Chapter 58
Daniel
Calling Heart’s parents had been a bold move.
I had never met them before, but was the father to their grandchild.
I was sure that wasn’t the way they had planned things to go for their daughter.
Her mother had sounded surprised on the phone, but said they would make the necessary arrangements to get out to New York as soon as possible.
When the nurse brought them to the hospital room this morning.
I was taken aback. I wasn’t expecting it to be so soon, but it was probably better for them to take me off guard.
My nerves of waiting to meet them would probably eat me alive.
I would be practicing how to introduce myself and how to share the story of Heart and me meeting.
I knew it would be a mess of a story. Now that I was a father, I would keep Bridgette far away from a guy like me. At least, the guy I used to be.
While Heart was with her parents, I decided to do another bold thing.
I called her best friend. The bulldog otherwise known as Monica.
I had swiped her number from Heart’s phone while she was sleeping.
I held my breath as the phone rang, not knowing if this was going to go well or not.
We hadn’t exactly gotten off on the right foot and I knew how fiercely protective she was of Heart.
I looked around the empty NICU to make sure I wasn’t disturbing anyone. Bridgette was still asleep on my chest, breathing calmly and soundly. There wasn’t a more soothing feeling than her little body against my chest. It felt like my whole world was right here.
The phone rang a few more times and I finally heard a click on the other line.
“Hello?” answered Monica.
“Hi, um, Monica?” I stammered.
I didn’t know which was more nerve-racking. Facing Heart’s parents or her best friend.
“Who is this?” she asked skeptically.
“It’s Daniel. Daniel Jacobs. Heart’s…” I didn’t know what to call myself. Boyfriend. Baby daddy. Friend.
“I know who you are. What’s going on? Is everything okay?” she asked in a panic.
“No, no. Everything is fine. I’m sorry to alarm you. I’m with the baby right now—”
“Wait,” she cut me off. “She had the baby? It’s too early! Is she okay?”
I smiled and looked down at my daughter. “She’s perfect. Heart is perfect. She’s with her parents,” I reassured her.
There was a pause on the other line and I checked to see if she hung up. She hadn’t.
“Her parents?” she asked skeptically.
“Yes, her parents came to meet the baby. I called them last night,” I said, trying to keep the confusion out of my voice.
“Well, shit,” said Monica.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just surprised after her last visit with them.”
“Oh?”
“You don’t know, do you?” she asked.
Clearly, I didn’t. I wondered if I had made a big mistake in calling them last night. Were they even welcome here? I felt heat creep up my neck.
I realized I didn’t know much about Heart’s family life, nor did she know much about mine. The time we spent together, it never came up. It felt like we had skipped go and gone straight to the finish. The baby on my chest was proof of that.
I knew in my soul that I loved Heart, though. She loved me. Maybe we had done things backward, but I would spend my life getting to know her. I couldn’t wait for that.
“What don’t I know?” I asked. I might as well get started on knowing Heart from the person who knew her best.
Monica chuckled. The cockiness that she knew and I didn’t was palpable, but I ignored it. I deserved it.
“Heart and her parents hadn’t spoken for years before you came along and changed everything.”
Years. Shit. What had I done inviting them here? No wonder her mother had sounded so taken off guard on the phone. And Heart had seemed in a daze when she brought them into the NICU. It all made sense now. But why? I had to ask.
“What happened between them?” I asked cautiously.
“Oh, I’ll leave the details for Heart to fill you in. But let’s just say they haven’t been the most supportive parents of her decisions. From her major in college, to her career, to getting pregnant before marriage.”
I swallowed hard. They had seemed more than kind to me. A stranger who they clearly knew nothing about who had gotten their daughter pregnant. Would it be wrong to say I was relieved they didn’t know all the details of the past few months? They would probably be much cooler to me.
“Heart had spent so long trying to live up to their expectations of her. To earn their love. Nothing was ever good enough. Those two are a real piece of work,” continued Monica.
“Wow,” was all I could say in barely a whisper.
No wonder Heart was so guarded. So unsure of how wonderful she was. No one had told her in recent years how special she was. So stubbornly strong in thinking she could do everything. She hadn’t needed to rely on anyone else. The thought broke my heart. It all made sense now.
“But they came…” said Monica musingly. “That’s a good sign.”
“They did. Things actually seem good.”
“Good. Good for Heart. Good for them. I had hoped they would come around, eventually.”
“Thank you for filling me in,” I said. “I know I have a lot to learn about Heart, but I want to be here to know her. I want to be here to raise the baby. I love your best friend fiercely, and I know I’ve screwed up too many times to count, but I promise I plan to make it up to her. To Bridgette,” I said.
“Bridgette.” Monica sucked in a breath.
Now, I knew something she didn’t. To say I wasn’t a little satisfied would be a lie.
“We chose the name last night.”
“It’s beautiful,” said Monica.
A silence settled between us for several seconds before she spoke again.
“If Heart is giving you another chance, then I am, too,” said Monica.
I smiled as I looked down at Bridgette. She had good people in her life.
“Then maybe you can help me with something,” I said.
“Sure. What is it?”
“Well, I saw that everything for the baby was already built and set up. I’m guessing that was you.”
“Let’s just say I’m a pro at the Allen wrench now.”
I laughed. “Well, thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Heart.”
“It’s what best friends do.”
“Well, since that’s all done thanks to you.
Maybe we could put together some sort of welcome home party for her and the baby.
I don’t know when we are getting out of here yet.
We will know more in the next coming days.
But I’d like to put you in touch with my assistant, Margaret, to help plan the party. ”
“I’m sure Heart would love that,” said Monica.
“I think so, too. She needs it after everything she’s been through.”
“Okay. I’ll get right on it. Just keep me posted on when,” said Monica.
“I’ll text you Margaret’s number. She has all my contacts for florists and caterers and anything else you need.”
“Okay,” said Monica.
Just then, I saw Heart walk in the doors of the NICU.
“Hey, I gotta go,” I whispered. “Keep it a surprise.”
“I will. Thank you, Daniel. Glad you’re back,” said Monica before hanging up.
I locked my phone and slid it back in the pocket of my flannel pajamas before looking up at Heart, who wore a smile on her lips.
“Hey,” I said softly.
“How is she?” she asked, looking to Bridgette.
“Been sleeping like a—well, a baby.” I chuckled.
She laughed softly and pulled up another chair.
“Do you want to hold her?” I asked.
“No, no,” she waved me off. “Let her sleep. She looks so peaceful.”
“You think she’ll always be this good of a sleeper?”
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
She placed her hand gently on Bridgette’s back and ran her fingers softly up her spine.
“Thank you for calling my parents,” she said, keeping her eyes on Bridgette.
“Of course. I hope you didn’t mind I found their contact in your phone while you slept. I knew you were so tired that phone calls weren’t the first thing on your list.”
“For being so small, she sure kicked my ass,” said Heart with a smirk.
There was a moment of silence, then she added, “No, but really. You don’t know how much that meant to me. How much I needed it.” Her eyes held a happiness that was new, as if she was fulfilled. I hoped it meant she found peace with her parents.
“Will they be here for a while?” I asked, not wanting to pry too much or reveal anything Monica had just told me.
“I think so,” she said, a smile spreading across her lips.
I reached over and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I know we have a lot to learn about each other, and you don’t need to tell me everything now. But I want to know you. All the parts of you, the good, the bad, the sad, the scary. All of it.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her smooth knuckles. Her eyes closed at my touch.
“I want to know you, too,” she whispered.
“Our life starts now,” I said, placing her hand on Bridgette’s back.
She opened her eyes and smiled lovingly at our beautiful baby.
“What’s it going to look like?” she asked dreamily.
“Well, I’m hoping it means you’re my…”
“Girlfriend?” she asked playfully.
“God, this is so weird. I feel like I’m in middle school, except I’m thirty-something with a baby.”
Heart let out a loud laugh and Bridgette stirred in my arms.
Heart covered her mouth and her eyes widened as we watched Bridgette fall back asleep.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I want you to be my girlfriend. Will you?”
She looked at me, her eyes dancing. “I’d love that.”
“And another thing,” I said, hoping I wasn’t moving too fast.
“I’d like you and Bridgette to move in with me,” I said.
Heart’s breath caught as she looked at me. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
“I want us to be a proper family. I want us to go to sleep together and I want to wake up to help with her. I want to set up a nursery where she can play, and learn, and grow. I want to dance with you and laugh with you, and show the baby what a loving home is,” I said.
“You mean it?” she asked.
“With every part of me.”
She looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding slowly.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes,” she said, her eyes glazing over with tears.
I reached over and placed my palm gently against her cheek before pulling her in for a kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed as her lips met mine. In that moment, I couldn’t tell if the taste of salt was from her tears or mine.
As we kissed, with our baby between us, I thought back on how much my life had changed in the course of less than a year.
I never thought it would turn out like this.
So extraordinarily different from the life I had lived before.
I didn’t realize how empty I had been until all those hidden parts of me were filled. Filled by these two girls right here.
As Heart pulled away and rested her head on my shoulder, I smiled to myself. My birthday wish had come true.