When I look up, Blake’s parents are staring. Dan’s smile never falters as he takes in his own son with his granddaughter. Janice appears to be in too much shock. Her wide blue eyes taking in the scene playing out in the bed before her.
“She’s beautiful,” she whispers. I catch the first of many tears leak from her eyes.
“She looks just like her mom,” Blake says before turning and looking at me. His eyes tell me everything I need to know. I can see his love for me and for our daughter shining brighter than any star in the sky.
“Mom, this is Janice and Dan Thomas, Blake’s parents. And this is his brother, Luke. This is my mother, Georgia.” I turn back to Blake’s parents and say, “And this is your granddaughter, Natalia.”
Our parents jump easily into conversation as they carry on as if they’d known each other for years, not minutes. After about thirty minutes, Blake’s eyes start to get heavy again. But when I look over at our daughter, I see that hers are as well. I offered to take her several times so that he can rest comfortably, but he won’t have it. Blake continues to snuggle with Nat, throwing in the occasional comment into conversations floating around us.
“We should be going so that Blake can rest,” Dan says. He leans over and gives his son a gentle hug. “Glad you’re okay, son.” Before he stands up, he places a tender kiss on the almost-sleeping Natalia’s forehead.
“Thanks, Dad,” Blake whispers. “As soon as I’m up and moving around more, we’ll all come over for dinner so you can get to know your granddaughter.”
“We’d like that,” Janice says as she steps up to the bed. Ever since she caught sight at Natalia, she has seemed calmer, friendlier. Her earlier cold veneer was replaced with something warmer and pleasant. “We’ll see you soon,” she says while giving Blake a kiss on his cheek, followed by one to Natalia. Her hand lingers on Nat’s full head of dark curls as she gazes adoringly at the now-sleeping toddler.
“I love you, sweet baby girl,” she whispers to Natalia, just loud enough that I can hear. Blake looks up at me with the hint of a smile. I imagine he’s as happy as I am that his mother took to her grandchild as quickly as we could have only hoped.
When Janice stands up, tears shine brightly in her eyes. “We’d love to have you all over as soon as you’re able. We have a little time to catch up on,” she adds with a warm smile. Stepping towards me, she extends her arms and gives me a gentle hug. I’m shocked speechless, yet ultimately grateful that Janice has warmed up to Natalia and me so quickly. The thought of her having any underlying issues with me would only strain the relationship Blake has with his mother, and that is something I definitely don’t want.
“I’m out, too,” Luke says while going over and giving his brother a pat on his good arm–which is wrapped around his sleeping daughter. Luke also bends down and kisses his niece’s forehead before walking over to me. “Take care of him,” he whispers against the side of my head.
“I will. Promise.”
“I’m going to take her back to my place and let her get more sleep,” my mom says before walking to the bed.
Gingerly, Blake leans down and kisses Natalia’s head before my mom picks up her placid body. “Georgia, I’m going to marry your daughter. I hope you’re okay with that.” His words are steady, but my heart and breathing are anything but. I all but choke on the very air I’m trying to inhale into my lungs.
How does this man know exactly what to say to melt my heart and break away any remaining defenses I may possess? Every time he opens his mouth, I think I fall deeper and truer in love with him. He’s possessive and bossy, yet so sweet and caring. He treats both Natalia and me as if we’re rare gems that he’s treasuring with everything he has and everything that he is. It’s a heady feeling to know that all of his love and adoration is for us.
“Nothing would make me happier,” Mom says with a smile before stepping out the door.
I close the door behind them and the room is instantly quiet again. For the past twenty-four hours, this room has been silent as Luke and I both kept vigil by his bedside. Now, he’s watching me with glossy eyes as I walk back towards the bed.
“Come here, you. You’re not sleeping in the chair tonight. I need to hold you in my arms. Arm,” he corrects with the hint of a smile. At least he can smile about the fact that he was shot the day before.
Even with the fear that I might hurt him, I still give in to my desire to be as close as humanly possible, given the circumstances. Mirroring the same position Natalia was in moments ago, I rest my head against Blake’s good shoulder and sigh deeply.