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Dr. Park nods.
"Alright--you'll need to change into a gown and dad will put on some scrubs, okay? I'll step out of the room while you change, and I'll be back in a couple minutes."
"Sounds good," I tell the doctor, and I take the new outfits.
My heart is pounding. I hope Piper can't tell how scared I am.
I help Piper change into the hospital gown and then I put on the scrubs. It's surreal to think that in a few short minutes, we're going to be parents. I try to shake off the nerves and focus on being there for Piper. As we wait for Dr. Park to return, I take Piper's hand and lean in close.
"You're doing great," I whisper. "I'm so proud of you."
Piper smiles weakly. "Thank you so much, Jesse. I couldn't do this without you."
"I'm not doing anything," I tell her. "I'm here to support you...and soon we're going to be a family."
Her eyes brim with tears. "I'm still so scared."
"It's going to be just fine."
Dr. Park comes back into the room, and I feel my heart rate increase as she starts to prep Piper for surgery. They put up a barrier so that we can't see what's happening below, but we can hear the sounds of the surgical team moving around. The beeping of the machines is like a constant hum in the background.
"And here we go," Dr. Park says. "Piper, you're about to meet your daughter--are you ready?"
Piper takes a deep breath and nods, her eyes fixed on Dr. Park. For a moment, silence reigns in the operating room as everyone waits with bated breath.
Then they begin.
Piper cries quietly, more out of stress than anything else, as they work. I can tell she's scared, and I keep my hand wrapped around hers, my head leaning against her forehead.
"You're doing great," I tell her softly, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. "Just a little longer and we'll have our baby in our arms."
Piper nods weakly, her eyes fixed on the barrier in front of us as the surgical team works to bring our child into the world.
Then, suddenly, there's a sound--a high-pitched cry that fills the room, and tears spring to my eyes.
That's our daughter.
Small, loud, mighty.
Hope.
I watch as they cut the umbilical cord and take her to be cleaned, and I can't wait to hold my baby. I thought I would be nervous...apprehensive, not sure if I would be a good dad. But I feelready. More than ready.
I want to hold my child. I want to take my baby and my soon-to-be wife into my embrace and tell them how amazing they are.
Dr. Park holds up a tiny, wriggling bundle, and my heart swells with love and pride. She's beautiful, a perfect little girl with a mop of dark hair and chubby cheeks. I can't believe that Piper and I have created something so perfect.
Piper's face is awash with relief and joy as Dr. Park places our daughter into her arms. We both stare at her in awe, tears streaming down our faces as we take in every inch of her perfect little form.
"She's so beautiful," Piper whispers, and I nod, unable to speak.
Hope wriggles in her mother's arms, her tiny fists bunching and un-bunching. I can't take my eyes off her, this little miracle that we've created.
The rest of the surgery passes in a blur--I can barely remember saying goodbye to Dr. Park or getting Piper settled into her room for recovery. All I can think about is holding my daughter, taking care of Piper. And for a while, we're alone.
Then the family starts to show up.
Reagan, eager to meet her new niece and never judging Piper for anything.
