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EPILOGUE
THEO
“Give me one more, baby,” I whisper into Hadley’s ear.
“I can’t,” she moans through pants of breath. There’s a layer of sweat on her forehead and her cheeks are rosy from exhaustion and exertion.
“You can do it.” I lean forward and press my lips against her cheek, close to her ear, and because I can’t help myself, I nip her earlobe. Maybe that will entice her. “One more and then we’ll have our baby.”
She grits her teeth and bears down, pushing one final time after what seems like endless hours in labor. Her hand is firm in mine, painfully squeezing until the first cries of our child fill the room. Only then does she relax and release her grip on me.
“It’s a boy,” the doctor announces, holding up the mewling bundle.
“A boy?” Hadley wanted this moment to be a surprise, and reluctantly, I went along with her because I wanted her to be happy. We never even talked about names, although Piper and Colton offered up their own suggestions which we politely accepted and secretly declined.
I kiss the top of her head as the doctor places the baby against her bare chest. Tears stream down her cheeks as she cradles him, watching him nuzzle against her skin before gently guiding him to her breast. He’s a miracle, and the pain my beautiful fiancée endured to bring our child into the world was a small sacrifice for the marvelous bundle of joy in her arms.
She lifts her head, tilting it back until her gaze finds mine. The smile on her face hits me right in the gut. She’s not just happy, she’s sublimely happy; blissfully happy. Content.
“You did it,” I tell her.
“Wedid it,” she corrects me.
I’m grateful to the doctors and nurses who leave us be, who let us enjoy these first precious moments with our son, but I recognize the exhaustion in Hadley’s body and expression. Our little bundle of joy didn’t make it easy on her, so when the time comes for her to hand the baby over to nurses, I’m surprised when she lets him go freely.
“What are we going to call him,” I ask.
“Names,” she sighs. “I’m too tired to even think about a name.”
But her exhaustion isn’t too great to keep her away from the baby as soon as the nurses are finished weighing and checking him over, holding him against her chest, watching him learn to nurse before eventually, she lets me have a turn. She falls asleep almost instantly once the baby is secure in my arms. I sway with him until his eyes close too, and then I settle into the small sofa next to Hadley’s bed, my gaze shifting from him over to her.
I can’t believe this happened. Colton and Piper were supposed to be it; I was okay with that. But holding my new son in my arms, a completeness settles over me. I have everything now. Three beautiful children and a woman who loves me. What more could I ask for? Or even want? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The next morning, Colton and Piper visit with my parents. They’re excited but I see apprehension in Piper. She is more reserved than normal, which is understandable. She’s been the baby, the youngest, and now her role is changing.
“What’s wrong?” I ask gently.
“My friend Paisley got a present when her baby sister was born,” she informs me with a pout.
Hadley and I exchange a knowing look because we did in fact get Piper and Colton a gift. They won’t get it until we’re discharged from the hospital but still, the audacity of my daughter is astounding.
“We’ll discuss presents later,” I tell her, ruffling my hand through her hair. “What do you think about your new baby brother?”
She pops up onto her toes and looks at the baby snuggled in Hadley’s arms before turning back to me with her big blue eyes and a wrinkle of her nose. “He’s cute, but he needs a name.”
I chuckle lightly. “Any ideas?”
“Buddy,” Hadley says with confidence.
“Buddy? Are you serious?”
“Yes!” Piper exclaims. “My favorite doggie at the shelter is named Buddy.”
“We’re not naming our son after a dog,” I insist. I don’t want to argue with Hadley, not after the labor she endured, the sacrifices she made over the last nine months, but Buddy? I’m not sold.
Leave it to Hadley to chime in and say, “My granddaddy’s name was Buddy, and he was a very good man.” She glances down at our son, a beaming smile on her face. “Hey there, Buddy.”
“Buddy Franklin.” I test the name out and it sounds fine, more than fine. “Buddy Thomas Franklin.”
