Page 119 of Home Is Where You Are

“You mean the world to your momma and me. I’m so glad we finally got to meet you, beautiful girl,” I whispered to her as I carefully bounced her up and down. Her cries subsided as she looked up at me, taking in my every word.

“You’re just as good with her as I knew you would be,” Ainsleigh said from the bed beside me. The doctor had finished with her and had placed a cover over her legs.

“Thank you. I never thought this day would get here. But now that it has, I feel like I need to put her in a bubble to protect her from everything,” I told her with a laugh.

“She’s going to be just fine. I’m sure there are enough people in the waiting room along with us who will protect her.”

“Should I go put them out of their misery or keep them waiting?” I asked her as I kissed our daughter’s forehead and placed her in Ainsleigh’s arms.

“Hi there, sweet girl,” she whispered as she took the top of her gown off and placed her on her head right above her chest. The baby started to root around, and we both laughed when she found what she was looking for and latched on.

“She’s going to be a pro before long,” I told Ainsleigh as I watched in awe of her feeding our daughter. There wasn’t a more beautiful sight in the world.

“I think I know what her name should be,” Ainsleigh said as she rubbed the top of her head.

“The first, second, or third name?” I knew what my choice would be, but I wanted to see if we agreed on the name before I told her mine.

“The first. I think it suits her perfectly.”

We were on the same page. She looked just like the name we’d chosen, and I couldn’t wait to tell everyone.

“I also know who I want to be her godparents.”

I thought that choice was obvious.

Dylan and Aspen.

“I want Holden and Aspen to be her godparents.”

I could only smile. I knew why she’d chosen her brother. She wanted him to feel like he had a bigger role in her life than just an uncle. He’d been the most worried out of the three during her pregnancy. Especially toward the end.

“Can you go get the two of them please? I want them to meet her first.”

“I’ll be right back. Should I wait to tell the others?”

She nodded as she looked down at the now sleeping daughter in her arms.

“I’ll be right back.”

I walked out of the room and went in search for the waiting area Dylan had told me they were all in. Hopefully her brothers had all arrived by now.

I found them all huddled in chairs. Including her three brothers. Each one was bouncing their legs as they patiently waited for news. I cleared my throat causing them all to jump up from their chairs to greet me.

“How is Ainsleigh?” her mother asked.

“She’s perfect. The baby is perfect too. Holden and Aspen, can you come with me please?”

“Are you going to leave us all out here hanging?” Leo asked.

“This is what Ainsleigh wants. And what she wants right now, she gets. I’ll be right back to let you know everything. A few more minutes won’t kill you,” I said with a laugh as I took the two of them back to meet my daughter for the first time.

“Why does she want to see the two of us and not her parents?” Aspen asked as she wrapped her arms around her middle.

“You’ll see,” I told her, keeping the secret to myself.

We reached her door, and I knocked once letting her know we were back. I held the door open letting them enter and then closed it behind me.

They both turned to me before they walked the rest of the way inside.