Committed ✦ Wilk

Thirty

"I can't believe it!" I exclaimed as I hugged my father. He was actually there and he was holding me. I felt myself get teary eyed while we engaged in a long embrace. I was becoming incredibly mushy, but it was well overdue - I had always wanted the opportunity to hug my father and it was finally happening. After the hug that left the brim of my eyes soaked, I hugged Suzette and then Jagger. When I hugged him is when all of the tears came rushing out of not only myself, but out of him as well. I was hugging my little brother, and he smelt like strong cologne, and his hair was even softer than I imagined. I pulled away, and wiped my eyes. I looked up and saw that I wasn't the only emotional person in the room.

Sam exchanged greets with everyone while he held Raina, and Suzette eventually ended up holding her. Sam and Jagger hit it off really well - they were talking about a new album that had just dropped, and Sam told him that he and Nate were in the music business, as well as the Jacks.

"Dinner will be done in about fifteen minutes," I informed everyone as we sat down on the couch.

"So how was your car ride from Omaha?" My dad asked sparking conversation.

"Long," Sam and I answered simultaneously causing laughter to stir up in the room. We went on to tell them how we tag-teamed the ride, and I left out Sam's wet dream. We talked over dinner, and I had a wonderful time with all of them. Reality sunk in as I saw my father and Sam talking about an amusing topic, and the two of them chuckling afterwards - my father was here in the home that Sam and I know shared. Nothing could have been better.

After dinner, I showed them around the apartment, and we convinced Sam to break out the cotton candy machine - it wasn't really convincing, all we had to say was "hey cotton candy sounds nice" and Sam was all over it.

"I wish we didn't have to go," my dad frowned. "But I have to be at the office early in the morning," he let out a loud yawn and stretched. "What about lunch tomorrow, hun?"

"I'd love that," I smiled. I hugged all three of them once more, and I agreed to bring Raina over tomorrow while Su was home. "Drive safe, I love you all!"

"Love you too!" They all shouted back. I closed the door and hugged Sam immediately. I was overwhelmed with emotions both happy and sad.

"I can't believe I finally met them," I said pulling away from our hug.

"Jag is pretty cool," Sam smiled. "I'm going to get in a shower, want to join?" He smirked causing me to roll my eyes and laugh.

"No I think I'll just get Raina to bed," I said pursing my lips.

"Okay," he kissed my cheek and walked out of the room. Raina was in the bassinet that was set up in one of the corners of the spacious living room. I walked over to her and saw that she was getting drowsy, I could see it in her eyes, and the way each time she blinked her eyelids would stay closed for a little bit longer each time. I smiled, and carefully picked her up to carry her to her room. It had been awhile since I had a night talk with her, usually every night back at the old place I would sit in the rocking chair in her room and tell her stories, or even about my day. I would do this until she fell asleep in my arms, and I would kiss her forehead and put her in her crib.

I walked into her bedroom and sat down in the white rocking chair and gently rocked back and forth. "So today we finally got to meet grandpa, grandma Su, and uncle Jag," I said softly caressing her head. "Life is finally heading up for us, and I think we're going to be good from here on out," I sighed and looked down at her. She was staring up at me, watching every movement of mine closely while holding her hands together as if she was truly intrigued by what I was saying. "Mommy and Sam are going to make sure you grow up with everything you need, and nothing less. You're going to grow up with so many people that love you, and no matter what we will always love you. You're not going to be my little baby forever, and when you're yelling at me thirteen years down the road on what type of clothes you want to wear to school I'll still see you as my little girl. I know I haven't been the perfect mommy - I'm just now surrounding you with all of the family you need. I've tried though, and I've always tried to put your first. No matter what, I love you so much," I kissed her forehead and saw that her eyelids were beginning to close.