The nurse chuckles. “I believe we can arrange that for you.”
I follow behind the nurse and Sophia, clutching at the small box in my pocket.
Fifteen hours later, we have a beautiful baby boy named Nathan Ryder Keaton.
I’ve been sitting with Sophia, staring at her and the baby since the nurses and doctors left the room.
“I think it is time to let your mom and dad come in.”
“Are you sure? I don’t think I’m ready to share him yet. Or you.”
She giggles, kissing Nathan’s forehead. “Yes, I’m sure. I’m excited for him to meet his namesake. Well, one of them.”
“If you’re sure you’re ready for the chaos, I’ll go out. You know the whole family is waiting.”
Her eyes widen. “I love them, but let’s just start with your parents for now.”
Picking up the football, I walk down the hallway towards the waiting room, pushing open the doors. I hide the ball behind myback to keep the gender from everyone. Just as I thought, my entire family is sitting in the waiting room, all twelve of them. When they see me, all eyes are trained on my hands, waiting to see the gender of our baby.
“Baby Keaton arrived at six-seventeen PM at nine pounds, three ounces.” I hold out the football, and the waiting room erupts in cheers. “Mom and Pops, we would like you to be the first ones to meet him.”
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Mom and Pops hold hands as they follow me down the hall.
Pushing the door to the room open, I lead them in. Mom instantly starts sobbing harder when she sees Sophia and the baby.
“Mom, Pops, I’d like you to meet Nathan Ryder Keaton.” I stand behind Sophia and watch his face.
“Son, you named him after me?” Pops asks, staring at me.
“You’re the best man and dad I know. I couldn’t think of a better, or stronger, name for my son.” I laugh. “And the way this family is going, probably your only grandson.”
Violet and Liam welcomed a little girl just three months ago, adding the third granddaughter to the family. Nathan is the first grandson.
“May I hold him?” Mom reaches out to Nathan, and Sophia nods her head, handing him over. “Oh my goodness. He is just so perfect and precious.”
Mom and Pops sit on the couch, admiring their grandson, while I sit on the bed next to Sophia.
“While you’re both here, I have one more surprise.”
All three of them look at me with their brows raised, but as I get down on one knee, their eyes widen and smiles split their faces.
“Sophia, you are the strongest woman I know. The smartest woman I know. The kindest woman I know. And the funniest.Plus, you get some points for going toe to toe with me everyday and running a half marathon at five months pregnant. I can’t imagine anyone better to spend my life with. I will spend the rest of mine trying to be better for you.” Tears stream down Sophia’s cheeks.
“Will you marry me, Goddess?”
She sobs so hard she can’t answer, but nods her head emphatically, holding out her left hand.
I slip the one-and-a-half-carat emerald-cut solitaire on her finger.
“Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful.” I join her back on the bed, pulling her towards me and hugging her tight.
“How did I get so lucky?” she asks.
“You were destined to be mine. We just needed to find each other.” I kiss her senseless until Pops clears his throat.
“Just so you know, we can’t actually leave the room with the baby.” He laughs and motions between us. “So, you might want to stop before he gets a brother or sister.”
Mom hands Nathan over to Pops and stands to walk towards us. “Oh, my sweet girl, you are officially going to be a Keaton.”
