Page 80 of Counting the Stars

“Maybe just something to drink. I could really go for some baby snuggles right now. Is J.J. in his room?” I ask Aly. She has brought him over several times for some cuddle sessions and I have no doubt cozying up with that sweet little baby has helped with my recovery. I’m grateful that he’s still in the newborn stage so I can easily hold him. I should be fully healed by the time he starts to get all wiggly.

“He’s in the nursery with the best and most unexpected helper ever.” Aly beams. “Go take a look.”

Soft lullaby music plays as I walk down the hallway to J.J.’s bedroom. My heart melts when I peek in and see Travis in a rocking chair with a red bundle lying on his chest. A sleeping Gus rests in front of the crib.

“Hey,” I whisper, not wanting to startle the sleeping baby.

Travis turns to me with a serene look on his face. “Come on in, Gabby. You won’t disturb us. If this kid can sleep through Gus’s snoring, he can sleep through anything.”

“Gus does sleep quite loudly,” I agree. As I get farther in the room, I realize J.J.’s onesie is actually a little Santa suit. “Wow! Even the baby didn’t escape the Christmas decorations.” I sit down on the ottoman in front of the rocker.

“I’d say this was all Aly’s doing, but I know for a fact Jax bought this outfit.” Travis looks down at my hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Even if J.J. can sleep through loud noises, I keep my voice light.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, and I know he’s referring to my recovery and not my recent engagement. It’s sweet that he’s concerned.

“I’m good, all things considered. I, uh…I’ve been dealing with some nightmares.”

“That’s to be expected.” Travis nods. “The nightmares should decrease over time, but if you feel like you need extra help, I can give you a list of some counselors that specialize in PTSD.”

“Thanks. I’ve actually been doing phone sessions with Alex’s sister. She’s a psychologist. I think it’s been helping.” If anything positive came from meeting the Jones family, it was the friendship that’s developed between Lilli and me. I’m so excited to have her as my future sister-in-law.

J.J. makes a small cooing sound, and Travis gently pats his back.

“Aly said you’ve been a great help.”

“I enjoy coming over and hanging out with this guy. He doesn’t cry when he looks at me.” Travis visibly swallows a lump in his throat. “But I know newborns don’t have the clearest of sight.”

“He can’t see far away things, but he can see enough. Babies are very intuitive. J.J. knows he’s safe with you.” My heart breaks for the wounded warrior in front of me.

“Aly keeps trying to reassure me that J.J. will be fine because I’ve been with him since day one.”

“And she’s right. All J.J. will ever see when he looks at your face is love.”

A horrible odor cuts through the air, ruining our heart-to-heart moment.

“Oh God, is that smell coming from the baby or Gus?” I look between the two possible offenders.

“That is definitely the baby.” Travis stands with J.J. comfortably in his arms. “Come on, Jax owes me a favor since I was the one who climbed up on the roof to hang the lights.”

“Really? I didn’t know Jax has a fear of heights.” I follow Travis into the hallway.

“He doesn’t. He has a fear of geese and several of them flew overhead just as he was climbing the ladder.”

“Oh.” I bite down on my lower lip, trying not to laugh.

“Don’t worry about laughing. I still give him shit about it to this day.” Travis spots Jax across the room and heads over to make a special delivery.

“There you are.” Alex hands me a mug of hot chocolate. “Did you get your baby snuggles in?”

“Not yet.” I take a sip of the chocolaty goodness. “I will once he gets all cleaned up.”

“Oh God! I think it’s a blowout!” Jax runs past us in a panic with his son in his arms.

“Do you think that will be us one day?” Alex leans down and whispers in my ear. “The, uh…having a baby thing, not the dirty diaper thing.”

“I knew what you meant.” I laugh. “And definitely, but I’d like to just take some time for me and you first.”

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