“I love her,” I say softly as he pulls me into Harrison’s room. Man, my sister-in-law is a genius. The room is decorated in a nautical theme. Anchors are everywhere, and above his white crib is his name in rope. Beside it are two quotes, “For this child we prayed.” and “Your first breath took ours away.”
“I really love your sister,” I say as my voice breaks.
I cover my mouth while he smiles. “Yeah, she really did a great job.”
I look around at all the shots of us with Harrison over the last couple weeks. Lucy made sure to use this space to celebrate our gorgeous son. It’s perfect. When Jude stands, Harrison makes a disgruntled noise, but Jude laughs. “Get used to it, buddy. You’re about to meet everyone.”
“Yup,” I agree, wrapping him back up in his blanket. I go to take the beanie off Harrison’s head, but Jude smacks my hand away.
“Leave it. We’re twins.”
My heart can’t take it. “It’s hot.”
“And you’ve got him in a blanket,” he challenges, and I roll my eyes.
“Fine,” I say, taking the blanket off, and Jude cuddles him to his chest. Of course, it’s the perfect picture, so I take one despite my husband’s annoyance. “Get used to it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he mumbles as he kisses Harrison, and we head out of the room. As I walk through the house, I marvel at how perfect it all is. I owe Lucy anything she wants. All she’ll need to do is ask. When we reach the sliding doors at the back, my face breaks into a huge grin. Our whole family is out there with balloons that read “Welcome home!”
“They went all out.”
“That’s how we do things,” Jude says, sliding the door open, and when everyone sees us, they start cheering and yelling. Soon, we are wrapped up in hugs and kisses, and I’m whole. So damn whole. As I expected, Autumn gets Harrison first, and while I watch her gush over him, tears fill my eyes. She’s so happy, like it’s her first grandbaby…when really, it’s her ninth.
“Well, aren’t you the cutest little thing in the world?” she asks, and I lean into Reese as she wraps her arms around my neck, kissing my head.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers in my ear, and yup, the tears start.
“He is absolutely perfect, Claire,” Autumn says, cupping my face. “We are all so proud of you. This baby is going to be so loved.”
“He’s everything we didn’t even know we needed,” I gush as I wipe a little dribble from his lips. “Jude is a mess. He doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing.”
They both laugh. “He’ll learn. But you, you’re a natural.”
I wipe my cheeks. “I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“The greatest things are worth the wait,” Reese says, kissing my cheek.
When Phillip comes over, he pulls me into his arms, kissing my forehead. “I love you, kid.”
I cuddle deep into his chest. “I love you.”
He holds me as we look down at Harrison, and I can’t describe what I’m feeling. Soon, Harrison is passed around, and as I assumed, he is adored. Everyone gushes over him—the girls love him to pieces, and even the boys make a big deal over him.
When Lucy gets him, she kisses both his cheeks, and I see the tears in her eyes. “I am so happy for you guys.”
“Thank you,” I say as emotion chokes me. “The room is perfect.”
“Oh, I’m so glad. Jude gave me the green light. Mom was trying to block my creativity, but I knew what this little dude needed.”
I nod. “You did. Thank you.”
She doesn’t take her eyes off Harrison, completely in love with him. “The perfect room for the perfect gift from above.”
When Jamieson finally gets to him, his little eyes widen in amazement of the baby. “We’re gonna be best friends.”
I nod. “Yup.”
“We have to wait to play hockey with him, right?” Jamieson asks me, and I nod again.