Chapter 36 Nova
nova
The pain was unimaginable, the fear even more so. Giving birth was like tearing through every fiber of my being, physically and emotionally. Through every contraction, every sharp cry, every overwhelming moment, I had never—not once—felt alone.
Luna was there, her steady hands on my back, her voice pulling me through the worst of it.
Ollie was my anchor, holding my hand, whispering encouragement, never leaving my side.
And even though she wasn’t physically there, I felt my mom’s spirit, her warmth and strength wrapping around me when I needed it most.
Ollie was sprawled awkwardly on the cot, sleeping loudly as his long legs dangled off the edge, while Luna stood by with the baby, her smile tired but full of love.
“No name yet?” Luna asked, her voice soft as she gently rocked the baby.
“No. Not yet.”
The baby was a perfect combination of me and Austin—his soft curls already forming on her tiny head, my nose unmistakably etched into her features.
Yet as I stared at her, I found myself wishing for more than shared DNA.
I hoped she’d inherit Ollie’s loyalty, his unwavering support, his ability to love so selflessly.
“We’re going home tonight,” I added, rubbing my temples. “I need to decide. It has to go on her birth certificate.”
Luna gave me a knowing smile. She’d stayed at the house the night before but had come straight to the hospital at first light.
“I want to show you something,” she said suddenly, her voice tinged with excitement. She carefully placed the baby in the cot and turned to me.
She glanced over at Ollie, sprawled on the cot, snoring lightly. “Just making sure he’s asleep,” Luna said, then reached for his phone.
“What are you doing?”
She pulled up his pictures and turned the screen toward me. It was a photo she’d taken last night—Ollie holding me, his face streaked with tears, while I stared up at him, my own eyes red rimmed and raw.
“That’s a beautiful family, Nova,” she said quietly.
Tears pricked my eyes. “It is,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
“He let me cut the cord,” Luna continued, her gaze flicking back to him. “He could’ve done it himself, but he let me. I hope you see this, Nova. Really see it.”
I swallowed hard. “I do.”
Luna clapped her hands together, her tone shifting. “Right, sad shit’s over. You’re smelly. Let’s take a shower while the baby’s sleeping.”
I laughed despite myself, wiping at my eyes. “Only you, Luna.”
“Damn right,” she shot back, already heading for the bathroom.
She helped me into the shower, her usual humor subdued, but still present as she guided me through the bloodbath that was postpartum reality.
She simply handed me a clean towel when it was over and helped me back into the room.
The rest of the day passed in a haze of staring at the baby, napping, and whispering small, awe-filled comments about her tiny fingers and soft breaths.
When it was finally time to leave, the nurse brought over the birth certificate forms. My stomach twisted as I stared at the blank space for her name. “I don’t know what to name her.”
Ollie was across the room, wrapping her in the scarlet blanket we’d picked up on our first official date.
He held her like she was the most delicate thing in the world, his massive arms cradling her tiny body, his every move careful and deliberate.
The sight brought more tears to my eyes, my emotions vacillating in a way I couldn’t contain.
“Hey, O-Ollie?”
He walked over, sitting in the chair next to me, the baby still nestled securely in his arms. “Yeah, love?” he said, glancing between me and the baby, his face filled with quiet devotion.
“I love you.”
His eyes widened for a moment before softening, a slow, warm smile spreading across his face. He reached out, his free hand finding mine and squeezing gently. “I love you, too.”
I glanced down at the scarlet blanket wrapped snugly around my baby, then at Ollie, who smiled as he cradled her. My phone buzzed on the table—Aunt Mae. I picked it up, hitting FaceTime.
“Let me see her,” Mae practically squealed the moment her face appeared on the screen.
I angled the camera toward Ollie, who shifted the baby slightly so Mae could get a better look. “There she is.”
“Oh, she’s perfect,” Mae cooed. “Look at those little curls. What’s her name?”
I hesitated for only a moment before the name rolled off my tongue. “Scarlette,” I said, glancing at the blanket again for reassurance.
“Spelled the British way or American?” Ollie asked.
The corner of my lips tugged into a smirk. “The British way.”
“What’s that spelling?” Mae’s face scrunched in confusion.
“Scarlett with an e on the end,” Ollie said.
I nodded, feeling the name settle in my heart. “Scarlette Cecilia Thatcher.”
Ollie’s head snapped toward me, surprise flashing across his face.
“Not just hers. I finally changed mine back, too.”
“She’s beautiful, sweetheart,” Mae said, her voice filled with love.
I smiled down at the baby, my heart full and heavy all at once. “Yeah, she is.”
We hung up with Aunt Mae, and it was time to go. Luna breezed back into the room with a wheelchair while we packed up the last of the bags. Ollie had insisted on carrying the baby’s car seat.
The hallway was quiet as we walked out, the nurse leading the way. Luna leaned down as we walked, her voice a low murmur in my ear. “That is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
I followed her gaze to Ollie, who was ahead of us.
His muscles flexed effortlessly as he carried Scarlette in the car seat, his stride steady and sure.
It was undeniably attractive—the way he carried himself, the way he carried her—but it wasn’t about that.
It was what he represented. Safety. Stability. Warmth.
For so long, I was cold inside, the sadness and fear threatening to consume me. But with Ollie, it all seemed to fade. His presence thawed the edges of my heart, filling me with something I hadn’t felt in years: peace.
By the time we reached the car, my emotions swelled to the point that I couldn’t hold back. As Ollie gently secured the car seat in place, I stood there watching him, my chest bursting with fullness.
When he turned back, I stepped forward, grabbing onto him, wrapping my arms tightly around his middle. “I love you,” I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. “So much.”
His arms came around me instantly, holding me close, his chin resting lightly on my head.
Because the world seemed brighter, warmer, and so much better with Ollie in it. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I truly believed things would be okay.