Текст книги "My Kind of Forever"

Автор книги: Heidi McLaughlin

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

Noah winds up and lets go of the ball. Before I can grasp what is happening, Noah throws his glove up in the air and jumps into Junior’s arms.

I stand and look at Liam. “They won! Oh my god, Liam, they won!” He gives me a quick hug before he starts celebrating. I know he wants to be out on the field with Noah and hates that it’s Nick that got them this far. He’s so proud, though; he doesn’t say anything to Noah when he chooses to go practice with Nick instead of hanging out.

When the presentations are over, we pick up all of our stuff and head out to meet Noah. I tried telling Liam to go on ahead, but he’s waiting for me, helping me down the stairs. A lot of parents are gathering at the entrance where the players will come out, each of us proud, but half of us somber because someone had to lose. Thing is, if your son or daughter makes it this far, they have nothing to hang their heads about. This is the best there is in Little League Baseball.

Noah comes running out and right into Liam’s arms. I’ll never get over the sight of those two together.

A warm sensation washes over me, causing me to feel lightheaded. Hands are grabbing at me, telling me to lie down, but I can’t see who’s talking to me. I can only see Liam and Noah.

“Josie?” I can hear my dad calling my name, but he seems so far away.

“Someone call 9-1-1.”

Yes, I think that would be a good idea.

“MOM!”

Noah’s blood curdling scream causes me to freeze. I try to hang on to him as he pushes himself out of my arms, but I’m unable to. Everything is happening in slow motion. The way Noah is falling out of my arms, the way I’m turning just in time to see my wife start to fall to the ground, the way people are looming around her, but moving at a snail’s pace.

“Josie!” My words are muffled and sound robotic and it takes me what seems like an hour to get to her when she’s only a few feet away.

Her father is there to help her to the ground, and someone is yelling for 9-1-1. I’m by her side, holding her hand and trying to get the words that are running through my head out of my mouth.

“NICK!” I scream as loud as I can. He’s a doctor. He’ll know what to do.

“Josie, baby, can you hear me?” Her lips move, but there’s no sound coming out of her mouth. Next to me, Noah is crying, begging his mother to wake-up. I look up at the people around us, all family, all concerned.

“Where’s the damn ambulance?”

“It’s on its way, Liam,” Jenna tells me as she holds a crying Eden in her arms. I turn my attention back to Josie and check for a pulse. She has one, but I’m not sure if it’s normal.

Nick and Xander bust their way through the on-lookers and bend down next to her.

“What happened?”

“She was watching Noah and Liam and started to wobble. I caught her before she fell,” Mr. Preston tells Nick, who has his pen light out and is shining it in her eyes. He’s doing things I’ve never seen him do before. I’ve only seen him be a part of my son’s life, not trying to save one.

“Nick, is my mom going to be okay?”

“We need to get her to the hospital so she can be looked at. Remember, Buddy, I’m a doctor for kids like you.” But that doesn’t stop Nick from checking her over. When he places his hands on her belly, I start to panic.

“Ashford, is something wrong with the baby?”

“I can’t tell, but I believe she’s in labor.”

“It’s too early,” both her mom and mine say at the same time. I glance quickly and find them standing together, holding each other.

I’ve never been so relieved to hear sirens in my life. The EMT’s are instructing people to get out of their way as they bring the gurney over to us.

“What happened here?” One of them asks, but is only focusing on Josie. Her father recounts the story while they take quick vitals and place a backboard under her.

“How far along is she?”

“Um… thirty-five weeks.” Answering that question is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I used to think nothing would compare to finding my grandma on the floor or watching JD go down, but this, by far, is the worst.

“What’s her name?”

“Josephine Westbury,” her father answers for me. I give him a nod in appreciation, hoping he understands why I’m tongue-tied. All around me orders are being barked out and I don’t understand a single one of them.

“You need to let go of her, Sir.”

“Wh… what?” I ask, shaking my head. “She’s my wife. I can’t.”

“You can ride along in the truck, but you have to let go of her.” When they start to lift her, I lock down. There’s a force inside of me fighting. My brain is telling my limbs to move, to let them take her, but my heart is saying no, to hold on tight. I’m losing the battle and can’t stop it.

Strong hands clamp down on my shoulders, pulling me away from her. I fight, but another set of arms grab a hold of me. Harrison and Xander are keeping me sandwiched in. I could take Harrison, but Xander would give me a run for my money.

“Come on, mate. You need to be calm for your missus. They’ll let you go with her in the ambulance if you can keep yourself under control. You don’t want that sod going with her, do you?”

Nick is running after the EMT’s and I’m left standing here. JD’s right. She’s my wife, not Nick’s.

“I’m cool,” I say, and the hands drop. I take off running, needing to catch up with the ambulance. I pat Nick on the back, telling him, “I got this,” and climb in. The female EMT working on Josie doesn’t look up, but tells me to sit down across from her. I do, instantly taking Josie’s hand in mine. When the doors slam shut, I jump.

“What’s your name?”

“Liam.”

“Okay, Liam. We’re going to get your wife to the hospital. Everything will be okay.”

The truck takes off with a lurch, causing me to wobble a little. I lean down so I can talk to my wife. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I need you to be strong.” As I’m whispering in her ear I hear beeping. The last time I heard this, JD was in a coma. Sweat starts to pebble on my forehead and my heart starts racing.

“What’s that noise?”

“Heart monitor for your wife and baby.”

“Okay, that’s good, right?”

“It is. I’m making sure she’s stable right now and that the baby isn’t in distress.”

I know I have to trust her to do her job, but in the back of my mind I fear she’s not doing enough. My wife is unconscious and they won’t tell me why.

“We’re here.”

Before I have time to react, the back doors are open and Josie’s gurney is being pulled out from under me. The EMT’s are running Josie in and I’m left standing on the sidewalk as she disappears through two sets of doors and down a hall.

“You look lost. Can I help you?” I look down at an older lady with white hair and a grandmotherly face. For a minute, I think she looks like my grandma.

“That was my wife they just rushed in there.”

She nods and places her hand on my bicep as pushes me toward the doors. “I’m Ethel. I volunteer here in my free time. It’s the best thing for me in my old age. I can spend hours rocking newborns to sleep while their moms rest.”

“My wife is pregnant. She passed out at our son’s baseball game today.”

“The staff here is wonderful. They’ll take care of her. Come on, I’ll show you where to go.”

Ethel takes me to the emergency room, where the lady tells me they’ve taken her to labor and delivery.

“Well, we best get on up there.” Ethel is slow and I want to run there, but I’m not sure if I’d make it. I let her show me the way because right now she’s keeping me somewhat calm.

“Good afternoon, Ethel.”

“Hi, Lois. This young man is looking for his wife. They just brought her in by ambulance.”

Lois smiles, but it’s not very reassuring. I just want to see my wife. “She’s with the doctors now. Ethel can take you to the waiting room.”

Ethel tugs on me to follow her and I do. When she sits down next to me, I feel like asking her if she has someplace else that she needs to be, but the truth is I don’t want to be alone. I don’t know how much time passes until I hear familiar voices. Noah comes sprinting toward me and I stand up and catch him as he launches himself into my arms. Everyone is frantic, except Nick, who is calmly speaking with the nurse.

“What’s going on, Liam?” Mrs. Preston asks.

“I don’t know,” I say, shaking my head and holding Noah in my arms. I don’t care how old your child is, when their mom is hurt, they’re just like babies again. I set him down and pull him into my side.

“Where is she?” her father asks.

“The doctors are with her now. We have to wait until they come out.” I’m useless in this situation and my hands are tied. I want to be in there with Josie, but know I’d be in the way. I’d have to touch her, hold her, and they need the space to work on her.

We cram into the waiting room, which isn’t big enough to hold our family. JD, Nick and Harrison all take spots on the floor. Jenna is holding a sleeping Eden in her arms. Peyton is sitting on Harrison’s lap with Quinn sitting next to him, while Elle is sitting in JD’s lap. Noah is next to me and we’re sitting in between my mom and Josie’s. Tess, Mr. Preston, Katelyn, Mr. Powell and Jenna sit across from me, as Yvie and Xander lean against the wall.

Ethel appears out of nowhere with a tray full of coffee and juice for the kids. Right now I think she’s the greatest lady I’ve met in a long time because she’s taking care of my family without even being asked.

When she stops at my mom, she smiles softly. “You know, you look like this actress I used to love on the big screen.”

“Is that so?” I eye my mom out of the corner of my eye and watch her. Her silver screen days have been over for so long that her movies are hard to find.

“Oh yes, she stopped acting though, and just disappeared.”

“What was her name?”

I don’t know if my mom is fishing or just making conversation, but either way, their chatter is keeping the mood light.

“Bianca Page. She just lit up the screen when she’d smile.”

“Oh, Bianca, you must give her your autograph.” Josie’s mom says, chuckling. Ethel’s face is priceless as she gasps. My mom blushes, but I know she likes it. She recently auditioned for a role in the fall production at the Beaumont Theater.

“My dear, what happened to you?”

My eyes are focused on the hallway, waiting for the doctor to appear, but trying to listen to my mom as well. I’m interested in her excuse as to why she stopped.

“I had a family to raise, and grandbabies.” I turn just in time for her to motion to all of us sitting around. I wish it were true, but Ethel doesn’t need to know that.

I’m starting to get jittery so I stand and walk out into the hall. Nurses move around, and babies cry. Looking into the waiting room, I see family – family that didn’t exist years ago, aside from Tess, Harrison, Quinn, Yvie and JD. They’ve been with me through everything and never questioned me when I came back.

“Mr. Westbury?”

I look to my left when my name is called. The doctor, dressed in blue, is taking off his paper hat as he reaches me. “I’m Doctor Rolland. I’ve been treating your wife. There really isn’t much to tell you except that she’s in labor. We can stop it, but we have to do an ultrasound first. Her blood pressure is higher than normal, which could have been caused by her being in the sun so much and from what I understand she ate half the hot dogs in the park?”

I try not to laugh because this isn’t funny, but if he knows this, it means Josie’s awake.

“She’s okay? And the baby?”

“Baby sounds good, no distress. We’ll be doing an ultrasound in a few minutes. Your wife has a headache and is dehydrated, but she’s awake and asking for you. You’ll find her at the end of the hall. I’ll be back in a few to do the ultrasound.” He turns and looks at the waiting room where everyone is standing. “Just one at a time, please.”

There’s no question that I’m going in first. The others can fight it out. As soon as the doctor turns the corner, I call for Noah.

“Let’s go see your mom,” I say, as I grab his hand. There’s no way I’m making him wait. He needs to see her as much as I do.

When I push the door open, her room is dark and the machines are beeping. Noah’s hand tightens and I squeeze back, reassuring him, even though I’m not so sure myself until I see her lying there looking at us.

Noah let’s go of my hand and rushes to his mom’s side. “You did so well today,” she says as she pushes his hair out of his face.

“You scared me so much, Mom.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” Josie tries to pull him into a hug, but one arm is hooked up to a blood pressure machine and her other one has IV’s poking out of her skin. Still, Noah finds a way to wrap his arms around her.

When he lets go, Josie’s wiping tears away. Noah comes over and stands next to me and I place my hand on his shoulder. “Do you want to stay?” He nods and I motion for him to sit in the extra chair by the window.

“Hey, Jojo,” I say, as I approach her bed. She smiles softly and reaches for me. “I’m going to have to ask that you never do something like this again.” I kiss her dry lips and hold my forehead to hers.

“It was the hotdogs.”

I nod and try not to laugh. It comes out as half laugh, half cry. “Yeah, let’s go with that.”

Josie takes my hand and puts it under her head, holding it there. It’s uncomfortable, but I don’t care. If this is what she needs, I’ll take the discomfort. Noah moves his chair closer and puts his head on her legs.

“Are you in pain?”

She shakes her head. “They’re going to try and stop the labor, but I’m still having contractions. I think I was in labor during the game. That’s why my back hurt.”

“I should’ve known.”

Josie runs her fingers down the side of my face. “I didn’t even know. There were five other women near me who have all given birth, and no one knew.”

“I froze, Josie. I didn’t know what was going on and all I could think about was my grandmother and JD – when they tried to take you, I wouldn’t let them. I was afraid I’d never see you again.”

“I’m never leaving you, Liam. You’re stuck with me for life.”

“I’ll take it,” I say, as I give her a kiss.

Josie and I are just looking at each other when the doctor returns to do her ultrasound. She has one hand with me, while the other holds Noah’s.

“Come here, Noah,” I say when the doctor starts setting up the machine. “Do you want to see your brother or sister, or would you like to go out and wait?”

“Is it cool?”

“Aside from me being your dad, it’s the coolest thing ever.”

He shrugs and says he’ll stay. I keep him with me though, next to Josie, so that the doctor isn’t looking for an excuse to kick him out. A few nurses come in; one checks her vitals, while the other checks her IV’s.

“I forgot to tell you, a little old lady recognized my mom from an old movie. I thought mom was going to get up and dance a jig. When she asked mom where she disappeared to, she said she was raising a family and motioned to everyone in the waiting room.”

“I wish it were true.”

“Me too,” I say. “I let her have her moment though. Sometimes I think she needs it.”

“She does.”

“Whoa, what is that?”

Coming from the computer is the baby’s heartbeat. Noah’s eyes go wide as he looks at Josie and me.

“That, young man, is the heartbeat of your brother or sister and this is what he or she looks like.” The doctor turns the screen to show Noah, whose face drops.

“Where’s its head?”

Now I’m looking and sure enough, my child is missing its head.

“Well, it seems that your sibling is ready to join the world.”

“It’s too early!” Josie screeches.

“I’ll alert NICU,” one of the nurses says, leaving the room. The other nurse is jotting information down in Josie’s chart and the doctor is studying the computer.

“What’s going on?”

He looks at Josie and smiles. “You’re going to deliver. We’re going to let things progress naturally for a bit and see how much you can do by yourself, but you’re not leaving the hospital until your baby is born.”

“But… but…”

He rests a reassuring hand on her leg. “You’re early, but everything will be okay. We have a great team in the NICU, who will be on standby to assist your baby. Do you want to know the sex?”

We both shake our heads. We haven’t even discussed names. We thought we’d figure it out after we saw the baby.

“I know you’re scared. We could try and stop the labor, but the baby is engaged, so even if we stopped it today, it’s likely you’ll be in active labor within twenty-four hours. I suggest you rest while you can. Right now your contractions are mild, but that will change.”

He leaves the room, leaving us pretty much speechless. I’m trying not to panic. Josie doesn’t need this.

“Can you go get Katelyn? She went early with the twins. She’ll know what to do.”

I kiss her gently and tell her I’ll be back after Katelyn. As soon as I open the door to her room, her mother and father stand.

Noah stands next to me while I deliver the news. I tell everyone that they can fly home, that they don’t need to stay, but everyone says they’re not going anywhere.

“Katelyn, she needs to talk to you.” Katelyn rushes down the hall and into her room, followed by Mrs. Preston. Frankly, the one-person rule is dumb and we’re breaking it. I look at Mr. Preston and tell him he should go, too. That’s his baby girl in there.

“I need someone to go to the hotel and see if we can extend our stay.”

“I’ll do it,” Tess volunteers. “Do the kids want to come back to the hotel and swim?” Quinn and Elle say yes, but Peyton shakes her head. Tess reaches for Eden, who is still sleeping.

“I think I’m going to go with you, Tess,” Aubrey says. I know the chairs can’t be comfortable. Mr. Powell and Nick both stand, each saying for someone to call them when the news changes.

I pull Nick aside. “Thank you. Not only for trying to help Josie when I couldn’t, but also for being there for Noah when I wasn’t.”

He extends his hand, and I shake it. “You’re welcome, Liam. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them.”

I know this, and nod. I don’t want to think about a time when I need to call Nick for help, but I’m glad that he’s been there for my family. I watch him walk away, knowing that he’s never going anywhere and I need to accept it.

“Liam,” my mom says as she comes to me, placing her hands on my forearms. “I’m going to go order us some food. You guys have to be starving.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I watch her walk away and think about these past few months. She spends more and more time at our house, which doesn’t seem to bother Josie. They’re often laughing together. I was shocked as shit when they started shopping together. Whatever happened when I was in LA, for her and Josie, has been a great thing.

My father is another story. He refuses to acknowledge Josie as my wife, which means he doesn’t acknowledge Noah and that is unacceptable in my book. He’s not welcome in our home and he knows it.

I’ve told my mom that as soon as the baby’s born, she and I will go back to LA and get my grandmother’s estate in order. There’s a trust in my mother’s name that her father left her and I think it’s about time she claimed it. Maybe she’ll use the money to leave my father.

One could only hope.

When I was in labor with Noah, my mom was by my side. My dad, Katelyn and Mason waited in the waiting room for the news that Noah was here. As much as I love Liam and know he’ll be by my side, helping me through this delivery, I need my mom and Katelyn with me right now.

They both come rushing in, each taking a side. My mom bumps the nurse and doesn’t apologize. I’m sure the nurse is used to overbearing mothers.

“Don’t be mean, Mom, she’s just doing her job.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” she says turning her attention on me. Her fingers push through my hair and even at this age, I find it calming to have my mom here.

“The baby is coming early. I’m scared.” I say to both of them through tears. “What if it’s not ready?”

Katelyn grabs my hand. “I was scared, too, when the twins came early, but look at them. They’re healthy. They only had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. If the doctor didn’t think the baby was ready, he’d be doing everything he could to stop things. You’ve got to trust him.”

“She’s right, Josie. You need to have faith,” my mom says. These words are easier to hear, but not so easy to believe and I won’t be able to until I’m holding my baby in my arms.

Katelyn gives me a kiss on my forehead and steps aside so I can see my dad.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, Sweetheart. You really gave me a scare.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

My dad has never been an overly emotional man. I’ve seen him cry only a handful of times. When I told him Sterling wouldn’t help me find Liam, he said it broke his heart that I was going through this by myself. He cried then, when he held Noah for the first time and now.

“Don’t cry. You’re going to be a grandfather again.”

“And I can’t wait.” He kisses my forehead and excuses himself. Once he leaves, everyone starts to come in. Pretty soon my room is full of family and friends, and the smell of delicious pasta.

“Where’s everyone else?”

“Tess and Mr. Powell took the kids back to the hotel to swim and make sure we aren’t booted from our rooms since we were due to check out after the game. Nick took Aubrey there, as well, because the seats in the waiting room aren’t very comfortable.”

“I can imagine,” I say, looking at Liam. Then to everyone else, “You guys don’t have to stay.” From the look on Harrison and Jimmy’s faces, they want to get the hell out of dodge.

“This is where we want to be, Josie.” Bianca says as she hands me a plate of plain pasta, with plain toast and some applesauce.

“All of this is okay, I checked with the nurse.”

“You did?” I choke back sob of gratitude.

“Of course. I don’t want you sick when you deliver. You need strength, so eat. I know it’s bland. We’ll just have to go out to dinner after the baby arrives.”

“Thank you, Bianca.”

She smiles and looks away, not liking the attention. When she passes by Liam, he pulls her into his arms and gives her a quick hug. They’re still working on building their relationship and I have no reason to believe it will ever crumble again. She’s determined to do right by her son.

Liam sits next to me while we eat. With each bite he takes, I long for the heavy cream of Alfredo sauce.

“How does yours taste?”

“Great, want some?”

I shake my head and turn back to my plain noodles with my plain toast. I could really use a hot dog right now.

When the nurse comes in, she brings me a Popsicle. I think I love her. She looks around the room and smiles once she realizes who is in my room.

“You’re one lucky lady.”

“Thanks,” I say as I suck on the icy treat. “I don’t know which one is the dad though, so it’s a bit awkward, if you know what I mean. Trust me when I say, you don’t want to be in this position.”

Her eyes go wide, as everyone in the room starts to laugh. My mom chastises me for saying such a thing. I shrug and continue giving my baby a massive dose of sugar.

“You can ask for their autograph if you want, but only if you give me a discount on my bill.”

“Um…”

“She’s only kidding. I’m Liam,” he says as he shakes her hand. I wasn’t kidding, but whatever. “That’s Harrison and JD,” Liam points to the guys, who are stuffing their faces in the corner. They wave, but make no effort to get up. I don’t blame them. Eating is my top priority too.

“I listen to you guys all the time.”

“Thanks, we appreciate the support.”

“Do you follow me on Twitter?” Jimmy asks, except it sounds like Twitt-errrrr. My nurse blushes. I roll my eyes and hand her the stick from my Popsicle. It was very good, but now I’m uncomfortable because the baby is kicking my bladder and kidney. Plus, my back still hurts.

“Are you okay?” Liam asks.

“Baby is kicking a lot and my back hurts.”

“Here, sit up.” Liam puts his food down and tries to crawl behind me to massage my back. It’s working except I feel like I have to go to the bathroom.

“Oh crap. I just peed the bed.”

People laugh, and yeah, it’s funny, but it’s also embarrassing.

“I’ll get you fresh sheets, Josie,” my nurse says as she leaves the room.

“Oh God, Liam, something’s wrong.” I close my eyes as pain rips through my abdomen.

“Mom?” Noah’s voice rings out.

“Everyone get out of the room. Mom, can you get the nurse?” Everyone except Liam files out of the room just as the nurse comes back.

“What’s going on Josie?” she asks me as she checks the printout next to my bed. “Let’s see if your water broke.” She lifts the blanket just as I let out a long wail.

“Well, it looks like we’re having a baby right now.”

“What do you mean, right now?” Liam asks, panic lacing his words.

“Oh god, Liam, it’s coming out. I can feel it coming out.”

He moves away so I can lie back on the bed. I grip his hand as another contraction comes. They’re so strong and it feels like nails are being scraped against my skin. I start breathing heavily in between and when my next one comes, I can’t help but push.

“No, don’t push yet, Josie.” The nurse tells me as she’s scrambling to get my bed ready.

The doctor comes in with a yellow gown on and a stupid smile on his face. I want to kick him in his smug little face for thinking this is the time to smile. Behind him are a team of other doctors and a machine that my baby will have to go in. They’re busy setting up and all I want to do is cry because it’s too early.

“Didn’t want to wait, huh?”

“Yeah you know I thought what the hellllllll!” I cry out as another contraction hits. Once it subsides, Liam is wiping my forehead with a damp cloth.

“Mr. Westbury, when I tell you to, help Josie to sit up so she can push,” The doctor says as he places my feet in the stir-ups and sits down between my legs.

“Look at me,” I say to Liam to get his attention. I know he’s getting pissed that a man is about to deliver the baby, but we have no choice.

“He hates his job,” I say, trying to lighten the mood even though I’m in pain.

“Here comes another one, Josie. Go ahead and bear down,” the nurse says as she and Liam help me sit up. I scream out and start panting.

“I need drugs.”

“It’s too late,’’ she says.

I turn and glare at her, but she doesn’t back away.

“It’s burning!” I scream.

“Almost done, Jojo. You can do this.”

“What do you know? You did this to me. I should’ve learned the first time I had one of your kids.”

Liam doesn’t balk at the fact that I just insulted him.

“I love you so much, Jojo. You’re my life, you and the kids. I can’t imagine what a day looks like without you in it. I’m so fucking lucky you chose me to be the father of your children. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to meet our baby. I hope she looks just like you.”

“It’s a boooooooyyyyeeeeeeeeeee!” I say as I bear down again.

“Okay, the shoulders are out. Suction,” he says. “Do you want to look?” he asks, looking up at Liam, who shakes his head. “One more push, Josie, and you’ll have your baby in your arms.”

When the next contraction hits, I grunt, pushing down as hard as I can to squeeze the little human out of me. The soft wail of a baby cry fills the room and everyone cheers.

The doctor holds the baby up for us to see.

It’s a girl.

She’s a girl.

We have a daughter.

“Oh my God, we have a daughter,” I say through tears.

“I told you, Jojo.” He says, as he kisses me. “I love you so much.”

“Dad, would you like the cut the cord?”

Liam nods and takes a pair of medical scissors from the nurse and cuts where she says to. Then she takes my little girl and places her on my chest. Liam is right by my side before I can even blink.

“Liam, look at her. She looks just like Noah did when he was born.” She’s tiny, but long and can fit in my arm. Her hair is dark, with a little nose and perfect lips.

“She’s beautiful, Josie. God, she’s so beautiful. Thank you.” He kisses me again before kissing her. His tears fall onto my hand as he looks at our daughter. “Look at how tiny she is. I could carry her like a football.”

I laugh and kiss him. “We have to give her a name.”

“Yeah we do,” he says as he runs his finger over her dark hair.

“Hey, baby girl, can you open your eyes for Mommy and Daddy?” I run my finger along her cheek, back and forth until she opens her eyes quickly before shutting them again. They’re dark, but will likely change.

“Aside from calling her Noah Junior, I’m stumbling for names. Mason?” Liam asks. I shake my head.

“What about Betty?” I ask, just as Liam blurts out “What about Page, with an i?”

“I like Paige,” I say.

“I like Betty, too.”

“Betty Paige Westbury? And we’ll call her Paige?”

“And not Mason?”

I shake my head.

“Hi, Paige,” he says. Her mouth opens in agreement.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we need to take her and get her vitals. Then we’ll be taking her upstairs for observation.”

I reluctantly let her go and tell Liam to go with her. I don’t want her alone.

“Before you take her, we need to introduce her to our family. They’re waiting.”

The nurse nods and carries Paige over to the station they’ve set up. Once she’s weighed, measured, cleaned and has had her Apgar test done, she’s bundled up and placed in Liam’s arms. He sits down next to me and pulls out his phone.

“Smile, Mommy.” I don’t, I lean in and kiss Paige’s head instead. This is how I want her first photo to be.

Once my delivery doctor leaves, the nurse opens the door to let everyone in. My mom walks in first and covers her mouth as tears start flowing.

“Oh my, it’s a girl. She’s so tiny.”

“Very tiny. She weighs five pounds, six ounces and is nineteen inches long. I bet she’ll be tall like her mom,” Liam says as he looks at me. I never thought he could look at me any differently until now. To see the love in his eyes when he looks at me is breathtaking. I lean in and kiss him in front of our family and friends.

Once everyone is in, Liam turns Paige to face everyone. Noah sits beside me, begging to hold her. It’s funny how his tune has changed now that she’s here. At first, he didn’t want a sibling, or maybe it was just another boy he didn’t want.

“Everyone, the Westburys are overjoyed to introduce you to Betty Paige Westbury. We’ll be calling her Paige.”

I look to Bianca for a reaction and get what I was expecting. Tears are falling and she’s mouthing “thank you”. All I can do is smile. Smile at my family and friends. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.