Page 90 of My Girlfriend is Not the Father

‘She’s stable. She’s a fighter.’ Jade caught Lucy up on the events. A few hours after they’d taken the baby to the NICU, Drew and Mason stopped by separately to check on Lucy, who was sleeping by then. They explained that because the baby was born so early, she needed to be incubated for a few weeks for her system to fully bake. But all signs pointed to everything being fine.

Later, Jade tried to get more information from the nurse, who said nothing. The moment Lucy had given birth, HIPAA laws kicked in and the code of silence began.

Lucy lazed a hand on top of Jade’s. ‘Did you win?’ Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, and her eyes flickered with hope.

Oh, wow. Jade had no idea if she’d won or not. Since Lucy’s water broke, the award was the last thing on her mind. But something inside Jade filled with the words. Even in Lucy’s crisis, fighting through pain and fatigue, she hadn’t forgotten Jade.

‘I don’t know.’ Jade pressed her lips against Lucy’s forehead. ‘But let’s both agree it will be a night we will never forget.’

Lucy’s eyes closed and heavy breaths filled the air. After confirming Lucy was peaceful, Jade slipped back into the guest bed and tugged the blankets up to her chest.

***

A quiet knock on the door jostled Jade awake, and she glanced at where Lucy was sitting up, eating eggs.

‘Morning,’ Lucy said between bites. ‘Can you grab the door?’

‘How did I sleep through all that?’ Jade rubbed the corners of her eyes. She slid out of bed and opened the door. Standing in the hall, yawning, with dark circles under their eyes, were Mason and Drew, holding flowers.

‘Is she awake?’ Drew whispered.

‘I’m awake,’ Lucy called from the bed.

Drew squeezed Jade on the arm and stepped past her to get to Lucy.

‘How’s she doing?’ Mason whispered.

Jade couldn’t wait to have a full conversation with Lucy to actually gauge how she was doing. She seemed fine-ish. Tired, achy, and she needed help going to the bathroom. But mentally, Jade would find out later. Lucy claimed she could hand over the kid without a problem, but expectations and reality didn’t always align. ‘She’s okay. Been sleeping off and on. Crashed pretty hard last night.’ Jade waved him in and closed the door.

‘Good to hear.’ Mason stepped into the room, beelined for Lucy, and opened his arms for a hug.

Lucy put up her hands. ‘Fair warning. I’ve been through labour, childbirth, and recovery, and still haven’t showered.’

Mason waved away her concerns and embraced her anyway. ‘How are you?’

‘I’m feeling good.’ Lucy slid the tray table to the side. ‘Sore, tired, but other than that, I’m fine. Enough about me. How’s the baby?’

‘She’s doing great,’ Drew chimed in and pulled up a chair. ‘Everything is as expected the nurses said. They think she’ll go home in two to three weeks.’

Mason patted Lucy’s hand. ‘Would you like to see some pictures?’

‘Yes!’ Lucy adjusted the bed to a higher sitting position, then took the cell phone from Drew. As she scrolled, her hand covered her mouth. ‘Oh … you guys. She’s so beautiful.’

Mason glanced at Drew and nodded. ‘Go ahead.’

‘Mason and I would like to introduce you to … Lucille.’ Mist filled Drew’s eyes. ‘We wanted to honour you, and everything you’ve done, with her name.’

The air in Jade’s lung hitched at the beautiful tribute. The dads had been so grateful and caring towards Lucy this entire journey, but this added gift solidified their bond for life. In the past, Jade wasn’t sure how she would’ve reacted to such a testament towards a partner. But now, she wanted to join in the biggest, fattest group hug.

Lucy looked between the men, her eyebrows squeezing, and a hand against her heart. Her lips trembled. ‘I don’t know what to say …’

While the three of them chatted, Jade slipped out of the room, promising Lucy she’d be back in a bit. This moment belonged to them, not her. But Jade didn’t feel excluded or forgotten on the sidelines. She felt whole.

Jade wandered the hospital halls, tugging the robe they had given her to cover her dress, and went to the gift shop. She purchased slippers, a sweatshirt, and some gourmet chocolate for Lucy. And then, she had an idea.

She pulled out her phone and noticed a missed message from Amanda.

Thought you’d want to know … you won! Some woman named Amelia called the salon to leave you a message. She said she sat with Lucy after she went into labor. Hope you, Lucy, baby, etc. are all good.