Love Again (Cowboys & Angels 4)

“There are a few tests we still need to do. Why don’t y’all go get some rest or something to eat.”

“Sounds like a good idea. I’m sure your folks will want to sneak into the nursery as well and hold her.”

The nurse brought our daughter into the nursery and placed her next to a baby boy named Mark Loach. Our baby’s name was slipped into the name holder on the bassinet. Jonathon laced his fingers with mine as I read it out loud.

“Liberty Grace Turner. It’s beautiful.”

“Of course, it is. A beautiful name for a beautiful baby.”

My fingers came up to the glass. “I just want to hold her and never let her go.”

“Same here. Look at how she’s already eyeing up ol’ Mark. Good Lord.”

I laughed and shook my head. “I have a feeling you’ll be asking Steed for a lot of advice.”

He let out a gruff laugh. “No kidding.”

Jonathon turned me to face him. Cupping my face in his hands, his grey eyes searched my face. “Happy Mother’s Day.”

There was no way I could stop the tears that came with those three simple words.

“Happy Father’s Day.”

His thumbs swept over my cheeks to wipe away my tears. “Do we have any idea what we’re doing?”

Laughing, I replied, “Not a damn clue.”

He kissed me gently before drawing back. “This is going to be fun.”

Sinking my teeth in my lip, I replied, “And expensive. I want that round crib we saw in that magazine.”

Jonathon’s arms dropped to his side, a moan slipping out. “I can make that for half the cost!”

Draping his arm over my shoulder, we headed to the waiting room.

“It will take too long!”

“Next you’re going to tell me you want her to have her own goat.”

“Oh, hell no. You think I’ve lost my mind? I was thinking more along the lines of a puppy!”

“Good Lord. What have I gotten myself into?”

* * *

I stood back and looked at my handiwork as I smiled.

“Look at that, Liberty. The finishing touches on your room. Pink curtains.”

Glancing at my three-day-old daughter, I nodded. “I know. I know. It was a compromise between your daddy and me. I could put up pink curtains, but they had to have little hammers on them. Don’t ask me how he got them made so fast or who in the heck made them. I have a feeling your Uncle Cord was in on it.”

Liberty stared from her bouncer. Dropping on the floor, I got up close.

“Mommy loves you so much, my sweet baby. How about we do a little dancing?”

Standing, I reached for the bouncer and carried it out into the living room. We both sat on the floor as I went through my music.

“Hmm…looks like Daddy has brought over all his music.” I started flipping through the CDs. “Foreigner, Boston, Daughtry, Def Leppard, AC/DC.”

Snarling, I shook my head. “We are not starting you out on AC/DC. Let’s look at Mommy’s.”

I smiled as I went through my playlist on my phone. “This is more like it, Liberty Grace. Let’s see what we have to pick from. Shania Twain, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert.” When I saw the song, I felt a warm sensation in my chest. It was perfect.

“This is our song.” I pushed on Rascal Flatt’s “The Day Before You” and unbuckled Liberty. I lifted her up and held her against my chest.

“Let’s dance, baby girl.”

Holding my daughter in my arms, I rocked her as the music played. Every single word of the song seemed to be coming from my heart. I closed my eyes and started to sing the words to her.

I felt Jonathon before I saw him. My eyes stung as I forced my tears back. I watched him wipe his cheeks dry.

“Want to join us?” I asked.

“It would be my honor.”

Jonathon made his way over to me. Kissing me softly, he leaned down and kissed Liberty on the forehead.

“I love you both so much.”

“And we love you, too, Daddy. Don’t we, baby girl?”

Jonathon pulled me closer as we danced in the middle of the living room with our little Liberty.

“Hey, you never did tell me about that surprise you had for me the day of the accident.”

Gazing up at him, I smiled.

“I’ll be sure to wear it tonight.”

Jonathon’s eyes smoldered with desire. “And I didn’t think this day could get any better. I do believe I’m in heaven.”

“Heaven on Earth,” I said softly as he pulled us closer. I closed my eyes and thought back over the last four months. The ups and downs. The laughter and tears.

All of it was preparing us for this moment.

And what a beautiful moment it was.

It’s not The End…the journey is only beginning.