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She’s seen him before me?
Alannah leans over to hug me as well, and I notice the flowers and balloons filling the room.
“Here.” Jay passes me his phone. The screen is filled with a tiny round face. His eyes are closed, and his little lips are puckered together.
This is how she knows he’s gorgeous.
Relaxing, I pull myself up to a sitting position. “How long was I asleep? Is he okay? Have you seen him yourself?” I have so many questions for my husband.
He takes a seat at the edge of the bed and laughs. “First, you were only out for about forty minutes. Second, he’s doing well. And no, I haven’t seen him, because I wanted to wait for you so we can see him together.”
“How did you get the photo?”
“One of the nurses took it for me.”
“Can we see him now?”
Nodding, his face lights up.
Setting me up in a wheelchair, he heads toward the NICU. Turning the corner, we see Cas and Sparky standing side by side, staring through a glass partition.
“How long have you been standing here?”
“Not long.” Cas leans down and hugs me. “You’ve done so well. I’m so fucking proud of you,” he whispers in my ear.
“Thank you.”
He steps back and lets Sparky take his place. It’s a little weird being hugged by him, but it’s nice.
“I never thought I’d see the day my boy became a dad.”
He gives me a wink, and then it hits me.
“How’s Leo? Is there any news?”
“He’s still out, so there’s nothing new to report,” Cas tells me. “Anyway, don’t be concerning yourself about him right now. You’ve got your son to meet.”
Jay backs me up, and a nurse rushes over to open the door for him. After sterilising our hands, he wheels me over to Gunner’s cot, and my heart completely melts. From this day forward, the Harper Carter that existed is forever changed. I’m a mother now, and the need to protect him is overwhelming.
“His fingers are so tiny,” Jay whispers beside me.
“Can you believe we made him?” I whisper back.
“He’s perfection, so yeah, I can believe it.”
Trust him to make me smile at a time like this. My family.
“Do you think it’s weird our son was born in the same hospital at the same time Leo’s hanging onto life?”
I don’t know where the thought came from, but it’s out now, and Jay frowns.
“I’m trying not to think about it, but yeah, it crossed my mind.”
I rest my hand against the incubator. We’re so close, but still so far from him. Yet I’m happy to just stare at him and watch him sleep.
“Who do you think he looks like?” I ask Jay quietly.
His eyes pinch as he intently studies our son.
