The Boyfriend Blog

“Jacie.” She transfers the baby to me.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Her chubby cheeks are pink, and she has the most beautiful set of dark eyelashes. “I might never give her back.”

“She’s perfect, isn’t she?” Aiden says, wrapping his arm around me. He uses his other hand to pull the blanket away from

the side of her face.

“I think she’s smiling at me.”

Jacie farts, and Aiden laughs. “Nope. Just gas.”

“Next time, save those nasty little farts for your uncle Aiden,” I coo, swaying gently from side to side. “Us girls have to stick together.” I kiss her head and breathe in her soft baby scent. “I’m going to spoil you rotten, pretty girl.”

A couple of minutes pass, and when I feel Aiden staring at me, I look up. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says, smiling. “It’s just…a baby looks good on you.”

“Don’t get any ideas, Mr. Wallace, we’re not even married.”

The next day, I’m helping my sister pack up her stuff. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m holding my nephew while my sister and Jonathan pack up.

“I just had a baby, shouldn’t you be doing this while I’m sitting down?” Emily says.

“Probably, but I’m leaving tomorrow, and I have to hug Bennett as much as I can before I go.”

Emily stops beside the bed. “I’m not ready for you to go.”

“I’m not either. But Aiden has to get back to work, and I’m on the schedule to substitute teach next week.”

“No full-time job yet, huh?”

“Nah, but it’ll come.”

“How’s Millie?”

“Getting discharged as we speak. It’s so cool that you two delivered here at the same time. You guys saved us a trip.”

“You’re welcome?” Emily says.

“Knock, knock,” Dad says, walking into Emily’s room. He reaches for Bennett, and I growl.

“You’ve been holding him for hours,” Mom argues.

“Give me a few more minutes, okay?” I ask, trying not to cry. I kiss Bennett’s head and silently make him a few promises.

I’ll always be here for you.

You can come to me anytime you need anything, no matter what it is.

“Hey, everyone.” Aiden walks into the room followed by his parents, Calvin, Millie, and baby Jacie. “Calvin and Millie wanted to say goodbye to you before we leave.”

The room is packed full of everyone important in my life. Everyone except Edna. But I’ll be sure and tell her about it later over the phone.

I stand up with Bennett in my arms and walk to Calvin. He puts his arm around me.

“Thank you for being here.”

“Thank you for giving me a niece. Send me lots of pictures.”