Page 131 of Healed
“Can I try?” Brandt asked.
“Of course,” Tempest said, gently pulling her finger free of their son’s grip.
Brandt held his pinkie finger against the baby’s hand and he immediately grabbed hold. Brandt laughed. “He’s got a grip!” Brandt said.
“You want to hold him?” Tempest asked.
“Should I?” Brandt asked.
“I hope so. He’s your son,” Tempest said.
“No, I meant, yes I want to, but should I? Doesn’t he need you to hold him?” Brandt asked.
“You can hold him,” Tempest said.
Brandt nodded, his eyes sparkling as he tried his best to rewrap him, then picked him up with more caution than he’d ever used for anything. He settled him in the crook of one arm and finished tucking the baby blanket in around him. “He’s perfect, Tempest,” Brandt said, blinking away the tears. “I can’t believe we did this!”
Tempest laughed softly. “Me, either. But we did. And now, we have to name him.”
“Maybe we should have found out if he was a boy or a girl before and we could have had a few names picked out.”
“Well, look at him. Close your eyes, what name comes to mind?” Tempest asked.
“Have you done that?” Brandt asked.
“I have.”
“And?”
“And I want you to tell me what you feel when you do the same.”
Brandt looked closely at his son, gently stroking his face with a fingertip. The baby opened his eyes and looked right at him. “You look like an Eli to me,” Brandt said.
Tempest smiled. “Elijah. Elijah Brandt Marchande’,” Tempest said.
“I like it. It feels right,” Brandt said.
Tempest had closed her eyes, but she smiled. “Mmhmm.”
“Baby, are you sure you’re alright? Should you see a doctor?” Brandt asked.
“I’m fine. Just really want to sleep. I’m sure Momma did something to make me want to sleep so my body can recover.”
“Did she heal you?” Brandt asked.
“Yes. But it’s still traumatic. Just a little rest, I’ll be fine.”
“Can I take him out and introduce him?”
She opened her eyes and looked at Brandt. “He’s your son, too. You don’t have to ask.”
“I know nothing about babies. I didn’t know if I can do that or not. He’s so little.”
“You can.”
“I’ll be right back to check on you again,” Brandt said.
“Take your time, I want to sleep,” Tempest said, her eyes drifting closed again.
