Page 92 of Strike Zone

“She’s perfect.” I can’t believe she’s finally here, covered in goop and the spitting image of her daddy. “I think she looks like you.”

“Poor baby. Don’t listen to Mommy. I think you look like her for sure.”

“Really?”

“She has cute dark hair.”

“We both have dark hair, Linc.”

“Does it matter who she looks like? She’s all the good parts of you and me.”

I marvel at every tiny detail of her face, wondering if the name we agreed on is right for her.

“Do you think she looks like a Lilah?” I tear my gaze away from my beautiful daughter just long enough to watch Linc grin ear to ear at the mention of it.

“Yeah, she’s definitely our Lilah.”

I delicately caress her tufty little hair with my finger. “Welcome to the world, Lilah Lexington Nash.”

“We’re parents.” Linc seems a little shellshocked as the words come out of his mouth.

“Would you like to hold your daughter… Daddy?”

“Are you sure? I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Me either, but we’ll figure it out together.”

He gently works his way out from behind me, terrified he’s going to hurt us. I make sure Lilah is snug in the blanket before Linc lifts her off my chest, and I already miss the warmth of her teeny, little body against my skin. I didn’t know it was possible to have such a capacity for love in an instant.

Seeing Linc hold our daughter for the first time makes me fall in love with him all over again. Rocking her gently in his muscular arms, he melts under her spell in seconds. “Hey, Lilah, I’m your daddy. You sure know how to make an entrance, little one. We’re going to have quite the story to tell you about the day you were born when you’re old enough.”

The ambulance comes to a halt. We’re finally at the hospital—better late than never. The EMT who was driving tells us to wait for him to open the rig, and I wonder where he thinks I plan on going right now? I just gave birth, my legs are spread eagle, and there’s a stranger staring at my vagina to deliver the placenta. Throw in the fact that Linc is rocking Lilah in his underwear, and rest assured, we’re staying put.

As the doors swing open, there’s a collective gasp before a familiar voice bellows from the ambulance bay. “What the fuck, bro? Why the hell are you naked? It finally happened. You grew a uterus and gave birth.” Anders.

Under normal circumstances, I’d be horrified, but I find myself laughing uncontrollably, imaging the sight of us in this particular snapshot moment. “Could you all go ahead and avert your eyes until my legs are closed?”

Brooke and my mom are already crying tears of joy and thank God my dad has his back turned. My sister ignores my plea for privacy, jumping up into the ambulance to catch a glimpse of her niece.

“You gave birth on the way here. Honestly, Dee, are we ever going to be around for the major moments of your lives?”

“My water broke all over your shoes. What more do you want from me, sis?” She’s not even listening to me as she sets eyes on Lilah for the first time, mesmerized by her in an instant.

“I can’t believe you guys made her. She’s incredible.”

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Linc is every bit the proud peacock. I’d say he’s fanning his feathers, but he’s currently wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts, and Brooke is quick to point it out.

“I can’t listen to a word you’re saying right now, Linc. Your nipples are marring my enjoyment of my brand-new baby niece. Do I even want to know why you’re not wearing any clothes?”

“You know what he’s like, sis. He saw my legs open and thought it was an invitation.”

“Laugh all you like, but I didn’t want Diana, or this little munchkin, covered in my home run cruddy uniform.” He nuzzles Lilah’s nose. “Isn’t that right, princess? I didn’t want you and Mommy getting some nasty infection from my funky clothes. They can all laugh, but I don’t care. I’ll walk around this hospital all day long in my boxers if it means I get to snuggle with you.”

Brooke’s all doe-eyed and broody as she watches Linc with the baby.

“Anders, I think your wife’s ovaries just imploded! You better come get her before she gets any big ideas.”

“We’re ready to get you inside. If everyone could give us some room, that would be great.” The EMTs shoo Brooke out of the rig, and I catch sight of my mom waiting patiently, excited to meet her first granddaughter.

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