“You never know,” I said, helping Jade into the car. “If she’s anything like you she’ll decide when she’s ready, whether we’re prepared or not.”
I shut the door before Jade could reply, and ran around to the driver’s side. I hopped in, turned the ignition on, and took the winding road that led us out the cemetery.
Jade was quiet, and nibbling her lip the way she often did when she was lost in thought. I squeezed her thigh, and her gaze jerked in my direction. “What you thinking about over there?” I asked, a lazy grin on my face.
“Is Dane going to propose to Kennedy?” she blurted out. My eyes widened, and I looked between Jade and the road.
Shit.
It was supposed to be a surprise.
“What makes you think that?” I tried sounding casual about it, but there were very few things I could hide from Jade. When she got wind of something, she became a bloodhound and wouldn’t stop until she found what she was after.
“Kennedy told me he’s been acting weird all week, and when she asked him about it he was very evasive.”
I pursed my lips, and looked at her out of the corner of my eye. “I plead the fifth.”
Jade’s face lit up with a grin. “Oh My God, he is isn’t he?”
I shrugged, and Jade started clapping like a five year old. “I knew it!”
I shook my head, and laughed. “Don’t tell her. He’s nervous as hell already.”
Jade made a zipping motion over her mouth, and then asked, “When is he doing it?”
“Tonight at the party,” I replied.
Both my and Jade’s birthdays had passed, but rather than celebrate with our friends, we spent a quiet evening at home, just the two of us. We weren’t in the mood to celebrate, and opted for something simpler. Unfortunately Grady and Kennedy weren’t having that, and convinced us to have a small get-together at our place with family and friends tonight.
“I’m so excited,” said Jade. “Kennedy’s going to freak!”
“That’s if Dane has the balls to go through with it,” I snickered. “Poor guy’s been calling me all week in a tizzy.”
“He loves her,” Jade stated simply.
I shifted in my seat, and cleared my throat. “You think they’ll beat us to the alter?”
Jade twisted in her seat, and eyed me with suspicion. “I hope so,” – I relaxed a little – “If we get married before Daniela is one year old I think our parents would all lose their shit. Together.”
“So you’re not upset that Kennedy is getting a ring before you are?”
Jade snorted. “Reid, if you propose to me now I’d kick your ass. Let’s survive the first year of parenthood before we talk about nuptiaaaaaahhhh - ” Jade stopped talking, and clutched her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” My body tensed.
“The baby,” – Jade inhaled sharply – “She’s coming.”
“Are you sure?”
Jade nodded frantically, and gripped my hand.
“Dios Mio,” she groaned. I squeezed her hand, and stepped on the gas. “Sit tight, baby. I’ll get you to the hospital.”
JADE PANTED AND rested her head against the bed.
“You’re doing great, Jade,” said Dr. Burke. “Just one more push, okay?”
Jade looked up at me, her face red and sweaty, and so perfect.
I pressed my forehead against hers, battling the collision of excitement and apprehension in my chest.
“This is it,” I told her, staring into her tired brown eyes. “You ready to meet our daughter?”
Jade smiled at me, and nodded as she braced herself. I held her hand in mine, and watched as she gave it her all. We heard the piercing cry of our daughter, and I couldn’t keep my own emotions at bay anymore.
I kissed Jade’s forehead, burying me free hand in her hair.
“God, you’re amazing. You did it.”
“She’s here,” cried Jade. She was exhausted, and in a lot of pain, but she never once gave up. By the time we’d arrived it was too late for Jade to have an epidural, so she had no choice but give natural birth without the help of medication. An hour and fifteen minutes later our daughter was born.
“You did a great job,” said Dr. Burke. She got Jade cleaned up, and we waited as Nurse Alba – who Jade demanded be present – took care of our baby. “Six pounds, and eight ounces,” said Nurse Alba. “And perfectly healthy.”
I held my breath as she walked closer, carrying the small pink bundle in her arms. Jade reached out, and cradled our child.
I looked down at the small face, so much like Jade’s, and mine and felt my eyes grow wet. She had perfect pink, pouty lips, and the cutest button nose, with a head of beautiful dark hair.
“She’s perfect,” cried Jade, smiling. “God, Reid. Look at her.”
Just then our baby opened her eyes, and peered up at us, her irises a slate-gray.
“Hi Daniela Sofia,” whispered Jade. “We’ve been dying to meet you.”
Daniela yawned, and moved her head around. “You want to meet your daddy?”
Jade lifted her, and with slightly shaky hands I held my daughter for the first time. My cheeks were wet, but I didn’t care. My daughter was looking at me like she knew me, and I felt my heart expanding with every breath, filling up with an all-consuming love.
“Hi, baby girl.” Daniela’s eyes widened like she’d recognized my voice. “I’m your daddy, and I love you so much.”
I SAT NEXT to Jade as she nursed Daniela, stroking her cheek. Our family and friends had finally been ushered out by Nurse Alba, and after some teary introductions, it was clear that everyone was smitten with the newest addition to the group.
“She’s so small,” murmured Jade. I could tell she was tired, and needed some rest, but she seemed so content just sitting there looking at Daniela.
“She won’t stay that way for long,” I mused. Jade yawned, and looked a little relieved when Daniela had stopped eating. Jade closed her gown, and slowly started rocking our baby.
I stood up, and held out my hands. “I’ll get her,” I said. “You’re tired.”
Jade smiled gratefully, and settled into bed as soon as I took Daniela. I placed her on my shoulder, and after breaking her winds I placed her in the crook of my arm. When I looked at Jade again, her eyes started drifting closed.
It was only late afternoon, the sun slowly starting to set on the horizon, and it had quite possibly been the longest day of our lives. But also one I would most likely never forget.
Daniela lifted her little fist to her mouth as I sat down in the rocking chair, and her eyes sought me out when I started talking.
“Some day, Princess, I’m going to tell you the story of how your mommy and I got together. I’ll tell you how silly daddy was, and how stubborn mommy was, and then I’ll teach you that boys are trouble, and your daddy is the only man you’ll ever need.”
I heard a snicker, and lifted my head to see Jade watching us. “I thought you were sleeping?”
“It’s a little hard to do when you’re staring down at our baby like she’s the most precious thing in the world.”
I dropped my eyes back to Daniela, and slowly started rocking her. “She is,” I replied softly. I kissed her head, and inhaled that sweet baby scent. “And she’ll never go a day without knowing it.”
After Daniela had fallen asleep, Nurse Alba had taken her to the nursery, leaving Jade and I alone.
“It feels weird doesn’t it?” asked Jade. She was lying on her side, her arm under her head. “To finally have her here?”
“Feels like just the other day you told me you were pregnant...” I trailed off.
“Don’t remind me,” groaned Jade. “That was not a good day for either of us.”
“Maybe not,” I replied, taking her free hand and clasping it between mine. “But I’d be wrong if I said I regret anything.”
“We did make quite a mess of things, huh?” mused Jade.
I shook my head. “No, we just blurred a few lines that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”