Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Once Gabby and Chase leave, I take the chair next to the bed, and watch as the nurse instructs my wife on breastfeeding. “Don’t get discouraged,” she tells her. “Sometimes it takes a few tries for them to latch on.”
I take in every word, my eyes memorizing every move. The nurse helps Winnie pull down her gown and guide Sophia to her breast. “Look at that,” the nurse coos. “She’s a natural.”
“How do I know if she’s getting enough?”
“That’s trickier.” She goes on to tell us about wet diapers, poopy diapers, if she’s gaining weight, and that Winnie’s breasts will feel less full. “I’ll leave you to it. Press the button if you need anything.” With a final reminder to burp her often, she leaves us alone.
Sitting in this hospital room watching my wife breastfeed our newborn baby daughter does something to me. “You’ve never looked more beautiful,” I say, moving my chair as close as I can get it. One hand cradles Winnie’s cheek while the other rests on Sophia.
“I’m a mess. You can be real with me, Harrison.”
“I’ve never said truer words. We made this tiny human. This little miracle, and to watch you nurture her… it’s a vision that in all my life I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget a single moment of this day.”
“We did it.” She smiles.
“You did it, baby. You did all the work, and I’m so damn proud of you. I’m honored you’ve chosen me for this gift.”
“Gift?”
“This life with you. The fact that I get to call you my wife. I get to live each day with you by my side, and this little one. You gave me another present. I never thought the gift of your love could be topped. It’s a close race.” I grin at her.
“I agree with you that she’s a miracle, in more ways than one. I agree in the sense that she was created out of the love that we share. Also, she brought you back to me. It might have taken us a while, and we’ve had some bumps in the road, but we’re finally on steady ground. We have this little angel to thank for that.”
“I’d like to think it would have happened. I was coming for you. However, Soph here had other plans. I wasn’t acting fast enough.” I chuckle softly. I watch as she removes our daughter from her breast and brings her to her shoulder to burp her. It takes a few minutes, but a sound I never expected from my sweet angel echoes in the small room, making us both laugh. Winnie tries to get her to latch on again, but she’s snoozing away and wants no part of it.
“She said we should nap when she does.” I stand and take Sophia from her, settling back in the chair.
“You have to be exhausted too,” she says over a yawn.
“Yeah, but I’m too keyed-up to sleep. Get some rest, baby. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
She nods. “I love you, Harrison Drake.”
“I love you too, and you too, baby girl,” I tell our daughter. She’s sleeping—oblivious—but that’s okay. She’s had a big day just like her momma. I watch as Winnie slowly closes her eyes as exhaustion claims her. “Your momma, she’s a special person,” I tell my daughter. “There aren’t enough words to describe how much I love you. Don’t ever settle, Sophia. When you’re allowed to date at thirty, make sure the man you gift your heart to will cherish it always.” I feel sleep taking hold so I place Sophia in her bed, not willing to risk falling asleep with her in my arms.
A soft cry pulls me from sleep. My eyes pop open, and I see Winnie watching as Gabby changes Sophia’s diaper. “Hey,” I say, my voice gruff.
“Feel better?” Winnie asks.
“Yeah, what time is it?”
“Late, after midnight.”
“I’m sorry I dozed off.”
“We all did. It’s time to feed her again.”
“Is there anything I can do?” I ask, standing to stretch.
“Nope.” My wife grins.
The door opens, and Chase pops his head in. “Is it safe?” he asks.
I look at Winnie, and she tosses a soft pink blanket over our daughter and nods. “Yeah,” I tell him.
He enters carrying a bag from Taco Bell. “Not many options this late at night.” He begins setting everything on the small table in the corner. He turns to face us, and that’s when he realizes that Winnie is feeding Sophia. “I can go,” he says, his cheeks turning red.
“Aww, are you embarrassed?” Gabby coos.
“No, but this is… private.”
“You’re family,” Winnie counters. “Besides, it’s not like you can see anything.”
“Yeah.” He swallows hard and looks over at me. In a couple of strides, he’s standing next to me, where I’m leaning against the windowsill. “How do you do it?” he asks, just low enough for me to hear.