Page 156 of Butterfly Effect

Landon beckons us with large swoops of his arm. “Come meet our daughter.”

Gabe hands over her coffee to me and lifts her sunglasses to reveal brimming tears. “Oh, Indi.”

The murmur sets off Indi’s tears, too.

Landon scoots to one side of the bed to make space.

Soft looks so good on my girl. Her forehead meets Indi’s before Gabe places a palm over the miniature maroon toque and joins her on the bed. The rest of us gather around. My head dips for a closer look.

Black wisps peek from the rolled-up knit, her head a perfect sphere. Pinked skin and a tiny button nose. Dark brows and a lash line that looks painted on.

“This is Akhila,” Landon announces. “She’s our everything.”

I can’t hide my awe, my voice dropping even lower. “You made her.”

Gabe and Indi breathe giggles.

“Congrats, you two.” Jaeg slaps a hand onto Landon’s shoulder. “She’s perfect.”

Landon looks at Akhila, then to Indi. “Yeah, she is.”

“Wanna hold her?” Indi asks Gabe, who immediately nods.

What was once my chest cavity is now a deluge of warmth. My heart skips. Not a beat, or two, but down the street and off into the horizon, never to be seen or heard from again.

Her freckles glow impossibly as she rocks Akhila against her torso. “Hi, my love.”

No. I can’t possibly be jealous of a newborn.

Gabe swings a leg over the edge of the bed and rises. “I’m your Aunty.”

I spot her, holding up both hands. “Careful.”

“Masi,” Indi corrects. “You’re her masi, because you’re my sister.”

A tear escapes and tracks down Gabe’s cheek. I catch it before it lands on the baby.

Akhila gurgles and strains within the swaddle.

“Your turn.”

“Me?”

The encouraging scrunch of Gabe’s nose is unbearably cute.

“Make a little oval with your arms,” she directs, “fold them over on your chest.” With a slight jostle, Akhila’s small burrito body transfers to me. “Relax your shoulders, Wade.”

They drop slowly from my ears, the insignificant weight settling across my forearm and barely covering its length. “Can I walk?”

Landon snorts. “Yeah, you can walk with her.”

My feet make their way toward the window, the morning sunlight blurred by opaque privacy film. The conversation behind us quiets as my eyes widen to focus on this brand-new person.

“How are you feeling?” Gabe asks Indi.

“Better after a shower,” she replies. “I could use a nap, though.”

“You worked so hard, baby,” Landon praises her with an audible kiss. “She did so good.”

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