Chloe couldn't help but watch her baby sleep for a few minutes after placing her in the crib. She looked so happy and peaceful that her heart nearly burst. When she had first found out that she was pregnant, Chloe didn't know how to feel. She knew that she didn't want to raise a child with Morris, but at the same time, she was awed by the idea of a tiny human being growing inside of her. In the end, she had decided that her desire to have a baby outweighed any misgivings she might have about Morris' parenting capabilities.
Standing there at the crib, Chloe knew that she had made the right decision. Six months into her pregnancy, Morris left, telling her that he wasn't ready to be a father. She had been almost relieved to see him go – the strain of no longer being in love with him had begun to weigh heavily on her. Unsure of how she was going to raise a baby alone, she prepared herself for a struggle.
But then Jack had reappeared, showing up on her front step one afternoon. They had talked for hours – about her pregnancy and where he had gone – and then he stayed the night, because of how late it was. Chloe expected him to leave the next day, but instead he helped her out around the house and stayed a second night. Gradually, the guest room turned into his permanent bedroom, and they became a little family.
Smiling at the memory, Chloe decided to go find Jack and see if he wanted lunch. They had most meals together, but she was thinking that maybe today they could grab the baby monitor and have a little picnic outside.
When she got downstairs, strange noises were coming out of the kitchen. Frowning, she slowed at the doorway, peering inside.
She almost burst out laughing at what she saw. Jack was down on his hands and knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor. His face wore an expression of fierce determination and he seemed to be attacking the linoleum as though it were a terrorist that had threatened him. Soap and water soaked the knees of his jeans, and she could see some stray soapsuds lying across his cheek.
She must have made some noise, because Jack's head suddenly snapped up, and he turned to face her.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi. What are you doing?"
"Scrubbing the floor."
"Okay, I can see that. But why?"
"For Anna."
Chloe frowned. "My baby asked you to clean the kitchen floor?"
"No. But I don't want her crawling around on a dirty floor. Who knows what she could pick up?"
"Jack, she's two months old. It's going to be awhile before she's crawling around the house."
He looked down sheepishly. "I know, but…"
Chloe laughed and walked over to him, helping him to his feet.
"You really love her, don't you?"
He nodded, looking down again.
"I love you both."
She couldn't stop the smile that bloomed on her face.
"And we love you. Both of us." He looked up at her in surprise, his eyes full of hope. She laughed again and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "Which is why Kim is watching Anna tomorrow night and you're taking me out on a proper date."
"I'd love to," he murmured.
"Good. But right now let's worry about lunch. I'm starving."
"Your wish is my command," he whispered, leaning in for another kiss.