He pats me on the shoulder and offers a little pat on Jessica’s back before he walks out. “Call me if you need anything, brother.”
I wait until the door is closed behind him before I turn to Gracie. “Wow! How’d you do that? Trey’s not really the huggy type.”
She says, “He’s been hurt before, hasn’t he?”
I nod. “Yeah, pretty bad too.”
She cracks a smile. “We’ll have to get Violet on it.”
“Oh no, Trey would definitely not appreciate being set up. Plus, I’m pretty sure Violet’s going to be busy for a while.”
She shrugs. “Maybe.”
I lay baby Jessica in the bassinet by the bed. With a quick kiss to her forehead, I pull the bed closer so I can sit next to Gracie. “Okay, Momma, what do you need? Are you hungry?”
She shakes her head. “You know what I really want?”
“Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“I want you to hold me.”
I reach to wrap my arms around her, and she shakes her head and pats the bed. “No, I want to lie in your arms and have you hold me.”
I jump up and lower the railing. She moves gingerly to the side, holding a pillow to her stomach.
“Are you hurting?” I ask.
“It’s manageable.”
I climb into the bed next to her, wrapping my arms around her. She lies against me, her head on my shoulder.
“You okay, honey?”
“As long as I have you and Jessica, I’m happy, Aiden.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
Epilogue
Gracie
Six Weeks Later
Who would have thought at eighteen, I would find my soul mate? And that’s the only way I know how to describe Aiden. Everything he does, he does for Jessica and me. When I got home from the hospital, I was surprised to find that in those few hours Aiden was gone from the hospital, he had put together a crib, and I’m pretty sure he bought out the baby store.
Anything Jessica could want or need was set up in the apartment.
And Aiden wasn’t lying about our future. We no sooner got out of the hospital than he had a preacher marry us, and even a small reception. Now we’re looking at houses.
Our lives have been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Gracie, baby, our five o’clock is here.”
I smile at my husband and the scantily-clad woman next to him. She’s beautiful and can’t seem to keep her eyes off my husband, but I can’t even be jealous. He only has eyes for me.
“Great, I can work up a design that you’ll love. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
The woman looks at me. “I want him to do it.”
Aiden crosses his arms over his chest. He doesn’t like anyone to disrespect me. I pat him on the stomach. “He’ll be doing the tattoo. But you paid for a Savage Original Artwork. That’s me. I’ll talk to you, get a feel for what you want, and then draw it. Aiden then guns it.”
This was all Aiden’s idea. I was hesitant at first, but I’m so glad I did it. I’m able to work and contribute to our family and do it through art.
Even though the woman is reluctant, she finally warms up to me, and I draw her a red rose that she goes crazy over.
“All right, I think Aiden is ready for you.”
“Second door on the left. I’ll be right there,” he tells her.
He waits until the woman walks down the hallway, and he pulls me into his arms. I kiss his lips and smile up at him. “I’m going to get Jessica from the babysitter. We’ll be home waiting for you when you’re done.”
He locks his arms around me and holds me tight just like I like it. “I won’t be long.”
I trace his nipple through his shirt. “I hope not. You do know Jessica is six weeks old today, and I think it’s time we make our marriage official.”
He groans into my neck and breathes deeply. “Oh, it’s official. There’s no doubt you’re mine. But yeah, baby. I know what today is. I’ve been hard thinking about it all day.”
My whole body trembles in anticipation. “Well, go hurry. I’ll see you at home.”
He kisses me deeply and thoroughly, giving me a good indication just how excited and ready he is for tonight. I open my mouth as he groans just as the bells over the door break us apart. A woman walks in, and I pull away but can’t help smiling. “Go ahead. I’ll help her. See you soon.”
He kisses me again before walking off with a wink.
I turn to the woman. “Hi. Can I help you?”