“He’s here!” Jack stares at the baby wriggling in his hands, and we both laugh with pure happiness when it starts to wail.
“Are you gonna let me get a good look at him?” I lean more forward, desperate to see what this little person we created looks like.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He laughs, carefully passing him up through my legs and placing him gently on my chest.
“All sounds good. Are his airways clear?” the doctor calls out.
“Yep, he’s breathing just fine. Just give us a moment,” Jack calls back, grabbing a clean towel and drying him off, so I can get a better look at his face.
“Hello.” I look down at him, unable to believe how something so perfect came from me. “He’s beautiful.” I look up at Jack, who brushes the hair from my forehead and kisses it.
“Like his mummy,” he tells me, looking so deep in my soul, I can’t escape him.
“He’s ours, Gracie; you can’t?—”
“Jack.” I take another look at our son before staring up at him.
“No… let me finish. I love you, I want this for keeps.”
“And there's your first lesson in life, son. Daddy never lets me finish.” I glance down at our little boy before staring back up at Jack.
“I love you and, although I’m certain you’re gonna live to regret it, this isabsolutelyfor keeps.” I reach up to kiss him and start crying happy tears, as I hold our son in my arms and feel completely whole.
“Want to do this again sometime?” Jack asks, stroking his finger over our son’s cheek and grinning with pride.
“Why not?” I shrug, tucking my head into his chest and admiring our perfect little creation.
JACK
“You know, for someone who hates kids, you sure make being a mummy look hot.” I slide my body up behind her as she finishes changing our little boy’s nappy on the changing unit.
“I never said I hated kids!” she snarls at me, lifting him up and placing him over her shoulder.
“Those were your exact words.” I laugh, wishing I didn’t have to pop our perfect little bubble and leave the house. It’ll be the first time I’ve been away from her in months, and the first time I’ve ever been away from him.
“Well, I like this one.” She raises our little man up and rubs his nose with hers.
“How long will your meeting take?” She has a suspicious look in her eyes as she takes a seat on the sofa.
“Don’t look at me like that. I told you it’s important I close this deal.”
“Am I really supposed to believe that, when last time you left us you murdered a man?” she reminds me, dutifully taking out her breast when Benjamin starts to moan.
“You know, if you feed him every time he whinges, you won’t be able to carry him.” I smile, taking a seat beside them andwatching him latch on hungrily. Dr. Stratton said he was a good weight, and I have to agree, nine pounds two is impressive. I just hope it hasn’t put Gracie off having any more, because I have plans for our future, and it entails her delivering many more of my babies.
“You're just jealous that he gets all the good stuff these days.” She smiles up at me and kisses my lips.
“I’m sure you’ll save some for me,” I whisper against her mouth, pulling away before I change my mind about leaving.
“Are you sure you're going to be okay here by yourself? I could call Olivia or Bea. Or how about one of the girls?” I suggest, knowing she must miss them. I’ve decided I’m going to offer each of them enough money to get themselves started in whatever they want to do. Gracie’s been so preoccupied with the baby that she hasn’t had a chance to see them yet, and I don’t know what she’s going to tell them about Jonah when she does.
“I’ll be fine. I was quite independent before you crashed into my life and made me all needy.” She laughs sarcastically.
“Gracie, you're not needy. You’re the most capable person I know. You just permit me the honour of taking care of you.” I kiss her temple, feeling so fucking grateful that she does.
“What are you doing now?” she asks when I straighten back up, take out my phone, and capture the moment of her feeding our son.
“Just one for the collection.” I look at the picture proudly.
