8
JACE
My wife is amazing. She birthed our daughter like a champ. I didn't have much to say or do as she worked so hard to bring our baby into the world. I just supported her in any way she needed.
"No anesthesia," she reminds me.
I nod.
"Episiotomy, which is painful."
"Beautiful daughter," I tell her. "Gorgeous wife and mother."
"Are you going to call your parents?" Summer asks.
"No." I know I don't need to explain further. She knows the story of how cruelly they treated Sydney when they found out she was pregnant with Kadence. I'll never forgive them for that.
"Have you even spoken to them?" she questions.
"No. I don't plan on it either. They're bad people, Sum. I don't want that in the girls' lives."
She nods. "It's just sad they're like that."
"They don't know any other way."
"Do you think they could learn?"
I shake my head. "If they wanted to try they would have already. They haven't called me either, and you know PR put out the press release already."
She sighs. "I know."
"Your dad was hilarious," I tell her.
She laughs.
"He knew Syd would poop the minute he picked her up. 'I'm cursed.'" I laugh.
Summer smiles. "And I made sure to tell him the rule when he walked in. If you're holding the baby when she poops, you can't just hand her back to me or you. He has to change the diaper."
"You did notice none of the others picked her up until after she pooped and your dad changed her, right?"
When Summer's dad and the rest of the band members ofFinal Warningwalked in, I got starry-eyed again. What rocker wouldn't? They're iconic. But the haze faded quickly. They're just guys like me.
"Oh, I noticed," Summer snickers, then yawns.
"Here," I offer, taking Sydney. "You get some sleep while she does."
"I just love looking at her."
I nod in agreement. "Kadi's coming up in a little while with Ethan and Linc, so rest up. You know how Linc can be," I chuckle.
"I love our family," Summer tells me. "I never thought I'd have this, Jace."
"Neither did I, Sum. But we do. We found it together."
"We're lucky," she yawns. "We need to remind Kadi she's just as important as her sister."
My heart leaps. "This is only part of why I love you. There are so many reasons, but the way you love our children is top two."
"What's number one?" she asks sleepily.
"The way you love me."
