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It is a split second before the realization dawns on him. He places his hand on my stomach.
“My girls?”
“Yes. Your big girl and your little girl.”
“I’m having a little princess? I can’t believe this. I’m going to be a little girl’s dad. Wow!”
I smile up at him. “You’ll make an awesome father for her.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
He kisses me and pulls me into his embrace. My spirit feels free as I’m enveloped in his loving arms.
Epilogue
Archer
“Dad?Wouldyouliketo cut the cord?”
I take the scissors from the doctor and cut it at the precise spot. I’m torn between tending to Sidney and wanting my daughter immediately. Her lungs are healthy and strong and she makes no bones about making her presence in the world known.
The medical team works quickly as they process Sidney and the baby and I just stand in a corner looking at all they do.
Last night, when Sidney told me that she was feeling more tired than usual, I had not expected that we would have to rush to the hospital first thing this morning. And now, ten hours later, we were a family of three.
“Dad? Would you like to hold her?”
“Yes!”
I follow the nurse’s instructions to sit and remove my shirt. They give me a quick wipe down before they place my naked daughter on my chest. She is a bundle of squirming flesh. I look down into her little red face. Her fists are balled up and her little legs are kicking. For something so tiny, she is powerful. My eyes grow cloudy as unexpected tears roll down my cheeks.
“My little Francesca. I love you so much already, and you’re not even ten minutes old. I want you to know that I’ll always be there for you. I’ll always protect you. Nothing will ever harm you. That’s a promise and a guarantee.”
I sit with her until the nurse tells me they have to finish cleaning her up and get her to the nursery. With much reluctance, I give her up. I walk over to where Sidney is still being cleaned up and kiss her forehead.
“I’m going to step outside and allow the doctors and nurses to do their job, okay?”
She nods tiredly. “Okay.”
As soon as I step outside, I call Grant. He answers on the first ring.
“Is she here? Is Sidney okay? What’s going on? Dad! Say something!”
I laugh at the excitement in his voice. I knew that when he saw my message so early this morning he would know what was happening. “I would if you’d let me get a word in edgewise. She’s here.” My voice chokes with emotion and tears fill my eyes. “And she’s absolutely beautiful. The only feeling that can compare to this is the day you were born.”
As we talk a little longer, I feel at peace. We’ve been on good terms since he left for Europe, talking every week. I finally feel like I’ve come close to become the father Grant deserved all those years I’ve been absent from his life.
I’m not sure how long I waited before I’m ushered to Sidney’s room. I watch as she strokes our sleeping daughter’s head as she nestles in her bosom.
“Hey.”
She looks up. “Hey.”
“How are you feeling, sweetheart?”
“Tired. But happy.”
“I have something for you.”
