I see our ship comin’ from the shore
And that horizon in your eyes
Is like Tobacco Sunburst
“Someday, Little One, you’ll write songs or play the guitar. Maybe you’ll be a novelist or a painter. As long as you’re happy I’ll do whatever I can help you succeed.”
THE sound of Jimmy’s voice wakes me. It’s a pleasant sound, one that I love to listen to. I open my eyes slightly, but what I see needs all my attention
. I move as quietly as I can so I can watch the scene in front of me.
Jimmy holds our daughter snug against this chest, rocking her back and forth. His eyes are closed, but he’s singing to her. His head rests on hers in the sweetest of embraces. I wish I had my phone to take a picture because this is a moment I want to capture forever.
“What are you doing?” his voice startles me. He grins, which turns my insides to goo. He was sexy before, but seeing him hold our daughter puts him on a whole other level. I wink at him causing him to shake his head.
“I heard you singing.”
“Did I wake you?” he asks so quietly. Our life has changed now and we didn’t even make an attempt to do so. With the arrival of Eden, we just know everything is different.
“We’re having a girl.”
“I know,” I say, holding his hand against my stomach. “You with a daughter… scary,” I add, shaking my head. Jimmy kisses my nose then my lips.
“I’ll be scared shitless, but I’m going to love every minute of it. I want to be a part of this, Jenna. I know I screwed up staying in LA for so long. My dad… No, I don’t want him to ruin our day. We’re having a daughter, a daughter who needs a name by the way.”
“I have a feeling naming her will be hard.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “Name association.”
Jimmy laughs even though I don’t think it’s funny. I don’t want to pick my daughter’s name and have it be the same as some bimbo he hooked up with. And I hope he doesn’t tell me that he doesn’t know most of their names. That wouldn’t make me feel any better because honestly some things are better left unknown.
“Eden,” he blurts out.
“Excuse me?”
Jimmy shrugs. “Eden, and let me tell you why,” he says, pulling me over to the couch. We sit down and he turns to face me, holding my hand in his. “When I first met you, I knew you were off limits. The way Liam spoke about you was a warning sign. But everything about you made me curious. It was a little hair flip or the way your forehead smushes together when you’re thinking. But the breaking point was the wedding and everything leading up to that moment. Watching you that night was complete torture. Having you, making you mine for those sacred moments, was my undoing. To me, you’re my forbidden fruit. I can’t get enough of you, Jenna, and I think Eden represents what we created together.”
“Okay,” I say, wiping tears away with the back of my hand. “I like Eden Davis. It sounds perfect.” Jimmy kisses me, holding my face in his hands.
He leans down and pulls my shirt up over my belly. His lips press into my skin. “Eden Davis. That’s your name, Little One, and we can’t wait to meet you.”
Jimmy moves with caution as he carries Eden over to me. I move aside, still sore, but feeling better. He climbs on the bed, putting Little One on my chest. She stretches her neck and makes the most beautiful sound ever.
“I love that sound,” Jimmy says, echoing my thoughts.
“Me too.” I pull her close and rest my head on his shoulder.
“Let me take a photo.” Jimmy pulls out his phone and holds it out in front of us. I turn Eden around and hold her between us. He presses the button and pulls the phone closer to us so we can see our first family photo.
“She’s perfect.”
“You both are. I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am right now, Jenna.” Jimmy kisses Eden on the forehead before kissing me. “You’ve changed my life and it’s definitely for the better.”
I lean into Jimmy and relish this moment. He has no idea how much he’s changed my life and I don’t know if I’ll ever find the words to tell him.
“Surprise!” My mom and Brigette yell in unison.