Hearts on Broadway (Book 2)

Chapter 3 - The Weight of Worry

Morgan woke up to the familiar sound of Jackson stirring in the crib next to the bed. He stretched, his muscles still sore from yesterday's work on the farm, but there was a sense of peace in the early morning quiet. He glanced over at Georgie, who was still asleep, her face peaceful but worn from weeks of sleepless nights.

He smiled softly, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest. Every morning, no matter how tired he was, Morgan felt grateful. Grateful for this life, for his son, for Georgie. The last few months had been a whirlwind, but despite the challenges, he knew they were in a good place. They had to be.

With a gentle sigh, Morgan pushed back the covers and got out of bed. He moved quietly across the room, scooping up Jackson from the crib. The little boy wriggled in his arms, his face scrunching up before he let out a tiny yawn.

"Hey, bud," Morgan whispered, cradling Jackson against his chest. "Time to start the day."

He walked Jackson over to the changing table, making quick work of the diaper change while keeping his voice low to avoid waking Georgie. She needed all the rest she could get. Things had been rough lately—he could see how tired she was, how drained she felt—but he was sure it would get better. They just needed to push through the exhaustion. Parenthood was hard, but they were stronger together.

As he dressed Jackson in a tiny onesie, Morgan hummed softly, a habit he'd developed since Jackson was born. It soothed him as much as it soothed Jackson. Music had always been his escape, his way of grounding himself. And now, it was his way of bonding with his son.

Once Jackson was dressed, Morgan carried him downstairs, the baby gurgling contentedly in his arms. He loved these mornings, just the two of them. The house was quiet, the world outside still waking up. It felt like their little bubble, where nothing else mattered but the here and now.

Morgan settled Jackson in his high chair and started preparing breakfast. He glanced at the clock—7:30 AM. Georgie would probably be up soon, though lately, she'd been sleeping later than usual. He didn't mind. She deserved the rest.

As he cracked eggs into the pan, his mind wandered. He couldn't wait to get back into the studio. It had been a while since he'd written anything new, and he missed the creative process. But at the same time, he didn't want to rush back into work just yet. These early days with Jackson were too precious to miss, and he knew Georgie felt the same. They had both agreed to take some time off to focus on their family, and he was glad they did. There would be plenty of time for music later.

The smell of coffee brewing filled the kitchen, and just as Morgan was plating the eggs, he heard soft footsteps behind him.

"Morning," Georgie's voice was quiet, almost hesitant.

He turned to see her standing in the doorway, her hair tousled from sleep and her eyes heavy with fatigue. Despite the weariness, she was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"Morning, babe," Morgan said, smiling as he walked over to her. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "How'd you sleep?"

"Okay," she mumbled, though the dark circles under her eyes told a different story. She glanced over at Jackson, who was happily babbling in his high chair, and smiled. "You've been up for a while?"

"Yeah, figured I'd let you sleep in," Morgan said. "Breakfast is ready if you're hungry."

"Thanks," she said, though her voice lacked its usual warmth. She moved to Jackson's side, brushing a hand gently over his head. Jackson responded with a gurgle, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.

Morgan watched them for a moment, his heart swelling with pride. But then something caught his attention—a flicker of something in Georgie's expression. It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, but it left him with a sinking feeling in his gut.