AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The chance of another miscarriage was high. There could have been problems atbirth.
Those burdens have fallen off me. That worry is gone. He’s here, healthy, and staring up at me with sleepy, dark eyes that resembleMaven’s.
He owns my heartalready.
It’s been a rough journey, but like our road trips, we’ve seemed to make them enjoyable, memorable, crazy. Our turns and detours made us stronger, made us love deeper, made us appreciate eachday.
We name himSamuel.
After mygrandfather.
Willow and Maven love his name just as much as Ido.
Samuel LoganBarnes.
Eight pounds and four ounces of fuckingadorableness.
My son. My new sidekick. More happiness brought into a life I thought wasover.
I didn’t know what I was going to get when we walked into the hospital this morning. My heart surged with fear with every step I took. Bad news had been a constant for me here. I’d experienced so many losses within thesewalls.
That endedtoday.
This place will no longer be a reminder ofloss.
I lost people I lovedhere.
And I’ve gained someone I love just asmuch.
Chapter Forty-Four
Willow
I am a mother.
I whisper those words to myself again.I am amother.
This job, this role, means more to me than any I’ve everhad.
I tried to stay positive before Samuel was born, but it was hard because the doctor telling me there was a chance I’d never be able to hold him was a constantworry.
“Jesus, someone had better give me some Tylenol to cure this baby fever,” Stella says while rocking Samuel back and forth,cooing.
Our friends and family have piled into the room, all of their attention onSamuel.
Samuel.I’ve only known him a few hours, but he already has my heart gripped in his tinyfingers.
My mom flew in a few days ago and has been staying in my apartment along with Scooby. She’s fallen in love with Dallas and Maven, and we’re already in talks of her moving here. I’ve caught the Blue Beech initiationbug.
Samuel has taken his first selfie and had his first diaper changed by me, and people rock-paper-scissored over who got to hold himfirst.
Hudson throws his hands up. “I’m all for making a baby. Tell me when and where, babe.” He slaps Dallas on the back. “Congrats, big brother. You might be one ugly dude, but you make some cutekids.”
Dallas laughs and punches him in thearm.
That gorgeous smile hasn’t left his face since I handed him Samuel for the first time. Stella gives Samuel back to him as the baby-holding circle starts again from thetop.
Dallas cradles him and rocks from side to side. “That’s myboy.”
