Epilogue
JESSICA
I’m a mum.
Me, Jessica Harrington-Knight, wife to Noah and Caleb Harrington-Knight, is a mum.
To this little bundle of sweet perfection.
I study her tiny fingers and toes, her strawberry blonde hair.
“I can’t believe we made her,” I whisper as I run the pad of my index finger over her baby soft hair.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she,” Noah says as he holds her tiny hand between his thumb and forefinger.
“Perfect,” Caleb replies, his voice filled with an emotion that’s so endearing and beautiful.
His eyes find mine. “Well? Are you going to tell us her name?” he asks.
We talked about names throughout my pregnancy, eventually they both agreed to give me the honour as they said I was the one carrying her for nine months and had to do all the hard work.
Truth is, I already knew. As soon as we found out we were having a girl, I knew.
I nod and swallow, my eyes moving to Noah.
“I want to call her Rose after your mum. Rosie for short, and her middle name Margaret after Maggie.”
I swear, apart from the soft sound of her breathing, you could hear a pin drop.
Noah’s lips part, his eyes glistening as they drop to stare down at Rosie in awe and wonder before glancing back to me.
“I... thank you. Wow, I’m blown away, that means everything.”
He leans over, his lips ghosting mine, before gently kissing Rosie’s head.
I glance up to Caleb as he gently wraps his palm around the back of my neck and squeezes.
“Thank you.”
His eyes are so soft and vibrant as he leans in and brushes his lips over mine. When he pulls back, his smile is so wide. “Maggie will be beside herself.”
“Really? You’re sure you’re both okay with her name?” I ask. “I didn’t overstep?” My nerves riot inside me.
Noah reaches for my hand, careful of the cannula as he strokes over my knuckles with the pad of his thumb.
“You’ve given us the most amazing gift Jessica, and naming her after my mum, and Maggie.
..” His voice cracks. “Honestly, it’s the most thoughtful thing you could have done, and I’m beyond grateful. ”
Caleb reaches out his hand, placing it on Noah’s shoulder as he squeezes in mutual understanding.
“I wanted her to have something of your mum and vice versa,” I reply.
If I was worried about how Caleb would react, there was no need to be. I wanted to honour Rose and Maggie, they both helped mould the men I love and in acknowledging that love, it’s a way to pass on that legacy.
“I love you,” Noah replies. “All of you.”
“Not as much as I love you all,” Caleb replies.
I want to argue, to tell him that’s impossible because no one has ever loved as much as I love them.
But I feel it in the very recesses of my soul, the conviction of his words. And I would never insult them by saying otherwise because I love them all just as fiercely.
“I can’t wait for Aspen to meet her baby sister,” I whisper, still in absolute awe at the bundle in my arms.
“She’s going to love her,” Caleb replies. “I love that our family is growing.”
My heart feels as though it might burst from my ribcage at the sincerity in his voice.
“Are you saying you want to make another one,” Noah asks.
My jaw drops open, but Caleb nods without hesitation.
“I think my body might need some time to acclimatise first,” I reply with a laugh.
“You did amazing,” Noah replies.
“Magnificent,” Caleb says, brushing his fingertips over my cheekbone. “So that wasn’t a no,” he says with a tilt of his head.
I smile, because fuck me, when he looks at me like that, I don’t think I’m capable of saying no.
“You’ll need to wait at least six weeks before any of that,” a familiar voice says, causing us all to look up and smile as Avery hovers in the doorway, her eyes going straight to Rosie, before she covers her mouth with her hand. A muffled, “Oh my god,” leaves her lips.
Caleb stands. “Come and meet our daughter,” he says proudly.
Her eyes glisten as she walks towards my bed, her steps tentative.
“Jessica, she’s beautiful,” she says, her voice hushed as she places a flamingo gift bag on the bedside table.
“Do you want to hold her?” Noah asks as he moves out of the chair from beside my bed.
Her eyes flick between the three of us, she points her thumb towards herself. “Me, really?”
I nod. “Of course.”
“Let me wash my hands first.”
She moves to the small sink and washes her hands with precision. She would put a surgeon to shame, and it only makes me love her more.
Drying them off, she uses the foot pedal to discard the paper towels before rubbing her hands together. She leans over and gives me a quick hug and kiss to the cheek before taking the seat Noah just vacated.
“Okay, give her to me.”
Noah leans over me and gently takes Rosie from my arms and places her in Avery’s.
She smiles, sniffing back tears as she stares at her with the same awe and wonder as we do.
I know without even having to ask that there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her. It’s why, along with Mason and Lily, we’re going to ask her to be Rosie’s godparent.
A sound has me looking towards the door again, where Mason is standing, his eyes fixed on Avery. He has a look on his face I can’t quite decipher.
“Mase,” I say, causing his gaze to move to mine.
“Sorry, I couldn’t find any parking. Room for one more?” he asks as he enters the room with a giant flamingo in his hand.
“Always,” I reply, my voice trembling.
He comes over and greets me with a kiss to my cheek before whispering, “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
He places the stuffed flamingo next to Avery’s gift bag and then moves to hug Noah and Caleb.
“Congratulations,” he says, his eyes moving to Avery who is still staring adoringly at Rosie.
She looks up and catches him staring, her cheeks heating.
“Beautiful,” he says, but I’m not sure who he’s talking about, Avery or Rosie.
Avery blushes and clears her throat. “Do you want to hold her?” she asks.
Mason looks between the three of us and Caleb gives him a reassuring nod before he steps towards Avery.
She shakes her head. “Wash your hands first.”
He pauses, his lips parting on a response but it never comes. He just turns towards the sink and does as he’s told.
“Wow, so he does listen,” Avery says under her breath.
“Yes, I do Siren.”
She rolls her eyes with a soft shake of her head.
“Your uncle will learn, little treasure, don’t you worry.”
Mason stands up straighter at that. “Fuck, I’m an uncle,” he says with pride.
“Language,” we all chastise quickly followed by laughter.
His face turns serious. “Sh-ugar, my bad.”
I wave it off. “You’re good, but we might all need to work on that.”
Avery pushes to her feet as Mason approaches, and she gently lays Rosie in his arms.
“That’s it, support her head,” she says but doesn’t move away.
He stares down at her, his lips curving into a soft smile. “Do they know?” he asks, looking back at me. “Her name?”
I nod. “They do.”
Avery looks to me and then back to Mason.
“It’s Rose, Rosie,” he tells her. “After Noah’s mum, her middle name is Margaret after Maggie.”
Her eyes sparkle as she looks down at Rosie.
“The most precious name.” She strokes her finger over her hair. “It’s lovely,” she says, looking back to me.
I don’t know how long we all just stay staring at Rosie. It’s only when she begins to fuss, I realise it’s probably time for a feed.
“We’ll leave you to it,” Avery says. “Lily and the guys can’t wait to meet her.”
I nod. Lily texted me and said they’ll come by tomorrow on their way back from their weekend getaway.
“Before you go,” I say, looking at Caleb and Noah. “There’s something we wanted to ask you.”
Mason looks up from Rosie.
“We want to ask you both to be her godparents.”
Avery’s jaw drops as she blinks back at me.
“Rendered speechless, Siren?” Mason asks, but he can’t mask his own emotions as he looks back to me. “I’d be fu-dging honoured,” he replies, his eyes glistening.
Avery points to herself. “Me, seriously, a godparent?” she asks incredulously.
I nod. “And Lily, we’re going to ask her tomorrow.”
Tears fall freely now as she leans over and pulls me into a hug, her body shaking as she cries.
“Thank you, I’d love to,” she says, pulling back and wiping her eyes.
Noah takes Rosie from Mase, and Avery moves aside so Mase can pull me in for a cuddle too.
“Come on, Siren. I’ll buy you a coffee,” he says, putting his arm over Avery’s shoulders.
She elbows his side but doesn’t shove him off. I can’t hide my smile as they argue back and forth before leaving us all alone with our daughter.