Tempting Perfection

It was hard to keep my emotions in check, but somehow, I managed to keep from tearing up. The room grew quiet when everyone took a seat and left me standing. Odd.

“I have one more gift for you.”

“Knoah, you’ve done so much.” She and Garrick had already gotten us a bassinet, car seat, and a stroller.

Without a word, Knoah walked to the closet. When she turned around, her eyes were glassy. Oh no, I know this look. I would most definitely end up crying, too.

Knoah cleared her throat and took a few deep breaths. “When I started planning this shower with Lana, I asked Kurt if you had anything in mind for the nursery.” She paused. “He told me you visited Dylan the night you found out you were having a boy. And that you wanted to name your baby Dylan, too.” She stopped for another second to wipe away a tear. “I know for a fact that Dylan is smiling about this. He’d be so honored. I’m honored.”

She stopped again to take a shaky breath. This was hard for her, which made my eyes well up.

“Kurt also told me you wanted to do a vintage guitar theme. I know Kurt has a couple of Dylan’s guitars. But I’d like to give you this.”

My curiosity was piqued. Knoah grabbed a large rectangular package with a blue bow from the closet and placed it on the table. I approached the table, looking at Knoah, who nodded. I lifted the lid and gasped.

I’d seen this guitar in photos of Dylan and Kurt. “This was Dylan’s. The one Dylan is holding in the picture Kurt keeps in his wallet.”

“Yes, it was his favorite one. And I’d be honored for baby Dylan to have it.”

I ran my fingers along the worn red finish of the Fender, unable to comprehend that this would be in Dylan’s room. It was perfect. “Knoah, wow. I can’t—”

Knoah put her hand on mine. “Yes, you can. It’s where it’s meant to be. The next generation. Dylan would want this.”

I hugged Knoah. “Thank you. Thank you so much. Does Kurt know?”

“Yeah, I think he was touched,” she whispered.

“I’m sure he was.”

We pulled back and smiled at each other. It was still hard to imagine. “There’s one more thing.”

“Knoah…”

She brought out another big white box with a blue lid and set it on the table. I took the lid off and gasped again. There were three shadow boxes with a sheet of music inside.

The titles “More of That,” “Rolling Thunder,” and “Doubt” were written at the top of the music sheets. Wow. I murmured, “The first three songs Dylan and Kurt wrote together.”

“More of That” was the first song. The first bars of music were on his chest. A memory to Dylan.

“Yes. All the sheets of music are in the box. I thought they might work well with your theme.”

“This is perfect. Thank you.”

My heart was full. Life was perfect.

Chapter Forty-Three

Kurt

I waited in the spare bedroom. The guys had been a hell of a lot of help getting this done as my gift to Sawyer. I knew Sawyer had been in a funk since her parents disconnected their phone. Understandably so. Fuckers.

My phone vibrated.

Knoah: We’re on our way to drop off the stuff. She loved the guitar and music.

Me: I knew she would. Thank you. You’ll never know how much it means to me.

Knoah: I do because of how much it means to me.