Page 21 of Forever My Boy

The sound of crying fills the room, and there’s a collective gasp. “It’s a boy!”

My doctor places my son on my mid-section, showing him to me. I touch him as he wails, and look at his finger and toes. They’re all there.

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “He’s perfect”.

Mason kisses the top of my head, as does Katelyn and then my mom is next to me. They all gush over my son.

“Look at what you did,” she says she looks her grandson over.

“Can someone go get my dad?” I ask as the nurse tells me she’s taking my boy to get him cleaned and his vitals taken. He doesn’t go far, just the other side the room where I can still see him.

Mason says he will and leaves. I can’t take my eyes off the cradle on the other side of the room. My little guy cries and all I want to do is hold him and tell him how everything is going to be okay.

The door opens and my dad comes in. He sees me and then looks at the cradle.

“Go meet your grandson,” I tell him, unable to keep my tears at bay.

“Oh, Josephine.” My dad covers his mouth. “He’s beautiful.”

My mom, dad, and Katelyn spend a few moments together and then Mason returns with his parents.

“Congratulations,” he says as he leans down and kisses me forehead.

“Thank you,” I say as I look at him. “For everything.” I don’t know where I’d be without him.

“It’s what friends are for.”

I shake my head. “No, Mason. You’re more than a friend. You’re my family. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you and Katelyn. I love you both so much.”

“We love you too, sweetie.” Katelyn rests her head against mine. “We’re not going anywhere, ever.”

The nurse brings my son to me. She’s cleaned him up, put a diaper on him, along with a hospital issued shirt and wrapped him in a blanket. A blue knitted hat covers his head.

As soon as I have him in my arms, I unwrap him to count his fingers and toes again.

“Look at those long fingers. He’s going to make the best quarterback.”

The room goes silent. I know I’ve shocked them, but the reality is, he’s Liam Westbury’s son. Football will be in his blood.

“He’s going to play football, huh?” Mason asks.

“With you as his uncle, how can he not?”

“True,” Mason says, clearing his throat. “He’s going to be the best Beaumont has ever seen.”

I know everyone wants to hold him, so I pass him to my mom and then my son starts to make his rounds.

“So, what did you decide?” my mom doesn’t even look at me because she’s making funny faces at her grandson.

“Noah Michael Preston.”

“Noah, what a beautiful name for this perfect baby,” Mrs. Powell says.

When Noah finally makes it to Mason, I watch as he holds him in his hand. Noah’s tiny, but perfect.

“Hey, buddy,” Mason says softly. “Man, I’m so happy to meet you. We’re going to be best friends and do everything together. I’m going to teach you everything I know about football, girls, and life.”

Everyone laughs.

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