Page 163 of Rocky Mountain Home
“He’s beautiful,” Dare whispered.
“He is, but you’re even more beautiful.” He brushed a stray hair behind her ear. “Thank you for making our son.”
Dare tilted her head, smile going watery. “Don’t make me cry.”
“I’m not,” he protested. “I mean it. You did amazing.”
She leaned into his side, and they stared at the baby’s little scrunched-up face for a bit. Jesse traced a finger over the teeny brow and wondered how the sound of his own heart wasn’t echoing off the walls, it was pumping so hard.
“He looks like a Coleman,” Dare said.
Jesse chuckled. “I’ll take your word on it.”
Then he kissed her, one arm curled protectively around both her and the baby, because there was no way he could separate himself from them right then. He stared down at his family in amazed wonder and knew he was never going to feel alone again.
Joel and Vicki were the first to arrive, while Jesse was still reeling at the little bit of humanity in his arms.
Vicki hugged Dare then stood impatiently beside Jesse, waiting for her turn to hold the baby. “Sweet thing. What’s his name?”
“Joseph Michael. After both our dads,” Dare shared. “We plan on calling him Joey.”
Jesse looked up into his brother’s pleased expression. “That’s as close as we could get without making you do double-takes every time we call his name.”
Joel gave Jesse a hug then gazed down in approval. “I like it.” He reached for Joey’s hand, letting little fingers curl around his. “Hey, big guy. I’m your Uncle Joel. I’m the cool uncle, got it?”
“Take a picture of them, please?” Dare asked Vicki.
Vicki nodded, snapping a couple before bringing the phone over to show her. “Like them?”
Dare’s eyes filled with tears. “They’re perfect. Thank you.” Then she motioned toward Jesse. “Go show him.”
“I can email it to you,” Vicki offered.
“No,” Dare ordered. “Jesse, you’ve got to look, now.”
There wasn’t much that Jesse wouldn’t do for her any time, let alone after the past few hours. But when Vicki held the phone in front of him, Jesse’s heart picked up a pace. Dare wasn’t just being sentimental.
“You see it, don’t you?” Dare’s voice was filled with love.
He cradled his son carefully as he made his way back to her side. “You’re amazing.”
“You’ve got the look,” she insisted.
It was humbling for Jesse to realize how much this woman meant to him. Being with Dare was the best gift ever, and every day it kept getting better. Even tired as she was from bringing their son into the world, even now she was making sure he was happy and cared for.
To point out a fear he’d had could be wiped clear. He was proud to be a daddy. He didn’t deserve either of them, but hell if he was ever going to give them up.
He looked down at the woman he loved, and the little bit of perfection they’d accidentally made and realized all the lonely, broken pieces inside were fixed and better than new. “I love you so damn much, Darilyn Hayes. You are my fucking world. You and Joey.”
Then he kissed her. Right there, as the door opened and his parents and other family poured in, he kissed her with everything in him.
Jesse Coleman was home.
Epilogue
It would’ve been nice if as soon as they’d realized how much they loved each other everything was perfect from that moment on.
Everything hadn’t been perfect.
