Page 104 of Until You (Forgive Me)

Life was good.

∞∞∞

Theodore Lucas Hunt made his debut at two-thirty that afternoon. Christian had gone to pick up an excited Skylar from school, only to be accosted by Laura, Skylar’s teacher, and Star’s best friend. She’d run up and hugged him, excited her best friend had given birth. She handed him a small box for Star, telling him he had to give it to her. She wouldn’t intrude on their family night as she remembered how tired she had been after the birth of her daughter, but she would visit in a couple of days when Star was home.

Christian had held Skylar’s hand all the way in the car, listening to her chatter. Damian had called the school earlier to speak to Skylar and let her know she had a baby brother.

“I am so excited, Daddy. It’s going to be so much fun having a baby brother. I’ve promised Mummy and Daddy Damian that I’ll help with his bath time and changing his clothes. I’m not sure about nappies yet.”

It was all Christian could do not to laugh at his daughter’s wrinkled nose. She looked so like Lily when she pulled certain faces. Lily might no longer be there, but she had definitely left a huge part of herself in their daughter.

“I think maybe mummy will have to do the nappies first,” Christian said.

“Oh no, she’s told Daddy Damian that he will be very hands-on with changing nappies. I heard her tell him a baby is not all cuddles and feeding. What goes in must come out.” Skylar looked at him and gave him her best stage whisper. “I think she was talking about poo.”

Christian whispered back. “I think you might be right.” Before swallowing back his laugh.

He doubted Damian would complain. He was looking forward to this baby as much as Star, and would be a brilliant father if the way he treated Skylar was anything to go on.

Isabella met them at the hospital. It looked like she had bought out half the clothes and toy store, looking at the bags she was carrying.

“Isabella,” Skylar shouted, running and throwing her arms around Isabella’s waist.

Christian raised an eyebrow at the bags she was holding, and it was her turn to look sheepish.

“I love babies and, well, everything looked so cute.” She bent down and fished a beautiful lamb teddy out of the bag. “Daddy and I got this for you to give to your baby brother,” she said, handing the teddy to Skylar, who grinned in delight.

“Thank you, thank you,” she said, clutching the lamb to her chest. “He will love it. I know he will.”

“We also got you a matching pony.” Christian watched Isabella open the bag, letting Skylar peek inside, before looking up at him and mouthing, “I didn’t want her to feel left out.”

A warmth spread through him at her thoughtfulness.

Together, the three of them made their way to the maternity ward. Star was in a private room, as Damian had wanted privacy for himself and his family. No prospect of the press getting pictures of their newborn. The midwife at reception showed them the way before Christian knocked and waited.

A grinning Damian opened the door, and Christian shook his hand, offering their congratulations. Skylar ran past him, throwing herself at the bed and Star, the stuffed lamb clutched in her hands.

Christian watched in fascination as her face filled with awe at her baby brother lying asleep in Star’s arms. Star looked amazing for a woman who had just spent hours in labour. It was clear motherhood agreed with her. The tranquil look on her face and the sparkle in her eyes highlighted the fact.

“Look what Daddy and Isabella bought for me to give to baby Theo,” Skylar said, waving the teddy in Star’s face.

Star looked up to where they stood in the doorway and smiled. “Come in,” she said. “Come and meet Theo.”

Isabella held back. It was clear she felt she was intruding on a family moment. Damian, however, was having none of it.

“Come in, Isabella,” he said, ushering her forward before closing the door.

“Thank you,” Star said, tilting her head towards the teddy.

“Not my doing,” Christian admitted, watching the blush spread over Isabella’s cheeks.

“Only because I said I wanted to,” Isabella jumped in, stepping forward and placing an array of bags on the chair. “I got a little carried away. If there is anything you don’t like, the receipts are in the bag.”

“Thank you, to both of you,” Star said, her eyes flitting between Isabella and Christian. “Skylar, would you like to hold your baby brother?”

Skylar squealed, causing little Theo to screw up his face. Skylar’s hand immediately slapped over her mouth, her eyes worried.

“It’s okay,” Damian said to her, scooping her off the bed and sitting her in a nearby chair. “His hearing is a little sensitive. Sound was muffled in mummy’s tummy, and now the big wide world is here. It’s very loud.”

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