifer and Jilly and Jo-Jo.”
Poignant emotion swept across his handsome features and he pursed his lips before swallowing. “Wow. This is the best present I’ve had all week,” his voice cracked. “You’re such a good artist, Julia. I’m gonna keep it right by the bed so I can see it all the time.” He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”
Julia’s smile was broad and full of satisfaction, not really understanding what her small gift must have meant to Tim. “You wanna see what I made for him?” she asked, looking up at Jessica.
Tim swiped the rogue tears from his face and held the paper out for her to take. Julia relaxed and put her thumb into her mouth, seemingly content cocooned in his massive arms.
Jessica’s breath hitched as she opened the paper fully and stared back at the colorful drawing. The stick-figure people were holding hands with Tim and Jessica in the center. A big yellow sun was in the corner and the large scribbled words “I love you” written in red at the top. Her friend, Elizabeth or her mother must have helped with that part of the drawing because her sweet four-year-old couldn’t write yet.
Jessica blinked back her own emotions, her gaze catching Tim’s. He offered her a slight smile and nodded before he took Julia’s chin in his hands and turned her face toward him.
“You know I love you too, Julia.”
Julia’s cheeks flushed as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and embraced him tightly.
They couldn’t stay long, Tim’s energy waning from the medication he had taken earlier. As Jessica took Julia back to the waiting area, she was shocked to see her ex-husband Stephen chatting away with her mother. He was dressed in his custom tailored suit and quickly stood when they entered the room. Julia clutched her hand and seemed to cower in his presence.
“Hey, there darlin’. I’m so glad to see you.” Stephen was exuberant and kneeled to be on her level. “You know I stopped by your grandma’s house the day after the storm to see if you were okay, but you were sound asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. I got you something.” He pulled a tiny angel pendant necklace out of his lapel pocket and offered it to her.
“It’s okay. Go on,” Jessica encouraged.
Julia tentatively took a few steps forward and took the necklace from her father’s hand.
“What do you say?” Jessica was floored at Stephen’s actions, especially the gentle way he was speaking to his daughter.
“Thank you,” Julia whispered.
