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Clay wraps his arms round Aria’s shoulders to comfort her.
I use my finger to do chest compressions on her tiny chest. Just as I'm about to do another session of mouth to mouth, her tiny arms and legs move, and a screeching cry escapes her. She sounds like a strangled cat, but it's the best sound I've ever heard. I wrap her in the hoodie and place her on Aria's tummy, because I don't want to cut any cord until the medics get here.
Aria is beyond sobbing now; she can hardly breathe. Clay stands back and gives us some space. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and draw her into me. I place the other hand over the baby’s back and watch her kick her legs around.
"Says so much that we thought this little one was going to be a he." I try to lighten the moment.
"She's going to be a diva. She already has my heart in my mouth." Aria shakes her head against my chest.
At that moment, the sirens alert us to the paramedics’ arrival. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. They are both safe, even though it was touch and go for a while. My heart can finally return to a normal pace.
I attempt to move to let the paramedics in, but Aria grabs my shirt. “Don’t leave us."
"I'm right here, babe." I lean in and place a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'm not going anywhere ever again. You’re both stuck with me."
And that was a promise I could keep.
***
Two hours later, Aria and I are sitting beside the incubator of our new daughter. She's happily kicking her legs around, but she needs a little help with keeping her own body temperature.
"She's beautiful, just like her mama." I bend over and kiss Aria's head.
Aria has been very quiet since we arrived in the hospital, and I can't help but worry. Is it the ordeal she faced, the birth, or is it what the counsellor warned us could happen - the start of post-partum depression, where she can't bond with the baby because of what she’s been through?
"How are you doing, honey?" I bend down in front of her and take her hands in mine.
"I came so close to losing her. If you weren't there... "
"But I was there, and look at her. She entered this world with a bang."
I watch Aria carefully as she watches her daughter. The tears roll down her cheeks and I want to take away all her pain. I feel helpless.
"She's going to be okay?"
I nod.
"What happens now, Caleb?"
I tilt my head to the side and hold her gaze. "In what way?"
"In every way. Her. Us. Life. It's a mess."
"Really? Because, from where I'm sitting, all I can see is two beautiful girls. My two beautiful girls. As for us, I love you, Aria. Both of you. I meant what I said when I told you I want you in my life. That hasn't changed. Life throws curveballs, and although you've had your fair share, I think you've done your best to hit them out of the park. Let's take it one day at a time, huh?"
She nods. "I love you, Caleb."
"I love you, too." I reach up and pull her into my arms. Feeling her warm body pressed against me is the best feeling in the world.
I could get used to it just being the three of us.
