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Evan paused and grinned sheepishly when he confirmed it. “I’m out of my depth here.”
“Things are going to be fine,” Analise said, coming in with Sofia in her arms, Mason right behind her. He looked as worried as Evan. “You two act like women haven't been doing this since the dawn of time.”
Sofia watched wide-eyed from Ana’s arms, clutching her favorite stuffed bunny. I smiled reassuringly at her. “Daddy and I are going to the hospital to meet your new brother or sister soon. You get to have a sleepover with Auntie Ana!”
Analise bounced her playfully. “We're going to have so much fun! We can build pillow forts, watch cartoons, and eat lots of ice cream. And we'll bring you to see Mommy and Daddy as soon as we can.”
I reached for Sofia, cuddling her, and whispering into her ear, “Your little brother or sister will be here soon.”
We'd tried to explain to her about the baby, but we weren't quite sure if she knew what was happening. Another contraction hit, this one much more intense, and I had to pass Sofia back to Analise.
“Evan. We need to go now.”
His face paled as he grabbed the bags and ran them out to the car. A minute later, he was back for me, wrapping an arm around my waist as he led me to the car, calling goodbyes over his shoulder.
It was a mad dash to the hospital, and my contractions were coming harder and faster by the time we got there. A wheelchair was already waiting for me at the entrance, and the nurses whisked me away, wheeling me through long, white corridors, where people bustled around. Evan stayed close, holding my hand the entire time as we were brought into a labor and delivery room.
Dr. Patel, with his kind, serene smile, was already waiting for us. Evan remained by my side, soothing me through each contraction with his steady voice and unwavering support. Despite his own fears and anxieties, he remained a beacon of strength, as always.
As the contractions intensified, tears stung my eyes and threatened to spill over, but Evan was there to wipe them away.
“You've got this, Mariah. You're doing great.”
I couldn't form words to respond while I tried to focus on my breathing. Evan coached me through each excruciating moment until finally, after what felt like an eternity, our baby emerged into the world with a wail that filled the entire delivery room.
“It's a boy!” Dr. Patel announced, holding him up for us before handing him to a nurse, who made quick work of cleaning, measuring, and weighing our baby boy before wrapping him in a blanket and placing him in my arms.
I held him close, a wave of love washing over me so intense it took my breath away. My child. My son. The tears spilled from my eyes as I memorized his face.
He was perfection in every way, with a head full of dark hair like Evan’s, and light brown eyes like mine.
Evan looked down at us with awe and wonder, adoration shining in his eyes.
“Welcome to the world, Elliot Sebastian,” he whispered, then bent down to kiss my forehead. Our gazes locked the moment he pulled back. Tears streamed down his face, too, and I didn’t think I'd ever been more in love with my husband than in that minute.
He bent, his lips brushing over our son’s tiny head in an ever so gentle caress before he wrapped his arms around us both. It was a moment I would remember and cherish for the rest of my life—the three of us together for the first time. The only thing missing was Sofia, but she'd be here later to visit.
“Elliot,” I whispered, unable to look away from his precious face.
His small body wriggled against me as he already started for the breast. His tiny face was scrunched up and red, eyes still closed tight. Our son was a precious miracle: the child I never thought I’d have and now held in my arms.
We were transfixed by Elliot's beauty and innocence. Hours passed while the nurses took care of everything, getting us set up in a large suite on a different floor of the hospital, but they merely flew by as Evan and I bonded with our new son.
Later that evening, Abi, Analise and Mason came to visit, bringing Sofia to meet her new brother.
“Lucas and Cynthia will come up tomorrow,” Abi said when Evan took Sofia from her arms. “They didn't want to overwhelm you with visitors.”
Sofia clung to her daddy, watching with curiosity as I cradled the tiny boy. “Baby.”
"That's right, sweetheart," I said. "This is your brother. Everyone, meet Elliot Sebastian Guerrero."
Abi's breath caught as a tiny sob escaped, but she was also smiling with joy. Analise sighed, a content smile on her face as she leaned into Mason, who was wrapping his arm around her. The way they were cozied up, and the way she was looking at Elliot made me wonder if Ana’s days of serial dating might be behind her.
Sofia leaned forward to get a closer look, hanging precariously from Evan’s arms as she reached out to touch Elliot’s soft skin with her chubby little fingers, and my heart was fuller than I'd ever imagined.
“Love you, baby,” she murmured.
I met Evan's gaze, his eyes as teary as my own. In fact, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
