Page 170 of For Wrath and Redemption
She drops her eyes to the gift box, and her cheeks heat with a small blush that fills me with pride.
“Well...Thank you.” She whispers the words before taking a deep breath, then raises her gaze back to mine. “Can you take her?”
“Absolutely.” I bend down and scoop Teddy up carefully. It blows me away how perfectly she fits cradled in my arms. I run my eyes over her for the millionth time, and I laugh, then drop my voice to a whisper. “I didn’t know I could love someone so much so quickly in such a new way. It’s like...it’s like a new part of me was born with her. Createdforher. Does that make sense?”
I look back at Claire and find her smiling softly, and she nods.
“Yeah. It makes perfect sense.”
Something passes between us that emboldens me. It bolsters my confidence in us. In myself. In this new normal we’re crafting.
“Open it,” I urge, nodding to the box, then I hold my breath as she does. Her gasp is a good sign. Her sniffle is another. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
I watch as she takes the rose gold bangle out of the box and studies it. Two small stones, her birthstone and Teddy’s, are the only embellishments. Classy and elegant.
“Thank you. I love it so much.”
“Check the inside.”
She does, and when she reads the inscription, she starts to cry, then huffs out a small laugh. It’s a single word, but it holds more weight than she’ll ever know.
Endlessly.
“It’s perfect.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
As if on cue, the gate buzzer sounds through the house, announcing that my bandmates have arrived. I give Teddy back to Claire, then walk to the door to let them in.
Sav’s got a bag of food, Torren’s holding a vase of flowers, and Mabel’s got a little gift bag. I can’t help but smile.
“Hey, Daddy,” Sav says to me with a smirk.
I arch a brow, and she manages to hold a straight face for a few seconds before sticking out her tongue on a dramatic gag.
“Can’t do it.”
“Thank God,” I say with a laugh, pulling her in for a hug before doing the same with Torren and Mabel. Then I gesture into the house. “Come meet the newest member of the band.”
They walk quietly into the living room, set their gifts on the coffee table, and greet Claire with smiles.
“You look good,” Mabel says to Claire. “How are you feeling? Jo texted us that everything went well, you know, all things considered.”
She flares her eyes, and Claire laughs.
“Yeah. I’m okay. Tired and sore, but stupidly happy.”
“Well, if you need anything, we’re just right down the street,” Sav adds. “Seriously. Anything at all, just call.”
“Thank you.” Claire turns her arms to show Teddy to the room. “Now, why you’re all here. The girl of the hour. Meet Theodora Andrea Hendrix.”
“She’s absolutely beautiful,” Sav says. “Look at that head of hair.”
Mabel smiles at Claire. “She’s going to look just like you.”
