Chapter Thirty-One
Ellis
Deciding not to breastfeed was an easy choice for me. It not only meant I can start taking my medication again, but it also means Liam can feed the baby while I sleep. And sleep I do. Not long after Charlotte was born the adrenalin wore off and I knocked out. Liam paid extra for us to have a fully private room for my recovery; it’s nice to be alone with my family and it will also mean we can have more visitors than we probably should. I tried to protest, to tell him not to throw his money around, but I know our friends – there is no way any of them would be willing to miss this.
Selfishly, I’ve been awake for ten minutes but I’m lying incredibly still with my eyes closed while listening to Liam talk to Charlotte. I know Jack will be coming by soon, so I will wake up for him, but right now I’m enjoying lounging. As soon as the thought materialises there is a light knock and Edge’s head peeps through a crack in the door.
The room is lit up by one of his rare smiles as he meets my eyes, I nod to let him know we’re ready. He has barely cracked the door open before Jack flies into the room from behind him.
“Hi buddy!” I smile at my son as he climbs onto the hospital bed carefully before snuggling into my side.
“You okay, Mum?” he asks, his big bright eyes looking between me and the pink bundle of blankets in Liam’s arms.
“I’m great Jack, you ready to meet your sister?” I watch as he shakes out his little arms and sits higher on the bed so he is rested against the pillows before he nods seriously at Liam holding his arms in a clearly practised position.
Liam smiles full of contentment as he lays Charlotte in her brother’s arms and we watch as Jack tries to bite back a wave of emotions as he looks at her.
“She’s so little,” he whispers reverently, eyes locked in with hers. They share a moment, their gaze connected before Jack whispers again, “I love you, baby.” My heart turns into a puddle.
Edge walks around the bed to Liam’s side before pulling him into what they would call a “bro hug”, but we all know it is a real hug. A hug of congratulations, a hug of support, a hug of brotherly love between two men who know each other better than anyone else.
“You’re a dad.” Edge’s voice is filled with hidden emotion while his hand rests high on Liam’s shoulder.
“I’m a dad.” Liam doesn’t hide his emotions though and I watch from the bed as he wipes a stray tear.
“Wow dude, she’s perfect. You did good, El.” He winks at me but I notice he doesn’t come any closer to the baby. He is going to need to get over that very quickly. I look at Liam and give him a subtle nod as a wide smile breaks out across his face.
“Sunshine, wasn’t there something you wanted to ask Edge?” Liam would make a terrible spy, acting is not his strong suit and Edge immediately knows something is afoot.
“Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. So, Jay, would you like to come hold your god-daughter?” He just looks at me for a beat.
“You’re— are you serious?” Jay Brink, the giant enforcer of a man, is near tears as he takes small nervous steps towards the bed. I nod in response, a grin spreading across my face with watery eyes.
You would think that when the baby is out your hormones would fall back in line pretty quickly, but they don’t. No, I think they might be even crazier for a while. Edge stops next to Jack, who still has his sister in his arms, and looks down at her.
“Me?” he asks, eyes locked in on Charlotte.
“You,” I choke out, lifting the baby from Jack and handing her over to the hulking hockey player who has never looked so soft. Charlotte has shrunk in his arms, one of his biceps is near double her size but I know he would rather die than cause her harm.
Safe to say she is going to have a hard go of it when she wants to date one day. An older brother, a hockey dad and hockey uncles scaring off anyone who looks her way.
Liam joins me on the bed so I am surrounded by my boys as we watch Edge rock Charlotte slightly like he has fallen into a trance looking at her scrunched little face. The moment is broken by another knock on the door. Liam goes to answer, the door opening to Lyndsey and Anders. It’s not lost on me that they arrived together. I raise an eyebrow at Lyndsey, but decide I’ll put it in my pocket for now. She ignores my suspicious look, instead beaming at me with a wide smile.
“Oh Ellis! I’m so proud of you, look at her!” Her voice is higher than I’ve ever heard it. She is looking over to where Edge is cradling Charlotte.
“Edge, give me the baby and we can still be friends.” Lyndsey threatens with a sugar sweet smile, but Edge is undeterred. Instead, he lifts Charlotte further up his chest shaking his head.
“I’ll hand over my god-daughter when I am good and ready.” If he were less mature, he would be sticking his tongue out at her. Lyndsey huffs, but goes to stand as close to him as she can, cooing up at the baby on tiptoes.
“Hey El, how you feeling?” Anders asks leaning over to kiss my cheek.
“Good, tired, but so damn happy,” I tell him honestly.
“You need any snacks?” Anders offers. I shake my head and elbow Liam in the ribs, nodding at Lyndsey.
“Oh, right, okay,” he says, coughing loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Lyndsey, we were wondering if you would do the honour of being Charlotte’s god-mother?” Liam askes, voice filled with hope. I still don’t know why he doubts that she would say anything except yes.
“Yes!” Lyndsey squeals, jumping up and down on the spot. “God-parent high five!” She cheers at Edge, who humours her by slapping his hand against hers.
As we watch the god-parents celebrate to themselves, a voice rounds the corner. “Now you better not be partying without me, eh? I would have been here sooner, but I was sweet talking a nurse into letting me in.” Rook bounds into the room like a bull, the only one who didn’t bother to knock – but to be fair, his hands are very full. In one hand there is a huge bouquet of flowers with a Bloom and Blossom ribbon tied around them, the other hand is clutching a plush rabbit with big pink ears and the bag of food he promised me. Among the gifts he has a balloon tied somewhere as it bobs above his head.
“We have a private room, you didn’t need to sweet talk anyone,” Liam tells him, shaking his head.
“She was pretty, it was worth it.” He laughs running his eyes over the room until they fall on Charlotte. “Welcome to the world, Baby Ruin!” He cheers. His booming voice makes Charlotte jump and begin to wail. “No, no, no, baby I’m sorry, don’t cry. Look, it’s Uncle Jonas.” He somehow manages to wrangle the still crying baby out of Edge’s arms by replacing her with the bunny.
“Damn rookie, making her cry.” Edge rolls his eyes.
Rook breaks into an amazingly off-tune rendition of a medley of nursery rhymes until Charlotte settles.
Anders saunters over to check on her, and Lyndsey follows close behind, huddling over Rook, swearing that she better be next in line for a cuddle. Jack laughs at the scene of his new family fussing over Charlotte.
“They are all silly aren’t they, Dad – I–I mean Liam?” His laughter dies out. All of my body tenses in the bed.
“I told you Jack, I would be honoured to be your dad if you want me to be.” Liam seems completely unfazed, unlike me – I feel like I have entered the twilight zone.
I know Liam said he wants Jack to have his name, and I know Jack called Liam “Dad” once in the past in the heat of the moment, but I thought we were a long way from Jack feeling comfortable calling him “Dad” full time.
It came out so naturally, there has never been anyone for him to call his dad. I am shocked it’s even part of his vocabulary.
“I’d like that, please.” Jack breaks through my running mind as he smiles up at me and Liam.
“Okay son.” Liam smiles.
Again, the afterbirth hormones hit me square in the chest, I feel outside of my body. A gaggle of uncles and an aunt fussing over our baby. Liam holding me from one side while Jack cuddles me from the other. My heart is full and warm as I relax in bed. I have always hated hospitals, but right now, they don’t seem half bad.
This room, at least, isn’t too bad. Last time the recovery room was starkly quiet and empty. The only sound was the quiet sobs I couldn’t hold back as my son slept in my arms. I was completely alone and terrified of what was to come for our future. And somehow here I am again six years later, but the room is full of sound. Jack asking how long we will be in hospital. Liam whispering how much he loves me. Rook still singing no matter how much everyone tells him he is going to hurt Charlotte’s ears. Lyndsey threatening to fight every hockey player if she doesn’t get to hold the baby in the next twenty seconds. Just noise and laughter and happiness.
More happiness than I ever thought I deserved.
These people are here for the long haul.
For me.
For my family.