Page 97 of Seamless Forever (Sleepless November Saga 3)

“You did this?”

He nods. “It wasn’t easy, but one of the Kappa guys is a computer nerd. He helped me set it up.”

I wipe the tears from my cheek. “You’re the best.”

“You just went through hell to give birth to our daughter. You’ve given me the most amazing gift in existence, and nothing I do will ever compare to that.”

He pulls a chair next to the bed and holds my hand. I’ve got Emily on one side and Holden on the other. The rest of the people I love fill the room, with Dawson, Skylar, and Bree coming soon. We all watch the screen, softly talking about how beautiful the baby is. I couldn’t be happier.

THE NEXT MORNING, A nurse comes into the room with paperwork. It’s just Holden, his parents, and I. She has a few things for me to sign and then gets to the birth certificate.

“Have you thought of a name yet?”

“No.” Holden answers, at the same time I say yes. He looks at me strangely. “If you name this child Gertrude, I’m getting a divorce.” He jokes.

I shake my head. “Charlotte Heather Rivers.”

Both Heather and Holden stop breathing. It only takes half a second before his eyes are filled with tears. The nurse looks around, confused, but I can’t look away from my husband.

“Y-you’re naming her after both of my mothers?”

I nod slowly. “Is that okay?”

“It’s more than okay.” He comes over and grabs my face, kissing me in a way that displays every single one of his emotions.

When he’s done, I look over at Heather to find she’s crying just as much as Holden is. I chuckle and try to keep myself from tearing up, but it’s no use. Even Dan is having trouble holding in his feelings.

“Are you alright?” I questi

on.

She keeps her hand over her mouth and sobs. “Thank you so much.”

I shake my head. “No, thank you. What you did for Holden after his parents passed away, it’s something that can never be shown enough gratitude. You more than deserve this and if I can be even half the mother you are, I’ll be happy. I hope she grows up to be just like you.”

Heather is overwhelmed by the sentiment and comes over to give me a hug, squeezing me as tightly as she can without causing pain. The nurse writes the name and address onto the paper, and excuses herself from the sob-fest that my room has turned into. Once she’s gone, Holden climbs into bed next to me and pulls me close. I lean my head against his chest and sigh happily.

“I was thinking we could call her Charlie for short.”

Epilogue

Three Years Later

Iwalk across the sand toward my husband. He’s sitting on the beach, watching as Charlie chases the seagulls. As soon as I get close enough, I wrap my arms around him and kiss his cheek. He’s startled for a minute but then smiles.

“There you are.” He says happily.

I move around to sit next to him. As soon as Charlie sees me, she comes running back to us.

“Mommy!” She yells, jumping into my lap and covering me with sand. “I scared all the birdies away.”

“I see that, baby. Are you having fun?”

“Yes! I love the beach! Can we move here?”

I wipe her dirty blonde hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear. “Maybe someday. For now, we have to stay where we are for daddy’s work.”

She giggles sweetly. “Daddy plays hockey. That’s not work. Work is boring.”

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