Page 50 of Twenty Years Later

"Mama!" she yelled. "Gabby needs a nap."

Jayda looked up after putting a teabag into a steaming mug. "Do you feed her first or..."

"Usually. Yes." Gabby rubbed her eyes and yawned. "But today, maybe not. I think the Jenkins ladies are wearing her out."

"Oh, poor thing," Jayda said, still looking a bit pale.

"Mama, I'm hungry!"

"I figured. All that running around. Okay. Well, why don't we let Gabby take a nap, and I'll make you something."

"I'm going to head up and see if I can get Gabby to stay in the crib," I said, wondering if this was all going to be too exciting for her to get herself to sleep.

And after about ten minutes of her crying every time I put her down, I realized, yep, it was definitely too exciting. And I completely understood. We wereallexcited, I thought, rounding the corner back into the kitchen.

Her hand occupied with plates, Jayda glanced at the annoyed child in my arms. "Do we just need some chill time? Maybe watch a movie and see if she falls asleep in your lap?"

"Yeah! Yeah!" Audrey said. "Frozen."

Jayda put her free arm around Audrey. "Well, I know that's whatyouwant. But what about you, Alex?"

"That actually sounds perfect."

Jayda loaded up the ottoman with a heaping platter of sandwiches, cheese, fruit, and pretzels that we all helped ourselves to. And soon after, with a drowsy Gabby lying up against my shoulder, I settled back onto the large sectional couch that was perfectly positioned to take in both the fireplace and the TV.

"Have you seen Frozen?" Jayda asked me as the iconic Disney castle appeared on screen.

"First-timer here. Probably first of many, I'm guessing."

"Definitely." Jayda laughed as she grabbed a few pretzels.

"Shh. I don't want you to miss it," little miss Audrey ordered.

Patting Gabby on the back, she fell right asleep, her tiny body warm on my shoulder. And a few minutes after the movie started, Jayda snuggled in on my other side, leaning against me with her legs curled up beside her. As her heat seeped into my body, my heart swelled up with a happiness that I'd never felt before, not even close.

Thiswas what I'd dreamed about. This was the definition of my heaven. And I wanted this...forever.

In that moment, I vowed to do whatever it took to make it happen, to make this my family, to make this my life. Till death do us part.

Chapter Seventeen

Alex

Before long, I noticed Jayda's breathing slow down and realized she was also asleep, cuddled up next to me, her sweet face resting on one shoulder and Gabby on my other. I wasn't sure how anyone could sleep with Audrey bouncing all around the rest of the couch, grabbing food and spilling half of it on the floor.

Audrey kept glancing at me, making sure I was watching the TV and pointing out her favorite parts. And with every song, she sang along, her off-key little voice butchering the words and tune in the cutest possible way.

I couldn't help but feel honored that she was so excited to be sharing her favorite movie with me. And she didn't seem at all bothered that her mom lay sound asleep between us.

"I'll show you my Elsa dress after the movie," she whispered.

"I can't wait," I whispered back, shaking my head at the amazing world that little girls seemed to inhabit, something I hadn't really yet experienced with my one-year-old, but something I was looking forward to diving into.

Jayda didn't stir the entire rest of the movie, and I wondered why she was so tired all the time. Six weeks ago, she'd had no problem staying up with me most of the night. Well, the second night. The first night, she'd pretty much passed out after the amazing passion we'd shared. As did I.

The credits started to roll, and I wondered what to do with the two sleeping beauties resting against me. But Audrey took care of it, shouting, "Mama! Wake up! The movie's over, and I need my Elsa dress."

A drowsy Jayda sat upright. "Oh, sorry about that," she said, glancing my way and stifling a heavy yawn.

---