Page 73 of Always You
I nudged Bella’s shoulder until she acknowledged me, then motioned for her to turn around. She reluctantly sat up but still glanced away. I took her face in my hands to make her look at me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you when you were a baby, but that doesn’t make you any less mine. I love you. More than you can ever possibly imagine. There will never be a time that I don’t have time for you. I’m your father—just as much as I’m Joey’s father—and I always will be. Got it?” Bella nodded, and I hoped that meant I was getting through to her. “Just like you’re my Butterfly, and you always will be.”
I got a smile, followed by an eye roll. Maybe she didn’t love being called “Butterfly” anymore—not that I would ever stop.
I kissed her forehead and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
“And I better not see another eye roll,” I whispered into her ear. She giggled and nodded again. “Now it’s really late, so get some sleep and we’ll head over in the morning.” I stood up and pulled the covers over her. “I love you, Butterfly.” I kissed her on her cheek, and she smiled as she settled onto her side.
“Okay. Goodnight, Daddy. I love you, too.”
* * *
“He looks like your father.Makes sense his name is Joey.” My mother looked at her grandson with tears in her eyes. She’d been emotional ever since she came to the hospital and saw “Joseph Hunter” on Joey’s cradle. I only had him until I was twelve, but my dad was the best. I always hoped I could be half the father he was.
Sam and Joey came home after three days in the hospital. Grace went back to New Jersey, and now my mother was staying with us for a few days until we got adjusted. At least that was the story she used. When he wasn’t nursing, Joey was in his grandmother’s arms.
“I think Dad would like his first grandson to have his name. I hope he looks down on us and likes what he sees.” Mom was rocking Joey in the glider in his room while Sam got a little bit of sleep. I sat on the floor in front of them and kissed Joey’s head. I hadn’t been around babies since my sister, but he seemed to be an agreeable and easygoing guy.
“I’m sure you make him very proud. You always did. Now, why don’t you join Samantha and get some sleep. There’s breast milk in the freezer if I have to feed him. Go.” Cuddling with my wife in bed did seem like a long-lost luxury. I nodded and stood up from the floor.
“Yes. ma’am. Goodnight.” I kissed her cheek and turned to Joey.
“Be good for Grandma, big guy. Daddy loves you.” His heavy little eyes were closing, so I kissed his forehead and tiptoed out of the room.
“Lucas? I love you, and I’m so proud of you,” Mom whispered to me through more tears. I turned around and nodded, trying to hide the fact that I was about to cry. Fatherhood and being with Sam for so long had made me a mushball, too.
“I love you, too, Mom. Thanks.”
I crept into our bedroom and saw Sam sleeping peacefully for the first time since we brought Joey home. I slipped into bed and put my arms around her.
“Am I dreaming?” Sam’s voice was scratchy. I didn’t want to wake her, but I couldn’t resist getting as close to her as possible.
“No rock star or vampire, just your husband.” I kissed the back of her neck as she giggled, and she gingerly turned over to face me. She was still sore from the C-section.
“My husband beats any book boyfriend.” She ran her fingers through my hair and gave me a peck on the lips. “Is Joey sleeping?”
“Not yet, but my mother has no problem with staying up with him all night. Let’s take advantage of her generosity and sleep for a while. Mom will feed him when he’s hungry.”
“I should go get him, but I’m exhausted and it feels so good to be close to you, I’ll exploit your mother’s kindness for a night like this.” Sam snuggled into my chest as I wrapped my arms around her.
“That’s my girl. We need to exploit the grandmothers every chance we get.” I ran my fingers through her hair, and even though it was dark, I could tell her eyelids were already fluttering closed.
“I missed you so much.” Sam ran her hand down my jaw. “I’m glad it’s dark in here so you can’t see what I look like.”
“Stop that! You’re gorgeous just like your son.”
“He’sallyou. I feel bad for the girls he meets. They’re going to fall at his feet and won’t be able to help themselves.”
“I’ll teach him to not have his head up his ass when he meets the woman he’s supposed to marry. He may not be lucky like me and get another shot.”
“I’m not gorgeous, especially not now.” Sam lifted her head off my chest to face me. “Look at me, Lucas. I look scary … and fat. You can say it.”
“I honestly didn’t hear a word you just said. I was calculating in my head how many more days until six weeks.”
Sam pulled me into a deep kiss, and I couldn’t help pressing my body against hers. My quick calculations at that point said not fucking soon enough.
“You always know the right thing to say. I love you, babe. So much.”
“I love you, too, Baby Girl. And thank you.” I kissed her forehead.
“Thank you? For what?”
“For being everything I need and giving me everything I ever wanted.”
“I thought superheroes didn’t need anything.” Sam chuckled as I tightened my arms around her.
“Superheroes need a girl they can save, so she can save them right back.”
* * *
