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“Any news on your side? Am I an auntie yet?”
“Any moment now. Your brother’s with Alycia. I’ll let you know as soon as it happens.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
“Bye.”
I hang up. Ewan’s staring at me with hopeful eyes.
“She’s fine,” I tell him. “The surgery went well. She’ll be out in half an hour.”
He lets out a breath. “That’s wonderful. Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re welcome,” I say. “I’ll keep you posted.”
He nods, and I turn around to go back to the other waiting room. I want to be there when Alycia gives birth. I want to be there for her.
There’s a loud cry when I reach the door. It’s Alycia. She’s pushing.
I want to open the door for a peek inside, but I also don’t want to overstep. This is their moment. I don’t want to be one of those mothers who can’t stay on her side of a door.
Alycia’s cries get louder. I start pacing up and down the corridor. I don’t want Alycia to have any complications or difficulties. I want her and the baby to be safe and healthy.
Then, after what feels like an eternity, I hear a different sound. A tiny, high-pitched sound that makes my heart melt. My grandchild is born.
CHAPTER 33 – Alycia
Wednesday, December 17
Yesterday was the longest and most exhausting day of my life, and also the best. I gave birth to a perfect, beautiful baby girl.
She has a head full of black hair, and deep, dark eyes. She’s small and wrinkly, and the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I could stare at her for hours.
Her father is in awe, and can’t stop smiling. He’s been holding her for the past hour, rocking her gently, singing to her. He’s a natural. I knew he would be.
“Hey,” he says, looking at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but happy,” I say. “Very, very happy.”
“I am too,” he says. “She’s amazing, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is. I can’t believe she’s ours. Our daughter.”
He smiles and kisses my forehead. “Thank you, Alycia. Thank you for letting me be a part of this. Thank you for giving me this, our daughter. I promise I’ll be everything the two of you ever need. I’ll never let you down.”
My throat tightens, and I reach for his hand. “I know you won’t. You’re already everything I could’ve ever wished for.”
We hold each other’s gaze for a long minute. It’s not just about the baby.
We’ve come a long way since that bench outside Amanecer. We’re more than friends now. But neither of us say a word. I’m not ready yet.
There’s a knock on the door, followed by Valentina poking her head in.
“Hey,” she says. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I just pushed a bowling ball out of my vagina,” I say, making her laugh. “But otherwise, I’m great.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” she says, stepping aside to reveal Lexa in a wheelchair. “Because someone wants to meet you.”
