Page 89 of Accidentally Falling
JUDE
Exhaustion is set into every line of her face, the slope of her shoulders, the rise and fall of her chest, and she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I’d never been in the presence of such strength before, my own injuries paling in comparison to the way Arden brought our daughter into this world.
“I can feel you watching me.” She smiles, her eyelids fluttering open as Salem Harmony lies on her chest—Harmonythe perfect namesake for my mother.
“Just thinking about how incredible you are, what an honor it was to be here with you.”
“Your strength gave me strength. And look at her,” she says, stroking Salem’s back with a gentle touch. “She’s perfect.”
“She is. And so are you.”
The doctors and nurses had been thorough, making sure there were no complications with Salem coming three weeks early even though she was technically full term. It seems our little girl was just tired of waiting, or maybe she knew that Arden and I needed her more than ever.
That we didn’t need more time to figure things out. We just needed to start living.
“Do you want to get your brother? I don’t know who else is here.”
“Your parents and basically everyone else, I think. Montana texted me to say Ellison is also in labor today.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope, said that she was pissed we went first and started pacing outside until her water broke.”
“She’s something else.”
“Nothing compared to you.”
“Go get Deacon and I’ll see how I feel after that.”
Pressing a kiss to her lips, I linger, enjoying the way she sighs and melts into the pillow, like just my touch can bring that kind of bliss.
Gratitude flows through my veins not just for this moment but for all the vulnerability she laid at my feet. She gave me those pieces of her to protect and I would with my life, but with that also came this resilience—like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
“You got it, Tennessee. Thank you for making today the greatest day of my life.”
“Thank you for making it mine too.”
“Today and every day after.”
ARDEN
“How are my girls doing?”Deacon says in a hushed tone, a mile wide smile spread across his face.
“I’m here too, you know,” Jude mutters, not upset in the least.
“Yeah, but I’ve seen your ugly mug for almost four decades, so you can wait till after I hold this sweet angel,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head as the pad of his thumb brushes over Salem’s cheek. “She’s perfect. Congratulations, mama.”
“I’ll let that one slide,” I tease, not minding him calling memamathis time—not when my daughter is in my arms. “Are you ready to meet your niece?” I ask, unable to miss the tears in his eyes.
“Please.”
“Miss Salem Harmony Rhodes.” Even saying her name has a wave of emotion washing over me, my heart so full it’s liable to burst.
Deacon is gentle as he takes her from me, his massive arms cradling her like she’s the most precious thing in the world.
And she is.
