“Dada!”
The clear, unmistakable word rang out in the sudden silence that followed her pronouncement.
Every head turned toward Evie, who was looking directly at Owen with obvious pride in her new achievement. Her small face was bright with the satisfaction of someone who’d just accomplished something momentous.
“Did she just…” Felix trailed off, amazed.
“Dada!” Evie squealed, clapping her hands with delight at the reaction she’d provoked from her captivated audience.
Iris watched Owen’s face transform. She saw the tears he tried valiantly to blink away as he gathered Evie closer to his chest. His voice, when he finally managed to speak, was rough with emotion that made her own eyes burn in sympathy.
“That’s right, sweetheart. Dada’s here.”
Unable to resist, Iris rose from her chair and moved to his side so she could press a soft kiss to his cheek and taste the salt of ecstasy on his skin. Around them, their friends erupted in cheers and gentle teasing, but she only had eyes for her husband and daughter and for this perfect moment that would be etched in her memory forever.
“That was her first word,” she whispered in his ear. “You’ll remember this moment for the rest of your life.”
“I’ll remember all of it,” he replied as his free arm wrapped around her waist to complete their family circle. “Every perfect moment of this wonderful life we’ve built.”
The evening continued with laughter and stories and concluded with promises to return soon.
But underneath the cheerful chaos, Iris felt the deep satisfaction of a woman who’d found her place in the world.
This gathering of people who’d chosen to become family, this warm house filled with love and laughter, this husband who looked at her like she hung the stars, and this precious child who was theirs in every way that mattered, wove together to create everything she’d dreamed of during those long, lonely months when happiness had seemed impossible.
Hours later, after their guests had departed amid a flurry of embraces and plans for future gatherings, Iris and Owen made their way upstairs to tuck Evie in for the night.
The baby was drowsy but fighting sleep as she always did, making soft sounds of protest as Iris rocked her gently in the chair that had become such a central fixture in their evening routine.
“Sing to her,” Iris requested, settling more comfortably into the familiar rhythm of the rocking chair. “She’s been showing off all evening. She deserves her favorite lullaby.”
Owen’s voice was soft, and the familiar sea shanty never failed to soothe Evie into contentment. The melody connected three generations, grandfather to father to daughter, creating an unbroken chain of love and tradition.
“Away, haul away, we’ll haul away together. Away, haul away, we’ll haul for better weather…”
As the music worked its inevitable magic and Evie’s eyes grew heavy with sleep, Owen moved closer to watch his wife and daughter in the gentle glow of the lamp. The sight of this everyday miracle of family he’d never thought he deserved still had the power to steal his breath.
“Our daughter,” he said quietly. His sense of wonder was still palpable in his voice after all these months of claiming that precious truth.
“Our family,” Iris murmured, smiling up at him with the contentment of a woman who’d found her heart’s home.
When Evie finally settled in her bed, they made their way to their chambers. Their hands were entwined in the comfortable intimacy of a couple who’d learned to trust completely in each other’s love.
“I’ve been thinking,” Owen said as he helped her with the intricate fastenings of her dinner gown.
“About?”
“About what Felix said tonight. About giving Evie siblings to share the burden of his corrupting influence.”
Iris laughed. The sound was bright and happy in the quiet intimacy of their room. “Is that your only motivation? Protection from Felix’s corrupting influence?”
“Among others.” His hands stilled on her shoulders. “I want to give her everything, Iris. Brothers and sisters, a house filled with laughter and chaos, the kind of childhood I never had but always dreamed about.”
“And what do you want for yourself?”
“You. Always you.”
He turned her in his arms.
