The sound of Jimmy’s voice wakes me. It’s a pleasant sound, one that I love to listen to. I open my eyes slightly, but what I see needs all my attention. I move as quietly as I can so I can watch the scene in front of me.

Jimmy holds our daughter snug against this chest, rocking her back and forth. His eyes are closed, but he’s singing to her. His head rests on hers in the sweetest of embraces. I wish I had my phone to take a picture because this is a moment I want to capture forever.

“What are you doing?” his voice startles me. He grins, which turns my insides to goo. He was sexy before, but seeing him hold our daughter puts him on a whole other level. I wink at him causing him to shake his head.

“I heard you singing.”

“Did I wake you?” he asks so quietly. Our life has changed now and we didn’t even make an attempt to do so. With the arrival of Eden, we just know everything is different.

“We’re having a girl.”

“I know,” I say, holding his hand against my stomach. “You with a daughter… scary,” I add, shaking my head. Jimmy kisses my nose then my lips.

“I’ll be scared shitless, but I’m going to love every minute of it. I want to be a part of this, Jenna. I know I screwed up staying in LA for so long. My dad… No, I don’t want him to ruin our day. We’re having a daughter, a daughter who needs a name by the way.”

“I have a feeling naming her will be hard.”

“Why?”

I shrug. “Name association.”

Jimmy laughs even though I don’t think it’s funny. I don’t want to pick my daughter’s name and have it be the same as some bimbo he hooked up with. And I hope he doesn’t tell me that he doesn’t know most of their names. That wouldn’t make me feel any better because honestly some things are better left unknown.

“Eden,” he blurts out.

“Excuse me?”

Jimmy shrugs. “Eden, and let me tell you why,” he says, pulling me over to the couch. We sit down and he turns to face me, holding my hand in his. “When I first met you, I knew you were off limits. The way Liam spoke about you was a warning sign. But everything about you made me curious. It was a little hair flip or the way your forehead smushes together when you’re thinking. But the breaking point was the wedding and everything leading up to that moment. Watching you that night was complete torture. Having you, making you mine for those sacred moments, was my undoing. To me, you’re my forbidden fruit. I can’t get enough of you, Jenna, and I think Eden represents what we created together.”

“Okay,” I say, wiping tears away with the back of my hand. “I like Eden Davis. It sounds perfect.” Jimmy kisses me, holding my face in his hands.

He leans down and pulls my shirt up over my belly. His lips press into my skin. “Eden Davis. That’s your name, Little One, and we can’t wait to meet you.”

Jimmy moves with caution as he carries Eden over to me. I move aside, still sore, but feeling better. He climbs on the bed, putting Little One on my chest. She stretches her neck and makes the most beautiful sound ever.

“I love that sound,” Jimmy says, echoing my thoughts.

“Me too.” I pull her close and rest my head on his shoulder.

“Let me take a photo.” Jimmy pulls out his phone and holds it out in front of us. I turn Eden around and hold her between us. He presses the button and pulls the phone closer to us so we can see our first family photo.

“She’s perfect.”

“You both are. I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am right now, Jenna.” Jimmy kisses Eden on the forehead before kissing me. “You’ve changed my life and it’s definitely for the better.”

I lean into Jimmy and relish this moment. He has no idea how much he’s changed my life and I don’t know if I’ll ever find the words to tell him.

“Surprise!” My mom and Brigette yell in unison.

“Hi mom,” I say when she steps forward. She comes around to the side of the bed and pulls me into a hug. I refuse to move, not ready to let go of Eden yet.

“I’m so proud of you sweetheart. She’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” my voice breaks. Her approval means so much to me. After everything I’ve been through I know she never thought she’d see this day. But it’s here and she’s a grandma. Mom wipes her tears and steps away, allowing Brigette a moment with us.

“I want both the grandmas to have a photo taken with you and Eden,” Jimmy says as he leaves my side.

“Jimmy, I look like crap,” I whine.

“Nonsense, Jenna. You’re a new mom. There’s nothing more beautiful about that,” my mom says.

“I agree,” Jimmy says as his mom and mine each take a spot next to Eden and me. Each mom places a hand on Eden as I hold her up for Jimmy to take a picture.

“Say “cheese” my favourite ladies.”

I smile big enough that my cheeks hurt. I know how much this picture will mean to Jimmy and to me.

* * *

AFTER one night in the hospital I’m ready to go home. My bag is packed thanks to my mom. Eden is dressed, thanks to her dad, and ready to make her public debut. I was worried about the press, but thankfully none of the nurses called anyone so we’ll be able to introduce Eden when we’re ready.

Jimmy, of course, says she’s ready now. I swear we should’ve had a boy. He has her dressed in a 4225 West baby outfit, custom made, and her dark hair is spiked… with a pink ribbon. I gave him props for the ribbon.

I sit down in the wheelchair, holding Eden in her car seat on my lap. Harrison gave Jimmy an hour’s long lesson on how to install the base in the back of the car. Jimmy says he has it mastered. This, I’m going to have to trust him on. The moms have already taken the copious amounts of flowers and gifts we received home. Everyone will be there for Eden’s homecoming and as much as I’d love to sleep, it won’t happen at least for the next few hours.

He wheels us out, saying good-bye to the nursing staff as we pass. I think in the day and half that we’ve been here, he’s charmed each and every one of them. Typical Jimmy.

The sliding glass doors open. I cover my eyes from the penetrating sun. I make sure Eden’s blanket is over her carrier to block the sunlight. The last thing I want is a sick baby so soon. The car is all ready, having been brought around by valet. Valet in a hospital, who knew?

Jimmy takes Eden from me and places her in the backseat. He helps me from the wheelchair and guides me to the back. I told him that I want to be close to her. I want to watch her take her first car ride. I want to be the first person that she sees when she opens her eyes.

He drives away and though I would have expected him to drive like an eighty-year old man, I was sadly mistaken. Jimmy’s Jimmy, and not everything will change overnight.

The trees in front of our house are decorated with pink ribbons and balloons. The cars belonging to our friends line the street. My heart beats with anticipation of Eden making her grand appearance. I can’t imagine all new babies do this, but Eden just isn’t any baby, she’s Jimmy’s and he does things to the tenth degree.

Jimmy pulls into our driveway and shuts off the car. He runs around the front to the backdoor, pulling it open. He helps me out before leaning in and unhooking Eden’s car seat. He holds the carrier in one hand and my hand in his other. I kick the car door closed with my foot and smile at my family as we walk toward our party.

“Well, isn’t this special.”

My blood turns cold at the sound of Damien’s voice. I don’t dare turn around and face him because if I do, he’ll be real. I eye Jimmy and Eden and the backyard wondering how they can escape. Damien wants me, not them.

“Turn around, Jenna.”

I close my eyes and let the tears fall. My life is over. I’ll never see her first birthday. I’ll never see her dress for prom or watch her walk across the stage for graduation. I won’t be there when she has her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. I squeeze Jimmy’s hand tightly.

“Don’t,” he says, quietly.

“I have to.” I turn slowly and face the man who made it possible for me to stand here today. Yes, he was my husband, but he took his vows to the extreme and beat me. If he hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be here right now.

“Is that your baby? Humph, at least you’re not as fat now.”

I wish I could say no, but it’s obvious. I still have a pouch and my daughter is being held by her father right now.

“You know I thought I killed that man you’ve been allowing to violate your body, but I guess I didn’t do a good enough job.”

I face Damien, waiting for him to deliver my punishment.

“What do you want, Damien?”

“You. I told you that I wanted you back, but you didn’t believe me. You went and married this piece of shit and allowed him to do things to you. Things that you said you’d only do with me. You let him taint your body and now you’ve bore him a bastard.”

I close my eyes and pray for help to arrive. He’s going to hurt my family, not me. He’s going to take away Jimmy and Eden, leaving me broken and empty.

“Say good-bye, Jenna.”

“You’re not taking her anywhere,” Jimmy yells. I hope his voice carries loud enough into the house. We need help.

“She’ll come willingly. I won’t have to force her,” Damien says calmly.

“Jenna doesn’t love you.”

“Of course she does. Don’t you, Jenna?”

I don’t answer, he knows. He knows I don’t love him. If I did, I would’ve stayed and taken the beatings.

“DON’T YOU?” he pulls out his gun and points it at Jimmy. He marches closer, just a few feet from us. Eden starts to cry, but we can’t do anything to help her.

“Damien, please stop.” I let go of Jimmy’s hand and step in front of him. He stops me. “Just stop. I’ll come with you, but you have to let them go in the house. The baby, she needs to eat and you don’t want her to starve.”

“I don’t care about that bastard child. Put her on the ground.”

“NO!” Jimmy yells.

“PUT HER THE FUCK DOWN BEFORE I SHOOT HER!”

“NO!” I scream and step in front of Eden as Damien points his gun at her. The gun fires and all time stops.