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I blinked a few times and told myself to hold it together.
Hazel let out a gasping sob, then covered her mouth.
“There’s our daughter,” I said. “Isn’t she perfect?”
Hazel looked up at me. “Atlas…”
“She’s beautiful. And you know she’s stubborn. Just like you. And she loves to fight. Just like me.”
“Juniper,” Hazel said.
“What?”
Hazel got closer to the baby.
Her hands against the clear glass or plastic or whatever it was that protected our daughter.
“That’s her name,” Hazel said. “Juniper Evelyn.” Hazel looked back at me, smiling with tears in her eyes. “If that’s okay with you?”
I crouched down and held Hazel’s hand.
“I think that’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard in my life. That’s our daughter. Our little Juniper Evelyn.”
“Yeah?” Hazel asked.
“Yes,” I said.
We both looked at our daughter.
We were full of love.
I tried my hardest not to look at the variety of medical devices hooked up to her.
When I did, I reminded myself that each one had a job and was there to help. Not to hurt. But to help.
“I’m so in love with her,” Hazel said.
“Me too.”
“I want to see her eyes. And I want to hear her cry.”
“I think you’ll regret saying that in the middle of the night when we get home,” I said.
“Never. Not once. Ever.”
Hazel and I looked at each other.
We finally had the chance to have our first real kiss as new parents.
After a few seconds, Hazel stopped kissing me. “I can’t believe this.”
“Don’t think about anything but what’s happening now. We have to give her all our strength and love.”
“I know. I want to read to her.”
“I’ll get a book for you.”
“Don’t leave though.”
