The Temporary Roomie (It Happened in Nashville 2)

The rest of our stay in the hospital is a blur of sleepless nights, snuggles, visits from family and friends, and lots and lots of doting from Drew. He never leaves my side, taking the whole week off to stay with me and Jane. One of my favorite sights in all the world is waking up from a nap to the sight of Drew shirtless and rocking my baby girl against his tattooed shoulder while the sun spills over them through the window. He sings to her constantly—usually made-up songs about how precious she is or how hot her mama is—and there’s a certainty in his love for us, a finality I don’t have to question. Because somehow, it’s as if Drew and I were always meant to be. When Drew loves, he loves fiercely. He’s not going anywhere, and if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that Drew Marshall would move heaven and earth for me and my daughter, and I would do the same for him.

But I will never tell him where I hid the Frosty mug.

It’s been eight weeks since Jessie brought Jane into the world, eight weeks since my universe turned on its end in the best way imaginable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m exhausted. It’s nothing compared to how exhausted Jessie is since she’s the one having to wake up what feels like every hour to feed Jane, but we’re happy, that deliriously tired happy that comes with building a new family. And a family we definitely are. Jessie and I might not have had a conventional start or middle, but in the end, we are a family.

After we left the hospital, Jessie officially moved in with me, and now it’s not my house, it’s our house. I’m sure some people think we are insane, bu

t we can’t get up the nerve to care. Possibly because we’re too tired? What does it matter what other people think when we are so happy together?

Jessie’s house hasn’t gone to waste, though. After meeting his new great-granddaughter, Jessie’s grandaddy decided it was time to part with his old home. He packed everything up, sold his house in record time, and bought Jessie’s from her. It’s all come together seamlessly, and I can’t help but think it’s because it was always meant to be. He didn’t sell the plaid couch, though—that fantastic piece of furniture is sitting smack dab in the middle of Jessie’s trendy living room.

Shortly after giving birth, Jessie texted her ex and told her he had a baby girl. He texted back asking for a picture and a name, and although she wanted to just text him a picture of her middle finger, she did send one of Jane. He actually came to visit once a few weeks ago. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, and sadly, I don’t foresee him being in Jane’s life much, but Jessie did open the door in case he wants to be around in the future.

It’s okay, because Jane already has a man in her life who loves her and will spoil her rotten for the rest of her days. Which brings me to now.

Currently, Jessie is asleep, rolled over to face Jane, who is asleep in the bassinet beside the bed. The sun is up and warm, spilling through the window and casting a bronze glow over Jessie’s mostly bare shoulder, only covered by the thin strap of her nursing tank top. I was going to wait for her to wake up naturally, but I can’t wait any longer.

“Jessie,” I say, running the back of my knuckle gently down her arm. “Jess, wake up.” I kiss her neck softly.

She makes the sweetest hmm noise as she stirs and rolls over to face me, eyes still closed, a soft smile on her full pink lips. I trace my finger across her Cupid’s bow, making her smile widen.

“Wake up,” I say gently. “I have something to ask you.”

She takes in a deep breath and finally her eyes crack open. They blink a few times before they land on the open ring box lying between us on the mattress. I smile as I watch her eyes immediately shut tight and then fly back open like she’s making sure what she’s seeing is real. Suddenly, she shoots up in bed, clutching the sheets to her chest and whipping her head around to stare at me expectantly.

“Is that what I think it is?!”

I grin and sit up, set the ring box in her lap, and then lean in close to kiss her shoulder before looking in her glittering green eyes. “Jessie, it’s no secret that I love you with everything I am. I never saw you coming, but you and Jane are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I never, ever want to let you go. We did everything backwards and out of order, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.” I raise her hand and kiss her knuckles. “Marry me, Jess. Live with me and let me love you for the rest of our lives.”

Her hand has been covering her mouth for half of this speech, and the moment I finish talking, she starts nodding emphatically.

“Yes?” I ask with a hopeful smile.

More nods, and then her hand drops away and I can see her beautiful smile. “Yes! Of course yes!” Jessie tackles me back onto the bed and starts lavishing ridiculous kisses all over my face, each one punctuated by the word yes over and over.

I laugh and wrap my arms around her, flipping over so I’m pinning her in. I reach back for the box and remove the ring. I look down at Jessie, blonde hair fanning out around her face, soft smile on her lips, camisole askew and showing off her smooth gorgeous skin, and I memorize every detail before I slip the ring on her finger.

I lean down and slowly kiss her lips, leisurely lavishing her with affection and trying to savor her.

Later, standing in the kitchen, Jessie looks down at her ring, and I see a mischievous smile settle in the corner of her mouth. She lets out a strangled laugh.

“What is it?” I ask, frowning at the sight of her laughing at the diamond ring I spent hours deciding on.

Her shoulders are shaking. “I was just thinking about the ring you gave me for the first proposal!” She pauses to fully laugh now. “Your colleagues are all going to think I made you buy me a better ring!”

When Jessie and I started dating, we decided I wouldn’t correct her prank or tell my colleagues the truth. After my grand gesture proposal at the gala, word of my engagement spread fast around the hospital, and thankfully, no one has come on to me anymore at work. Neither Jessie or I minded the title either. It feels good that it’s official between us now too.

My smile falls, and I narrow my eyes dangerously on her. “I forgot about that tiny damn ring. You know, I don’t think I ever properly paid you back for that little prank.” I set my coffee cup down gently on the counter, and Jessie stops laughing.

She starts backing out of the kitchen, and I slowly turn my eyes up to her and smirk.

“Oh no,” she whispers before whipping around and hightailing it out of the kitchen.

It’s no use, though. I’m faster than her and overtake her easily in the hallway. I grab her around the waist and haul her up to me. She laughs and kicks and quietly squeals, all while I carry her to the couch and deposit her on the cushions so I can tickle her relentlessly until our tickle war turns into something entirely different.

I am, without a doubt, the luckiest man alive.

THE END