Tess’s baby had slept through the entire thing, including a very vocal fight between Natalie and Mia that had the rest watching the baby for even a hint she was awake. But it seemed that when Natalie had stopped recording, the baby remembered that her job was to cry and eat.
When Tess had her settled in her arms, the group was completely focused on the baby. Asking all the questions that new mothers get. Tess answered them with just a touch of humor she always brought.
Amanda had always liked Tess, even when her idiot brother didn’t think he did. And she hated that she had let the baby come between them. Hated that she was so consumed by emotions, she couldn’t seem to control this time.
“So, have you named her yet?” Natalie asked. At this point, after almost two weeks, the couple had not agreed on a name. Both were too stubborn to let the other have their way. It was a lot like their relationship, but it worked for them. In the end, at least, since the middle was always a bit bumpy.
“No, not yet. I want Elizabeth, Ellie. Cute.” Tess handed the baby to Ruth, who cooed at her.
“What does Math want?” Ruth asked, still looking at the baby.
“Mathias wants Terezilya. I just don’t want to name her after me,” Tess confided.
The name rolled off Tess’s tongue. It was the only indication that Tess was born and spent her younger years in Russia. Her family emigrated to the states when she was already school age.
“But it’s your mom’s name. Tradition.” Amanda was well aware of the argument her brother had about the name. A name that was not only Tess’s mother’s but her own name as well.
“But there are so many others in my family who carry that name.” Tess came from a huge family who liked to use the same names over and over.
“What nicknames could you use?” Hazel asked, taking the baby from Ruth before Ruth was ready to hand her off.
“They have all been used. All of them,” Tess insisted.
“How about the middle name?” Hazel looked at the baby, and Amanda met Ruth’s eyes and winked. Ruth took a drink of her wine to cover her laugh.
“Same issue. Alexandrina, after my father, and every first-born grandson or granddaughter. Overused,” Tess explained.
“Then go with Elizabeth. Damn tradition. Start a new one with Betsey,” Mia said. She was a bit tipsy.
“Tell that to Mathias,” Tess told her, then frowned. “Not Betsey, though.”
“Give me your phone. I will text him.” Mia waved her hand at her friend. Everyone knew she would do it.
“I don’t think I want you drunk-texting my man, Mia,” Tess said and laughed. What made it funny was that Mia and Math were cousins.
Natalie had gotten her turn but had handed the baby off quickly to Mia. Mia, of course, was maybe too tipsy for the baby. Amanda took the bundle from her cousin before Mia forgot she was holding the baby.
The baby was light in her abundance of pink blankets, and the smell of baby wafted over her. Amanda felt behind the baby’s neck. Temperature was fine. Opening the blanket a little, she saw the baby was in a pink sleeper with a sheep on it. She had her fingers over the baby’s chest, heartbeat was good. Then she ran her hand over the downy white hair on her head. Soft spot was good. She was as healthy as an almost two-week-old baby could be.
As she was looking at her little face, the infant’s blue eyes popped open and stared at her. Of course, the baby couldn’t see her—her sight was still poor at this age. When the baby gave her a lopsided grin, it was obviously just gas. Amanda said to the baby quietly, “Zia.”
Turning to her future sister-in-law, if her brother would get his act together, she asked, “Are there any Zia’s?”
Handing the baby back to Tess, the mother looked at the infant closely. “No, I never thought of it. Nobody else has, either. I will talk to Mathias. Zia Nordskov.”
“And Amanda names another baby.” Mia lifted her glass for a toast but was completely ignored. “How many is that, Mandy?”
“Leave Mandy alone, Mia,” Ruth chastised Mia with a hard look. “I have an announcement.”
Amanda leaned back in her chair, just happy she knew beforehand and had been able to steel herself for what was going to be said. Not even listening, she let the others congratulate their friend.
Hugs went around and questions for the soon-to-be Mom.
Tess turned to her and quietly said, “You don’t seem too excited for Ruth.”
Amanda turned and replied, “I am. I’m just letting the others get excited. She is my patient.”
“Oh, it just seemed like you were being distant. Again,” Tess stated.