Jesse appeared in the doorway, lingering for a second like he wasn’t entirely sure he belonged here. It was such a stark contrast to the version of him I’d first met, the brash, untouchable confidence and sharp edges, that I almost didn’t recognize him these days.
He held a small bouquet of flowers in one hand. “Hey, guys. How’s everyone doing?”
“Hey,” Will said, waving him in. “What’re you just standing there for? Come meet your nephew.”
He stepped inside slowly, his gaze flicking between us before settling on the baby in Will’s arms. “I didn’t come earlier because I thought I’d just get in the way. Plus, I haven’t really been able to breathe all day and I figured that was a bad sign in a medical setting.”
Will smirked. “Yeah, you might’ve given the docs quite a scare, but you’re here now and they’re both fine. We’re all fine. I promise.”
“You wouldn’t have been in the way,” I assured him gently. “Are you breathing okay now, though?”
Jesse nodded and took another step forward, moving slowly until he was standing beside the bed, looking down at his nephew for the first time. Something shifted in him as he stared at the baby. I swore, I saw it happen, clear as day.
The uncertainty didn’t disappear, but it eased, giving way to something that looked a lot like awe. “Oh. Wow. He’s real.”
I smiled when he leaned in slightly, like he was afraid to get too close. “Go on, Jesse. You won’t hurt him. Babies are more resilient than they seem.”
“He’s…” Jesse trailed off, shaking his head as he blinked rapidly. “Wow. Just wow.”
Will chuckled. “Right?”
For a few moments, I just watched them together. This side of Jesse, the softer side, was rare, but ever since he and Will had been growing closer again, I felt honored to get to see it more and more often. Their bond truly was something evenItreasured.
“How does it feel?” he asked, glancing at Will. “Being a father.”
Will looked down at Bennet, his expression so openly marveling that I felt my heart squeeze. “It’s almost as good as being a husband.”
I let out a quiet laugh and Jesse snorted, but there was a warmth to him now that I never thought I’d see. He leaned down, giving Will’s shoulder a brief, slightly awkward hug. Then he turned to me but didn’t lean in.
“I’ll hug you when you’re up and about again, but congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Will motioned Jesse into a chair beside the bed. “Sit down. Why are you just standing there?”
Jesse blinked hard. “What?”
“Sit,” Will repeated. “You’re holding him.”
Jesse froze as suddenly as if he’d turned into a statue. “I, no, uh. I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t know how and I just wanted to say hi. I?—”
“You’re sitting,” Will said calmly.
“I’m not…” He trailed off again. “What if I drop him?”
“You won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m right here and I won’t let you.”
Jesse hesitated, but only for another moment before he slowly sat down. Will carefully placed Bennet into Jesse’s arms, guiding him just enough to make sure he didn’t immediately panic.
“There,” Will said. “See? Not so bad.”
Jesse stared down at the baby like he’d just been handed something priceless, which he had, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be so affected by it. He exhaled shakily, his gaze never lifting away from our son’s. “This is a terrible idea, guys. Seriously.”
“It’s not.” I smiled, watching the way his shoulders slowly, almost imperceptibly, began to relax. “You’ve got this, Jess. You’re his godfather. One of these days, you’re even going to have to change a nappy.”
