Acceptance

Chapter 6

Once everyone left, Jaz's little family closed ranks. She'd been concerned about Phia, relaxing when Kasey and Chrissy took charge of her. As had always been her fall back in the past Jaz turned to Jacob needing to make sure Phia would be taken care of.

"Phia will be safe at the main house. Once Nate calms down he can talk to her and if she's ready to go home with him so be it. Until then she'll be staying in the main house under Braedon's protection."

Jaz embraced him, the feel of his arms around her as familiar and comfortable. "She doesn't deserve all this."

"I know my sweet, but neither did you. Rest easy Jaz, relax if you can and just be with your family." He sighed, doing his best not to look to serious. "Nate will want to know more about your son. To be honest I can't really blame him. But this is your story. Your child. Your pain. Only you can decide when, or even if he learns any more than what you've already stated." He kissed Jaz on the top of the head looked directly at Eli and Cade letting them know to watch over her then left for the main house.

Jaz turned hearing a scuffle coming from the kitchen and found Cord all but dragging Emma into the living room. She looked from one to the other waiting for an explanation. "Emma was going to leave. I told her she was family and better stay. Right?"

"Right." Smiled Jaz. "Come Emma," Jaz held out a hand to the woman. "You are as Cord said family. You guessed at much of what was told today and kept it to yourself. You stepped in and took care of my home and my children without anyone asking for help. You've more than earned your place here. Please stay, there are a few more things I'd like to share with you all?"

Emma was a little overwhelmed, but let Cord lead her to the couch. Jaz sat beside her with Eli, Cade and Cord sitting on the floor opposite with the coffee table between them. On the coffee table now sat the box with the baby mementoes in it. They waited quietly knowing whatever Jaz had to show them would be in there.

Picking up the box Jaz placed it next to her on the couch. With shaking hands she lifted the lid putting it beside the box. "There's more in here. I'm just not ready to share it all with everyone else. At least not yet."

Taking out the baby blanket Jaz spread it over the coffee table then ever so carefully placed the contents of the box on it. First of all the blue teddy bear, then the booties. There were also several sets of baby clothes some hand knitted. The urn she placed to one side on the table itself holding it with fingers lingering... not wanting to let go.

Pulling out a large envelope she emptied it onto her lap. Baby photographs. Dozens of baby photographs. Some with Jaz and the baby, some with both Jaz, Jacob and the baby and many more of just the baby. Jaz looked at each and every one before placing them on the table for her family to see.

Calmness swept over Jaz surprising her; she imagined this would have been just as painful as the telling of her story. As she looked up she saw wonder in her children's eyes.

"He's got your eyes," stated Eli.

"He's got your smile," said Cade.

"I bet he had just as much love in him as you do mum." Cords words bringing a tear to all their eyes.

Emma wiped at her eyes, "Jaz he's so much like you were as a baby."

Jaz couldn't help but smile. These were the words she needed to hear. Words she'd been desperate to hear from friends and family for so long. And now... now she was truly hearing them. "Yes he was the most beautiful baby."

"Boys aren't beautiful they're handsome." Stated Cord making her smile.

Eli picked up a smaller envelope, "You've still got the negatives. You might consider having one or two enlarged. That way you can frame them, have them on display either here in the living room or in your bedroom."