She takes a deep breath and does it again. This time I hear a cry, and the doctor lays the baby on Rachel’s stomach. Nurse cover our little one with blankets.
“You’ve got yourself a beautiful little girl.” One of the nurses says.
A girl. I’ve got two little girls now.
“Dad, do you want to cut the cord?”
I look to Rachel.
“Go, go with her.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you, babe.” I kiss the top of her head, then walk over to the tiny little warmer they’ve got our baby girl laying on to cut the cord and watch in awe as she takes her first breaths.
* * *
“This wasn’t exactly what I had planned for your homecoming.” Rachel smiles at me with our baby in her arms.
“I’m not sure driving two hours to meet me was our best idea.”
“I probably should have known better. There was no way in hell I wasn’t going to be there, though.” She looks down at the sleeping beauty. “It all worked out in the end.”
“It did, and I’ve never been more in love.”
“I’m happy you made it back in time.”
“Me too.” Pulling the box from my pocket, I turn it in my fingers. “Speaking of not what we had planned. I brought you something back.”
Opening the box, I show her the engagement ring I bought her. “You’ve already given me two of the greatest gifts ever. Now I need just one more.” Slipping the ring on her finger, I ask, “Rachel, will you give me the best gift of all, and be my wife.”
“Logan.” Her bottom lip puckers out, reminding me of Piper when she doesn’t get her way and is about to cry. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I’m rewarded with a sweet kiss and the cry of our newborn daughter.
“You know, we need to pick a name,” I remind my fiancé.
“I was thinking Reagan Josephine.”
“After my mom?” Love swells in my heart, and my breath catches.
Rachel shakes her head in confirmation. “What better way to turn that sorrow into joy.”
