It felt like books, which made me smile. When I pulled off the tissue, I laughed in delight. It was a stack of board books, all baby versions of classic literature. On the top was Jane Eyre with a bright illustrated cover. "Jude, these are amazing."
Underneath Jane Eyre was Pride and Prejudice, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, The Jungle Book, and Romeo and Juliet.
"So that you can teach our child all the wonderful things you know so well," he said.
I clutched Jane Eyre to my chest like it might contain all the happy I was feeling. "Thank you," I said, completely overcome.
"Next," he urged.
I set the books aside and picked up the next package. It was soft but firm. Before I could pull the tissue off, he handed me his phone. The screen was dark, a play arrow in the middle of it.
"Video first?" I asked.
He nodded.
I hit the button. I didn't recognize the dark table or kitchen where Jude had set the phone. His face filled the screen, and I could immediately read the nerves in his expression.
"Hello, the present you're about to open isn't just from me. I had some help in getting this to you and to the baby." Jude turned the screen, and I saw his mom wave nervously. I gasped, a hand coming up to cover my mouth. I only spared Jude a quick glance through my lashes, but he was watching me with a slight smile.
"Lia," his mom started in a wavering voice, "Jude's father and I wish very much we could be there to give you this in person. And I'd like to start by apologizing for what happened at the pub the last night we saw you. We have no excuse for our behavior, and"—she looked over at Jude—"it's something that we're working on as a family, to overcome. I hope you can forgive us because we'd love to meet our grandchild someday soon. And if there are any mistakes on the gift, it's because Jude doesn't take direction very well. But I did try." In the video, Jude gave his mom a smile, and she returned it. It was awkward, and they both looked unsure, but I felt a tear go down my cheek all the same. "Take care of that little one for us."
The video cut off. I couldn't even risk a glance at him before I opened the next package.
It was two small creatures made from the same soft wool of the sheep I'd found in his room. One was a similarly shaped sheep with a lopsided head and one leg. Through my tears, I traced the other, a black and gray wolf.
"So our families can teach our child all the things they know as well," he said in a rough voice.
His eyes were filled with tears, and I cupped the side of his face, smoothing a thumb underneath his eyes. "You talked to your family?"
"We are very much a work in progress," he said, clasping my hand and pulling it down so he could lay a kiss in the center of my palm. "I won't say we're all the way there, but with the help of a therapist," he said with a wry smile, "and a few tense phone calls before my visit, yes, I'm talking to my family."
I wiped at my face. "I'm going to have to redo all my makeup, and I can't even be mad about it."
He grinned. "One more, love."
"Oh, geez." I set the small toys aside with just one more soft touch to the wolf. With a grin, I knew this would win Paige over in a heartbeat. She'd love him.
I found myself holding my breath as I unfolded the last bit of tissue. My forehead creased in confusion when I saw a small jersey. It was a different blue, with different logos, but my heart skipped dangerously when recognition clanged like a noisy bell in my head.
"Seattle?" I whispered. "You ...
He settled his hands over top mine, which were clutching the Seattle Sounders jersey with shaking fingers.
"One-year contract," he said, holding my gaze steadily. "My agent thinks I've lost my bloody mind for doing this, but I couldn't stand the thought of being across the ocean from the two of you."
I shook my head. "Jude, I don't even know if I can say this delicately because my emotions are like ... gone right now," my voice wobbled, "but isn't this a massive step down for you?"
"Yes." His grip