Fuelled by Forever

Ch. 10

Imogen

Day three of Jude being at home ends up expensive. I left my laptop on the baby store's website —Isla and Fraser—and Jude bought my entire wishlist.

"I like that it's organic cotton," Jude says, relaxing on the sofa.

The tiredness still haunts his face.

It's deep-rooted and going to take a lot of sleep to get over.

I dump my handbag on the kitchen island and join him, snuggling close when he wants to show me the clothes he bought for her. There are knitted rompers, all in an oat colour, knitted baby bloomers with matching cardigans, and the most precious selection of elasticated bow headbands for her little head.

He asks me what I think, and I beam. "You really spoiled her."

He chuckles. "If you can't spoil your daughter, who can you spoil?"

I want her to have everything good in this life.

I'll protect her with my whole being.

Jude clears his throat. "I listened to a segment on the radio today, and one of the guest parents discussed how giving in to your kid every time they want something teaches them that material possessions are the most important things in life. It got me thinking. Our daughter will never need anything but must know that family and memories are most important."

"I agree," I reply.

Jude closes the lid on my laptop. "I want to teach her about giving from an early age. We can take her along when I volunteer in the food kitchens."

I always knew Jude liked to keep his charitable actions a secret, but seeing pictures of him serving behind the tables at Food for Everyone made me realise just how much he gives back.

"That's a wonderful idea," I say, kissing his mouth.

He groans, holding the back of my head. "I even thought about setting up a trust fund in her name. What do you think?"

"I think that's absolutely wonderful, but we haven't even thought about names yet," I reply.

Jude leans to grab a piece of paper from the coffee table, sneaky when he moves his eyes over it. "I've actually fallen in love with a name."

I push closer to him, stomach swishing with excitement. "I need to hear it."

He laughs. "I feel like this could potentially be her name, Imogen."

"Go on," I say, urging him. "I might love it as well."

It's such a responsibility to name your child. They'll carry it on throughout their lives, and I would hate for her to secretly hate us for it when she's at school or when she starts adulting.

"Okay." He's nervous. "I absolutely love the name Eloise. I know I shouldn't, but I've been saying Eloise in my head for days when I think of her, and it's stuck."

Eloise Dufour.

It's beautiful.

"I love it, Jude," I say.

He's still unsure. "Do you? Are there any names you like?"

"I liked Matilda, but Eloise has a ring to it," I say.

His eyes soften. "Matilda is a pretty name, baby. We can take some time to think about it. This is a decision we should make together."

I smile. "This is both our decisions, but I honestly love the name. I want her to be called Eloise. It's special for our mums, too, because we're carrying on the E-name tradition."