Page 88 of Chasing Fireflies

“Yes,” I say, kissing her again and wrapping her in my arms. She giggles and makes my heart swell more. God knows I love this woman more than my own life.

“Did you have a good nap?” she asks me as she wraps her arms around my back. Her stomach is in the way, but I love her stomach.

“Yeah. What’s up with the pills on the floor?” I ask, pulling away.

“Oh, Bear’s tail knocked them off the shelf. I was looking for that foot lotion I bought, and he was right up my butt. I could only get so many of them up because of Little Miss here.” She smiles, rubbing her belly. “I went down to get the broom, and I got sidetracked.”

“What did you do with the ones you picked up?”

“I flushed them, crazy. I’m not going to take pills that have been on the bathroom floor.”

“Oh, that explains it.” I sigh.

“You okay?” she asks, looking at me like I’ve lost it.

“Yeah, I’m good. Did you go buy more flowers?” I change the subject.

“They had some on sale down at the hardware store, so I got Mark to put them on the back of the truck for me. I just got home not too long ago. Bear rode with me, of course. He won’t let me out of his sight.” He lifts his head at the sound of his name. Bear is always around Sara now that she’s pregnant. I’m pretty sure he will be stuck up Little Miss’ butt, too. “You wanna help me get these big pots off the truck and onto the porch? I thought it could use some color.”

“I’ll take care of it. You go make us some lemonade,” I say, kissing her forehead and walking over to the truck.

“Gladly. My thighs are sweating,” she says as she wobbles toward the porch.

*

Sara’s water broke at five a.m. this morning, and at one p.m. Little Miss’ first cries were heard throughout the fourth floor of the hospital. We named our baby girl Ellie. She weighs no more than a feather to me, and I am terrified to hold her. Afraid she may crumble in my arms, I sit in a rocking chair now, smiling down at her sleeping face while Sara sleeps, too. It’s just us three right now. Everyone has been by, held her, and gone home. Ellie moves her little hand, and her mouth opens a tad. I look at her patchy reddish skin and run my finger along her small nose. Her hair is so blonde you can hardly tell she has any. She’s just peach fuzz and little round cheeks, red lips, and tiny fingertips. My heart could explode with the amount of love I already have for her.

*

“Are you sure I can’t stay and help out? Dealing with a newborn isn’t easy, Cash, and Sara seems to be sleeping more so than anything.”

“Debbie, we’re fine. Go on home to Walter. We’ll call you if we need anything.”

She sighs and looks back up the stairs where her daughter sleeps. Her granddaughter is in my arms, and I’m pretty sure she wants her to leave, too.

“Okay, but what about her medication? The doctor said she needs to start back taking it. We have to watch her. She has a high risk of postpartum.”

“I’ve got it,” I tell her as I hold my little football and open the door for Debbie to exit. She looks at the door and then at me.

Defeated as always, she sighs. “All right.” She leans down and kisses Little Miss before looking back up at me. “Cash, you have to watch Sara’s moods. I’m worried about her getting postpartum. She could very easily fall into a depression, and we both know it.”

“You’ve said that already. I’ll watch her, okay? Have a safe trip home.”

“All right. I’ll talk to you later. Bye, Ellie.”

I watch Debbie walk out the door, and I look down at my baby girl.

“Grandma is a tiny bit overprotective, Little Miss. But you’ll learn that later,” I say, walking into the kitchen. I grab a beer and Little Miss a bottle before I head back to the couch and we catch up on some sports.

*

“Cash, baby.” I open my eyes and see Sara looking down at me, realizing I must have dozed off. I sit up and run a hand over my face. Sara has Ellie, and she’s dressed in a different nightgown, meaning she must have taken a shower.

“Hey,” I say, sounding groggy.

“You were sleeping well.” She sits beside me.

“I was tired, I guess.”

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