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“A little more pressure, River,” the doctor warns.
I give her hand three squeezes, and when I lean forward a bit, I see Dr. Granger removing some filmy stuff from the baby’s face. I notice his face is blue, and that’s when I see the cord is, in fact, wrapped around his neck.
My face drops, and River takes notice.
“Is he okay?” she asks nervously.
I watch the doctor wedge her finger between the cord and his neck. A nurse hands her a clamp, and within seconds, the cord is cut.
“Oh my God.” I smile, relieved when I see his little mouth move. “You’re doing great, sweetheart. He’s almost out,” I explain.
Within ten seconds, Dr. Granger pulls him the rest of the way out and is holding him up for me to see.
“It’s a boy!” the doctor announces, giving me a wink. “Do you want to come cut the umbilical cord, Dad?” she asks me.
“Absolutely.”
I take a few steps forward, and when the nurse hands me the tool, I grab it and cut where they tell me to.
The doctor holds him up higher over the sheet so River can see him. It’s not for long though. Soon she passes the baby off to one of the nurses who starts cleaning him up right away.
Loud screams erupt from his little body, and it’s the most perfect sound I’ve ever heard.
RIVER
Watching Alex hold our baby is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. He looks even smaller in Alex’s big arms, but he came out at ten pounds, eight ounces and twenty-one inches long. So suffice it to say he wasn’t a small baby.
“He looks so peaceful,” I say, watching Alex rock back and forth on his feet. He’s cradling him in his little security blanket while the baby sleeps soundly.
“I can’t believe we made this.” He looks up at me with pure happiness on his face.
“He definitely looks like a Bishop,” I say. “Blond hair, square jaw, build like he’s been ranching since conception.”
Alex laughs, agreeing. I love how he can’t take his eyes off him, watching him so proudly.
“He has your features, too,” he tells me, though I’m not convinced. The baby looks like a Bishop from head to toe.
“Fatherhood already looks good on you. Go figure.” I chuckle. “You’ve got that sexy dad look goin’ on.”
The corner of his lips tilts up as he shakes his head at me. “I think he’s ready to eat.” He walks over and brings him back in my arms. His little mouth is twitching, searching.
It’s been two hours since they rushed me into surgery, and between stitching me up and cleaning him, it’s the first intimate moment we’ve all had together as a family of three.
I slide my gown down and bring him to my chest. “I wish I’d been able to hold him right away.”
Alex steps toward me and flashes me a sad look. “I know, darlin’, but I’d rather have both of you alive and healthy.”
“You’re right.” I look down at him and smile. “He’s here now and healthy.”
I FaceTime Natalie and then my mom and dad to introduce them to the newest member of the family. Later that night, Alex’s family all come up and visit us. Mama is over-the-moon excited and can barely contain herself as she looks over my shoulder and stares dreamily at him.
“Are you excited to meet your uncles?” I coo, rubbing my finger along the softness of his cheek. “They’re a crazy bunch.”
“And it’s about to get even crazier,” Evan chimes in.
“Is Benita coming too?” I ask, wondering if we should wait to announce the baby’s name or if she’s coming later.
“She had to get the boys to bed, but she said she'd be coming first thing tomorrow,” John tells me. Though it’s disappointing she can’t be here tonight, it’s kind of nice just having Alex’s parents and brothers here.
“So be honest,” Jackson begins. “You named him after me, right?”
I snort, chuckling. Alex rolls his eyes.
“You want to tell them, darlin’?” Alex asks with an encouraging smile.
Everyone’s standing around my bed, watching as I lay the baby on my lap, so they can all see him. “Okay, y’all,” I start, purposely dragging out my Southern drawl. “Meet Riley Alexander Bishop.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ALEX
THREE MONTHS LATER
Becoming a dad has been one of the greatest moments of my life. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, Riley surprises me, and I’m forced to adjust again. He’s already smart as a whip and funny, like a true Bishop, and makes me so damn proud to be his dad every day. The amount of love everyone has for him is almost unfathomable, and with a single look, he had all the Bishops wrapped around his little pinky. Mama and Dad spoil him and demand to see Riley every single day, no excuses. Jackson, John, and even Evan become big ol’ softies anytime Riley is around. They always fight over who gets to hold him first, but as soon as he shits, they can’t pass him off to someone else soon enough.
