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Judd Ryder knew he was a lucky man, there was no doubt about that.
But sitting here watching his wife and newborn baby girl sleep, it finally hit him just how blessed he truly was.
After everything he had been through, all the trouble he had put his parents through, all the hell he had raised, all the bones he had broken (and don’t forget a few hearts too), he had never expected that he would ever find someone like Grace.
She had come into his life just when he thought he was beyond saving.
And despite his attempts to push her away and tell himself that he didn’t need her, it hadn’t worked one bit.
She had stuck around and kept him grounded and she had loved him despite all the madness in his mind.
“Thinking important thoughts over there husband?” He hadn’t expected Grace’s voice to break through the silence of the small room, but he offered her a smile nonetheless.
“Just thinking about how lucky I am.” He whispered, leaning forward to run his fingers across her cheek and then down to rest on their daughter’s head.
“Lucky huh?” She smiled up at him as she reached a hand out to rest against his cheek. “How so?”
“Well the fact that you love enough to stick around all these years for one.” Everyone had always told them that it wouldn’t work, that they wouldn’t last, and he had believed them for most of his life. “And the fact that we now have this sweet girl to love and raise together.”
“She is quite the blessing isn’t she?” Grace had always had more faith that things would work out for them, despite all their challenges, and he had loved her for it even more.
“I love you Gracie.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her head, his eyes closing as he fought back tears. “So, so much.”
“I love you too Judson.” He rolled his eyes before offering her a crooked smile, his lips pressing against hers softly before pulling back.
“Thank you for never giving up on me.” The tears that were threatening to form came out of nowhere and he swallowed as he tried to fight them off.
“I told you I never would.” She patted his cheek softly as her eyes closed a little.
“I know you did.” Exhaustion was seeping into his bones too, his body sore from sitting in the chair and his mind and heart overwhelmed with emotions he never knew he could feel. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled a little, but he could tell that she was already falling back to sleep.
So he pressed another soft kiss to her forehead before sitting back down in his chair and closing his eyes as well.
He sure was one hell of a lucky guy.