Page 26 of In The Game

“Nothing wrong with that. Some babies come out through the tunnel, yours is coming out through the sunroof. You put up one hell of a fight, Raleigh. You should be very proud of yourself. How’s the nausea?”

“Still nauseous, but I don’t think I’m going to throw up.”

She nods. “We’ll get you some meds to make you more comfortable.”

Over the sheet, the doctor speaks up again, “Raleigh, you’re going to feel some pressure on your stomach and some tugging, okay? That’s normal.”

“Okay.”

Sheesh, she wasn’t kidding. It feels like somebody is jumping up and down on my belly. Then it stops. Voices on the other side of the curtain seem excited and then I hear the softest cries from little lungs. “We have a baby! It’s a boy!”

Oh my God, I have a son! Those tiny wails are the most incredible sound I’ve ever heard.I can hear him, I can hear my baby.I want to see him so badly.

They immediately drop the curtain and hold up the most beautiful baby boy I’ve ever seen. His eyes are closed, and he wiggles around with small jerky motions, the umbilical cord still attached. Tears spring to my eyes—that’s my son!

They raise the curtain again and disappear behind it. I want to hold him.

“He’s gorgeous, Raleigh!” Heather says. “They’re just going to weigh and swaddle him and then you can hold your baby.” It’s like she read my mind. When I look over at her, she’s got my phone. “I’m going to take some pictures while they get you stitched.”

“Thank you!”

Heather is heaven-sent. She steps over to where they are wiping him down and snaps some photos.

“You did great!” my doctor calls out. “We’re closing you up now.”

I relax and tears leak from the corners of my eyes.It’s over.

They call out his length and weight—twenty-five inches, ten pounds, four ounces!

Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t try to push him out.“Raleigh, you made the right decision!” one nurse comments. I agree.

“Do you have a name yet?” another nurse asks.

I always said if it was a boy, I would name him Arthur. It meansbear.Is that sick? Maybe. He can deny this child all he wants, but Arthur will always be a bear. And as much as I want to, I can’t hate Barrett, he gave me my son. But what he gets of Arthur, ends with his name. Beyond that, Barrett Conway is the textbook father bear, impregnating the female and leaving her to fend for herself. Male bears don’t help raise their young, which is why, despite his name, Arthur will never be his.

“Arthur.”

When Heather turns around, she’s carrying him all bundled up. She releases the restraints on one of my arms so I can wrap it around him. I’m able to keep my hand on him while I’m being put back together, but it’s hard to see his little face while I’m strapped on my back.

“What’s your last name Heather?”

“James, why?”

It’s perfect.

Arthur James Dunham.I like that. Heather has been my rock today, and I will never forget her kindness. She kept me afloat and will forever be a solid part of his birth story.

“Mind if I steal that for a middle name?”

She gets all doe-eyed on me. “I’d be honored.”

“Thank you for being my person today. I’m really happy you were my nurse.”

“Me too. You did amazing, Raleigh.”

Once surgery is over and we are brought to the recovery room, he is unwrapped and placed on my chest. For the first time, I can look down and clearly see his perfect rosy face and feel his rapid little heartbeat against mine.

“Hi, Arthur.”

---