Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
She looked over at me and laughed. “We’ll never be boring.”
I smiled and felt like my heart might actually explode—had I honestly ever imagined life could offer a better adventure than this? Starting a family with the person you loved more than anything else in the world? Being so happy there weren’t even words to express it? Feeling so alive you thought you might jump right out of your skin?
My eyes teared up, and I kissed her hand again. I’d never stop being grateful for her.
“Look at my daughter. Isn’t she the most beautiful baby you have ever seen?”
“Gianni, you have to stop saying that to everyone who comes in here,” said Ellie from the bed. To the nurse who’d come in to check her vitals, she said, “Sorry. First-time dad over there.”
“No problem,” the nurse chirped. When she was finished with Ellie, she peeked at the little bundle I held in my arms near the foot of the bed. “Oh, she is a beauty. Look at those huge blue eyes.”
“Thank you,” I said to the nurse. I gave Ellie a triumphant look. “See?”
She sighed.
“Don’t listen to her, Claudia.” I looked down at my daughter’s little face with its chubby pink cheeks and tiny perfect lips and dimpled chin. “You’re the most beautiful baby in the world, and no one will ever convince me otherwise. You’re almost as beautiful as your mommy.”
Claudia looked up at me with those wide blue eyes, blinked once, and went back to sleep. I was tired too—the books weren’t lying about the exhaustion of becoming a parent.
Claudia had been born just before noon yesterday. I’d spent the first night here at Ellie’s side while she labored, and last night I’d spent in the chair by the window. Ellie had told me to go home and get a good night’s sleep in our bed, but I hadn’t been able to leave. Not only did I not want to be separated from them, but I didn’t want to miss anything. I’d already changed my first messy diaper (totally and utterly disgusting), learned how to swaddle (I was actually pretty good at it), and rocked her to sleep (my new favorite thing in the world). I’d stood by while Ellie struggled with nursing, wishing I could be more help, but the nurse reassured Ellie that lots of moms and babies found it a challenge in the beginning and to keep at it. The next few times had gone better.
“If the doctor gives the okay, we can go home later this afternoon,” Ellie said. “I can’t wait to sleep in our bed.”
“Me neither. But it’s kind of weird they’re just going to let us walk out of here with her.”
Ellie laughed. “Why?”
“I don’t know. How can they be sure we’re qualified? I mean, I’m gonna do my best, but I’m still not a hundred percent confident in myself as a father.”
She smiled. “I am. Come here.”
I brought Claudia over to Ellie and sat on the side of the bed. “I’m totally obsessed with her, Ell. Is this normal?”
Ellie laughed. “I am too. And yes, I think it is.”
“The dad books don’t tell you about this, you know?”
“About what?”
“Just . . . this.” My eyes got watery, and I cleared my throat. “How much love it’s possible to feel. How protective you’ll feel. How you can’t imagine there was ever a time in your life you didn’t want this.”
“Gianni Lupo, are you crying?”
“No,” I said, although I was totally crying.
She laughed again and tipped her head onto my shoulder, brushing her thumb over Claudia’s cheek. “It’s okay. I feel it too. And she is the most beautiful baby in the world.”
We sat there together for a few minutes in silence, looking down at our sleeping child. “It’s kind of incredible, isn’t it?” she asked quietly.
“What is?”
“This whole thing. A year ago, I would never have believed this was possible.”
I shook my head. “Me neither.”
“It was just a blizzard bang,” she said, laughing gently. “And now look at us. We’re a family.”
“We’re a family,” I said. I kissed the baby’s head and then Ellie’s. “Forever.”
THE END