“Me or him?” I give him a questioning look.
“Both of you.”
“Good answer.” They switch kids, and I feel a twinge of jealousy.
“What did you name him?”
“Nicholas James.”
“Nice. Good name.” He nods and pats his butt as he holds him in the crook of his arm.
“Hey, guys,” Jade says as she and Kevin slip into the room, followed by Jackson’s parents. My parents are sure to be around the corner. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I feel surrounded by love.
“Let me take him.” Jackson snatches Nicholas from my brother and hands him to me. “You looked like you were missing our little guy.”
“You read me like an open book.” Although he’s small, his weight feels perfect in my arms.
“Yes, I do. I love you.” He kisses my temple.
“I’m never going to get tired of hearing that. I love you, too.”
A year ago, I would’ve said you were crazy if you told me I’d have a daughter and have given birth to a son in nine months’ time.
And if you’d said the father was Jackson, I’d have smacked you in the face. He was too young. He was too immature.
I was too boring and could never compete with the cleat chasers. It was against nanny protocol. Plus, I was told I couldn’t have a baby.
Well, screw all of that. It was time to break the rules and make all my dreams come true. And I’m never letting go.
*****