Chapter 30
“Epilogue: Butterfly”
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 2012.
The city was quiet in the early hours of the new year. Fireworks had faded into mist. The streets were still. And inside a private suite on the maternity floor, Torian Jackson was laboring through the final hours of her pregnancy—her body aching, her heart wide open.
Michael stood beside her, fingers laced with hers, whispering soft encouragement between each contraction. The monitors beeped steadily. Nurses moved gently around them, respectful of the hush that had settled over the room.
"You're doing beautifully," he said, voice low and reverent. "Our baby's almost here."
Torian nodded, breath shallow but sure. "I just want them to feel love the moment they arrive."
"You already gave them that," Michael said. "Every second you carried them."
They had elected to keep the gender a surprise. Wanted to wait until birth to see if they were having a son or a daughter. Names had already been chosen for either. To the eager parents, it didn't matter if it was a boy or girl. Their child was going to be loved. Already was.
Outside the delivery room in a private family waiting room, Torian and Michael's parents and siblings waited. Jaiden stood with Paris and Prince, cracking jokes to keep the nerves at bay. Blanket had drawn a picture of the baby. The waiting area was filled with warmth, laughter, and quiet anticipation. It felt like a vigil but one lit by joy.
Inside the delivery room the nurse checked the monitor. "I think we're ready."
The doctor leaned in. "One more push, Torian."
She closed her eyes. Thought of Michael. Their kids. Their sweet little family of five would soon become six.
She pushed.
And then, a cry.
Sharp. Sacred. Alive.
Michael gasped. Torian sobbed. The doctor lifted a tiny, wrinkled pink blob into the air, its lungs announcing its arrival like a trumpet.
"Congratulations, it's a boy!" The doctor exclaimed.
Through eyes blurred with tears, Tori watched as Michael cut their son's umbilical cord, and the nurses cleaned him off before placing him on her chest. She looked down at him, eyes closed, fists curled, skin warm against hers. Her heart cracked open.
Michael leaned in, voice trembling. "Hi, Jaiden."
They had made the decision months ago to honor Torian's brother by naming their first son after him. Michael had suggested it because Uncle Jaiden had been one of the first, if not the first to be in their corner when they faced adversity over their choice to be together. Torian had agreed. They didn't let him know beforehand of the name choice so they knew it would leave him speechless.
The baby blinked. Then opened his eyes. Big, round and doe-like. Like Michael. The color of fresh, earthy moss. Like Torian.
Michael laughed through tears. "He has our eyes."
"And our lungs." Tori smiled.
XXXXXX
Later...
The city was quiet, wrapped in the hush of a new year. In the hospital room, Torian lay propped up against soft pillows, her curls damp with sweat, her eyes glowing with exhaustion and joy. Michael sat beside her, cradling their newborn son, wrapped in a pale blue blanket, his tiny face tucked against his father's chest.
The door creaked open.
Taryn entered first, followed by Javier, the kids, Katherine and Joe, the siblings and finally Jaiden. Everyone froze for a moment, reverent.
"Can we come in?" Taryn spoke softly.
"Please do." Michael answered. "He's ready to meet his people." He stood and turned, revealing the baby. The room filled with gasps and soft cries.
"He's so small." Paris said.
"He looks like a burrito." Blanked laughed.
"He looks like Dad." Prince smiled.
Jaiden stepped forward last, slower than usual, unusually quiet. He looked at Torian, then at Michael, then at the baby but said nothing.
Speaking to her brother Torian asked, "Don't you want to know his name?"
"Of course," Jaiden replied. "What did y'all name the little moonwalker?"
Michael spoke. Gentle, proud as he placed him in Jaiden's arms. "Jaiden Michael Jackson."
Silence.
Jaiden blinked. His mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. "You named him after me?" His voice cracked. Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Of course we did, Uncle Jaiden." Torian smiled. "You've been my protector, my comic relief, my emotional support human. Now you'll be his. You're part of his story, too."
Jaiden looked down at the baby. "Hey little man. I'm your uncle. You've got several but believe me, I'm the best one. That's why your parents named you after me."
Laughter floated around the room. The baby stirred, blinked, and let out a tiny sigh.
"He's already judging me. This kid." Jaiden shook his head, smiling. "I can already tell he's going to be loud, loved and slightly chaotic. I'm going to enjoy being here for every minute of it.”
XXXXXX
The room was hushed. The monitors had gone silent. The nurses had dimmed the lights and slipped out with knowing smiles. Their family had gone. Torian lay still, her body aching but her soul wide open with their newborn nicknamed "JJ" in her arms. Michael sat beside her, watching JJ's tiny chest rising and falling like a whispered rhythm.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Just breathing. Just listening.
Outside, the city was quiet. The first morning of the new year had come and gone. But for them, it had just begun.
"I didn't think we'd ever actually be here." Michael broke the silence. "Not after everything that happened. After all that we've been through. I didn't think I deserved this."
"And now?"
"
And now, I know I do. I know that we do. He's proof." He leaned down and kissed his sleeping son’s forehead.
"This would have never happened if we didn't choose each other. Over and over." Tori leaned into the soft kiss Michael placed on her lips. "I'm glad you chose me."
"And I'm glad you chose me. And now he's here. Our greatest duet yet."
They looked at their son—Jaiden Michael Jackson.
Born on the first day of a new year. A new beginning. Named for the brother who taught Torian how to laugh through pain. Named for the father who taught the world how to feel.
Tori whispered, "We made it."
Outside, the city exhaled.
Inside, Torian closed her eyes, held her son close, and whispered:
"Welcome to the world, Butterfly...this is only your beginning."
THE END.
Author’s Note: Although this chapter brings their story to a close, I’ve written a few “slice of life” chapters that show more of their story after baby JJ is born and well into their marriage. If you all want me to post those here let me know. Thank you. Hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
