Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“Maren really was a rockstar,” I reply. “Very brave, very calm. The surgery was quick.”
I came out to the waiting room an hour or so ago to tell everyone that the baby had been born and that everyone was doing well. The placenta previa didn’t correct itself, so Maren ended up having a C-section at 39 weeks. The baby still ended up being eight pounds, thirteen ounces. Which, considering Maren’s size, is pretty crazy.
I intentionally didn’t share the baby’s gender. Maren and I thought it would be fun for everyone to find out when they met him or her.
“Isn’t it amazing,” Mom says as she loops her arm through mine, “how you walked into the hospital just the two of you, and now you’re three, plus Katie?”
Sniffling, I wipe my eyes. “Everything about this is amazing, yes.”
I mean that. Joy continuously swoops through me, along with immense relief. If it wasn’t for my weekly therapy sessions with Dr. Bramble, plus some new meds, there’s a very real chance my anxiety would’ve gotten the better of me leading up to the birth.
I was still anxious. But I was also able to see the light instead of fixating on the dark.
Most importantly, I was able to be there for my wife when she needed me most. I’m proud of myself.
I’m proud of us.
I knock softly on the door. “Maren, it’s us.”
“Y’all come on in!”
Holding it open, our parents and Jen pass through the door. Maren’s mom goes in first. When she sees the tiny bundle in her daughter’s arms, its white hat topped with a bow, she covers her mouth and starts to cry.
“A girl?” Jen looks at me with wide eyes. “Holy shit, Tuck, you had another girl!”
Tears stream down my face as I hug everyone. “Y’all, meet Reese Lucas Monroe.”
Mark pounds me on the shoulder. “The name. Love it.”
“She’s beautiful,” Dad says. The baby is in Leigh’s arms now, and he looks lovingly down at her, a big smile on his face. “Looks like you, Tuck.”
“Doesn’t she?” Maren says. “That’s the first thing I said when I saw her—she is her daddy.”
“I see her mama in there too,” Jen replies. “The nose. And those lips! Goodness, she’s delicious.”
Maren grins, wiping a tear off her cheek. “I think she’s scrumptious. I had a feeling she’d be big. I was huge at the end!”
“You were beautiful,” I say. “You are beautiful.”
Mark nods. “You’re glowing, Maren.”
“I’m just so happy.” She looks at me. “Happy and obsessed. I can’t stop kissing her. I’d eat her face if I could.”
My sister is holding Reese now. “How are you feeling, Maren?”
“Was the surgery painful at all?” Leigh asks.
Maren waves her head side to side. “I feel pretty good, actually, but the pain meds are still at work, so we’ll see what happens when those wear off. Surgery was surprisingly all right. But I was shaking like a leaf when they admitted me to the OR. I just had no idea what to expect, you know?”
I scoff. “That’s some scary shit, going into surgery.”
“I’ve never had surgery before, so yeah, it was scary. But once they got the meds going, I was fine. I was so excited to meet that little one.” She tips her head at Reese. “I’ll never forget Dr. Yelich saying, ‘wow, that is not a small kid!’ as she pulled her out of my stomach.”
I smirk. “To be fair, her daddy is not a small guy.”
“Are you really being a pervert on your daughter’s birthday?” Jen asks with a teasing roll of her eyes. “I see the fifteen-year-old in you is alive and well.”
Dad laughs as he takes the baby from Jen. “Some things never change.”
“But others do.” I meet Maren’s eyes.
She grins. “They really do.”
Riley and Lu bring Katie in to meet the baby the following day. She’s all smiles when she walks into the room, a gift bag in one hand and a magic wand in the other. Unsurprisingly, she’s dressed up, this time as a princess. Glittery pink dress, tiara, jewels. Whole nine yards.
“Well, hey there, Princess Kate,” Maren says. “Come meet your new baby sister!”
“Mare!” Katie cries, making a beeline for the bed. “Mare, I miss you!”
I intercept Katie before she can leap into the bed, settling her on my hip. “You have to be very careful with Maren, Squish. She just had surgery.”
Katie nods. “I be very careful. Mare, are you not feeling well?”
Maren laughs. “I’m just a little sore. I’ll be better in a few days.” She sniffs and holds out her arms. “I’ve missed you, honey. Come give me a hug.”
“A gentle hug,” I say as I set Katie down on the bed beside Maren. She immediately burrows into Maren’s side. Maren kisses the top of her head.
My heart, already tender, fucking melts.
Riley claps me on the shoulder. “Your family is beautiful, man.”