FORTY-SIX
Jaxson
(Three months later)
I became a father today.
Madelyn gave birth to our beautiful baby girl today and made me the happiest man walking this earth. My heart feels like it could burst.
I have a daughter and she’s absolutely perfect.
Ava Lynn Blackwood.
Six pounds, two ounces of beauty and sass. Baby girl came out screaming and ready to fight—just like her mama.
She’s a little small, but totally healthy.
Mads survived her confinement to bed. These last few months were difficult for both of us. We fussed, we fought, and we got on each other’s last nerve. But like everything else in our lives, we survived. The time we spent together brought us even closer, which isn’t something I thought possible.
My little princess is more than worth it.
I always wanted a little girl. A carbon copy of her mama to love and spoil.
Madelyn has given me everything I ever wanted.
Leaning down, I press a kiss to my wife’s forehead.
“You’re incredible, baby. Thank you for loving me.”
She smiles softly, exhausted from the birth. Reaching up toward Ava’s face, she gently slides the blanket to the side.
“She’s everything that’s good in this world, Jaxson.”
“She’s the perfect combination of me and you.”
Madelyn yawns, so I tell her to rest. Our daughter is safe in my arms and that’s where she’ll stay.
“But my family is waiting. They all want to meet her.”
“Rest, baby. They can wait a little longer. Right now, it’s about the three of us, no one else matters.”
Her eyes drift closed, her breath evening out. She needs to rest. Her family will understand.
I remain by her bedside, Ava bundled in my arms.
Madelyn was right. Ava is everything that’s good in this world.
I’ll do whatever I can to protect her.
After two long days in the hospital, we’re finally free to go home.
With my daughter in my arms and my wife at my side—escorted in her wheelchair by a nurse—we make our way through the halls of the hospital. People congratulate us on our new addition. Other people, strangers, want to see her, but I don’t allow that. It’s my job to protect her until she’s big enough to protect herself.
We reach the exit and find ourselves outside in the warm summer air. We wait for a few minutes for our ride to pull up. Holden volunteered to play chauffeur and drive Madelyn’s new SUV so I could focus on my family.
Standing there waiting, I don’t miss the moment when my parents walk past us heading into the hospital. For a split second I wonder if everything is okay, but then I remember that they wouldn’t worry about me. I have someone far more deserving of my time, energy, and thoughts. Two someones.
They walk by without acknowledging me. My father actually turns his nose up at me and swings his head in a different direction. I may have imagined it, but I thought I saw a hint of regret in my mother’s eyes after she notices the baby in my arms. She’s this little girl’s grandmother, that’s true enough, but as it stands now...she’ll have no relationship with her. I won’t have their toxicity around my daughter. She’s too good, too pure to be tainted by their harsh and outdated views and beliefs.
Holden finally pulls up to the curb. I buckle Ava snugly into her car seat, double and triple checking the connections before helping Madelyn into the back seat. I give her the same treatment because she’s still sore and it’s my job to take care of her. A job I don’t mind at all. It’s the least I can do. Madelyn did the hard work.
The drive home doesn’t take long. Holden helps us unload everything, bringing it into the house before he leaves.
We’re finally home. I have my beautiful little family of three.
Heading for the nursery, I lay Ava down in her crib. She looks so tiny on the small mattress.
I know she’ll grow into it soon, but it’s not something I want to rush.
I sit in the wide glider beside the crib, carefully pulling Madelyn down and positioning her on my lap.
“How do you feel, baby?”
She leans back against my chest, looking up at me. Those mossy green eyes of hers shine bright with happiness.
“I’m happy, Jaxson. My heart is so full of joy, wonder, and hope. That’s what Ava is, our rainbow baby. A beautiful gift of hope.”
“You’re absolutely right, love.”
We sit in silence, holding each other while we watch our precious girl sleep.
Eventually, the silence is broken when Madelyn quietly says my name, “Jax?”
“Yes, love?”
“I saw your parents outside the hospital when we were leaving.”
“I saw them, too.”
“Do you think it’s wrong to not let them meet their granddaughter?”
I breathe out a sigh.
“I think...that it’s complicated, baby. Really fuckin’ complicated.” I think about how to answer her question. “They made their choice, and that’s something that they’re going to have to live with. It’s our job as parents to protect our daughter, and to me...that includes not inviting toxic people into her life. They were shitty parents, Mads. They had no interest in us, and as much as I hate saying it, they’d probably have no interest in Ava, either. But it’s their loss. She’s going to be so incredible, baby. She won’t miss them. She has too many other people surrounding her with love.”
“What if they showed interest? Your mom looked kinda sad when she saw Ava.”
“I noticed that, too. I don’t know, baby. Maybe if she showed she’s changed? It’s really hard to say. It’s a tough situation. I’d rather focus my time and energy on the people who matter.”
Madelyn turns her head and presses a kiss to my jaw.
“You’re going to be an amazing daddy, Jaxson.”
“I’m damn sure gonna try. You and Ava are everything to me.”