“Joshua,” I said softly. “Joshua William Logan. In memory of the men we both loved and lost too soon.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Perfect,” she whispered.
I wiped under her eyes. “You’re perfect. You amazed me today, Lottie. Completely amazed me.”
“Sorry about the chair.”
Bowing my head, I laughed. “The chair is fine. Nothing matters but you and Nugget J.”
She giggled. “Nugget J?”
“Gives him some street cred. He sounds badass.”
She laughed at my silliness, which was what I wanted. She’d been emotional for days and so strong while she gave birth. Intense and focused. Now, I wanted her to smile. Our son was here; he was fine. She was fine. It was time to celebrate.
“There is a whole bunch of people waiting to meet him.”
I knew her parents were still there. So were Brianna, Trev, Rex, Gretch, and Bobby. An enormous arrangement had already arrived from the label, plus a personal bouquet from Carmen. There were flowers from the people at the shop whom Lottie worked with, and I had seen the huge yellow duck Brianna had with her the last time I went to give them an update. Lottie’s labor only lasted a few hours before Josh screamed his way into the world, angry and filled with attitude. They all knew he was here and healthy but hoped to be able to meet him.
From the weary look on my wife’s face, I decided maybe I should send them all away until tomorrow. Except I would allow her parents in for a moment. Charles had been great the past while, even showing up to the painting party. When he relaxed, he was a decent guy, and I knew he was anxious to meet his grandson. I wouldn’t deny him that. I wanted my son to know his grandparents. I wanted them to be part of his life.
“I’ll get your parents and send the rest of them home.”
“No, let them come in. They’ve been waiting so long.”
I sighed. “Okay—your parents first, then a couple at a time, and only five minutes. They can come back tomorrow. Your parents can come in and stay a bit.” I bent and kissed her. “After that, you’re going to sleep.” I smirked as she yawned. “If you stay awake that long.”
“You’ll stay?”
“I’m not moving a muscle. I’ll sing you to sleep,” I promised. When she’d gotten upset during delivery, it was my humming that soothed her. I’d sung to her and Josh the whole pregnancy, making up silly songs at times to make her smile. I liked the fact that my voice seemed to soothe them both.
“Okay.”
I walked to the waiting room. Several sets of anxious eyes met mine, and I smiled. “Jo-Jo, Charles, your grandson is waiting to meet you.”
“Have you named him?” Brianna asked. “Or is he still Nugget?”
“We have. It’s Nugget J.”
Bobby snorted, but the others stared at me aghast, which made me laugh. “For short. His name is Joshua William. Joshua William Logan.” I felt my throat thicken. “My son.”
Jo-Jo covered her mouth, and even Charles’s eyes glistened. I held out my hand.
“Come meet him. You’re going to love him.”I walked through the house, unable to stop the smile on my face. Charles Prescott was a formidable opponent, but when he was on your side, the man made things happen. I grudgingly had to admit I was beginning to like him. Watching Charles with Josh in the hospital had shown me the tender, loving side Lottie had often described. He stared down at my son, talking softly, almost cooing.
I swore my kid had magical powers to bring people together. Maybe his namesake had something to do with it. He had already earned the nickname Joshy, and everyone called him that. I had a feeling once he was old enough to object, he would. Until then, Joshy it was.
In the two days Lottie was in the hospital, the condo was packed up, moved, and unpacked. My few possessions had been transported, the extra bedroom now a makeshift office and music room. The furniture was placed in the rooms by her mother and Lottie’s pictures hung up. Her mismatched china was in the cupboards. Jo-Jo had resisted and not bought a single new thing for the house with the exception of the gifts for Joshy, which were vast and many. And a full larder and refrigerator, which I was more than happy to accept. And Charles had overseen it all.
Lottie had been shocked when we came here after leaving the hospital and not the condo, but incredibly happy.
She looked around in wonder. “It already feels like home!”
We settled in fast, and the house had seen a steady stream of visitors. The freezer was filled with casseroles, the tables held many arrangements, and there were a lot of stuffed animals in the nursery—the duck taking the most prominent spot.