Throuple In Paradise - Faleena Hopkins Page 0,64
because she’s not the least bit surprised that he’s here.
I don’t know what to do or say. The last time Dad and I spoke, we yelled. It was a phone call shortly after I moved in with Jack where Dad disowned me. Literally said those words as if he had some sort of dumb inheritance he thought I wanted. I had shouted at him, “What, are we living in the dark ages?” and hung up.
Jack is obsessed with our daughter and pays no mind as Dad tells me, “I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”
Emotion robs me of my voice. I shake my head, overwhelmed, and look back at the little miracle in my arms. The doctors are saying something, but again it’s foggy. Jack waves them away.
I ask him and not them, “Is she okay?”
“She’s perfect. But they’re going to clean her up and run mandatory tests.”
Mom explains, “Perfectly normal.”
I want to tell my mother something I’ve been meaning to clear up but couldn’t let my pride drop long enough to do so, until now. “Mom, remember when I left your apartment and I said you didn’t help?” It was such a charged moment for both of us that day, her nod comes quickly. “Well, I lied. I just didn’t want to see what you made me look at.” Glancing from her to Jack I add, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Marion. Thank you.”
Dad asks, “Lorraine, what is she talking about?”
“It’s between us, David.”
Jack whispers, “I need to wash my hands so I can hold her. I don’t wanna get any dirt on her.”
I smile and he feels it, so our eyes lock, and he kisses me. “You did it.”
“What should we name her?”
He frowns, “We were going to call her Beth, but she doesn’t look like a Beth.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
Dad clears his throat and suggests, “How about Merriweather?” At our reactions he throws up his hands, “I always liked the name!”
With arms crossed, Mom rolls her eyes. “Merriweather, David?!”
He mutters, “You never liked my ideas.”
“That’s a blanket statement that is totally untrue.”
Jack looks over his shoulder. “Shut up.”
I start laughing, and wince.
In a voice loud enough to cut through, Dr. Munro informs the room, “Marion needs some rest.”
“I don’t want to let my baby go.”
“You’ll have her for a lifetime,” my OB/GYN smiles.
Staring at the little angel I whisper, “That’s not long enough.”
Jack kisses the side of my head and offers, “How about Ava?”
“Oh, I love that name! Wiggle your arms if you want to be called Ava.” I smile to him, then my parents. “I guess she likes it.”
Dad is so uncomfortable, but Mom looks as if she’s completely forgiven Jack for falling in love with me. “I’m a grandmother. Who would’ve thought I’d be happy to be a grandma?!”
The doctor reaches out. I reluctantly sigh as she collects little Ava. We all watch her float out of the room.
Jack kisses my lips. “How do you feel?”
“Everything feels different. I feel different, Jack.”
“Yep. Me too.”
“I love her. I’m already obsessed with her.”
His eyes crinkle around the corners. “Right there with you, Gorgeous.”
Dad sighs and rocks on his heels. “Welcome to fatherhood.”
Jack straightens up and steps aside as they start to wheel me out of the room. “Are you going to be able to move forward with us, David? Because I’m the one who’s in charge of protecting her now. I know that’s hard for you to accept.”
The nurses and physician’s assistants slow down, their curiosity piqued, just like mine.
The last thing I hear before we leave is my father saying a resigned, “That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
I relax, and close my eyes, knowing I’m in capable hands.
And I don’t mean the staff’s.
Chapter Forty-Two
MARION
Two Months Later
Jack pulls me out of our bedroom, where Ava‘s crib stays with us ever since we brought her home. We like to keep an eye on her.
It took Ava five weeks before she slept through a night, and then it was only one. Now she’s back to waking up repeatedly.
I thought training for ballet was hard; I’ve never been more exhausted than since I became a mother.
Or more happy.
“She’s asleep,” Jack smiles like we just won a prize.
The baby monitor is turned up to high volume because it has very little static and that’s not okay by me. I want to make sure it’s on. She makes no noise until she makes a lot of noise.
There’s no in between with our little girl. Jack claims Ava gets that from me.