Finding My Forever (Beaumont 3)
I nod. “Yeah, her name is Eden or Little One. I’m pretty sure she’ll answer to both.”
“Such a pretty name for a pretty baby.”
“Thanks, mum.”
No one asks to hold her and for that I’m grateful. I have a feeling I’m going to be one of those parents who worry about germs and whether or not you’ve washed your hands or have a cold. I’m a dad now; these things are important. I have to protect her at all costs.
“Jenna is a little tired and has asked that you come back later at dinnertime. She wants to have a nap for a bit. I can tell you, however, that she almost certainly hates me, even though I know that she loves me really. She says I’m not allowed to touch her again and I have demon sperm.”
“I can attest to that,” Katelyn says. “I hated Mason for the last trimester of my pregnancy. He was so happy we were having twins though, and he’d carry them around like footballs.”
“I remember that,” Josie says. “When I was delivering Noah, I cursed Liam something fierce and prayed his dick would fall off.”
“Hey?”
“What,” she says, looking at him. “I was young and in pain. Your son was a beast with his broad shoulders.”
“Are you saying you don’t want another one?” Liam asks Josie. The look on his face is priceless while he waits for her to answer. She drags out her response, making his pained expression even more comical.
“No, I’m not saying that at all,” Josie says, shrugging her shoulders as if having a baby is no big deal. Or maybe she’s telling Liam he’s no big deal. Either way, his face is full of determination.
“Good, let’s go home and try for a while until we can see Jenna.”
Liam pretty much drags Josie away. He stops and pats me on the shoulder as he walks by. “Little Eden, you have such a big family with lots of cousins who’ll protect you from everything. Good luck ever finding a boyfriend.”
I didn’t have a big family growing up, but knowing that she does fills my heart with pride and love.
“She’s precious, Jimmy.”
“Thanks, Katelyn.”
“We’ll be back, JD. Go be with your wife and daughter. I wasn’t there when Quinn was born, but the second he entered my life, I never wanted to let him out of my sight.”
I nod. “I know. I almost had a panic attack when the grandmas were holding her. I’m not even sure how I’m going to give her back to Jenna.”
“You’ll find a way to share,” Katelyn says, kissing me on my cheek.
The grandmothers kiss Eden and then me, promising to return with clothes and proper food in a few hours.
When I walk back into Jenna’s room, she’s asleep. I move quietly and sit in the rocking chair with Eden in my arms.
“Mummy’s sleeping Little One, so it’s just you and me.”
She makes this little squeaking sound and moves her head. It’s going to be another sound that I need to record on my phone.
I place her on my chest and start rocking. Her head rests in the crook of my neck, which is her mum’s favourite place. The warmth from her fills me and as much as I don’t want to, I can’t help the tears as they fall. There was a chance that I could’ve missed this if it hadn’t been for Liam being upset. If I weren’t trying to find a way to talk to Jenna, I wouldn’t have been in Beaumont that night. Everything that’s good in my life right now is because of Liam. He’s the glue keeping us together.
Little One squeaks again and even though it’s quiet, I don’t want her to wake Jenna. I do what I’ve been doing since I found out I was going to be a dad. I sing to her.
After we set sail, there’s gonna be storms
Just don’t lose faith in me cause I’ll keep us on course
Remember this day, it’s written in the stars
We’re on our way to forever, girl it’s not that far
I’ve never felt like this before