Page 187 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

“It’s a boy,” says the doctor, “a beautiful boy!”

I’m this boy’s mom!

Eric’s breathing is so agitated.

“C’mon, Dad,” says the doctor, “come here and cut the umbilical cord.”

I cry. I want to see my child. What’s he like?

Eric releases my hand, cuts the cord, and then comes back to me. He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me.

“Thanks, sweetheart. He’s beautiful. Beautiful!”

In that instant, they put my Medusa on my belly. My baby. My child. Amazed, I look at him, I touch him, and we both cry.

“Hello, little one. Hello, dear, I am yourmamá.”

Am I already babbling nonsense?

I never imagined I would experience a moment like this...

I never imagined I would feel what I feel...

I never imagined I would feel so complete...

Eric kisses me, and I touch my child. He’s perfect, wonderful. And he’s as blond as his dad and looks just like him.

Eric and I can’t stop grinning. Then one of the nurses holds the baby while the doctor finishes caring for me and removes the placenta. Eric and I follow the nurse with our eyes. We see her test the baby several times and wash him as our little one cries. She puts a band around his wrist, dresses him, and weighs him.

“Seven point nine—almost eight pounds!”

“Almost eight pounds!” I say.

When the doctor finally finishes with me, the nurses bring him to my bed. They transfer me and put my baby in my arms.

My God, this is the most beautiful moment of my life!

I look at him with an incredible love. I watch him and fall in love with him. He’s so handsome. Perfect. Eric doesn’t blink and grins when he sees that the wristband says, “Zimmerman Hab.610.”

Again a big, handsome blond Zimmerman has come into the world to make trouble.

“Let’s name him after you, Eric Zimmerman,” I say.

“After me?”

I nod and, with a smile I know will touch Eric’s soul, I add, “In a few years, I want another Eric Zimmerman to fall madly in love with another woman and make her as happy as you make me.”

Eric grins nonstop.

Without him telling me, I know it’s the happiest day of his life. Mine too.

31

The first night in the hospital is pretty hectic.

After the pediatrician sees us and tells us the baby’s perfect, he asks me if I’m going to breastfeed or bottle-feed him.

I don’t intend to become a walking milk factory when I know that bottle-fed babies grow up wonderfully.

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