“I do.” He throws me a sweet wink.
I hand Natalie over to him, completely expecting to have to explain the proper way to hold a baby, but there’s no need. He supports her head and holds her just right, and my heart melts even more for this man.
Seeing him holding his niece for the first time will forever be imprinted on my brain and my heart.
I take a moment and walk over to Via’s bedside, scooting in next to her and wrapping my arms around her.
“I’m so proud of you,” I say softly, trying not to cry again.
“Just as I’m proud of you, Iz. Really, take a moment and look at us. All of us. We’ve all come so far. Together.’
I let out a breath, not speaking, just soaking up the moment with myfamily.
“So,” Via says after a few quiet minutes pass between us.
Jett is still holding Natalie, refusing to give her up, as he and Ander sit on the couch across from us, talking amongst themselves.
“So, what?” I ask, curious.
“How are things? You know, with you and Jett?”
A wide smile pulls at my lips, just at the mention ofus.The fact that there even is an us to begin with is a miracle in and of itself.
“Things are truly perfect, V.”
As the words leave my lips, I’m hit with the realization of just how true they are. Jett’s and my path to get here was so far from easy, it isn’t even funny, mainly because of me. In the words of Taylor Swift,It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.
But we made it.
Life after losing Maverick wasn’t easy. I still hold a lot of guilt, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully forgive myself.
That being said, in my heart, I know he’s still with me. I know where I was always meant to be. I know that I’m truly, purely happy.
Life.
It’s a wild ride.
One moment, you can be complacent, walking down a path thinking it’s right, even though, deep down, you know it was never your path to begin with. And the next, you’re yearning for the life you’ve always wanted but never thought you deserved.
Our story isn’t ideal.
It’s messy, it’s sticky, it’s been tested, but ultimately it’s…us.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
