Three
three
EIGHTEEN INCHES - LAUREN ALAINA
CALLIE - OCTOBER 31, 2013
M y sister sent a text earlier saying the handover of Sara to Adam was successful. No drama, thank goodness. Now, I’m just waiting for him to get here so I can introduce my daughter to her new baby sister.
As I patiently anticipate Adam’s arrival, my heart swells with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The thought of introducing Sara to her new baby sister fills me with joy and wonder. I ponder how she’ll react, what kind of connection they will form. Will they become inseparable playmates, sharing secrets and adventures? Or will they have their fair share of sibling rivalry, bickering over toys and attention?
Whatever lies ahead, I know this moment marks the beginning of a beautiful journey for our family. It’s a milestone that will forever shape the bond between my daughters, a bond that will grow stronger with each day. I take a deep breath, ready to witness the magical moment when my daughters meet for the very first time.
My phone buzzes on the bedside table, and I reach for it, careful not to disturb Ruby. It’s a message from Adam.
Adam:
We’re on our way up. She can’t wait to meet the baby.
A smile tugs at my lips. Sara’s been talking about Ruby nonstop since we told her she was going to have a little sister. She’s been so excited about becoming a Big Sissy. Every time she said “baby” in her sweet little voice or touched my belly, her eyes went wide with wonder. It feels like maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.
A few minutes later, the door creaks open, and a little flurry of purple sparkles bursts into the room. Sara toddles in, her tiny feet padding against the floor as she clutches the hem of her purple gown in one hand. Her tiara tilts dangerously to one side, and her other hand grips Adam’s finger as he follows her inside.
“Mommy!” she squeals, her voice high and full of joy as she reaches for me.
I smile as I open my arms. “Hi, my sweet girl!”
Adam helps her climb onto the chair beside the bed, and she immediately leans against me, her wide eyes darting to the bassinet. “Sissy?” she says, pointing with her free hand.
“Yes, sweetheart,” I say softly, brushing a hand over her curls. “That’s your baby sister, Ruby.”
Sara peers over, her mouth forming a little “O” as she takes in the tiny bundle. Her pudgy fingers reach out, but she stops just short, looking back at me for permission.
“Gentle,” I say, guiding her hand toward Ruby’s tiny fist. “Very gentle.”
She giggles as Ruby’s fingers twitch against hers. “Sweetie!” she says, her voice full of wonder.
“She is sweet,” I say, my heart swelling. “Just like you.”
Adam stands by the door, his expression softer than usual as he watches the interaction. “She’s been saying ‘baby’ all afternoon,” he says quietly. “I think she’s pretty excited.”
“Baby,” Sara repeats, her grin widening as she watches Ruby squirm.
“She’s excited now,” I tease, glancing at Adam. “Let’s see how she feels when Ruby starts borrowing her toys.”
Adam’s lips tug into a faint smirk. He doesn’t reply, just shifts awkwardly and glances at his phone. “We should probably get going soon if we’re going to make it to a few houses.”
Sara’s head snaps toward him, her lip jutting out. “No!” she says, clinging to my arm.
I stroke her back gently, my voice calm but warm. “It’s okay, sweetie. You’re going to go trick-or-treating with Dad, remember? Candy!”
Her eyes brighten at the mention of candy, though she still clings to me like she’s afraid I’ll disappear.
“Can you take a picture of us before you go?” I ask, looking at Adam.
“Sure,” he says, stepping forward and pulling out his phone.
I settle Sara closer to me, cradling Ruby in my other arm. Sara rests her hand lightly on Ruby’s blanket, her little fingers curling protectively around the edge. Her grin, full of baby teeth, makes me tear up as Adam snaps the photo.
“All done!” Adam says, showing Sara the screen.
She babbles excitedly, her little voice rising and falling in unintelligible syllables.
“Okay, princess,” Adam says, holding out his hands. “Let’s go get some candy.”
Sara clings to me a moment longer, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck as she plants a wet kiss on my cheek. “Mama!” she says firmly, like she’s reminding me that she’ll be back.
“I’ll see you soon, baby girl,” I say, kissing her forehead. “Have so much fun!”
“Candy!” she chirps, finally letting Adam lift her off the chair.
“She’s all yours,” I say, smiling at Adam. “Thanks for bringing her by.”
For a moment, his gaze softens as he looks at Ruby, his mouth opening slightly like he’s going to say something but decides against it. “Take it easy,” he says instead, his voice unusually gentle, before heading out with Sara in tow.
As the door clicks shut, the quiet settles back into the room. My eyes linger on the spot where Adam stood, my thoughts running wild. This version of Adam—the one who brings Sara to see her sister, the one who doesn’t fight me at every turn—feels so far from the man I’ve come to know over the years.
It catches me off guard seeing him like this. For a brief moment, I see a glimpse of the man I used to love, the man I believed would always be there for me and our children. It hurts, because I know this version of him won’t last.
He’s trying right now, probably because of what happened when Ruby was born. Maybe it scared him as much as it scared me. It probably did, but how long until he goes back to being regular Adam? The one who lets his girlfriend make excuses for not meeting his daughter? The one who twists things, manipulates, and makes me feel like I’m always asking for too much?
The ache of that question settles in my chest, but I push it down. I have Ruby now, and a new family with Sara, Barrett, and Owen.
The room feels impossibly quiet after Sara and Adam leave, the echoes of her giggles linger in my mind. Ruby stirs faintly in her bassinet, her little fingers twitching against the soft blanket. I should feel peace in this moment, contentment, but I don’t. The stillness presses down on me like a weight, my thoughts running circles around the last twenty-four hours.
Ruby wasn’t breathing, and for one terrifying moment, I thought I’d lost her before I even got to hold her.
I close my eyes, squeezing them shut against the memory. She’s okay now, I remind myself for the hundredth time today. She’s here. She’s perfect. Yet the fear and anxiety of her first minutes of life lingers, wrapping around me like a vice.
I rub a hand over my face, trying to will the tension away, but it doesn’t budge. I hate this—this heaviness that I can’t seem to shake, this vulnerability that clings to me like a second skin.
The door opens. It’s Owen.
The relief I feel is enormous, immediate, my heart skips a beat. He wasn’t supposed to come back tonight—he’d already given so much of himself these past two days, and I’d told him to go, to take care of Barrett.
But he’s here.
“Owen,” I whisper, my voice breaking on his name.
He doesn’t say anything at first, just crosses the room in a few easy strides until he’s standing at my bedside. His eyes meet mine, soft but full of something unshakable, something that grounds me in a way I didn’t know I needed until right now.
“You came back,” I manage, barely able to get the words out as the knot in my throat tightens.
“Of course I did,” he says, his voice low and sure. “Did you really think I’d leave you here alone tonight?”
The tears come fast, hot and relentless. I can’t stop them, and I don’t even try. My hand comes up to cover my face, but Owen catches it, pulling it gently away.
“Hey,” he says softly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “You don’t have to hide from me. Not now, not ever.”
His words crack something open inside me, and the flood of emotion rushes out. He kneels beside the bed, his hand still holding mine, his other resting lightly on my leg.
“You didn’t have to do this,” I choke out, my voice shaking. “You didn’t have to come back. Barrett?—”
“Barrett’s fine,” he interrupts gently, but there’s a steadiness in his tone that makes it clear he won’t let me deflect. “He had a great time, and Sabrina’s got him for the rest of the night. Callie, I wanted to be here. I needed to be here. You’re my family. You and Ruby—and Sara and Barrett. You’re my home.”
The weight of his words wraps around me, so heavy and so tender all at once. I can barely breathe. I’ve never had this before. Not even close. I’ve never had someone who shows up like this—without question, without hesitation, without needing to be asked. Someone who just chooses me.
“Owen…” His name comes out broken, my chest tight with love and awe and something else I can’t quite name.
He smiles, his hand shifting to brush a strand of hair away from my face. “I wasn’t going to leave you here tonight. Not after everything you’ve been through.” He pauses, his voice softening even further. “I know how hard it is for you to let someone else carry the load. But you don’t have to do this on your own anymore, Callie. You don’t have to be the strongest person in the room. I’ve got you.”
The tears fall harder, and I lean into him, his hand grips mine, tethering me to the ground.
Ruby stirs in her bassinet, a soft squeak that pulls Owen’s attention. He stands, moving to her side, and I watch as his features soften even more. He leans down, resting his hand on the edge of the bassinet, his thumb brushing over the edge of her blanket.
“She’s incredible,” he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.
“She is,” I say, my voice steadier now, my heart feels full. “She’s so lucky to have you.”
Owen glances back at me, his gaze steady, full of quiet certainty. “We’re lucky to have each other,” he says simply. “All of us. And I’m not going anywhere, Callie. Not now, not ever.”
I believe him. I don’t even hesitate. Owen isn’t like anyone else I’ve known. He’s stepped into every space I didn’t know I needed filled and made it his own, not by force, but with love and patience. I lean back against the pillows, the tension in my body easing. Owen sits beside me, his hand finding mine again, and we sit there together, the three of us in this small, quiet room. I look at Ruby, her tiny chest rising and falling, and then at Owen, who watches her with a tenderness that makes my heart melt.I didn’t know love could be like this—safe, steady, secure. I’ve spent so much of my life bracing for disappointment, for relationships to fall apart, but Owen is different. He’s solid in a way I never thought I’d find, and his love doesn’t come with conditions. “You’ve got me,” Owen promises, his voice a low murmur. “And I’ve got you. That’s all we need.”
The knot in my chest loosens, and the tears I’ve been holding back finally fall. With Owen here, the weight of the day lifts. The world doesn’t feel quite so overwhelming anymore. His steady presence wraps around me like a safety net, catching me before I can sink too far. Everything feels lighter because he’s here.
The waiting room smells like antiseptic and baby powder, a combination that feels both strange and oddly comforting. I shift Ruby in my arms, her tiny head pressed against my chest, as I sway gently to keep her calm. She coos softly, her little fingers clutching the edge of her blanket, and my heart squeezes. It’s just me and Ruby today for her checkup. Owen’s back at work for the first time since she was born. I miss him. He’s been my steady presence these past few days, always there to catch me when I felt like I might fall apart.
“Callie Madden?” The receptionist’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
I adjust Ruby in my arms, hoisting the diaper bag over my shoulder as I stand. My body still feels worn out, every muscle reminding me of what it took to bring Ruby into this world.
“Right this way,” a nurse says with a warm smile, holding the door open.
The exam room is small but welcoming, with pale yellow walls and a mural of woodland animals frolicking through trees. I settle into the chair, carefully arranging Ruby’s blanket as the nurse begins taking her measurements.
“She’s doing great,” the nurse says, jotting down notes on a clipboard. “Eight pounds, fourteen ounces. Nice and steady weight gain. Dr. Everett will be in shortly.”
She leaves, and the room feels too quiet. Ruby stirs in my arms and I marvel at how perfect she is. She was just in my belly a few days ago, and now she’s here, fragile, but so strong and full of life.
The door opens softly, and Dr. Everett steps inside, her long dark hair tied back neatly and a friendly smile on her face. “Good morning, Callie,” she says, setting her tablet on the counter. “And hello to you, little one.”
“Hi, Dr. Everett,” I say, managing a small smile.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, her tone gentle as she sits down across from me.
“Better,” I reply, though the truth is more complicated. “Still a little sore, but it’s manageable.”
“That’s completely normal,” she reassures me, glancing at Ruby. “And how’s Miss Ruby doing? Eating well? Sleeping?”
“She’s doing great,” I say, stroking Ruby’s cheek. “She’s been eating like a champ. Sleeping… well, it’s hit or miss.”
Dr. Everett chuckles. “That’s to be expected at this stage. She’s still adjusting to the world, and so are you. But from what I see here, she’s healthy and thriving. You’re doing a great job, Callie.”
Her words settle something in me that I didn’t realize was tense. I exhale slowly, nodding.
Dr. Everett leans back, her tone shifting to something more practical. “Now, I want to take a moment to talk about your postpartum care. Have you thought about birth control yet?”
I blink, caught off guard. “Oh, uh… not really.”
“That’s okay,” Dr. Everett says, her tone warm and matter-of-fact. “It’s a lot to think about after having a baby, but it’s a good idea to start considering it now. That way, when you’re ready to be sexually active again, you’ll already be protected. Hormonal methods like the pill, patch, or IUD take some time to become fully effective, so getting ahead of it can save you stress later. If you’re planning to continue breastfeeding, the mini-pill is your best option. I can send in a prescription for you today if you’d like.”
I nod, my cheeks warming slightly—not from embarrassment, but from the flood of thoughts her words stir. “That sounds good. Let’s go ahead with the mini-pill.”
Her smile widens. “Great. I’ll send that in for you. Any other questions about birth control or anything else while we’re at it?”
“No,” I say, my voice soft but steady.
Dr. Everett nods, making a quick note on her tablet before turning her attention back to Ruby. “Well, everything looks great. You’re healing well, and Ruby’s thriving. You’re doing wonderfully, Callie.”
Her kind words settle over me, but my mind circles back to what she said about being ready. Dr. Everett leaves the room, I adjust Ruby’s blanket and think about Owen. The truth is I miss his touch. Personal touch has always been my love language, and Owen knows exactly how to make me feel grounded and cared for. Whether it’s the way his hand finds the small of my back when we walk into a room, the warmth of his arms around me when I feel overwhelmed, or the simple brush of his thumb over my cheek when he knows I need reassurance. Even in the haze of exhaustion and healing, I can’t help but look forward to the day when we can physically be together again.
It’s not just about sex—it’s about feeling close and connected. Owen has a way of filling up all the empty spaces in me, and I can’t wait to feel that again.
Ruby stirs in my arms, pulling me back to the moment. I glance down at her, marveling at her tiny features and the peaceful way she sleeps. She’s a miracle, and she’s ours.
I gather the diaper bag and prepare to leave when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I fish it out, balancing Ruby against my chest, and see Owen’s name on the screen.
Owen:
How are my favorite ladies doing?
A smile pulls at my lips as I type back, holding the phone with one hand while adjusting Ruby’s blanket with the other.
Me:
We’re doing great. Ruby charmed the doctor, of course. Taylor offered to take Sara so I didn’t have to bring her with to the appointment, thank goodness.
Can’t wait to see you tonight.
His response comes almost instantly.
Owen:
Counting down the minutes. Only 245 to go. Give my girls a kiss for me.
The ride home feels lighter somehow, like the weight of the day has shifted just enough for me to breathe easier. Ruby’s soft breaths fill the quiet car, a gentle reminder of the miracle she is. For a moment, the endless list of things I need to do fades into the background.
I’m exhausted—my body still aches, and the sleepless nights have left a permanent haze in my mind—but beneath all of that is something else. Gratitude. Gratitude for Ruby, for Owen, for the way he’s stepped into this role so effortlessly, even when I know it hasn’t been easy for him. Gratitude for the family we’re building, piece by imperfect piece.
I pull into the driveway. The house feels warmer somehow, more like a home than it ever has. I know that when Owen walks through the door tonight, with that tired but loving look in his eyes, I’ll fall in love with him all over again. Not because of the grand gestures, but because of the little things—the way he looks at me like I’m his entire world, the way he always knows what I need before I have to ask, the way he’s never once made me feel like I’m doing this alone.
I let out a slow breath as I unbuckle Ruby from her carseat. “We’ve got a pretty great guy, you know,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Stepping inside, the quiet of the house greets me, but it doesn’t feel lonely. It feels full—of love, of memories yet to be made, of the life I didn’t think I’d ever get to have. I settle Ruby into her bassinet and begin the slow rhythm of folding laundry and tidying up. My heart hums with a quiet, steady joy because no matter how hard some days feel, I know I have everything I need.