“We’ll adjust,” he assured her.
She marveled at the changes in their lives over the last year. Even six months ago, neither would have predicted the paths that brought them here. Life transformed them from two individuals traveling their own roads in life into one couple promising to share a life full of love together and now forever joined through the bond of this small child. Neither had expected their lives to take this sharp turn, but as she watched Rex swaying Emily in his arms, soothing her back to sleep, she knew without a doubt her life was full of blessings.
Epilogue
Rex rolled out of bed and rushed down the hallway to grab Emily before she awakened Monica. Without fail, she woke up hungry every two hours, and Monica needed a break after insisting on taking her each time.
He walked to the kitchen gently bouncing the baby on one arm as he maneuvered making a bottle with the other.
Mom walked into the kitchen and reached for Emily. “I heard her, but you beat me to it.”
“I didn’t want Monica to have to get up again.” He tested the prepared formula on his wrist and assured it was at a safe temperature before handing the bottle to his mother.
“Have I told you how incredibly proud I am of you?” Mom smiled at him as she fed Emily. “Your father would be, too.”
“I’m so afraid I’ll fail. What do I know about being a dad?”
“No parent does until they’ve been in the game, and even then, it’s a guessing game half the time.” She chuckled softly. “And now you know my secrets.”
“Do you mind that Monica and I aren’t having a big wedding?” He believed Monica when she’d told him it was okay, but he didn’t want to disappoint his mom.
“If the two of you are happy with your arrangements, then so am I.” She winked. “I’d rather a small, impromptu wedding than you living together without a legal marriage.”
His cheeks warmed. “Which is why I’ve lived in my old bedroom upstairs for three days so I can still help Monica with Emily.”
“Are all the plans in place?”
He nodded. “You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”
She made a zipping motion over her mouth. “Not a soul.”
“What are you going to do all day without the responsibility of cooking Thanksgiving dinner?
“Absolutely nothing.” She grinned, then lowered her gaze. “Other than love on this sweet girl.”
“I meant to ask, is okay to prepare bottles in advance? I thought that might help during the night.”
“They can be made up to twenty-four hours in advance but be careful heating them.”
“That’s good to know.”
“I’ll take her if she’s finished. We’re going to watch the sunrise.”
Mom’s smile reached his heart. “Your daddy used to do that with each of you when you were babies.”
He blinked away the wetness forming in his eyes and took Emily. He swaddled her warmly in one of her blankets and sat with her in a rocking chair on the porch. He rocked her back to sleep, then watched the sun peek over the horizon.
Emily gurgled in her sleep, and he glanced down to make sure she was fine. When he looked at her soft, round baby face he felt the love of a father regardless of a lack of biological connection. He may not have anticipated being a dad this soon or in this way, but he fully intended to do his best by this little girl with whom he’d been entrusted. Her little hand found his thumb, and she wrapped her tiny fingers around it. His breath caught at complex emotions that one simple action brought.
The front door creaked open slowly and Monica stepped outside. “There you are.”
“We’re enjoying a peaceful Thanksgiving morning. Were you able to sleep at all?”
“Enough. Little did I know all those long nights at work with no sleep were really preparing me for this.” She reached for Emily and sat in the rocker beside Rex.
“It’s been a hard year, but we have a lot to be thankful for, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do.” She kissed Emily’s head and whispered to her.
