Chapter Sixty-Five
Melonie
I ’m holding my daughter. I’m fighting through the muscle pains because I want her close. The past few hours have felt like years. She was part of me for months, and then I was separated from her and the pain of that was worse than what I felt from the accident.
Linc wipes another tear from my eye. “Can you take her?”
He nods, untying the gown he’s wearing, and reaches for her. As he lays her against his chest, he’s holding her like she’s the most precious thing in the world. With her safe in his arms, I lean my head back on the inclined bed, look up, and see them together for the first time. He’s holding her like he’s held a hundred babies before, sure and calm. Just like he is with me.
He slowly sits on the edge of the bed, and I lean my head on his shoulder.
“She has your nose.”
“You really think so?”
“I do.”
“She has your hair. I didn’t think she would have such light hair.”
“She’s so perfect. How can something be so perfect?”
“I’m not sure.”
Linc turns and kisses my hair. “Thank you for her, Mel. Thank you for being strong today.”
I lean against him; my head feels fuzzy from the pain meds. “You’re welcome.”
We sit in silence as Millie sleeps. My eyelids feel so heavy. “I’m tired, Linc.”
He stands and lowers the mattress a bit for me. “Get some rest, Mama.”
I wake up the next morning when they come to take my vitals. When I open my eyes, Linc is asleep in the chair by my bed. I look across the room to see my mom sitting on the couch by the window.
“Melonie? Are you awake?”
“Mom, you’re here.”
“Of course. Linc called us as soon as he found out what happened. Turns out he and your father talk on a regular basis.”
Linc talks with my dad? I never thought about the fact that they would get along, but of course they would. They both have the same easy-going demeanor, the same love for the women in their lives, the same love for their children. I glance over at Linc, and my heart aches with how much I love him. It happened like an avalanche. Once I let that wall down, I fell hard for him. Once I opened my eyes to the man in front of me and not the man in the past, I saw all the things he did that showed me he loved me.
“Melonie, I’m so, so sorry for how I’ve been treating you. I missed your whole pregnancy, and I feel so ashamed.”
“Thank you for your apology.”
“I watched Linc last night with you and with Millie. I never should have passed judgment on him. He’s been amazing.”
“I love him, Mom.”
“I know you do, and I’m happy you found someone who understands you and who cares for you, stands up for you.”
“You need to understand that I need to live life my way. It won’t look like yours.”
“I know.”
“And Millie will be the same way—free to choose who she wants to be.”
“I know.”
I start to cry. “I missed you so much. I was pregnant and couldn’t talk to my own mother about it. Promise me you’ll never break communication with me again for the sake of punishing me.”
She grabs me a tissue and leans over me, running her hand through my hair.
“Never again, Melonie. I’m so sorry.”
She kisses my forehead and holds my hand.
Linc stirs in the chair. He looks at me and my mother, his eyes turning dark. “Mel, everything okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, Linc. We’re good.”
My mom turns to him. “Linc, I apologize for the things I said months ago. And thank you for taking care of Melonie.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for apologizing. I can go grab a coffee if you two need some time.”
“No, I’m going to grab Sam and we’ll get some lunch. The doctor said you can go home in a couple of days. Your father and I are staying for a week or two, so we can help with anything you need.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She kisses my cheek and taps my hand. “Get some rest and I’ll see you later.”
She walks out the door, and I release a heavy breath. “How is Millie?”
“She was sleeping when I left her a little while ago. She’s eating well now—finishing her whole bottle.”
“You’re a pro with her already.”
“We’ve become besties.” He smiles at me. “Are you hungry?”
“Do you think you can sneak in some pancakes?”
“Extra syrup?” He uses one hand to hold mine, and with the other to text Marcus to pick up food.
“Definitely extra syrup.”