Page 112 of Thick & Thin

Her skin was pink, and her face was squishy. She opened her tiny lips and cried loudly, filling my heart with so much joy I gasped.

“She’s beautiful,” Jenny cried.

I nodded, agreeing but unable to speak. I stood and watched as they cleaned her and weighed her. They did a few other things, and I took pictures, feeling in awe of her tiny perfection.

Jenny chuckled at me from her spot in bed. Once the baby was wrapped tightly in a blanket, the nurse brought her over to Jenny, and we both breathed her in, placing soft kisses on her chubby little cheeks.

Once I knew Jenny and baby girl were okay, I left the room and went to the family waiting room to let everyone know the baby was here. Harold, Jenny’s dad, stood when I entered the waiting room, and his face paled.

Devin stood as well, holding Lilly’s hand and waiting for news. The kids played in the play space the hospital had set up, coloring and laughing without realizing what was going on around them.

“Is everything okay?” my mom asked, worrying a tissue in her hand.

I grinned and nodded, and the tension in the room dissolved.

“She’s here, and she’s perfect. Momma and baby are doing well.”

The room filled with happy laughter as everyone moved in and pulled me into hugs. I had never felt happier in my life. I couldn’t wait to get back to my wife and daughter, but before I went back, I wanted Caleb to know he had a little sister.

I pulled away from Lilly, whose pregnant stomach was protruding and pressing into me, and turned toward Caleb. He had stopped coloring with the commotion and was watching as everyone celebrated.

“Is Mommy okay, Daddy?” he asked, moving my way with his arms up for me to pick him up.

My son.

Hearing he was mine had been one of the happiest moments in my life, but apparently, I had been the only person clueless about it. My parents had always known and when Jenny went to tell her family, they had already known, too. Needless to say, everyone was happy it was out in the open and they wouldn’t have to hold it back any longer.

I picked him up and pretended to struggle, making him laugh. He was a big boy for four years old, but I would always welcome him with a hug. I set him on my hip, my smile making my cheeks ache as I took a minute to relish in being called Daddy. It never got old. Every time he called for me, it was like being called Daddy for the first time all over again.

“Mommy’s perfect and so is your baby sister. You can see them soon, okay?”

He nodded and put his arms around my neck and hugged me, and at that moment, everything was right.

Once they put Jenny in a room, I went in and found her sitting back in bed. Our baby girl was sleeping peacefully in a clear bassinet at her side. The nameBaby Blackwas writing on a pink card on the end of it.

Sitting beside Jenny in bed, I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

“You did amazing, baby.”

She chuckled. “I literally laid there while they cut her out of me. It wasn’t like it was hard work.”

I could hardly believe her words.

The past nine months hadn’t been easy, but my wife had done an amazing thing. She had grown a healthy baby girl from the inside. She was tired. She was sick. And she still managed to be the most amazing wife and mother a man could ask for. She had no idea what a champ she was.

“You’re crazy. You gave me a daughter and a son. You’re my hero,” I said, pushing a lock of loose hair from her face.

She kissed me when I leaned in and then pulled back with a grin.

“What do you think everyone will say when we tell them her name?” she asked.

I laughed, knowing the family was going to have a field day when we told them.

“I think they will love it just as much as they love her.”

I went over to her bassinet and took her little hand in mine.

“Daddy loves you, Candy Girl,” I whispered.

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