She looked up to see tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping off his chin. This man was full of emotion today. He had been since the moment the phone had rung at four in the morning to say Gemma had gone into labour. She loved that he showed his feelings. ‘I think she looks like her dad.’
‘I don’t have a red scrunched-up face.’ He dashed his forearm over his face.
‘What do you think, Keely Tricia Gemma Brand? Does your dad look like you?’
‘That’s such a mouthful. Can’t we drop two of the names, just call her Keely Brand? Think of her having to write that list down every time she fills in a document.’
‘Absolutely not. I like using your mother’s name as her second one and, as for Gemma, well, what can I say?’ Tears welled up in her eyes and dripped down her face. Gemma was a star in her book.
She’d never forget the day, a month after their fabulous wedding, when Gemma and Jason had rocked up at the house looking so serious she’d feared for bad news. But, no; they’d come to suggest that Gemma be a surrogate mother for them. They’d stunned both her and Cody into silence for a long time. The idea had seemed wonderful, impossible, crazy, filled with so many problems that they should’ve said no.
Neither of them had been able to. Months of tests, counselling and talking to their families had followed before Gemma had finally been able to become pregnant for Cody and Harper through artificial insemination. Finally, Harper was a mum and Cody was a dad. A very proud one, by the look of wonder on his face.
‘Here, your turn to hold her.’ Harper didn’t want to let Keely go but she held their daughter up to him, and smiled when he stepped back.
‘Hell, no. I’ll break her, or drop her or something.’
‘You’ve held babies at work. You’re going to be fine with your daughter.’ Harper pressed Keely into his arms, watching the wonder grow as he gazed down at his beautiful bundle.
‘Hello, sweetheart. Welcome to our world. I promise I’m going to try to be the best damned father ever.’
He would be. Harper already knew he was the best damned husband. Ever.
***