Just Add Spice

Jenna watched them cross the room, Gio doing an outstanding job of fending off the vultures so Linney could make it to her chair, sit and assimilate. Rafe’s family made a concerted effort to let Linney adapt, for which Jenna was grateful.

And Gio remained attentive…an interesting tidbit Jenna tucked away.

She worked the room as best as she could, though they were all gracious enough not to press in too closely on Jenna too. She eventually reached Rafe, still cradling the newborn in his arms. She hugged Geoff and Mags, the ecstatic parents.

Mags told Jenna, “Those flowers you sent to the hospital were insane. I was the envy of the entire floor.”

“I’m so glad everything went well.” Jenna’s eyes were on the baby. “Lily. What a beautiful name for such a beautiful little girl.”

Jenna swept her fingers ever so gingerly over a soft, plump cheek. Lily wiggled and stretched and her mouth made a perfect “O.”

“She’s an absolute angel.” Mist covered Jenna’s eyes. The baby wrapped her itty-bitty fingers around Jenna?

?s pinky. “Wow. And already a heartbreaker.”

“I know, right?” Mags said with awe in her voice. “I used to tease Tonio when he wouldn’t put the twins down to sleep because he wanted to hold them. Now I understand. I hate to have her out of my arms for even a second.”

“And yet I got a full five minutes,” Rafe said. “A perk to being her godfather.”

Jenna snapped out of her baby-induced trance. “Godfather?”

“Yes,” Mags beamed. “He accepted. And now you have no choice but to agree to be Lily’s godmother. Please, J. For me?”

A fat drop crested the rim of Jenna’s eye and rolled down her cheek. “You people are in constant command of my tear ducts.”

“But it’s not so bad, right?” Mags asked.

“No, not so bad.”

“So you’ll be at the baptism?”

“I will move heaven and earth to be there.” How could she miss out on such an important day—and calling? Godmother. She’d never in a million years imagined herself in that position. Whoever thought someone would ask her? The fact Mags had warmed Jenna’s heart.

“You want to hold her?” Mags asked.

Jenna stared at little Lily. She was almost irresistible. But Jenna shook her head. “I’m not good with babies.”

“They’re not so scary,” Mags assured her. “Rafe, hand her over.”

He carefully transferred the baby to Jenna’s arms, and Mags showed her how to hold her, to cradle her head.

Jenna couldn’t help leaning close to the infant and inhaling deeply. “She smells like heaven.”

“I know,” Mags said. “She’s positively addictive.”

Jenna watched the baby coo and sigh and wiggle her fingers. And thought she was the most precious thing on the planet.

It wasn’t until Lily fussed that Jenna gave her back to Mags, who said, “Don’t take offense. She’s hungry.”

“I don’t blame her. My stomach’s been grumbling since I walked in.” She smiled at Lily and whisked a finger over her supple skin again. “It’s going to be so much fun watching you grow up.”

Mags kissed Jenna on the cheek. “You’re going to be a fantastic godmother. I knew it the moment you touched my stomach and your eyes lit up.”

“That day at the bakery. I was so thrilled to see you pregnant. You’re so happy.”

“So happy. Now, you’ll have to excuse me so I can nurse her or you’ll end up seeing how very un-angelic she can be at times.”

Jenna laughed. “I bet she’s adorable even when she’s pitching a fit.”