“She’s a beauty,” Beau says as he runs his finger over her crown of auburn hair.
Gabriel, who’s sitting on the hospital bed with me, tugs on my gown. “Can I hold her?”
“Sure.” I hug him. “I’m sure she’d love to be held by her big brothers.”
Austin jumps up and down. “I wanna hold her too.”
I pat the bed. “Come sit with me, and I’ll show you how to do it. You always have to hold her head.”
His brows furrow adorably. “Why? Does it come off?”
I snort. “No, but she’s delicate.”
Gabriel’s shoulders slump. “So we can’t take her fishing yet?”
“Not yet, but soon.” I glance at my husband, who’s giving me that look, the one that makes babies grow in my belly. “Soon, she’ll be chasing after y’all and wanting to do all the things that you and your friends do.” I remember the long days of running after Danny and Rhett. How they never made me feel unwelcome. How Rhett used to make me crowns of wildflowers.
The thought makes my eyes burn.
My husband lifts Austin and the two of them sit on the other side of me. He wraps me with his strong arm and kisses the top of my head. Then he whispers, “I have a feeling Danny is really happy today.”
I swallow past the knot in my throat and lean into his strong chest. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
Later, when it’s just me, Ella, and Rhett, he stretches out next to me as I feed the baby.
“She’s a hungry little thing,” he says as she grips his finger.
“The nurse says she has a great appetite.”
When she’s done eating, he places her on his shoulder and burps her like a pro. After she lets out a sleepy yawn, he wraps her like a burrito and tucks her in the bassinet next to my bed.
“Nice job, Daddy. You’re a natural.”
His eyes go hot. “Daddy, huh?”
I chuckle. “We’re gonna have to hold off on some of our shenanigans for a while so my lady parts can heal, but I do love oral TLC.”
He laces our hands together. “As much as I would love to take you up on that, doesn’t seem fair that I should be getting some while you have to recuperate.”
“But if I offer, that’s my way of telling you I’m happy to do it. And personally, I think if your wife wants to go down on you, you should let her.”
He chuckles. “How about I keep track of all the head you give me so I can reciprocate when you’re up for it?”
My laughter joins his. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
Content, I lean against him and close my eyes. But then he clears his throat, and I turn to look at him.
“I have something for you. I’ve been waiting for everyone to leave.”
There’s a seriousness in his tone that has me worried. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” He brushes the hair out of my face. “I just want you to know how much I love you. How building this family with you makes me happy in a way I didn’t know was possible.”
Cue the tears. “I’m really happy too.”
“Oh, baby, don’t cry.” He pulls me closer. “I told myself I was gonna do this right, so you gotta stop crying.”
I sniffle. “Okay. I’m good.”
