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He chuckled, pulling me close. “Do you honestly believe I haven’t seen how upset you’ve been since Wilder was born? His birth put you through the wringer. We had plans for a big family and then…” He frowned. “All I cared about was that you and he were perfect and healthy. However, in the back of my mind, I knew the loss would be indescribable for us.”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “I love all our children so very much, Jackson. Yes, I have wanted more and mourned that part of our life. I’m also so grateful we have three beautiful, talented, and content children. One of which is now married. My heart is so full.”
He wiped away my tears as they tracked down my cheeks. “But you wanted more.”
I sounded greedy if I said yes. “Once upon a time.”
“So did I. We’re both financially in a place in our lives where we are secure. You’re teaching at the university, and I’m the head chef now for Flame. We can do this. We should do this.” It wasn’t hard to miss the determination in Jackson’s eyes. He’d given this considerable thought.
“Don’t you think we’re all a little too old?”
“Are you saying my sister and your brother were too old for the twins?” He quirked a brow.
“Never,” I murmured. “Ireland would kick my butt if I said that to her.”
Jackson laughed. “Yes, she would. Which means we’re not old either. Sure, we’re going a little gray. But don’t you want to hear the stomps of little feet again?”
God, if only he knew how desperate I was to have all those firsts one last time. “Yes.”
“Then we should adopt. Posey could help us if we asked.”
The thought was tempting. “Okay. Can we table this discussion for tonight and enjoy our daughter’s wedding?”
“That’s not a no.” Excitement lit Jackson’s features.
“It’s not,” I agreed.
“Yes, my beautiful sunshine,” he said, “we can wait until tomorrow to finish this conversation.”
“I love you, Jackson.”
He kissed me soundly, then edged us back onto the dance floor. “I love you forever, sunshine.”
* * *
Six months later…
“This is Baby Jon,” Posey said, handing the bundle to Jackson as we sat in the hospital exam room. “His mother left him in an angel box at the local fire department. You were the first family I thought of when I saw him.”
Baby Jon was only a few weeks old. He was a little underweight and small for his age. “Was he born early?”
“We don’t know,” Posey said, staring down at the boy. “I’m sure after the doctor runs all of his tests, we’ll have a better picture of his health.”
“He’s ours,” Jackson said, cuddling the boy close. “We’ll take care of him.”
My heart filled with so much love and adoration for my husband and this little boy we’d been gifted with. “Means he needs a name.”
“Waylen,” Jackson said. “After my father. Waylen Cornelius Banks.”
“Waylen is a good, powerful name,” Posey said. “I’ll have all the paperwork drawn up. You should know this is a long, arduous process. You’ll have in-home visits, court dates, and a sundry of other things you’ll have to do before the adoption is complete and the judge signs off on it.”
“We understand,” Jackson said, not even taking his eyes from the small boy with tawny hair and umber eyes. “We’ll do all of it.”
“I believe the boy is going to be wrapped around Jackson’s pinky finger.” The same way Alandria was.
Posey laughed. “How about you spend some time together, and I’ll put the calls in. The doctor should be back any time now.”
I nodded, staring at my husband and our new son. “Thank you, Posey.” I hadn’t realized how much I missed this moment until we were here, holding this precious baby boy. I also sent a small prayer to his mother for giving him a chance. I knew it couldn’t be easy for her, and I hoped she too would have the comfort and help she needed to see her way through this trying, heart-wrenching time.
“What do you think?” Jackson murmured, holding the little boy close to his chest.
“I think we found the last piece of our puzzle,” I whispered, stroking Waylen’s head. “You were right. We weren’t finished having kids.”
Jackson grinned. “Told you.” He brushed a kiss across my cheek. “Now, our family is whole.”
“My heart is so full, Jackson. I’m so grateful to you. I love you. Forever.”
“And I love you too, sunshine. Forever.”