Page 56 of The Golden Hour

And then silence.

Daisy’s cries just cease as soon as she’s placed on Honey’s chest. She lets out a very long sigh, as if she is returning home from a long journey. And maybe that’s actually quite accurate. Honey is Daisy’s home.

Honey’s eyes squeeze closed for only a moment, because she cannot bear to tear them away from the sweet girl on her chest for longer than that. The feelings running through her body are so immense and potent that they make her head bubbly in the best way possible.

There’s no feeling that could match this.

“We’ll give you a few minutes,” Dr. Farah whispers, turning toward Heather, who nods. “We’ll be right outside if you need us.”

They step out and leave the family together.

Daisy starts making noises again, adorable little coos and sighs as she practically sinks into Honey’s skin.

“Hi,” Honey says, tears spilling steadily down her cheeks. “Hi, Daisy. It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry I took so long to wake up.”

Mason lets out a choked sob as he buries his face in his hands, his entire body shaking with it. Rob goes to him and clamps a steadying hand on his shoulder. He leans down to whisper something in his ear that Honey doesn’t catch and doesn’t care to.

This moment is not his.

It is hers and Daisy’s.

Marlene takes out her phone and snaps some pictures, Honey smiling up at her, thankful someone is capturing this moment. She would live in this moment if she could.

Melissa walks over to her daughter and Honey’s eyes rise to her mom’s. For one second, all the strength she woke up with, all the fire and anger and fortitude, doesn’t go away, but it softens.

“Mommy,” Honey laughs through tears. “I’m a mommy.”

Melissa beams at Honey.

“I am so proud of you, Honeybee,” Melissa whispers, one hand gently brushing the tears from Honey’s cheek, the other hand resting featherlight on Daisy’s back. “So, so, so proud.”

Melissa looks at her daughter.

Honey looks at her daughter.

And Daisy falls asleep peacefully on Honey’s chest.

Honey feels her soul settle, even through the emotional, physical, and mental pain of this pregnancy. Even through the soreness of her body, the aches, the fog, the fear, she feels something lock into place.

She would never call this nightmare worth it. Not all of it. Not the fear, not the loneliness, not the blood. She was neglected by her husband in favor of this hospital that almost killed her. But this moment—Daisy warm against her chest, her mother’s hand on her cheek—was worth everything she had left.

Honey breathes easier than she has in months.

The missing part of her has returned.

She’s not empty.

She’s whole.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MASON

The night is quiet.

Mason’s sneakers barely make a sound on the linoleum as he walks back to Honey’s room. HR had cornered him after he stepped out of the room to quietly break, all soft voices and solemn expressions and legal smiles that did not reach anyone’s eyes. He spent an uncomfortable two hours setting up his paternity leave in an office that suddenly felt too far away from the only two people in the world he wanted to be near.

As Ellen said, they were “incredibly generous” and offered him four weeks’ paid leave instead of the standard two.