“The nurse wants you to try to feed her.”
“I’m sure she’s hungry,” she agrees, taking the baby from me.
The baby flails around wildly, searching for a boob.
Thea tugs down her gown and gets her into position. The nurse comes in then and smiles.
“Well, here I thought you might need my help and you’ve already got it. Is she sucking?”
“I think so,” Thea says, rubbing her finger over the baby’s soft cheek.
“If you need me, just hit the button on your bed,” she tells us.
She closes the door and finally it’s the three of us alone.
“Look at us.” Thea smiles over at me, and I swear even having just given birth she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. “We’re really a family now.”
I kiss her and then I bend and kiss the baby. “I didn’t think I could possibly love you more than I did yesterday, but after watching that, and seeing her … I love you so much.”
She smiles at me. “I love you too.”
We both watch the baby again, unable to stop staring at her. I’m sure all new parents feel the same way—like if you blink this moment will be gone forever.
An hour later the baby’s fed, burped, and with a clean diaper.
“Can I let everybody back now?” I ask.
Thea rocks the baby in her arms and nods. “Yeah, let them in. She’s ready to meet her crazy lovable family.”
I kiss them both before I leave the room and then I head down the hall to the waiting room.
Inside the waiting room, it’s packed with family and friends.
Jace, Nova, Cade, and Rae haven’t left, and my parents, and Thea’s mom have since joined them.
“Do you guys want to come meet her?” I ask.
I’m probably not supposed to let this many people go back, but some rules are meant to be broken.
They all jump up, eager to meet the newest addition to our family.
I lead them down the hallway into the room. They crowd around the bed and my mom, being the sap that she is bursts into tears.
There’s room for me on the bed with my girls so I rest there.
“Everyone,” I begin, and they hold their breath waiting for us to finally reveal the name. “We would like you to meet Xael Therese Kindcaid. Xael, meet everyone.” I pronounce the name like Zale.
“What the kind of name is Xael?” Cade blurts.
“Shut it, Cade,” Thea scolds her brother, glaring at him. “The greatest thing you’ve ever done is throw a football, I just birthed life. Life trumps balls.”
“Xael,” my mom repeats. “I like it. It’s different.”
“We wanted her to have a different, strong name, and we thought Xael did that.” I smile at my daughter, rubbing her small cap covered head.
Thea smiles up at me, and despite how exhausted I know she must feel she’s stunning. “Xander, Thea, and baby Xael Therese.”
Our family.