Page 82 of Love is a Drum Beat
Jo
Jo stared down at the baby in her arms, wondering how she lived her life before meeting this beautiful girl. Nothing else mattered except the warmth of her little body, the tiny little squeaking noise she made in her sleep.
Everything about her was perfect, from her tiny toes to the dark hair on her head. She blinked her eyes open and stared at Jo without making a sound.
They’d both gotten much needed rest after the birth and had been moved to a different room, one so near the waiting room, she could hear Noah’s voice.
A nurse smiled at her as she entered the room. “Good morning. I’m Jessica. I’ll be your nurse for the day.”
Jo gave her a tired smile. “Do you think you could do me a favor?”
“Of course, dear. I’m here to take care of you.”
“There’s a man out in the waiting room. Noah Clarke. Can you bring him to me?”
Her eyes widened. “You want me to speak to Noah Clarke?”
“And Ben Evans. I know he’s still here too.”
The nurse shook her head.
“Please.”
Her shoulders dropped. “Well, I might make a fool of myself, but the new momma gets what the new momma wants.”
“Thank you.” Jo leaned her head back against the pillows. The weight of the baby in her arms surrounded Jo in a feeling of contentment. She was still in a lot of pain—more than during birth—and the doctor refused to let her live on those epidurals. Then, there was the exhaustion and also that tiny bit of fear—okay, a lot of fear. But this little girl took all that away. Jo looked down into her little face. “I love you, my little alien.”
A knock sounded on the door before Noah stepped through, a smile stretching his lips. “How’s my girl?”
“Me or the baby?” It hit her then, how much she’d missed Noah while he was in London. Tears hung on her lashes.
Noah must have noticed because he rushed to the side of the bed. “Hey, don’t cry.”
She reached out to cup his cheek, to make sure he was really here. “I can’t help it. The hormones are making me vomit all these emotions. But Noah, you came home for me.”
“I told you that was always the plan.” His eyes settled on the baby. “But you don’t need me, Joey. You have all the strength you need inside of you. Now, introduce me to the baby I’m going to love for the rest of my life.”
Jo hiccupped back a sob. “Noah, meet Ali Ice Cream Jackson.”
Noah stared at her, his jaw hanging open. “Ali… you named your kid alien?”
“Yes, because the first name is the most ridiculous part of the name I just gave you.”
“But Ice Cream is a name I can believe you’d use.”
She laughed. “Well, it’s Ali, not alien. Only we need to know what it’s short for. As for middle names… I’m thinking Clarke.”
Now, it was Noah’s turn to tear up. “I think I have something in my eye.”
“Those are called tears, bro.” She laughed through her own tears. “Ali Clarke Jackson.”
“It’s perfect.” He ran a hand over the top of the baby’s head. “She’s perfect.”
“My body tried to screw this one up, Noah. But I did it.”
“Yes.” He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. “You did.”
When he pulled away, she met his gaze. “For so long, it was just us. The only person I ever relied on was you. Neither of us had anyone else. But we’re changing, Noah. You have Melanie and Stella. I have Ali.”
