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“Jack?” He looks up at me, questioning. “I love you.”
And there it is. Ten toes down with my clothes on. Well, with a hospital gown on.
“What?” His eyes widen.
I smile at him. He’s really making me say it again. “I said, I love you.”
He kneels next to the hospital bed, next to me with hope in his eyes. “Do you mean that? I mean…are you sure?”
“I think I was sure for a while,” I say. “I just…I wasn’t ready before now. I’m looking at you, though…I’m seeing you here with me and it feels right, you know? This feels like it’s supposed to feel. You’re the only one I want with me right now and you’re the only man I want to be with.”
He smiles and leans over and kisses me deeply, his hands cradling my head. Our lips part and he leans his forehead against mine and says, “I love you, Sarah. I have always loved you and I always will.”
We’re happy, and I want this happiness to be with us forever. I can’t imagine leaving Jack’s side in this journey of raising Ava. I want him to experience every bit of it. Ava’s first step, Ava’s first word. I want Jack to be there for every one of Ava’s first.
I’m in the hospital for about a day before I was discharged. Seeing the new car, now in broad daylight with the baby in my arms, I’m a little impressed with Jack’s taste. It was nice and roomy enough for the four of us.
“I’ll take the baby,” he says, taking her and putting her in the car seat as I walk around to the passenger’s side. Really, I can’t wait to get home. I’m exhausted.
When we pull up to the apartment, there’s a banner on the outside of the door. “Congratulations,” it reads in silver and pink. It brings a big smile to my face.
The living room’s full of gifts for Ava and bouquets for me. It feels like Jack bought a whole shop of roses for me.
“What is all this?” I ask.
“Just a token of love for you and Ava,” he replies.
“This isn’t what I was expecting,” I reply.
“This is the teaser, baby. There’s a lot more,” he says.
“What?”
“Just wait for it.” He turns off the lights.
“Jack…what--”
Suddenly, the lights turn on, and our close friends and family are standing with bouquets of roses. Jack’s thrown a small party for Ava and me.
It’s so thoughtful of him. I can’t believe he’s done all this. Everyone gathers around us, congratulating us and cooing over the baby.
“You both look so good together.”
“I’m so happy that you guys are back together.”
“Jack is being a perfect ‘couple goals’ partner.”
“Congratulations to you both for the beautiful angel.”
Everyone congratulates us and compliments Jack’s efforts. And he deserves all the praise in the world.
We have a loud and festive dinner. A grand feast is prepared for everyone and while it all looks delicious, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I eat pretty lightly for the rest of the night.
And when everyone leaves, Jack and I put Martin to bed and Ava in her crib. It’s been a perfect night.
As we’re lying in bed, we’re talking about the night and how he managed to gather so many people to come. It was like the baby shower all over again.
“You’re really amazing,” I say, “you know that?”
