Page 25 of Christmas Eve Do-Over
12
Duke
I sent up a prayer for Hessa and Kai, only meeting them briefly but knowing how much they meant to Shasta. After parking the car in a rush and in the first open spot I found, I ran in to find Shasta and the rest of the crew. I asked some nurses for directions and wound my way through the labyrinth that made up the hospital hallways. Finally, I found them, huddled outside a door, a whole group clogging up the hallway, their arms around each other. In attendance were Shasta, Esa, Ivan, Brinley, Dean, Bailey, Jack, Sage, Jax, Sunny, and Cain.
I'd been invited to Ivan's wedding because I knew him from being affiliated with the lifeguards in HB over the years. At the wedding, I'd gotten to meet their girlfriends and fiancées realizing quickly what Shasta had meant when she told me her girls had a history with lifeguards. All but one was shacked up with a lifeguard! At the time, I'd hoped that would help my chances with Shasta.
I observed them as I walked closer, seeing how much of a unit they were. The women were all clustered in the middle, worried faces and nervous glances. The men formed a circle around them, rubbing backs and whispering words of encouragement.
When I hit the group, they opened up and let me in, swallowing me whole until I was a part of their unit. Shasta grabbed onto me tight as I wrapped her in my arms. She was shaking, and knowing her story now, I knew how much this baby had a special place in her heart.
We huddled there for close to an hour, waiting for any word from a nurse or doctor. We heard a special bell tone ring out in the hallway three times, signaling the birth of a baby somewhere on the maternity floor.
Finally we heard a baby cry out into the hushed silence from behind the door where we were stationed. Our heads perked up, and we looked around at each other, hope lighting up again in our eyes. The energy was palpable.
"Please God, tell me I'm an auntie," Shasta chanted to no one in particular.
The door flew open and Kai stood in the doorway with the biggest grin I'd ever seen splitting his face.
"She's here!" he shouted, raising a fist in the air.
We all started yelling and jumping, celebrating the birth of the first Beach Squad baby.
"I'll have you come in a few minutes from now when the baby is swaddled and Hessa's good, okay?" Kai swung the door shut in our faces, eager to get back to his fiancée and baby, I'm sure.
The huddle turned festive, and we placed bets on what they'd name her. A nurse further down the hall shushed us with a frown. We brought the party down to a simmer but there was no shutting up the women.
When the door opened again some time later, we rushed in, the men staying back, knowing the women would bulldoze us if we got in their way. Rainna, Hessa's sister, was also in the room, tears in her eyes.
Hessa lay in the bed, looking exhausted, but radiant, a tiny bundle in her arms wrapped in a white blanket. The baby's skin looked ruddy, her eyes puffy and closed in sleep. Kai stood watch next to the bed, eyes only for his beautiful wife and child.
Shasta burst out crying at the sight of the baby. If my eyes misted too, I'm sure it was because I was allergic to something in the room.
"Ladies, meet my daughter, Leilani Rainna Kane." Hessa beamed as she introduced her bundle of joy. "Leilani, meaning child of heaven, and Rainna, after my sister."
"She's gorgeous!" Esa exclaimed.
"Perfection, my sweets," Sage confirmed.
"May I?" Shasta asked quietly, her hands trembling.
Hessa shifted, lifting the tiny bundle toward Shasta, careful to keep her head supported. Shasta held Leilani like she was the most fragile glass, tucking her into her bosom and rocking her at once. She leaned down and feathered a kiss onto her forehead, cooing sweet words to her the whole time.
I whipped out my phone from my back pocket and took a picture, knowing Shasta would love that moment documented. Then the baby was passed around and I became the unofficial photographer of the day.
When Leilani began to fuss and Hessa looked as if she was ready to drop from exhaustion, we said our goodbyes and made our way home. Each of us found ourselves ensconced in a cocoon of baby fever, our hearts already belonging to the six pounds of baby perfection. Ivan and Esa had a flight to catch to honeymoon in Hawaii.
While my plans weren't as elaborate, I hoped they'd be just as special. I took us back to Shasta's house, hoping to continue the tender moments and start building our own future.
* * *
I opened the car door for Shasta, pulling her up beside me. She linked her pinkie with mine, never looking me in the eye, but I took comfort in the soft smile on her face. My hope ballooned, remembering how she did the same thing all summer long when we first began dating. It was good to know not everything had changed. Small parts of the girl she once was were still in there.
Shasta let us in her front door, walking in a few steps and throwing her bag on a nearby chair. Then she stopped short, her whole body frozen. I scooted around her and deposited a present under her Christmas tree.
The one I'd put up and decorated yesterday morning while Shasta was with the girls getting ready for the wedding. Let me tell you, finding a live Christmas tree the week after Christmas was difficult, at best. I'd ended up saving this one from the dumpster behind one of the tree lots. It didn't sell because it had a huge hole on one side. The side that was currently up against the wall where it wasn't as noticeable.
I jammed my hands in my pockets and glanced sheepishly at her. "Hope this was okay."
