Chapter 36 – Jordan
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
JORDAN
Iwalk into the hallway and sink to the floor against the wall, my head in my hands as sobs rip through my body.
How did I get here?
How did a day that was supposed to be full of joy turn into a nightmare?
When Mackenzie passed out, monitors started screaming and the doctor and nurses rushed around trying to help her.
I looked down and all I could see was blood.
So much blood. They were trying to get it under control, but it wasn’t working.
In a flash, they were wheeling her bed down the hallway for an emergency operation and I was standing there in shock.
The baby had been taken down to the nursery right after.
My attempt to follow left me here after my legs gave out and I couldn’t hold back my emotions.
An arm wraps around me, holding me to their chest as I continue to cry. “Let it out, son.” Conrad is consoling me while his only child is fighting for her life. I wipe my tears with my sleeves before I look into eyes that are just as worried as my own.
“I don’t know what happened. One second everything was great and the next she was bleeding… and… there was just so much blood. I can’t lose her, Conrad. I can’t.” The tears start falling, completely out of my control.
“Jordan, it’s okay. She hemorrhaged, and they’re getting it under control.
I have faith that this isn’t her time. She’s going to recover.
” Nodding, I take his words as peace and reassurance, realizing I have to get off the floor and be better—for her.
Be the man she and our little girl need me to be.
“The baby is a beautiful, healthy girl.”
“The nurses let us see her a moment before they took her to the nursery. She’s the spitting image of her momma. I can’t believe I’m a grandpa.”
“Conrad, she asked me to stay with the baby, but I can’t not be here when they bring her out of surgery. I don’t know what to do.”
“The baby will be having a few extra tests and evaluations with Mackenzie having been on magnesium, so you just sit with me a minute and then we’ll figure out a plan together. I think we have something to discuss.” He gives me a knowing look and I can’t help but let a small laugh slip out.
“Yes, Sir. I think we do.”
A few hours later, I’m holding a perfect baby girl in my arms while she sleeps soundly.
She’s the tiniest little bundle, swaddled in a thin yellow blanket and a tiny hat covering her curly light-brown hair.
Every detail of her face is an exact copy of her gorgeous momma.
Tears prick my eyes as I place a kiss to the top of her head.
She lets out a tiny fuss and I pull her in a little tighter as she settles back down and her breathing evens out. This moment with her will forever be imprinted on my heart. My little girl.
“You look good holding a baby, Mr. Mills.” I quickly turn my head to see Mackenzie smiling at us from her bed.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping, Momma.”
“I like the sound of that—being called Momma.”
“It suits you.” I stand, quietly placing our baby girl in Mack’s arms and kissing her forehead, lingering just a little longer than normal. I can’t believe I almost lost her today.
I’m in awe of her strength as I watch her kiss and hold her daughter, not long after surviving a traumatic birth and surgery to stop the hemorrhage.
Thankfully, the doctors were able to find the source of the bleeding quickly and she’ll make a full recovery.
My heart nearly fell out of my chest when they came out to the waiting area and told us she was going to be alright.
“Come sit with us.”
I carefully fit myself in the bed, careful not to jostle Mackenzie too much in the process. I put my arm around the love of my life and savor the moment, just the three of us.
“What do you want to name her?” Despite all our conversations, Mack has been at a loss as to what she wants to name the baby. With all the craziness of the day, it’s been on the back burner.
She looks down lovingly at the tiny infant in her arms, the ghost of a smile on baby girl’s lips.
“Her name is London Marie Banks because that city saved me, just like this girl did. She’s the one thing in life I didn’t know I wanted, but desperately needed.
I can’t imagine my life without her now that she’s here in my arms.”
“I love it. The city will always be special to me too because that’s where we fell in love. Well—you fell in love with me, I’ve always been in love with you.
“Hi, London. You are simply perfect, baby girl. Mommy and Daddy love you so much.”
A small sob leaves Mackenzie and I turn my attention from London to her, seeing tears streaming down her face.
“Baby.” I whisper the word as I kiss the tears from her cheeks. She closes her eyes before piercing me with those glacier blues.
“Jordan, I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m keeping you. We both are.”
“There’s nothing I want more than to have this family with you.”
I see a flash of guilt in Mack’s eyes, but I shake my head at her before she spirals. “No, Mackenzie. You don’t feel one ounce of guilt about any of this. I know with all my heart and soul I’m meant to be this girl’s father and it will be a privilege to do it with you.”
“Why are you so perfect?” Mack sniffles and her question makes me laugh.
“Not perfect. Just perfect for you, love.”
“I love you, Jordan.” Hearing her say that will never get old and it sends my heart soaring every time.
“Marry me.”
“What? Are you serious?” Mackenzie’s eyes are wider than I’ve ever seen them as she stares back at me in surprise.
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life, Mackenzie Banks. You are my person and I love you and this sweet little girl more than anything in the world. I want you to be mine in every way possible, starting with becoming my wife. What do you think? Can I marry you?”
“I told you that when you asked, I’d tell you yes. Of course I want to marry you. I love you so much and I choose you, Jordan Mills. I will choose you every single day for the rest of my life.”
Better than any championship or scoring title, knowing I’m going to marry the girl I’ve loved since I was a teenager feels like the greatest accomplishment of my life.
I lean down and kiss her, then jump up from the bed and walk over to my jacket beside her duffel bag on the couch. I dig around in the pocket and when I reach her side once again, I present her with a very recognizable blue box. Of course I went with Tiffany, exactly what she’s always wanted.
“You have a ring?”
“Of course I do.” I open it, showing her the ring of her dreams that I consulted on with my sister. It’s a round cut, two-carat diamond, on a rose gold band.
“How did you know? Since when? I... oh, Jordan, it’s perfect.”
Sliding it on her finger, I feel the caveman inside me roar, like I’m finally marking her as mine for the world to see.
“You look good with my ring on your finger, baby. As for how, my sister helped me make sure it was exactly what you wanted. I started designing it in December, right after Christmas.”
“But we weren’t even together then.”
“Oh, we were. You just weren’t ready to admit it to yourself, but I knew one day we’d be right here. We’ve always been inevitable, Mack.”
A soft whimper pops our love bubble momentarily, as we both look down at London who is stirring awake.
“I can’t wait to give both my girls my last name.”