“You’ve just made my day,” she replies, sounding relieved.
We talk to her for another five minutes to get some details about their family and health history. Dana lets us know she will be calling the birth parents then she will call us back to set up our first phone conversation.
6
Wes
I walk into the hospital room and stop in my tracks, unsure if I should give the two women sitting on the hospital bed with James between them a little time or attempt to comfort the two of them.
One week ago, we had our phone call with the birth parents of our son, and two days ago, July and I flew down to Florida on a last-minute flight when James’s birth father called to let us know his wife was going into labor.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we got to the hospital but was happy to find we were welcomed by the nursing staff and shown to a private room before having our son brought in to us. I can admit I was nervous about how I would feel when I met my son for the first time, but when I held him in my arms and looked at him, my entire existence came into focus, and I knew he was meant to be mine, just like I knew July was.
“Hey, man.” A hand patting my shoulder pulls me from my thoughts, and I look at James’s birth father, a man I’ve gotten to know over the last couple days, a man I have nothing but respect for. He and his wife have had to make an impossible decision, but I have no doubt they are doing it because they love their son and their other children and want nothing but good for each of them. Both Jack and Christen James birthparents work full time and admitted to us that they can’t afford another child. They we’re taking preventive measures to avoid getting pregnant again, but fate had other plans. After a lot of talking and praying they decided that they would look into adoption and the rest is history. “You holding up okay?”
Fuck, how is he asking me that, when just a few hours ago, we met with a lawyer in this room to have them sign over their rights to us?
“I think I should be asking you that question,” I say quietly, not wanting to interrupt the two women who are still talking.
“I’ve had nine months to make my peace with this situation, and after meeting you and July, I have no doubt that God has played a role in everything that’s happened.”
“I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for the gift you’re giving us.” I say with my gut tightening.
“The only thing I want is for that boy—” He lifts his chin toward James. “—to have a good life, to always feel loved, and to know he was always wanted.”
“That, I can give you,” I say gruffly, turning toward him, and as we embrace, I feel his pain seep into me. When he lets me go, I wipe away the tear tracks from my cheeks, then look at my wife, and pull in a breath. I know like me she’s hurting for the family in the room but is so fucking happy we got our boy.
I love you, I watch July mouth as she picks up James to hold him against her chest, and it’s then I know without a doubt. Seeing her with our son, I know everything that’s happened—the pain and disappointment, the feelings of loss—led us to this moment in time. Right where we are meant to be.
7
July
I sit in the crook of my husband’s arm and smile as I watch our two boys on their scooters race each other across the concrete slab just outside our back door.
“Did you ever think you’d be this happy?” Wes asks as the little girl growing inside me kicks my ribs
I tip my head to the side to look at him and my throat gets tight. “When I met you, I knew you woul
d change my life. I didn’t know how, but I knew you would. Then I fell in love with you and found peace. And then James came along and I found contentment. And when I got pregnant with Dean, I thought I had it all. Now, with our baby girl on the way, I feel nothing but pure happiness. So no, I never thought I’d be this happy. I didn’t even know this kind of happiness existed,” I admit, and his expression softens. “Did you ever think you’d be this happy?”
“I knew when I met you I had it all. Then we got our boys, and I knew I wouldn’t wish for more. Now, our girl is on the way.” He rests his big palm over my round stomach. “An now I know that no matter what, you can never have too much happiness, too much joy, too much goodness in your life.” He rests his forehead against mine and my belly melts at the tender look in his eyes.
“Mommy!” James yells.
“Daddy!” Dean shouts.
We both turn to look at our boys as our girl kicks me again and I know he’s right. You can never have too much happiness or joy in your life. Having dealt with pain and heartache, I know you have to endure the bad so you’re able to really appreciate the sun when it shines and the good times when they show up in your life. But then again, that’s life. Good and bad each day, no matter what happens, it pushes you forward, leading you down the path you are meant to walk.
This is a follow up from the New York Times bestseller Until July.
About Aurora
Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, and Underground Kings.
Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.
Visit her at www.AuroraRoseReynolds.com