From the minute she went into labor fourteen hours ago, she was convinced she would have a stillbirth, despite the ultrasounds and monitors proving she and the baby were both doing fine. I’ve never seen Laken so scared before. But like I knew she would, she pulled through. She created a beautiful life, and since holding her for the first time four hours ago, Laken has hardly taken her eyes off our precious bundle.
My dad, brother, Dorian, and a few guys I work with have been working on the nursery since I gave them a call about an hour after she went into labor. She has no idea about the surprise awaiting her at home for them both. My own mother, Jesse, Ophelia, and Laken’s parents are out shopping for the baby, as well. New furniture, clothes, everything Laken wouldn’t allow anyone to buy until after she gave birth.
“Have you thought of a name yet?” She refused to listen when I suggested we needed to choose a few while she was pregnant, and while I have my choices, I’m not offering them until she asks.
“Ella.” Her gaze lifts to mine, tears shining bright with happiness.
“It’s beautiful.” Just like both of my girls.
“You like it?” I nod as I climb in bed beside her. “I know you picked some, Hale. Do you want something else?” My girl’s too happy to show her uncertainty, but I know her too well not to see it.
“I’m positive. I was prepared to offer names only if you needed it.” Kissing her forehead, I lean back so we can watch Ella as she falls asleep against Laken’s chest. “Let me.” Our daughter is the tiniest thing I’ve ever held in my arms as I take her from her mother to burp and change.
“Knock, knock.” I see my mom poke her head in, waiting to let everyone else in. Laken has no idea that her parents are here, and I’m thrilled I get to give her another surprise. “I have a little boy here dying to meet his sister and see his mom.” She smiles when she notices the baby in my arms.
“Come on in.” I’ve barely got the words out before Jesse is rushing to Laken’s side, checking on her.
“Are you okay? The baby’s okay?” His questions are so rushed that they all sound like one long word.
“I’m perfect, and so is she.” The bond those two have is unbreakable. For Jesse, Laken always comes first, though I think that’s about to change for the first time since they met.
“Want to meet your baby sister?” He finally turns at my question. The look of awe on his face is pure love as he sees Ella for the first time. “Hop up on the bed with Mom.” As soon as he’s settled, I place the infant in his arms, and he’s instantly in love with her.
“We have a little surprise for you, Laken, if you’re up to it?” Mom asks as she peeks over at her grandchildren. Laken nods, and she opens the door to wave Ward and Elisa into the room.
“Mama, Daddy, you’re here!” The tears she’s been keeping at bay finally fall.
“Oh, baby, of course, we came!” Elisa grips her hand, kissing the top side before losing her attention to Jesse cooing down at an awake Ella. She’s the mirror image of my gorgeous wife. “She’s just perfect, isn’t she, Ward?” The man moves to stand behindhiswife as they marvel at the baby.
Mom has been here with Laken for so much of the pregnancy that she stays back to allow the first-time grandparents—though they wouldn’t call themselves that because they adore Jesse—a chance to oooh and aaah over little Ella. That all changes when Elisa waves her over, so they all fuss over the two of them.
Laken reaches a hand out for me. Walking over to her, she leans into me as I climb into the extra-large bed on her other side. “I love you, Hale Decker.” Lifting her chin, she waits for a kiss.
Dropping one on her lips, I lick across the seam and whisper back, “I love you more, Laken Decker,” before taking a deeper kiss. An appreciative one. Licking the inside of her mouth and tangling our tongues, I thank her for our miracle without words.
“Careful, or you’ll have another one before long,” Ward teases, but as I look down into Laken’s eyes, I don’t see it as a bad thing.
This beautiful, shy, scared woman has changed my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I plan on spending a lifetime showing her just how much I worship her. If that means more babies, I’ll take as many as she’ll give me.
The End!