“I didn’t do it for him. I did it for you. I know how much you tried to help him, and I want to carry on your mission. I know he’s done a lot of wrong to us, but I can still see why you didn’t give up easily.”
“I don’t know what to say to you, Brock. That’s so incredible. You are such a good man!”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. I was worried that you’d hate me.”
“No, you offered help to someone who definitely needs it. That’s an amazing thing. I’m so proud of you.”
“Be proud of yourself. You’re the one who taught me to see things differently. If it wasn’t for you, I still would have judged him and hated him for what he did. You changed me for the better.”
“Well, I’m glad. Oh my fucking God, this hurts. Are you here yet?”
“I’m outside, just finding a parking spot. I won’t be long. I promise.”
“Good, because this baby is about to come whether you like it or not.”
* * *
“My beautiful little girl,” I coo while staring down at the bundle of joy in my arms, my heart absolutely swelling with joy as I do. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”
I didn’t know love could be like this, so boundless, so endless, going on forever. It’s a more intense love than I feel for Jodi. It’s different. She’s my daughter, the girl who will rely on me for her whole life.
“She’s so beautiful, Jodi. I can’t believe it. Look at her—she’s perfect.” I look over to my worn-out, disheveled wife who’s really been through hell today. Still, she manages to look gorgeous. Still, she’s perfect. She has the same blown-away, happy look that I do. “She looks so much like you, doesn’t she?”
“I don’t know. I think she takes more from you. Her eyes are exactly like yours.”
“What are we going to call her? She can’t be ‘baby girl’ forever?”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think it suits her!” I cock one eyebrow at Jodi. “Okay, okay. We’ll think of something. What about Rosalie? Do you like that? I just kinda think—”
“Rosalie Stanton. I love it. Hey, what about Rosalie Millie Stanton.”
“Ooh, Millie will love that!”
“Well, I think it’s only fair, don’t you? Since she kicked me up the ass and made me realize what an idiot I was being. I might have come to that conclusion myself soon enough, but you may have moved on by then.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Brock. You aren’t exactly easy to move on from. Not for me anyway.”
I dart my eyes between my wife and new daughter, really feeling like the cat that got the cream. If karma is a real concept, then I must have done something incredible even before the whole Lucas thing.
“So when are we having our next one? We don’t want too big an age gap, do we?”
“You’re joking, right? Did you see what birth was like? I’m never letting you near me again!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure. You’ll be ready to have another one again before you know it. I mean, look at this little face.”
She stares at Rosalie and melts. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Maybe I will. But not just yet, please.”
I reach out and take her hand, squeezing it gently in mine. “Whatever you want, Jodi. It’s my job to make you happy forever.”
“We will be,” she reassures me. “Me, you, and Rosalie. Maybe more in the future. We will be truly happy forever.”
The sassy girl I thought would be fun has rapidly turned into the most important person in my life–well, one of two anyway. Together, we’ve found a happily ever after.
25
Sneak Peak: One More Time
A Halloween to remember