Page 113 of Once Upon a Holidate
She smiled. “I know, Dad. I trust you to take care of me. Now let’s go home so I can change and get my bag, then we’ll drive to the hospital.”
***
Garrick held his newborn grandson in his arms. Despite the swaddling and the cap, he was so small. Technically, he was perfectly healthy and a good weight at seven pounds, nine ounces, but all wrapped up like that, he was impossibly little.
“You’re going to be growing,” Garrick told him in a low voice. “One day we’ll all look back at the pictures of you, and we won’t believe how much you’ve changed.”
He glanced across the room where Chandler lay stretchedout beside Joylyn in the hospital bed, their arms wrapped around each other. He knew he should get going and give the new family some time together, but he wanted just a few more minutes with his grandson.
“Your mom did an incredible job,” he continued. “She was so strong. I was the one who was scared.”
Giving birth was not for the faint of heart, he thought, remembering how Joylyn had clutched his hands, breathing and pushing, delivering her first child with more bravery than he’d ever seen before. As promised, he’d been with her every step of the way. During the various exams, he’d offered to step out of the room, but she’d asked him to stay by her side and he had.
It didn’t make up for what they’d lost—nothing could do that—but it had given them new memories.
Chandler carefully slid off the bed and joined him.
“She’s asleep,” he said in a low voice. “She’s got to be exhausted.” He looked at Garrick. “I want to thank you for taking such good care of her.”
“I’m her dad. Taking care of her is all I ever wanted to do.” He smiled. “Now it’s your job, and I expect you to do a good one. Just remember that I loved her first.”
“I will.”
Garrick kissed the baby’s forehead, then passed him to Chandler. “Years from now it will be your turn to tell someone you loved this little guy first.”
Chandler held the baby gingerly. Garrick wanted to offer advice, but told himself the kid would figure it out as he went. Babies were a lot tougher than they looked.
Easy for him to say, he added silently. He got to be the grandfather, with only part-time responsibility. He had a feeling Chandler was going to be doing some soul-searching as he assessed his ability to be a father. Holding your child in your arms was a hell of a wake-up call.
He crossed to the hospital bed and smiled down at his sleeping daughter.
“I’m proud of you, baby girl,” he whispered before returning to Chandler. “I’m going to head home for a little while. You have my number if you need anything. And when these two can check out, just let me know and I’ll come get all of you.”
His chest tightened as he thought about what would happen after that. Now that little Elijah had been born, staying a few extra days would be out of the question.
“You’ll want to head back to Phoenix as soon as you can. You know, for the holidays.”
“Joylyn and I were just talking about that. We were wondering if we could stay with you through Christmas. Her mom has the boys running around, and a newborn might be a bit much when those three are so excited about their presents.” Chandler raised a shoulder. “Plus she’s been talking about how much she’s been enjoying her time with you. We’d like to stay—if that’s all right with you.”
Stay with him? For Christmas? Garrick had to clear his throat before he could speak.
“I’d like that very much.”
Chandler grinned. “Us, too.”
Garrick patted him on the back, touched his grandson’s cheek and walked out into the hallway. He’d barely gotten to the lobby when Alisha raced toward him.
“I just got here,” she said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Are they all right? Chandler called to say they were fine, but are they? I can’t believe I missed it. Our little girl, Garrick. She has her own baby.”
Garrick hugged her. “She’s doing just fine, and the baby is healthy and handsome.”
“Have they named him yet? We can’t keep calling him ‘the baby.’”
“Elijah.”
“Oh, I like that,” she said.
“Me, too.” He gave her the room number. “She’s sleeping, but I know she’ll want to see you.”
