“It’s not your fault, baby. But I was terrified out of my mind that I got you here too late, but I’m so fucking happy that you both pulled through.”
“I’m so happy too.”
“Okay,bambina. Time to burp you,” he tells her when she wiggles a bit in his arms. He carefully lifts her up to his chest and gently rubs circles on her back, and a few seconds later, she lets out a cute little burp.
“You’re already so good with her. You’re like a pro already,” I tell him, a smile on my face.
He turns her around and holds her up so I can see her, and a gasp escapes me. All my attention narrows onto that tiny face. So small, so real, and so damn adorable with those chubby little cheeks.
She scrunches her face before letting out little gurgles, and I can’t help the half-laugh, half-sob that leaves me.
“Look at what we made together,” I say, awe in my voice.
“Hell yeah, we made this together,” he says with a smirk.
He pushes his chair closer to me and lays her down on the bed, so I can see her better. I lift my right hand, the one thatwasn’t dislocated, and lift it up to run my hand along her hair and cheek. She gurgles some more, a tiny finger reaching out to touch mine.
My heart instantly fills with so much love for this tiny baby, but also some sadness because of everything that happened.
“I didn’t even get to see her or hold her,” I sob. “I’m so sorry.”
“I know. I’m sorry you had to go through thatamore mio. But don’t you dare apologize for anything that wasn’t your fault,” he whispers. “Stretch your hand out a bit, and I’ll put her in your arms.”
I do as he says, and he gently places her in the crook of my arms, making sure that the wire from my IV is away from her. It instantly feels like I’m whole again as I feel the weight of her tiny body next to mine.
He doesn’t move; he keeps a hand on her body at all times to make sure she’s safe. He leans over and brushes his lips against my forehead, lingering there for a second like he needs the physical reminder that this is real. I’m here. We’re here. Together.
She shifts, letting out a tiny sound before she settles again. I’m overcome with so many emotions all at once, it’s hard to even name what I’m feeling.
“Hello,bambina. I’m your mom. I can’t wait until I get to hold you properly,” I whisper, afraid that I’ll burst into more tears at any moment.
Enzo is still close, one hand resting on our girl and the other on my thigh. His touch is protective, like he can’t bear to be without us, grounding himself.
“What’s her name? Did you pick one already from the list we made?”
“No. I wanted to wait so that we could do it together,” he says, and my heart absolutely melts.
“What did you choose?” I ask.
“What did you choose?” he repeats.
“How about we both go at the same time?” I tell him.
“Okay.”
“On the count of three, then. One… two… three… Aurora,” he and I say at the same time.
“Hmm. looks like we both got good taste. Aurora it is then,” I tell him before running my hand on our baby’s little head. “Welcome to the world, my sweet little Aurora. I can’t wait to be your mommy.”
There’s a knock on the door, and it opens as Dr. Wilson comes in to check on me. That’s when I realize that I didn’t even check on my injuries. That must mean they have me on something for the pain because I don’t feel anything.
Our baby girl has fallen asleep, so Enzo carefully lifts her and puts her in the bassinet next to my bed, covering her with a blanket.
Dr. Wilson tells me they set my shoulder back into its socket. My wrist is wrapped with elastic bandages. I’m wearing an ankle and knee brace.
My rib wasn’t cracked or anything, just bruised, and finally, I have a C-section cut on my stomach. All in all, I guess it isn’t so bad. If Enzo hadn’t found me when he did, I have a feeling things would have turned out much worse.
Dr. Wilson leaves after making sure I’m good, and then Enzo and I are alone with our sleeping baby in the room. We talk. He makes sure to hold my hand in his, the entire time. Every time I wince, he notices and fusses over me.
