Right From The Start
? Camera - Ed Sheeran (Unplugged)
Griffin
If I had knownmy life could look like this, I never would’ve left Angelina’s bed six years ago. It’s the morning of our first anniversary, and we’re lying in bed with three-month-old Jessie between us. A lot has changed since then, and my life—ourlife—is more than anything my imagination could’ve ever concocted.
Jessie has her favorite banana-shaped teething toy in her fist, and she’s staring up at me with those brown eyes that are now identical to her mother’s, down to the flecks of gold around her irises. One look and I melt.
She grabs a fistful of my hair like she so often does.
I give a dramatic, “Ouch!” and she giggles.
Best goddamn sound in the world, even if it comes at my expense. I don’t know how I ever lived without them.
I pull my hair back from the sadistic infant and glance over at her mother. “Happy Anniversary, Angel.”
“Is it our anniversary?” she says with a teasing lilt to her voice. “I completely forgot.”
“If we didn’t have a baby in the way, I’d give you a very thorough reminder of our wedding night.”
“Happy Anniversary.” She leans over and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Do you have to work today?”
“Just for a couple of hours, but I took the rest of the day off to spend it with my beautiful wife. In fact, Gigi should be arriving in an hour to pick up the little tater tot.” I tickle Jessie’s belly, and she giggles again.
“What exactly do you have planned?” Angie asks skeptically.
“You’ll see. Go shower and get ready for the day. I’ll get Jessie’s stuff together for her sleepover and meet you in the kitchen with breakfast.”
She stands and heads for the ensuite, her silky pajamas leaving nothing to the imagination. Halfway to the bathroom, she pauses. “Did you remember to pick up?—”
“Formula and coffee grounds. Of course. I have to keep both of my girls fed and happy.”
The first couple of months with Jessie felt like we were flying by the seat of our pants, but we’ve settled into a bit of a routine the last few weeks.
I hired several new employees to help run the sanctuary so I can be home more often, and the grand opening and official naming ceremony are slated for August. Not even Angie knows what name I’ve chosen. I know she hates surprises, but I think she’ll be okay with this one.
An hour later, Jessie’s off to the big house with Mama, and Angie’s standing in the kitchen, cradling a cup of coffee to her chest.
“It never gets easier to let her go,” she says.
“Just wait until we have to send her to preschool. Olivia said Wilder was a blubbering mess when they dropped Emmy off, and that was only for a half day.”
“I don’t even want to think that far ahead. Let me live in ignorant bliss for a while longer.”
“Speaking of bliss.” I steal the ceramic coffee mug from her hands and set it on the counter. “You have places to be.”
“First of all, you should know better than to touch my coffee.”
I set a to-go cup in her hand, replacing the pilfered mug.
“Oh.”
“Mhm. Go put your shoes on, Mrs. Hayes. You’re due at the salon in half an hour. After that, you’re going shopping to buy a bunch of new outfits for our trip to Europe next month.”
Her brow furrows. “Ok…”
“Don’t question it.” I reach into my back pocket and pull out my wallet.
