Page 147 of Bae

The nurse laughed.

He was tiny, practically smaller than a football. What little bit of hair he had was light like mine. I brushed at a downy strand just beneath the brim of the cap. His one hand found its way out of the blanket, and it waved around. I slid my index finger against his palm. Instantly, his hand closed around it.

That’s all it took. I fell so far in love with him there would never be any going back.

“It’s better than I imagined,” Rimmel said.

“What is?” I asked, still studying his little face.

“Seeing you with him.”

“This is a good-looking kid, Smalls.” I glanced up and smiled.

“I wanna see.” She held out her arms.

I carried him over and surrendered him.

“We’ll need to take him—”

“No,” I growled.

“It’s hospital policy,” the doctor chimed in as she was taking off her gloves. “You can go with him.”

The door opened, and Braeden’s head appeared. “What the hell is taking so long?”

“It’s a boy!” Rimmel announced.

The door flew open, and B and Ivy came in. “I totally called it.”

“We’ll give you just a few minutes, but then he must come with me,” the nurse said, glancing at me.

I relented. “Okay, thanks.”

She seemed surprised but didn’t say so. She and the doctor retreated as Ivy and B rushed to see the baby.

“Oh my goodness, he’s perfect!” Ivy said when Rimmel handed him over. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared down at him. “So tiny,” she mused.

“That’s gonna be us soon,” Braeden whispered as he looked over Ivy’s shoulder at his nephew.

“What?” Rimmel gasped.

Ivy winced and glanced up at me, then at Rim. “We were waiting to say anything.”

“You’re pregnant!” Rimmel exclaimed.

Ivy nodded, and B grinned like he was the man. “We just found out. I wanted to wait ‘til after the shower today to tell everyone.”

“That’s the best news ever!” Rimmel said, her eyes on the baby. “Congratulations!”

I held out my hand to B for us to shake. “Congrats, man. It’s good news.”

“I need to see him,” Braeden said. “Uncle inspection.”

“Watch his head,” I demanded when he took the baby from Ivy.

“I’m your favorite uncle,” he said, as my son stared at him wholly. “You got a few more, but I’m the best.”

“Let me have him,” Rimmel said. “They’re gonna come back, and I want to kiss him.”

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