I get in on my side, switching off the main light, leaving only my bedside lamp on.
I stare at the loves of my life, one of which is carrying our future—our legacy—and I make a silent vow to be the best dad I can be.
I’m not a perfect man, and I often question how I got to be so damn lucky, but I’m a selfish man because when they both agreed to be mine, I knew I’d never let them go.
I’ll spend my entire life showing them how much I don’t take that lightly. They are my beginning, my middle, and my end—now and always.
Epilogue
JESSICA
I’m a mum.
Me, Jessica Harrington-Knight, wife to Noah and Caleb Harrington-Knight, is a mum.
To this little bundle of sweet perfection.
I study her tiny fingers and toes, her strawberry blonde hair.
“I can’t believe we made her,” I whisper as I run the pad of my index finger over her baby soft hair.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she,” Noah says as he holds her tiny hand between his thumb and forefinger.
“Perfect,” Caleb replies, his voice filled with an emotion that’s so endearing and beautiful.
His eyes find mine. “Well? Are you going to tell us her name?” he asks.
We talked about names throughout my pregnancy, eventually they both agreed to give me the honour as they said I was the one carrying her for nine months and had to do all the hard work.
Truth is, I already knew. As soon as we found out we were having a girl, I knew.
I nod and swallow, my eyes moving to Noah.
“I want to call her Rose after your mum. Rosie for short, and her middle name Margaret after Maggie.”
I swear, apart from the soft sound of her breathing, you could hear a pin drop.
Noah’s lips part, his eyes glistening as they drop to stare down at Rosie in awe and wonder before glancing back to me.
“I... thank you. Wow, I’m blown away, that means everything.”
He leans over, his lips ghosting mine, before gently kissing Rosie’s head.
I glance up to Caleb as he gently wraps his palm around the back of my neck and squeezes.
“Thank you.”
His eyes are so soft and vibrant as he leans in and brushes his lips over mine. When he pulls back, his smile is so wide. “Maggie will be beside herself.”
“Really? You’re sure you’re both okay with her name?” I ask. “I didn’t overstep?” My nerves riot inside me.
Noah reaches for my hand, careful of the cannula as he strokes over my knuckles with the pad of his thumb. “You’ve given us the most amazing gift Jessica, and naming her after my mum, and Maggie...” His voice cracks. “Honestly, it’s the most thoughtful thing you could have done, and I’m beyond grateful.”
Caleb reaches out his hand, placing it on Noah’s shoulder as he squeezes in mutual understanding.
“I wanted her to have something of your mum and vice versa,” I reply.
If I was worried about how Caleb would react, there was no need to be. I wanted to honour Rose and Maggie, they both helped mould the men I love and in acknowledging that love, it’s a way to pass on that legacy.
