"Of course it is," she says, her cheeks turning pink. "That's what we are. At least, that's what it feels like."
"I'm glad to be your Jack," I say quietly. "It's the best thing I've ever been. And I always will be."
"Um, we should probably head back," she says, looking a little flustered. "Bottle, naptime, et cetera."
"Okay," I say simply, turning on my heel and heading back in the direction of the parking lot. We don't say another word, both of us clearly lost in thought.
But she doesn't ever drop my arm, either.
Chapter 42
Jack
Six Months
"Jack?" Abby calls from the nursery. "Could you come here, please?"
"Just a sec," I holler over my shoulder, opening the front door and setting a large bowl of candy on the folding chair I moved to the porch earlier today. After fastening a sign that reads "Please Take Two" to the back, I follow the sound of giggling down the hallway.
"Alright, what's up?" I ask before Abby's hand slams violently over my eyes, blocking my view. "Ow, what in the hell are you—"
"Don't open your eyes until I say!" The giddy tone in her voice brings a smile to my face, and I stand diligently with my hands over my eyes, awaiting further instruction.
"Okaaaay," she drawls. "Open!"
I open my eyes, still mildly off-kilter from Abby's assault, and try to make sense of what's in front of me.
Abby's hair is pulled into a bun on top of her head, held back by a black headband with floppy rabbit ears attached to the top. She's in a simple white tee, with a butter yellow cardigan draped over her shoulders, and a matching pair of linen pants. In herarms, Erin kicks her fabric-covered feet gleefully, looking just as excited as her mom. She's a fuzzy ball of dandelion yellow, in a onesie complete with a hood topped with bear ears and a red t-shirt that reads "Pooh" across the front.
"Oh my God."
"Isn't it perfect?"
"How did you get even cuter, pretty girl?" I gasp playfully, lifting Erin into the air. I'm rewarded with instant giggles, both from mom and baby.
"Isn't she darling?" Abby coos, tickling Erin's belly and turning her giggles into absolute shrieks of laughter.
"You both look amazing," I say, looking Abby up and down again. "I'm really digging the ears. It's a good look, you should consider keeping them."
"Keep that up," she says, her baby voice now laced with a sinister undertone, "And I'll change my mind about your gift."
"Gift?" I ask. "You got me a gift?"
"Well, I was considering it," she says, looking at me sternly. "But now I'm not sure you deserve it."
"I'm sorry, I take it back," I quip, bringing my hands together and pleading with her.
"Hmm," she hums, eyes narrowing. "You're lucky I'm so nice."
"The nicest, truly," I agree, schooling my expression into something solemn and contrite.
"Alright, let's show Jacky boyhiscostume," she says to Erin, scooping her out of my arms and making her way to the bedroom.
"Oh, God," I groan, shuffling in behind them. "Didn't the Minions costumes earn me at least one year off?"
"Actually they did," she sniffs indignantly, holding up a hanger. On it hangs a yellow short-sleeved polo with a pair of blue chino shorts draped over the shoulder.
"Thisis my costume?" I ask, not daring to believe my own eyes. "But it's just shorts and a shirt."
