A nurse, who I hadn’t notice was in the corner, speaks up. “Let me show you. Lay her down on the bed.”
I step back, allowing Evan room to stand and do as she has instructed. The three of us listen intently as the nurse shows us the proper way to swaddle her. When she’s once again snug in her blanket, Evan ever so gently lifts her back into his arms and motions his head toward the chair he was just in. “Sit,” he tells me.
Without hesitation, I do as I’m told and hold my arms out for her. The sound of Aaron’s ringing cell phone startles her and she jumps. “Shhh, I got you,” I say, gently rocking her.
“It’s Mom. I’m going to step out and take this.” Aaron keeps his voice low and quietly steps out of the room. I told Mom he was here; apparently, she’s not as patient as I thought. Of course that could be because I was a little snippy with her.
I’m so lost in this little angel in my arms I don’t notice Evan is now kneeling before me, observing me just as I had him only minutes ago. “Evan, she’s so precious.”
Nodding his head, he lifts his hand to my face and wipes my tears with his thumbs. His big brown eyes so full of happiness and love, they’re sparkling with it. I’m just about to comment that I hope she has his eyes—-I love his eyes—-when he leans in and softly presses his lips to mine.
“There is no one I would want to share this with more than you. You’ve helped me so damn much, Kinley. I just—”
“Does she have a name?” I interrupt him before his over emotional brain says something he won’t be able to take back, something that my sentimental brain will never be able to forget.
“Yeah, well, no, but I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I was thinking about Lexington. It’s Mom’s maiden name,” he says. “I want to call her Lexi.”
“Lexington Chamberlin. Lexi.” I love it. I beam at him. “Good call, Daddy,” I say with a wink.
I see a slight blush creep over his cheeks. Damn, I really wish I had my camera to capture this moment. “So does Miss Lexi have a middle name?” I ask, focusing my attention back to the little angel sleeping peacefully in my arms.
“Rae,” he says softly.
It takes a few seconds for my brain to register what he said. When it finally hits me, I jerk my head up to find him staring at me. “W-what did you say?”
“Rae, her name is Lexington Rae Chamberlin.” He pauses to let the fact he’s naming his daughter after me sink in. “Lexi Rae,” he says as an afterthought.
Tears, big fat crocodile tears, are rolling down my cheeks. “Evan . . . I . . . you can’t . . .”
Both his hands hold my face and he softly wipes them away—-at least he tries to. My eyes are like a damn faucet. “You, McKinley Rae Mills, are an amazing woman. Every step of the way you’ve been there for me and for my daughter. You’ve helped me prepare for her, when I otherwise would have been on my own. I love Aaron, but he’s not much help in the baby department.” He smiles. “I owe you so much, and if my daughter grows up to be anything like you . . . well, I couldn’t ask for more. Hell, I hope she does. I pray you continue to be a part of my life, of both of our lives, and she will grow up learning how to be a remarkable person just from watching you.”
“I’m honored and I promise to always be there for both of you,” I choke out as the waterworks continue.
Aaron chooses this moment to walk back in the room. “Uh . . . everything okay?” he asks. His eyes dart between Evan, me, and baby Lexi.
Evan stands and takes a seat on the bed. “Yeah, man, everything’s good. I was just telling Kinley her name.” He smiles.
“Let’s hear it,” he says. “No, wait. I need my turn, baby hog.”
Reluctantly, I allow Evan to take her from me and hand her over to Aaron, who is now sitting in the chair beside me.
“Uncle Aaron says no dating until you’re thirty,” he coos to her. “All right, so what are we calling this little beauty?” he asks.
“Lexington. It’s Mom’s maiden name. I’m going to call her Lexi,” Evan says.
“That’s a kick-ass name, man. Does Miss Lexi have a middle name?”
“Rae. Lexington Rae Chamberlin.” Evan’s voice is strong with conviction that this is what he wants, to name his daughter after his mother’s family and me.
Aaron studies him then turns his gaze toward me. Our conversation about me being careful is running through his mind; I know it is. I smile broadly to let him know I’m good with this. He doesn’t say anything, but nods his acceptance.
Leaning his head down, he whispers, “It’s nice to meet you, Lexi Rae.”
Today’s the day I get to bring my little girl home. I’m not gonna lie, I’m scared as hell. This little angel depends on me for everything, me alone. I don’t want to fail her. Last night, I kept her with me in the room they gave me. I’m surprised they gave Misty and me both a room, and when I mentioned it to the nurse, they said that census was low and it wasn’t an issue. Lucky for me, I was able to keep Lexi with me all night. McKinley and Aaron offered to stay, but I told them to go. Lexi is my daughter, and I’m not going to have them ther
e when we get home. I need to get used to this.
I also needed some . . . distance from McKinley. The more time I spend with her, the more the lines blur. It’s a constant struggle to keep it to myself. Those lips—full, soft and so damn sweet—I can’t help but think about the kisses we’ve shared. Apparently, we’re friends who kiss. Friends, who kiss and don’t talk about it. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Not the kissing——that’s hot as hell. I’m not sure how I feel about not talking about it. On one hand, it’s a relief she’s not reading more into it. On the other hand, it kind of pisses me off that she’s not. Like she thinks those moments with her don’t mean something to me.