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“Yes,” I said. A touch of embarrassment came over me at how I’d let myself become so distracted in the moment. “I’ll take her.”
The nurse eased the girl into my arms. Just like with the boy, I couldn’t stop looking at her. Between the blonde hair and those green eyes, she was easily one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen in my life.
“Now,” I said, coming over to Sadie with the little one. “Being the mother of twins, you’re going to have to learn the fine art of handling them both at the same time. But that will happen with practice. For now, you’ve got plenty of hands eager to hold these little ones if that’s OK with you.”
I nodded toward Jack and Annette, who were chomping at the bit to get their hands on the babies.
Sadie smiled. “Mom, Dad – come over here and meet your new grandson.”
She didn’t need to say another word. Annette and Jack hurried over, Annette taking the little boy from Sadie’s hands and freeing her up for the girl. I stood back and watched, warmth spreading from my heart. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Cammy moved to my side.
“You know, this actually looks like a pretty good gig you’ve got here, Dad. Maybe it’s not too late for a career change?” She winked.
“It never gets old, that’s for sure.” I shook my head in disbelief at what I was watching. “Time flies, you know? One moment you’re watching your little girl play with her best friend, the next, the best friend’s all grown up, becoming a mother right before your eyes.”
Camilla gave my hand a squeeze. “You know, for a tough guy you can be a real softie sometimes. I love it.”
I watched for a short time longer, Camilla going back to Sadie’s side.
“Doctor McMurray?” One of the nurses waved to catch my attention. I walked over to see what it was she wanted.
“Yes?”
“The twins – they’re looking healthy, but they’re premature…”
I nodded, knowing right away what she was referring to. “They’re underweight.”
“Just a bit.”
“Let’s keep them in the NICU for a couple days just to be safe.”
The other nurses were in the process of helping Sadie, putting the bed back into position for her to recline comfortably. The blonde baby girl was cuddled up to her, the redheaded boy already being doted upon by his grandparents.
“Alright, Sadie,” I said, getting her attention as I stepped over to where the nurses were about to change her blanket. “All’s looking good with the wee ones, but in the meantime, we’re going to—”
One of the nurses pulled the blanket away, revealing Sadie’s bare legs. Immediately I spotted something on her thigh that stopped me mid-sentence and caused my blood to run cold.
On her outer right leg, a few inches above her knee was a tattoo.
It wasn’t just any tattoo – it was a familiar one, the image of a tree growing out of a stack of books.
The implication of the tattoo gelled in my mind. I knew what it meant.
“Doctor McMurray?” asked one of the nurses. “Is everything alright?”
I looked up at Sadie, who was still holding the little girl. The look on her face made it clear that she’d seen what I’d seen and that I was putting together what it all meant.
The babies – they weremine.
