Chapter 54

LILIAN

“They just had their second child and they’ve started trying for baby number three!” Lilian’s voice teased.

Jayda and Sebastian shyly pulled away from the kiss.

Lilian and Roman walked in with pink decorations and gifts. Lilian placed all the items on the hospital room couch, then ran to Jayda to hug the hell out of her.

“Congratulations, babe! I wanted to come over as soon as I got Seb’s text last night. I only went to bed when he texted that you and Ariella were fine.

“Hey, she’s meant to meet me first. I’m her mommy’s best friend, which means I’m her best friend too. She’s also my goddaughter, which gives me priority,” Lilian said before Roman could pick up Ariella from her bassinet.

Everyone in the room chuckled.

“Okay, you go first.” Roman gave in.

Lilian smiled proudly before picking up the most beautiful little human she had ever laid her eyes on.

“Hi Ariella, I’m your aunt Lily. I felt you kick so many times when you were still in Mommy’s belly. It’s nice to finally meet you, my love.” Lilian’s heart melted when Ella wrapped her hand around Lilian’s finger.

“You’re so perfect, sweetheart. Thank you for blessing us with your presence by coming into our lives. I promise to spoil you as much as I can, starting from today.

“I also can’t wait for you to grow up fast so we will do a lot of things together. I love you, my dear Ariella,” she added.

Roman approached Lilian to look at princess Ariella. “She’s perfect. She looks like Jayda but has Seb’s eyes.” Roman smiled.

“Hi cutie, I’m Uncle Romie-Rome, like your older brother would say.” He and Lilian chuckled.

JAYDA

“I’m sure she will have a nickname for you when she starts talking,” Jayda said.

Happy tears welled up in Jayda’s eyes. She couldn’t wait for God to bless Lilian and Roman with their own baby. She had no doubt they would be great parents.

Lilian crossed to Jayda and sat beside her with Arielle in her arms while Roman and Seb chatted.

“Do you think she will be a sassy lawyer like you, or a nerdy and grumpy businessman like Sebastian?” Lillian asked, not taking her eyes away from her goddaughter.

“Hey, I can hear you! By the way, I’m not nerdy and grumpy. I’m smart and sexy.” Sebastian pouted, and they all laughed.

“I don’t think I want her to do anything related to law, but we will respect her decision when it comes to what she wants to do.” Jayda stared at her precious daughter being held in her best friend’s arms.

“But she will grow up to be an adult and make her own decisions. Also, there are things that she will have to experience and go through herself. Still, Seb and I will have no choice but to be there for her.

“I love the mommy side of you.” Lilian cooed at the baby and tickled under her chin.

Jayda felt warmth spreading throughout her. “I never thought I’d feel this way, but now that I do, I couldn’t be happier.”

“When does Aaron get to meet his baby sister?”

“Sebastian’s mom will stop by Katie’s place to pick him up on her way here. Are those chocolates I see?” Jayda asked hopefully, spying a familiar box that Lilian had brought along with a gift bag.

“Sure, you did a good job by pushing out my godbaby, and the least I can do is to buy you something even if it’s a box of chocolates,” Lilian grinned.

Jayda excitedly dug into the bag to find the box of her favorite chocolates and a T-shirt with the words, ~Aaron and Ariella’s mama~ beautifully printed on it.

“Thanks, babe! I love it,” Jayda held up the shirt.

“Seb, Aaron and Ariella have their own too. It’s in one of the gift bags,” Lilian said.

They all talked some more until it was time to leave. Both Lilian and Roman had to go to work.

“I will miss you, Princess Ella. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure I come by after work. Be good to Mommy and Daddy, okay?” Lilian kissed Ariella’s cheek before handing her over to Jayda.

“I will see you guys in the evening.” She gave Jayda a half hug.

Roman and Lilian said their final goodbyes to their best friends and then they took their leave.

JAYDA

“We are blessed to have great friends,” Sebastian said as he settled beside Jayda.

“I know. I really want Lily and Roman to have their own child and I hope it happens soon. They are amazing and they deserve to be happy too.”

“I believe it will happen sooner than you think,” Sebastian predicted.

“So, were you and Ariella’s assistant godfather serious with what you guys said?” Jayda asked with a smile playing on her lips.

There had almost been a fight about who was to be Ariella’s godfather during her baby shower.

Caleb said he was the right person for the job since the godmother was Jayda’s best friend, and he was Sebastian’s best friend.

Roman claimed he deserved to be the godfather because he was good friends with both Jayda and Seb. And, he was in a relationship with Lilian so it makes perfect sense if they were both godparents.

Gabriel, Lilian’s brother, said the godfather position fitted him since he was Lilian’s brother, a close friend to Jayda, and family with Sebastian.

Jayda’s brother, Lucas, had also begged Jayda and Seb to consider him for the role.

In the end, Jayda and Sebastian decided not to break anyone’s heart. They appointed Caleb as the godfather and Roman, Gabriel, and Lucas as the assistant godfathers to Aaron and Ariella.

It was only then that everyone was happy!

“I just don’t want her to get hurt,” Sebastian pouted.

“We will always be there to guide her,” Jayda assured with a smile.

***

JAYDA

Jayda couldn’t stop smiling when she saw Sebastian’s parents walk in along with Aaron, who was struggling to walk because he was carrying a teddy bear that was bigger than him.

“We stopped at a gift shop to get something for Ariella, and he insisted we buy the teddy bear. So, here we are!” Vanessa said as she handed the basket of food she was holding over to Sebastian, then moved toward Jayda.

Sebastian placed the basket of food on a table, greeted his father and Aaron.

He dropped down to his son’s height and pulled him into a hug along with the giant teddy bear.

“I missed you, buddy.”

“I missed you too, Daddy. I brought this for Ariella.”

Sebastian collected the teddy bear from him and kissed his cheek.

“Thanks, buddy. I’m sure she’ll love it.”

“Where’s sissy?” Aaron asked excitedly.

“She’s been waiting to see you too. Go say hi to Mama and sissy.”

“Aww, she’s so beautiful,” Vanessa cooed as soon as she approached Jayda, who had Ariella in her arms.

“May I?” she asked excitedly.

“Sure!” Jayda handed Ariella to her grandmother.

After Jayda handed Ella to Vanessa, Albert gave her a hug. “Congratulations, my child.”

“Thank you, Dad.” Jayda beamed.

“Hi, beautiful, your grandma is here. We’ve all been waiting for this day since we heard about your existence. I hope you are excited to meet us too.” Vanessa smiled at her granddaughter.

Ariella kept studying her grandmother’s face as if she knew her from somewhere.

“She looks so much like you, Jayda,” Albert said proudly.

“But I’m glad she has the Millers’s eyes.” Jayda’s heart burst with happiness as she watched her in-laws welcome her daughter

“Hi, baby, I’ve missed you,” Jayda cooed as soon as she collected Aaron from Sebastian.

“I missed you too, Mama.”

Vanessa sat beside Jayda and showed off Ariella, who was in her arms to Aaron.

“Meet your baby sister,” Jayda introduced.

“Wow,” Aaron exclaimed at one glance.

“She’s so tiny and very cute.” He giggled.

“Is she how you imagined her to be?” Jayda asked.

Aaron nodded and then smiled. “She is perfect.”

He leaned closer to Ariella and kissed her forehead.

Jayda’s heart swelled with so much pride, Aaron was going to be the best big brother ever.

It was a good thing that Jayda was feeling better because soon enough, more visitors arrived. Jayda’s parents arrived with more gifts for the new baby and Aaron, who they treated like a grandson.

The men were admiring Ariella while the women gathered around Jayda to talk. There was barely enough room on the bed for them all, but they managed. Grace was seated on the right-hand side of Jayda’s bed, while Vanessa occupied the left-hand side.

“How does it feel to be a mom?” Grace asked her daughter.

“Weird, but amazing! I mean, I’ve been a mom since the first day I met Aaron, but Ariella’s birth has definitely changed me for the better.

“But Mom, you didn’t tell me how painful labor can be,” Jayda teased Grace.

Grace took her daughter’s hand and squeezed it, so grateful that she was out of danger.

Vanessa gave a solemn laugh. “Dear, I don’t think there’s any word to use to describe the whole labor process unless one experiences it. But I’m sure all the pain was worth it as soon as Ariella was placed in your arms.”

Jayda nodded. “It was definitely worth it.”

The trio continued with their conversation, with both mothers giving Jayda tips on motherhood. All of the godparents arrived with more gifts and food, and so did Olivia and Amelia. The brand-new aunties were thrilled with their baby niece.

At last, a nurse came and told them all it was time to leave.

“Rest up, Mommy,” Lilian urged Jayda. “Once you get home, your big job is only starting!”

“I’m sure she’ll handle it all easily,” Sebastian suggested. “She’s been so great with Aaron already.”

Lilian laughed and shook her head. “No, not taking care of the kids. I know she’ll be great at that. I mean the even bigger job.”

When Jayda gave her a curious look, Lilian laughed even more.

“Planning the wedding!”