Page 121 of The Confessional

But fuck, Jude was an incredible parent, taking up the responsibility for Isa as if he’d been doing it for years. God, he loved her. Beside me, she was truly his joy.

“Mamma,” I said. “We’re getting close to boarding time.”

Reluctantly, she handed Isa to Jude, and I helped situate her in the baby carrier Jude wore with pride. He liked the front-carry style, and he’d always touch her. He’d become more tactile with me, too, since she came into our lives fluttering her little wings, as Jude loved to say.

“Mamma, we’ll see you in one month,” Jude said, “and we’ll do video chats every day just as if Isa and I were sitting in your kitchen.”

“I know,” she said, weeping. “It’s just that you’re so far away.”

Frank swung his arm over her shoulder. “Viv, before you know it, I’ll be takingyouto the airport.” He turned to me. “You’re going to do great, Ethan. I can’t wait to hear about the new cars on the line for next year.”

“Thanks, Frank. You’ve made my dream come true. I promised Jude he’d get to walk on the beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea, but you actually made it happen. When you come in the spring, we’ll have a reason to visit there.” He gave me a warm smile, knowing that Jude and I were planning to get married when they came.

The speaker blared as the airline representative called for the boarding of guests with children or in first class. We had both. When I told Artemis about adopting Isabella, he’d bumped us into first class, knowing we could use the room with a jiggly six-month old.

Frank replied, “I’d love that.” And then he hugged me for all he was worth, wishing us safe travels as teary eyed as Mamma. “Buon viaggio, figliolo.”

Jude let Mamma have a half-dozen more kisses before he gingerly pulled away with my help. We both hugged her and blew kisses. Before Jude and I disappeared from sight, he waved Isa’s hand to the two people who I called my parents. Jude had been right about one thing: When Mamma and I were discussing adoption and worrying about Gabby’s feelings, Jude had brought us back to the most important person—Isabella. He knew intuitively that we’d be parents who’d give her the most important thing in life. Love. And that’s exactly what we did every day without sparing ourselves time for just Jude and me.

Once in our seats with the diaper bag under the seat in front of us and everything imaginable we’d need for the baby, Jude and I settled back in our seats. I reached for Jude’s hand on the armrest between us and rotated his engagement band. We shopped for it together and Jude chose what I would have, a black titanium band with gold liner that was the rim of the ring. My wedding band would be similar, but we hadn’t decided on the engraving yet. I’d be happy with simply,Tiamo.

“This is really happening,” Jude said, bouncing his knee. Isa’s eyes were wide, taking in the noises and lights.

“It is,” I said, kissing his ring finger. “I always wanted to come back but never imagined it would be with a fiancé and a daughter.”

“I can’t wait to be your husband, Daddy. Even if technically, it’s a civil union. To us, we’ll be married and just do it again legally in California.”

“What would you think of an intimate dinner afterward, with Artemis and his wife and a few people from work?”

“I love the idea. We can include Hawk and his wife and of course our surrogate family. Did Teddy respond yet about coming to our Italian wedding?”

“Yes, he said he wouldn’t miss it. He’ll be in touch when he and his girlfriend are back from Greece.”

A flight attendant came by asking for our drink order. “Water for me, please.”

“Me, too,” Jude said. “And extra for this one, please.”

“She’s priceless.” She looked between me and Isa. “She got lucky with the green eyes. They’re striking.”

“Thank you,” I said.

When she went farther down the aisle, Jude nudged me. “Did I call the color of her eyes or not? Our little bird is going to be a knockout, just like her papá.

I leaned over and pressed my lips to Jude’s. “You’re my knockout, baby. And I can’t wait to start this adventure with you.” Then I kissed him for real, keeping it short, claiming him with my tongue. When Jude was breathing heavy, I pulled back and whispered, “I love you so fucking much,tesoro.”

Before Jude could respond, Isa stuck her fingers into his mouth, pulling at his bottom lip. On a soft chuckle, Jude clasped her hands in his and pressing his face to hers, he cooed as if talking to her. “We love you, too, Daddy. Forever and ever.”

Isabella gurgled happily as I kissed the top of her head.

Forever sounded just about right.

THE END