Something Forever(88)

“I’m your daddy, Conner. We’re going to have a lot of fun together. I’m going to teach you how to catch a ball, how to ride a bike, how to swim, and how to pick up girls.” I heard Jenna giggle. “There’s so much I want to show you and teach you. You’re going to be so loved. Every day will be filled with precious memories. Everything I am, everything I have belongs to you.” Suddenly, my muscles became relaxed. I hadn’t realized how tense I was. Connor and Jenna were safe and it hadn’t hit me until now.

Placing Connor in Jenna’s arms, I wrapped my arms around them. After planting a kiss on Jenna’s cheek, I said, “I love you both.”

Jenna couldn’t keep her eyes away from him, just like me. Her smile brightened the room. I could feel her love and happiness from the way she was holding him. It came so naturally to her.

“When you’re ready, you can try to breast feed him,” the nurse said.

“Okay.” Jenna sniffed his scent. I could understand why she had done that. There was something pleasant about the smell of a newborn child.





Chapter 37

Jenna



A huge “Welcome Home Connor Maxwell Knight” banner was spread across the foyer when I walked through our front door.

My eyes were wide and excitement filled me to see my parents, my in-laws, Nicole and Keith, Kate and Craig, and Becky and Matthew surrounding us. Looking beyond them, I saw blue balloons that floated almost to the ceiling, and vases of red roses were everywhere. I knew those were from Max.

“Welcome home,” I heard someone say. I was so overwhelmed to see a welcome home party that I couldn’t recognize the voice. Though my parents and in-laws were at the hospital the day of Conner’s birth, it was nice to see them again. After we had lunch, we gathered in the family room.

“Becky, I would have understood if you couldn’t come,” I said. It had been a month since she gave birth.

“We only drove a few blocks. And plus, I had to come see you and Conner. He’s such a great looking baby.”

“Of course he is,” Max said proudly with a curve of his lips. “He’s got mine and Jenna’s genes.”

Everyone laughed at his humor. “I’m glad you’re here. And Addison looks a little bit bigger.” Addison was dressed in an adorable pink dress with a pink bow in her hair. I couldn’t help but stare at her delicate facial features. Her tiny fingers were wrapped around Becky’s pinky. It was the sweetest thing to see. It was difficult to tell who she looked like, but for sure she had the same color eyes as Matthew’s.

“She grew an inch in one month,” Matthew informed us proudly.

“They grow up so fast, especially the first year,” Ellen said, admiring Addison. “Anyway, want some coffee or tea?”

“I’ll help you,” my mom insisted. After they took orders, they left the room.

“Ellen is right. They do grow up too fast,” Kate said, gazing at her daughter. Kristen had turned three recently. What a difference a year made. Her hair was longer and she acted a little bit more mature than the last time I had seen her. She sat quietly between Kate and her dad with an IPad.

“Not only that, they are technologically advanced, too,” Robert commented, observing Kristen.

“They are learning things a lot faster these days,” Dad added. “I see junior high school kids with cell phones. Jenna didn’t have one until she was in college.”

“I’m sure there are other things kids these day are advanced from. I don’t even want to think about it,” Robert added.

Nicole leaned over my shoulder. “Connor is so adorable. Look at that face. He’s going to break some hearts. It will be cool if I have a boy. Then at least when we have a play date, one won’t get left out.”

“Well, even if you don’t there might be another chance,” Kate threw in.

All eyes flew to her. “Are you?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m pregnant with our second.” Kate’s lips pulled back so big that I could see so much happiness in her smile. “I didn’t tell you, but we had been trying for a year. And it finally happened.”

“Congratulations,” we all said.

Conner started turning his head while his lips were searching to latch onto something. “It’s feeding time,” I announced. I was saying it more for me, but the men started to clear out as if the room was on fire. I had to laugh at that. Max left and came back with the nursing pillow that helped support Conner during feeding. He also placed a cushion behind my back, then left.

As I unbuttoned my shirt, I could feel Conner squirming under my arms. His little mouth started to tremble and his facial muscles twitched. A hungry cry was soon heard.