Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I sigh, enraptured by how beautiful she is. I have the two most perfect ladies in my life, and I actually feel wetness in my eye, even though I can’t stop smiling.
A nurse reaches for her, but I don't want to let go.
“I just have to clean her up some more,” she reassures me, and I reluctantly hand her over.
I look back at Luci.
My Luci.
My girls!
“Are you okay?” She hesitates, and I don't care what she says, my stupid comment from the mall has been embedded in her brain, and no matter what I’ve done these past nine or so months, I can’t seem to convince her enough that I’m ecstatic about our new little family. Too bad my apologies can’t have such a lasting effect on her!
“I’m more than okay,” I smile. “More importantly, how are you?”
“Tired,” she sighs, and I kiss her forehead.
The nurse comes over and hands the baby to Luci. I lean down and kiss her on her tiny little forehead. “She looks like a princess.”
“What are we going to name her?” Luci’s big brown eyes shine.
“I was supposed to be in charge if it was a boy,” I shrug. “This is all you.”
She looks at our baby, biting her lip.
“Alice,” she decides. “May she always be full of imagination and curiosity!
“Hello, Alice,” I whisper. “I love you.”
It’s like my heart is doubling in size, and in this instant I know I’m going to be the best dad to her, and the best person I can be for Luci. This is my family, and I’m going to love them forever.
“Can you go get everyone?” Luci asks, and I head outside while the nurses finish cleaning her up.
Ten minutes later, I find my way back to the waiting room to collect Luci’s parents, Gracie, Deb, and Matt.
Just as I round the corner, I meet Deb’s eye and follow her stare. It’s our parents, and they’re talking to Luci’s parents.
They came.
I really didn’t think they were going to, since the last time Luci and I saw them, about four months ago, it didn’t go well. They were cruel and mean, and I had never been more proud of Luci than I was the day she stood up to them.
Everyone stands when they see me, anxious to hear if it’s a boy or girl.
“It’s a girl!” I shout, and they erupt in jubilation.
Luci’s Dad is the first to walk over, patting my back as we congratulate each other. It’s been a long road since we told them, but everything somehow worked out.
I go around the room, hugging everyone, stopping once I reach my parents.
“You came!” I don’t hide my shock well.
“This is our grandchild.” Mom says. “She is family.”
I nod, slightly taken aback that they’d be sentimental enough to admit that.
“Perhaps we went about a lot the wrong way,” she has tears in her eyes. “You may have chosen a different path than the one we chose for you, but you have been successful nonetheless.”
I think it’s about as good of an apology as I’ll ever get from her, and I take it.
“Do you want to meet her?”
Gracie and Deb are on either side of me as we head down the hall, begging for me to tell them her name.
“Hi everyone!” Luci smiles as we walk in. “Meet Alice!” She shifts the baby so everyone can see, and her mom is the first to run and swoop her up.
“Alice!” She coos. “She’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!”
“Let me hold her, Sue!” Luci’s Dad demands, and Luci’s Mom hands her over as she fishes for her camera. Gracie and Deb are waiting eagerly behind them, practically jumping for their turn.
Luci’s eyes widen when she sees my parents enter, their formal stature so off in the otherwise friendly and excited room. I shrug, and she smiles, reaching for my hand.
“She looks just like you did when you were born,” Mom smiles, peeking over Deb’s shoulder.
“Did your Mom just say our child looks like a boy?” Luci whispers, horrified.
I shake my head, sitting on the bed and wrapping an arm around her.
“I want to apologize.” My Mom walks over to Luci.
“It's not necessary,” Luci attempts to sit up more, but I stop her, wanting her to just relax however she’s comfortable. “I know you want the best for your son, and that you probably think no one is good enough for him.”
“But you are,” Mom smiles.
“It’s me who's not good enough for her,” I chime in.
Mom squeezes her hand. “So let's talk about Alice’s 6 month birthday party. It's a thing now, you know!”
Oh god.
“I had no idea!” Luci’s Mom walks over, interested.
“Oh yes,” Mom implores. “And there’s so much to do! We need a venue, flowers, music…”
I shoot Luci an apologetic look as Deb laughs.
Luci was on this craze her entire pregnancy that she didn’t want a thing for the baby until after he or she was born. I of course was the exact opposite and wanted to be prepared, so everything Luci ever liked or thought was cute, I bought, and have been storing at Deb’s house ever since.