Inside was a miniature set of nun chucks. Looking back at Krystan, they were resting their foreheads against each other in an intimate moment. Her reservations and fears visibly melted away. How they ended up together was strange and twisted, but I could now see he was the only one for her.
Travis straightened and twisted toward the TV again. “Your gran says that you don’t need to worry about the past, just love real hard and things will turn out fine.”
It was then I saw Calan stealing a glance through the slim window of the door.
“I think I’m going to step outside with Calan,” I murmured, having intruded long enough.
“What? Hell no,” Krystan said. “Travis can you get the nurse to bring back our baby?”
He nodded and was off like a shot.
Calan entered and came to my side, setting his hand on my lower back. I leaned back into his reassuring touch. I still needed the comfort of his touch to remind myself he was here in the flesh.
The nurse and Travis returned with the baby in minutes.
“Are you sure you want us here?” I asked Krystan. “I figured you want some alone time with your family.”
“Shut up,” she said. “You know you’re my family, now get over here and hold your godson.”
Joy filled me and a sense of weightlessness overcame me as Travis handed over the tiny infant. Calan leaned over my shoulder.
The awareness of how delicate this little being was hit me. The baby was small, almost malformed, with dark hair resembling Krystan’s.
Calan asked, “Do they always look this...”
“Ugly? Yes,” Krystan said, trying to sit up better in the hospital bed. Travis ran to help lodge pillows behind her. “But he’ll grow out of it and into a cute little monster I’m sure. It’s in his best interest. If he’s not cute enough, we’ll throw him over a bridge when he annoys us. That’s why babies have to be adorable.”
Calan shot me an alarmed look but I shook my head as I laughed. “She’s kidding.”
“Sure I am,” Krystan said unconvincingly, with a goofy grin on her face.
Calan reached over me to gently sweep a finger along his cheek. “He has a combination of both of your features.” I heard the awe in Calan’s voice.
I nodded in agreement, the bean’s eyes were heavily hooded like Krystan’s while his nose and lips had a less dramatic but matching slant to Travis’.
Krystan gestured for Travis to get the baby and bring him over to her which he did. I reluctantly handed the baby over, but I knew I would get all the facetime I wanted with him in the coming years. The thought made my heart swell.
My friend stared down at her baby then up at us. “I want you both to be the godparents.”
Travis held up a hand. “Shouldn’t we make that decision together?”
Krystan lifted an eyebrow. “Okay, who else do you think should be our baby’s godparents?”
“Okay, good point. They should be the godparents.” He opened his arms toward us. “Want to be our kid’s godparents?”
Krystan nodded, satisfied with his answer.
Calan’s posture had gone stiff.
“Do you know what a godparent is?” I asked quietly.
He nodded. “I do.” Looking at the baby, his words came out steady. “And I promise to do anything and everything to look after your child."
When everyone looked at me, overcome with emotion, I could only mutely nod. There was something sacred about this moment. When Krystan met my eyes, I knew she felt it too. We’d always hoped life would turn out okay for us but standing in this room with our strange little family I knew we’d gotten so much more. Calan’s arms slipped around behind me, and I leaned back against his chest and tried not cry as all the feels rioted through me.
Krystan smirked. “Cool, because with Terminator and Rainbow Bright here, I know Tristan is going to be taken care of.”
My jaw dropped. “You’re not serious are you?”
