“Two weeks?!” Ella shouts, and everyone cackles.
Addison goes on to tell them she didn’t want to take attention away from Cora being born, and how things sorta changedduring our road trip. Her brothers poke a little fun at us for sleeping in the truck together, but it’s all just jokes and lighthearted.
Lunch carries on, everyone simmers down, and conversations flow into other topics. Addison seems relaxed. Her shoulders are loose, she’s eating, she’s being herself. I feel great too; definitely a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
After we clean up, I sit beside her on the couch while she holds Cora. I’ve never seen such a small baby. Probably because I’ve never seen them this fresh from the womb.
“You wanna hold her, Wes?” Ella asks, coming into the room.
“Oh—”
“He would love to,” Addison replies and hands Cora over to me before I can argue. “Just support her head,” she says quietly.
Cora wiggles and stretches a little as she settles in the crook of my arm. She turns her face in against my shirt, her eyes staying shut. She’s actually heavier than I was anticipating.
“He’s a natural,” Ella says, plopping down on the other couch.
“I don’t know about that. The second she cries, I’m out.” I laugh, but I’m not kidding.
“Oh stop,” Addison says, running her hand over my shoulder blades a few times.
As I stare at this little person, I think about my future with Addison for a second. She and I, Lord willing, having one of these. I know she wants kids—so do I—and I already know she’ll be the best mom in the world too.
Chapter 26
Addison
Mom and I are babysitting at Jesse and Ella’s so they can get out of the house, just the two of them, for a few hours.
Cora’s lying on my chest, her little head of dark brown hair against my chin. Her breathing is so quiet and sweet, and her little hands are fisted in my shirt like she wants to make sure I don’t go anywhere. She’s been passed out for about fifteen minutes, and I know I should put her down, but I don’t want to.
“What time is it?” I look at Mom. She’s got a pile of laundry dumped on the couch, folding each piece just so.
Ella insisted we don’t do any of the housework, but I don’t think she’ll be too upset to come home to an empty laundry basket and sink.
“Six twenty,” she reads off her watch. “They should be back soon.”
“No, I know. Wes and I were going to hang out.”
“Oh, what time?”
“We said seven-ish.”
“Well, if you have to get changed and whatnot, I’d get going.” She laughs.
“I don’t want to…” I groan.
“I know, she’s so sweet.” She sighs, setting a newly folded towel on the pile with the others.
A diesel truck rumbles from outside and gets louder as it closes in on the house.
A minute later, in walks Ella with Jesse right behind her.
“Welcome home. How was it?” Mom asks.
Ella sighs. “Fantastic. Sorry, Cora.” She laughs.
“Everyone needs a break. Don’t apologize,” Mom insists.
