Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
The ceremony is simple, elegant, and filled with laughter and joy. Axel’s best friend, Ethan Carrow, stands proudly as godfather, and I catch him exchanging a wink with Axel during the vows. My eyes flick to Betty, holding Jackson gently, smiling softly. I mouth a thank you to her, and she nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
When it’s time to pour the holy water over Jackson’s tiny head, I feel a lump rise in my throat. The cool water touches his forehead, and he blinks up at me, wide-eyed and curious, as if sensing the enormity of the moment. Axel’s hand is steady on mine. We share a look, silently acknowledging that this is more than just a ritual; it’s our life, our commitment, our joy made manifest.
“Jackson Joseph Rhodes,” the vicar says. “I christen you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The moment lingers. Cameras flash, and a quiet round of applause ripples through the church. Axel carries Jackson down the aisle, careful not to spill even a drop of his formal enthusiasm, and I trail beside him, my hand on his arm.
Outside, sunlight spills over everyone, golden and warm. People are mingling, laughing, congratulating us, and sharing in this day that feels impossibly perfect. I can see my mum and Axel’s mom chatting with Betty, Jenny holding Serena’s hand while Olivia fawns over Jackson. There’s a sense of completeness here, the kind I didn’t think I’d ever experience.
I turn to look at Betty. She cradles him expertly, whispering reassurances.
“I’ve got him,” she says softly, looking up at me. “Don’t worry.”
I glance at Axel, who’s already slipping me a mischievous grin.
“Come on,” he murmurs, tugging me gently out of the large function room and to what used to be my father’s home office and is now our private sitting room, the one for just us, somewhere we can relax and be ourselves without worrying about guests.
“What is it?” I ask, curious.
He’s holding an envelope, small and thick, with my name and his written across the front in Joseph’s unmistakable handwriting. My breath catches in my throat.
“Gavin gave me this. He said we have to watch this after the christening,” Axel says quietly. “It’s from him. From Joseph.”
We sit together on the couch. Jackson is safe with Betty, and the quiet of the room stretches around us. Axel opens his laptop and inserts the flash drive from the envelope into it. He presses play on the still of Joseph’s face that flashes up on the screen. The video flickers to life. And there he is, the father I never knew, smiling warmly, his eyes sparkling, filled with the kind of happiness that makes you ache just to see it.
“Hello, you two,” Joseph begins, his voice strong, steady, full of affection. “If you’re watching this, then everything has gone according to my plan. Or at least … mostly. I wanted to tell you that I always knew you would find each other. Always. You were meant to be the perfect couple. All you needed was someone to put you together.”
Axel and I glance at each other, our hearts squeezing with emotion.
“And now,” Joseph continues, his voice softer, a little more tender. “You have a new addition to your family. My grandson, or granddaughter, I bless that baby, and I bless both of you. Always love each other. Care for each other. And most of all, be happy.”
I feel tears pricking my eyes. I lean into Axel, who wraps his arm around me, pulling me close.
“He looks so happy,” I whisper.
“He always did when he spoke of you,” Axel murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “And he’d be proud of us. Proud of our little family.”
I close my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of Axel’s chest, the thought of Jackson’s laughter, and the echo of Joseph’s words fill me completely. We made it. We’ve built something beautiful from chaos, fear, and a love that point blank refused to break.
I open my eyes, looking at Axel. “We did it,” I say softly.
He smiles, brushing a thumb across my cheek. “We sure did,” he agrees. “Together.”
And in that quiet, perfect moment, I know nothing could ever undo this happiness.
Epilogue
JO
Two Years Later
Paris feels impossibly bright today, as if the city itself is celebrating with us. The soft hum of traffic and distant laughter drifts over the Seine, mingling with the sweet tang of fresh pastries and warm coffee from the cafés lining the streets. Axel wants us to walk with Jackson in the stroller, and I can’t argue. Every step feels lighter when I’m with both of them, when we’re together like this, free from the needs of the rest of the world.
The breeze is gentle but persistent, tugging at my hair, and Axel’s arm is solid around me, grounding me as we stroll towards the Pont des Arts. It’s a bridge we visited once before, long before life got complicated and our hearts nearly tore us apart. He promised me that one day we’d come back and we’d leave something behind, a symbol of us. Something we could lock to this city.