*~*Chapter Two*~*

Eve watched Chris for a moment, seeing him regarding Jenna with an entire new frame of mind.  He held their daughter and sang softly to her as he lulled her back to sleep.

Eve wrapped a throw around her shoulders as she watched her husband.  The news had hit him so personally that Eve had felt her heart swell with his raw emotion.  She had known the news would touch him, but she hadn't finished revealing everything she wanted to.  She still had more to tell him.  She just had to wait until the time was right.

Chris placed Jenna back into her crib and tucked her pink blanket around her.  He watched his daughter with awe.  His daughter.  He'd repeated in his mind over and over again in the last half hour.  Since Eve had told him, he couldn't quite get past the thought that Jenna was actually his daughter.  So why couldn't he remember her conception?

He turned and faced his wife.  Her eyes held so much hope and promise for him.  He wanted to believe that she might find it in her heart to love him.....to love the father of her child.  But could he keep that much hope alive?  It had been a miracle in itself that Jenna belonged to him.  So why couldn't he just remember the moment they had made love, bringing life to their daughter?

Eve extended her hand to him, "Come on.  Let's sit by the fire."

Chris took her hand and followed her to their living room.  He watched her as she took a cushion and tossed it to the floor.  She sat down and leaned onto the pillow.  He smiled as he watched her become comfortable.  He took a deep breath before slipping off his shoes and sitting down beside her.  

"Our daughter," He said the words in awe.

Eve smiled, "Ours, Chris.  She's our flesh and blood."

"I still can't remember that night," He said in dismay.

She touched his hand and met his eyes, "Then just know one thing," She smiled, "It was beautiful."

"I just wish I could remember the moment.  You'd think that a moment as important as this, I would remember.  Especially since..." He stopped short.

Eve squeezed his hand, "Since you waited for such a long time to make love to me?"

He met her eyes after a moment, "Eve..."

"Shhh," She ordered as she gently placed her fingertip over his lips, "Chris, you don't have to explain anything to me.  Do you know how special that makes me feel?  Do you have any idea what that really means to me?" She asked, placing her hand over her heart, "Chris, I've always wanted to feel loved for who I am....for what I have in here," She spoke as she felt tears filling her eyes, "You're the first man who has really known me, every aspect of who I am and still loved me.  I've never known anyone who has cared about me so completely."

"Eve, I'm only sorry that I didn't tell you sooner."

"I'm just glad that you've finally been able to open up to me," Eve said with a light smile.  She reached out to touch his cheek, "It's time I share something with you as well," She paused as she gazed into his dark brown eyes, "Over the last few months, Chris, you've been so good to me.  You've given me the life that we always talked about dreaming of.  You've made me happy and you've made so many of my dreams come true."

"That's all I want for you, Eve.  I want to make you happy," He said with a proud smile.

"You have made me happy.  You have brought me more happiness than I've imagined I'd have.  So many times I've made the wrong choices and screwed up important parts of my life.  You've made me see that I don't have to do that any more.  You've given me so much hope for the future, Chris."

"The future only holds happiness for you, Eve.  I promise you that."

"I believe that, Chris," Eve said softly as she gazed into his eyes, "I believe in you.  I believe in the strength of what we have.  I believe in you and me," She spoke as she eased closer to him, "I believe in us with all my heart, Chris, because I know that you love me," She paused as she caressed his cheek, "And because I know that I love you too.....with everything that I am, I love you," Eve finished with a whisper before she eased her lips to his, engaging him in a heartfelt kiss.