Chapter 449

• There are so many points along the way where our paths could have changed. I didn't have to ask Poppy how she could afford her extravagant lifestyle, or said no when she offered to introduce me to Lory at the Angel Club. I could have said no to the date with Rhode, or pretended I wasn't home when Ambrose came to pick me up and bring me there. Tiny decisions lead me to where I am; I asked a question, I met Lory, I agreed to go on a date and I answered a door. Tiny decisions lead me to where I am today, to this wonderful life I've been blessed with. And it all began on Juniper Street.
• "I think it suits her, we've been calling her Juni and June bug but I have a feeling she'll have a tonne of different nicknames" I say as I lean my head into Rhode's delicate touch. This man has had a hold on my heart since that very first meeting, since day one. I didn't know for sure that he would be with me forever, but I knew deep down that I would be forever changed by him. I didn't immediately know that he was going to be the love of my life, at that time I didn't have room for those sorts of feelings or thoughts, but I knew that something significant happened that day. I didn't ever think we would get here. I didn't even allow myself to fantasize about it because the reality of our situation at that time was so different to what I knew I wanted deep down. I wanted him, I wanted this beautiful life with him, and it astounds me everyday.
• "She's a beautiful little girl, so quiet and peaceful" Ambrose remarks, bringing me back from my thoughts. It's a comment that's been made to us numerous times by our families and the nurses. It concerned me at first, I thought there was something wrong because she wasn't screaming or crying or fidgeting as much as 'normal babies' do. But one of the doctors reassured us that she's perfectly healthy and she just seems to have a quiet temperament. I think she gets that from me. Eloise informed me that Rhode was never quiet or shy growing up, always keen to make himself heard and speak his mind, not much different than how he is now. It's quite sweet, seeing myself in her so quickly.