EPILOGUE
Blue—
It’s almost midnight when the nurse lays the freshly cleaned and bundled baby in Luisa’s arms, and my wife stares at our precious little girl. She looks up at me to see the smile on my face and reaches for my hand.
I curl around her, leaning a hip against the hospital bed.
Tugging, she pulls me until my mouth covers hers in a kiss.
“I love you, sweetheart,” I murmur.
“Look at her,” she whispers. “She’s perfect.”
“She’s beautiful, baby. Just like her mama.” I brush the hair off Luisa’s face. “You did really good, honey. You must be exhausted.”
“I am.” She leans her head against my side. “So tired. But it’s a good tired.”
I dip my head and kiss her forehead. “Let me hold her. You close your eyes and get some rest. I’ll sit right here in the chair with her.”
Luisa looks like she doesn’t want to give the baby up, but she can barely keep her eyes open. “Maybe just for a minute.”
Surprise fills me at just how small and light our child is as I gently take her. She’s swaddled and I cuddle her against my chest, resting back in the chair in the corner.
Luisa yawns and closes her eyes.
I coo softly to our daughter, and when I glance back at Luisa, tears in my eyes, she’s already asleep.
“Your mama is all tuckered out, my little love bug.”
I study my sleeping wife and whisper softly. “We made this little precious bundle, my love.” It washes over me just what a miracle life is when it comes into the world. This child depends entirely on us for everything, and an overwhelming feeling of protection and devotion floods through me.
I’ve just met this little being, and already I know I’d die for her, I’d kill for her, I’d do anything for her. I’ve never experienced the kind of love that swells in my heart right now.
It’s late, and the hospital is quiet.
My daughter is just a few hours old, and Luisa and her have been taken care of, and now the nurses withdraw, dimming the lights.
And then I’m alone with my firstborn child.
She yawns, and her little mouth is perfect and so small. She burrows a hand out of her swaddle and grasps my finger, her grip tight and strong, and love swells in my heart.
“I love you, my precious Evie. I promise I’ll be the best daddy in the whole world.”
I hope you enjoyed Blue’s Downfall.