Later that day.

"Nyla, this is your brother Nolan's resting place. Isn't it so beautiful?" Jessica looks down to her baby girl.

"Look sissy, it says Nolan Harrison Lange. Lange is mommy's last name. She's not a Huston like us and daddy."

Jessica chuckles before turning to her son's grave. She placed a kiss on it and wiped her tears.

"Hi baby boy. Merry Christmas, my love."

Delilah sat beside Jessica and very gently rubbed her back.

Jessica looked down and smiled. She then wrapped her free arm around her and kissed her head.

"I love you, Delilah."

"I love you too, mommy!"
Momma?"

"Yes?"

"Tell is a story about brother."

"A story." Jessica smiles. "Alright, I have a good one.."

*
*
*

2013

"Nolan buddy, come on. We're due to be at grandma's house at two."

"Hey I two!"

"You are!  My baby is getting so big!"

"I a man!"

"Well Man come over here so mommy can put your pants on." Jessica smiles.

"I not wearing those!" Nolan laughs.

"Yeah you are.  Come on, Nolan, we have to get going."

"I weady, mama!"

"Little boy, you need pants."

"No cause I a man, silly!"

Jessica laughs and nods her head.  She then picks him up and kisses his chubby cheeks.

"Let's go, my little man."

"Otay, wittle wady!"

Jessica laughed.  His little baby voice just melted her heart.

"I love you, No No."

"Mama I lub yew most!" Nolan grabs Jessica's face and kisses her.

"Awww!"

**

"We're here!  And no my son does not have pants on.  He's so sweet I didn't make him put them on.  Plus, momma is exhausted and if I forced him into them he'd have a sob fest."

"Well it's okay!  Grandma loves to see that big squishy butt in a diaper!" Dorothy lifts him up and pats his bottom.

Jessica laughs and walks over to greet the rest of her family, leaving Nolan alone with her mother.

"Mommy?" Nolan widens his eyes and breathes heavily.  His bottom lip quivering, and tears quickly filling his eyes he shouts, "Mommy!"

"It's okay baby, she's just going to say hello to everyone!" Dorothy smiles.

"MOMMY!" Nolan sobs.

Jessica ran back thinking something was wrong. "What happened?"

"WanchYewwww!" Nolan reaches for his mommy.

"Aw he said want you!" Dorothy pouts.

Jessica chuckles and takes him from Dorothy.
She kisses his cheek before Nolan hugs her as tight as possible.

"Oh my goodness, these sweet sweet hugs!
  Nolan, will you promise mama something?"

"Ya!" He giggles.

"Will you promise mommy that you'll always hug her like this?  Even when you're in high school around all your friends?  Or when you're married and have babies of your own?"

"Ya!  Ya, Mama!" He giggles.

"How about when mommy is old and gray and can't get around anymore?"

"Yaaa!" He laughs and throws his arms around her once again.

"Oh good!  I'm so happy to have these perfect hugs to look forward to for the rest of my life!"

*
*
*

"He was gone just two years later." Jessica cries. "He gave the best hugs in the whole world!"

Delilah and Danny look to Jessica with tears in their eyes.

The baby begins to fuss so Danny takes her.

Jessica then covers her face and bawls loudly.

"He was such a sweet innocent little boy.  He doesn't deserve this!"

"No he doesn't.  Baby I'm so sorry.. I can't imagine going through what you went through."

"Mommy.. I know I'm not your.. real child but.. I love you." Delilah looks up to Jessica with tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry you can't have Nolan in your arms anymore.. I know my hugs aren't the same as his, but I'm here.  You can hug me."

"Oh Didi.  My girl.  Baby, no you're not Nolan.."

Delilah looks down and Jessica gently lifts her head back up. "You're Delilah.. and I am so so blessed to be the mommy you chose."

Delilah smiled very very softly.

"In my eyes there's no difference between you, Nolan or Nyla.  You didn't have to come from my tummy to be mine.  You and I have something just as strong as blood, and you know that, little girl."

Delilah sniffles and nods her head.

"I'm not replacing Nolan.. my heart grew so much when I met you and your daddy.. and then again when Nyla was born.
  love your hugs, and I know I'll love Nyla's.
.. It just hurts because I can't have Nolan's anymore.."

"Mommy just because you can't feel them doesn't mean he stopped.  He hugs you all the time."

Just then they hear Nyla giggling.

Danny chuckles softly. "She's laughing!"

"She's laughing because she sees her brother.  He's here, momma.  He's here!"

Jessica smiles as tears pour down her face.
  She then pulls Delilah in for a tight hug.

With her eyes shut tight she says, "Didi?"

"Yes?"

"Will you promise me you'll always give me hugs like this?  Even when you're in high school?  Even when you're married and have kids?  Even when I'm old and gray?"

"Always, momma!" Delilah said with a beautiful smile.

"Good!  I love you, baby."

"I love you!"

***
I wrote this chapter and then saw this post a friend shared on Facebook..

I love the storyline of this book, but I really wish Nolan were still alive lol😭