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(Baby J)

Did You Know?

- When Dorian (Asher's brother) was telling Ash about their dad dating a man 30 years ago, the other man was Jace's father. So, basically, Jace's dad dated Asher's dad for eight months before Jace & Asher were ever born. There was a part early in the story where Jace and his dad were talking. His dad mentioned he had once dated another man.

- At the beginning, Asher was supposed to be Nolan's cousin, but they weren't going to like each other. Asher was just going to be some random person.

- Asher was named Ace before I changed it.

- Nolan was going to die, like seriously.

-- SPECIAL -

*Nolan*

"Alright, Jos. This is your home, baby," I whispered to my sweet, little newborn as I stepped through the wooden door frame.

Zion was jumping about all around me in tremendous excitement while exclaiming, "Baby! Baby!"

When I met my daughter a few days ago - looked at her for the first time, held her, whispered to her, and heard her cry - I just fell in love. I mean, she was mine. I was a father. I kept repeating that to myself every couple seconds and each time made me feel special.

Looking down at our new addition, I admired her soft skin, her rosy, round cheeks, her pursed, pink lips, and her tightly curled fingers rubbing against her face. She was so small and it made me wish I'd been around for Zion's birth.

I honestly could never say I loved Zion any more or less than I did Jos. When I looked at her, I saw him too. That was what I'd been aiming for, and that was what I got. Asher and I had a mutual understanding that our children were equally ours. In other words, Zion was my son as much as he was Asher's, and the same with Jocelyn.

I was so happy in this moment. Nothing could make me forget it. I felt the way I did when Ash proposed, and when we married barely a month ago. I felt... so special, so light. Like I was on clouds. I had decided to start school in the Spring next year because my family came first to me. There was simply no way I was going to let Asher handle Zion and a newborn baby all on his own while I went to school. We had created a family, together.

"Oh, she's so precious!" I heard my mother gush. She had been here with Kalani and Justin, watching over Zion as they awaited the arrival of the baby. In Kalani's arms was her own little girl, McKenzie, who'd been born several months earlier.

"Wow, look at that!" Justin stood up, helping me into the house and stealing glances at my child.

Mom came to me immediately while Kalani started to get up, a grin on her face.

Asher carried up Zion so that he could see his sister's face and the boy just stared with wide eyes at her, as if she was a foreign creature. I saw the wonder on his face as he marveled at the sight.

"Ooh, daddy, it's a baby," he said softly. "Does she have toes, daddy?"

Asher chuckled. "She's got everything you've got. Almost."

"You'll have your own baby some day, you know?" I said to Zion.

He gasped. "Can I have one now, Daddy?"

I laughed lightly, handing Jocelyn over to my mom who cuddled her to her chest.

Kalani, who was overcome with motherly instincts, placed McKenzie into Justin's arms and began to fix my baby's bundling.

"Just making sure she's comfortable but safely secured. Oh, always try to hold her to yourself even at random times of the day. Skin to skin contact is so important - I can't even stress the significance! It really helps them bond with you, trust you, and it even helps with their psychological well-being," she said quickly. I chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I hear you, Kalani. Thanks," I appreciated. I turned to my husband, touching his arm affectionately.

"Love, isn't your family coming?" I asked for confirmation, lowering my voice so that only he could hear me.

"Yeah, they should be here any minute."

"Okay. I have to make a quick meal -"

"No, that's not necessary." He put Zion down, who ran straight over to my mom on the couch to stare at his sister some more. "We'll just give them some snacks."

"You're sure?"

"Darling, we have a new child. I'm sure they'll understand, okay?" he rubbed my arms up and down with his hands, leaning in for a kiss. I happily accepted his lips, giving him a loving kiss. "She's so beautiful. Has your eyes." He observed.

"You think so? I think she's got your nose. She looks like Zion, who looks like you. We made a great family, didn't we?"

"We did." He winked at me and I smiled, turning to face Jocelyn.

"How's Maya?" Kalani asked, walking over to us. "Wasn't she discharged with the baby?"

"She was, but her boyfriend came to get her. Don't worry, she's okay and she'll come over soon," I answered.

Kalani nodded. "Good. You know, Asher, I'm happy you're letting her spend time with Zion. I hope you let her do the same with Jocelyn."

I looked at Asher to see his reaction. He was nodding.

"There's no reason she shouldn't. They're her children, too."

"I'm glad you see it that way because I'm allowing her to breastfeed Jos," I confessed.

"Wait, what?"

"I support that decision a hundred percent," Kalani agreed with me. "You know, it's much better than formula. It has so many benefits, and not just for your baby girl."

"Okay, I get that, but I how come I had no say?" Asher lightly nudged my arm, causing me to turn to him.

"Maya insisted. I knew you'd agree so I just went ahead and told her it was okay. Is it... not okay?" I tilted my head to the side a little.

"No, I mean... it's fine. You're her dad."

That hurt. A lot. "Asher-"

The bell rang, cutting me off.

"I'll get that," he said, trying to keep his voice firm. I obviously saw through it. He was upset that I didn't make the decision with him, but he was trying not to let it show.

I sighed heavily and glanced at Kalani. She had a sympathetic expression on her face.

"He'll come around, Nolan, don't worry."

"Hope so. How's my little Kenzie doing?" I slipped on a smile.

"Oh, you know, the usual... Hungry."

"I hope you guys have been getting a lot of sleep!" I heard my mother in-law say as she laughed. I watched Asher hug his dad and Aria rushed right over to me.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, crushing me in a hug. She and I got along so well. We were basically two sides of a coin.

"Aria, so good to see you."

"Where is she?!" And, like me, she loved babies more than anything. Without waiting for me to answer, she darted into the living room to see the new baby.

I greeted my parents in-law with hugs and Mrs. McCulloch commented that she was happy for giving her another grandchild, and something about Dorian, Asher's brother, needing to hurry the hell up and do the same. Kalani guided them into the living room and I watched Asher walk right past me, following their lead.

Ah, great.

I ran a few fingers through my soft hair and sighed once again, going into the kitchen to get some light food and drinks for our families. I heard a very small but slightly high-pitched cry and I knew Jocelyn had woken up.

With a faint smile on my lips, I began to prepare a formula for her to drink since her mom wasn't here.

"Hey, you need help?" I heard Aria ask as she swung into the kitchen. "Jocelyn's awake."

I chuckled. "I heard. Who did it?"

"Zion. He poked her cheeks."

That made me laugh to myself. "He's excited like you wouldn't believe. It's as if he's discovered some alien and he's tryna figure everything out."

"I know," Aria laughed, placing some glass cups onto a tray. She'd been working as a waitress, so she was pretty quick at getting the food and drinks organized onto three trays.

"Thanks, Aria," I appreciated, warming up my baby's bottle. I noticed a figure in the doorway and I glanced to see Asher standing there with Jocelyn in his arms. She was gripping his finger and subconsciously sticking it into her mouth.

Aria, wanting to give us some privacy, skillfully carried up all 3 trays and headed back to the living room. With her out the kitchen, Asher came closer to me.

"Zion woke her up," he said as I took the baby bottle out the warmer.

"Yeah, Aria told me." I shook the bottle just a little bit and tested the warmth of a drop with the back of my hand.

"I can feed her," he offered. I looked at him, slowly handing him the bottle.

"I wasn't trying to go behind your back," I explained. "I don't understand. I thought you'd agree with me."

He sighed, nodding and guiding the bottle to Jocelyn's mouth. "I do."

I bit my lip and sucked in a faltering breath. "I don't... I don't want you to resent her."

"What? Who - Jos?" he had a look of disbelief in his eyes. "I could never."

"I just don't wanna do something that makes you resent me or her." Tears pooled at my eyes but I willed them not to fall.

"Nolan, that's just not possible. My love for the both of you is timeless. There's nothing that can change that, love."

"You got mad," I said quietly.

"I'm sorry. I'm an ass. I just wanna be included when it comes to making decisions with our children."

"Of course. That's very fair."

"Come here. Lemme kiss your tears away." He stepped closer to me and I smiled, letting him give me light pecks right under my eyes. "Maya can breastfeed her. If it gives Jocelyn better nutrition, I'm all for it," he supported.

I smiled. "Okay."

"By the way, I'm sorry that I'm an ass."

I laughed. "I love you no less, promise."

I leaned down and kissed Jocelyn's small forehead then upwards to steal a kiss from Asher.

"I love you, too. And Jocelyn. So much."

I laughed and we went to the living room, my hand clutching his arm.

***

I decided to do the epilogue next since there is a time jump.

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