Page 108 of When Love Is Unexpected

I pull out my phone and take several pictures before they even realize I'm there.

When Loren looks up and our eyes meet, I can't help but let the tears flow. I had first-hand knowledge, front-row seats to the young love, excitement, hope, heartbreak, devastation, and pain she experienced with Justin, and then the healing, hope, love, and second chance she found with Aaron. All of it culminated in this one moment in time.

"Hi," I say.

"You want to meet your new nephew," she says.

I walk up slowly and look at Aaron, whose tears won't be contained, and then at Holly. She's smiling. I give her a little wave before getting closer.

Loren unwraps her son so I can look at him. He's pink and perfect. I count ten fingers and ten toes. "How much does he weigh?" I ask.

"He weighs eight pounds, three ounces, and measures 20 inches," says Loren.

When I touch his head, he makes a scrunchy face and two deep dimples appear on his cheeks.

"Look!" I say. "Aaron, he has your dimples."

Aaron is still working out his emotions. I know he's thinking about the son he and his first wife lost.

I squeeze his hand and give him a knowing smile.

"I'm okay," he says as a tear rolls down to the tip of his nose before he wipes it away.

"He's perfect," I say. "Has he opened his eyes yet?"

"Yes," says Loren. "They look gray to me, but they might change to hazel."

"So, for right now, he's all you, Mr. Baldwin. You got some strong genes."

"Can the baby have blue eyes like me?" asks Holly.

"You have your mommy's eyes, Sweetie," says Loren. "You're one of a kind, and that makes you extra special."

Holly smiles and looks up at Aaron who gives her a kiss on the forehead.

"So, how did you all do?" I ask.

"Apparently, I have a high threshold for pain," says Loren.

"I heard," I say. "You labored by yourself the entire night and didn't even realize it."

"She did great," says Aaron. "She pushed for about twenty minutes."

"Did you cut the cord?" I ask Aaron.

"Yes, I did."

"Holly, how did you do?"

"I held mommy's hand," says Holly. "She was squeezing it hard. Like this." She reaches for my hand and squeezes it until her face turns red.

"Oh my gosh," I exclaim, "that was hard!"

"I'm sorry, Baby," says Loren. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm okay."

"How are you doing?" Loren asks.

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