Page 31 of Solid
“I missed you too, Mommy,” Jaden said as I made my way over to Koa, finding him still sleeping peacefully.
“Your baby brother is here, but before you meet him, Daddy and I just wanted to remind you that we love you so, so much.”
“That’s right, my love,” I said. “We know you’ve gotten used to being the baby of the family, and you’re going to get the same love and attention from us as always, but you know what?”
“What?” she asked excitedly.
“Now you get to be a big sister to Koa like your big brothers and sister are to you.”
Jaden gasped and clapped her tiny hands once. “I will?”
“You will,” Jayla replied before hugging and tickling and kissing her at the same time. Her laughter permeated the room. Koa shifted but he didn’t wake up completely.
“Yay! I’m excited to be a big sister. Where is my baby?”
I picked him up and carried him over to the bed. Jayla held Jaden close to her side as I lowered Koa for her to see. She gasped again.
“He’s so small,” she said before covering her mouth as she giggled.
“You were that small too when you were born,” I told her.
“I was?” she asked in disbelief as her head twisted and mouth frowned.
“You sure were,” Jayla said.
“Can I hold him?”
“Here . . .” Jayla shifted Jaden slightly so her back was on her side and stomach. Then, she rested Jaden’s arms on top of hers.
“Alright, baby girl. Be gentle,” I directed as I lowered Koa into their arms.
She looked at me with more emotion than I thought she was capable of then back at her brother. When she kissed his forehead, my eyes watered.
“Hi, Koa,” she greeted him before kissing him again. “I’m your big sister Jaden. I’m gonna be the best big sisterever! I love you.”
I wiped my tears quickly before telling Jaden how proud of her I was. Jayla and I locked eyes, and I wiped her tears since her arms were still under Jaden’s. Resting my forehead on hers, I moaned a shaky moan when she said, “I love you, pookie.”
“I love you more, pooh,” I declared before kissing her sweetly.
I wasn’t sure what I’d done to have this lot in life. In fact, most days I didn’t think I deserved the beautiful marriage and family I had. But in that humbleness, I committed myself daily to loving them and caring for them in a way that proved to God I was worthy.
The Beginning
Because true love has no end.