After all, Cameron knew after only a few minutes that they would be adopting Luca if they got the chance.
Seeing Melanie holding him was more than Cameron could handle. When she’d seen them through the NICU window, Cameron had stopped for a moment to just watch them. Melanie had her scrub top off and Luca was on her chest. She was gently rocking him as she nuzzled him close. As much as Cameron didn’t want to say it out loud, Luca looked like Melanie. They had the same dark hair and nose, even though Cameron knew she was probably projecting on the latter. But if she let herself, she could imagine Melanie was holding their baby.
And in a way, Cameron knew she was.
If Leah didn’t come back, they would be able to adopt him. Cameron knew it wouldn’t be a hard decision. He already felt like theirs even after less than two days. She watched as Melanie changed his diaper before picking him up and cradling him to her chest. Luca scrunched up his legs as she snuggled against her.
“Oh, there you go, sweet boy.” Melanie kissed his head. “I know that’s how you like to be held.”
“He loves you.”
“The feeling is mutual. Do you want to hold him?”
“Please.”
Cameron sat on the couch in their hospital room as Melanie handed Luca to her. She positioned him on her chest the same way Melanie had been holding him as Melanie carefully sat beside her. Luca yawned widely before resting his head on Cameron’s chest and closing his eyes.
“He loves you, too.”
“He’s so perfect.”
“Definitely top three cutest babies ever.” Melanie smirked. “After Jonah and Dylan.”
“All our babies are perfect.”
“They truly are.”
The trio enjoyed their quiet moments together as Luca slept. His doctor came in and discharged him, allowing Cameron and Melanie to take him home. It was then they suddenly realized they had no way of even getting him home. They had no car seat, no crib once they got him home. Cameron was about to spiral out when Vera and Isla walked into the room carrying a new car seat.
“We thought you might need this.”
“Oh, my god, we were just stressing about that.” Cameron hugged Vera then Isla while Melanie fed Luca a bottle. “You two are such a blessing.”
“We figured you would be stressed so we wanted to make it easier for all of you.” Isla smiled at them before sitting beside Melanie on the couch. She cooed at Luca as she looked up at Melanie. “He’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“We also set up a crib in your bedroom.” Vera handed the car seat to Cameron.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I’m not sending him home to sleep on the couch.” Rolling her eyes, Vera laughed. “We also put some casseroles in the freezer for you and left some diapers, wipes, and clothes for Luca as well.”
“You two are too much. Thank you.”
“Anything to help our best friends.”
Isla and Vera stayed with them as they prepared to leave the hospital. They walked out of the hospital with Luca asleep in the car seat between them. Both of them had their hands on it as they smiled at each other as they headed down the hallway. Vera helped them get the car seat into Melanie’s car before Cameron took the driver’s seat and Melanie stayed in the back with Luca. Thankfully, Vera offered to drive Cameron’s car home, so they didn’t have to come back to the hospital for it later.
Bringing Luca into their home was a feeling Cameron wasn’t prepared for. She watched as Melanie carefully carried him inside and turned to smile at Cameron.
“Welcome home, Luca.”
“We hope you never have to leave.” Cameron kissed his forehead as he slept in Melanie’s arms.
Since Dylan was in school, they took advantage of the quiet house to get in a nap while Luca slept. It had been too long sinceCameron had had a newborn that she forgot how needy they were. Not that she didn’t love it, but she’d also gotten used to a full night’s sleep as well. But seeing Melanie asleep on the couch with Luca asleep on her chest made Cameron realize they were going to be okay.
The Mackenzies had picked up Dylan from school and dropped her off at home. Cameron greeted her at the door with a huge hug.
