27. Luke
LUKE
“You have to put him down eventually.” I turn my head to my side at the sound of Bertie’s voice. She blinks sleepy eyes open and stifles a yawn.
“I don’t want to. He’s perfectly content.” Our son sleeps peacefully on my chest. She breast fed him an hour ago and I couldn’t bear to put him back in the basinet.
“You do realize we have him forever, right? He’s not going away.”
I cup the baby’s tiny head; his dark hair covered in the smallest hat I’ve ever seen. “I know, but why would I lay him down when I have arms made for holding him.”
She stares at my biceps, her mouth slowly parting. “True. Please keep at it.” She swishes her hand in my direction and if I weren’t holding the baby I would laugh, but I’m too scared of waking up. “He’s so cute,” she sighs happily.
“He’s pretty damn perfect,” I agree.
“And he still needs a name.”
I smile and rub the baby’s soft back. “I told you, I have a plan for that.”
Bertie yawns again. “You need clothes. I’ll be okay if you want to go home.”
I ditched my jacket and shirt a while ago and I’ve only been in my tux pants. “I already asked Rosie and Daire to stop by our place and grab our bags before they come by, so I’ll change then.”
“Ugh,” she groans. “I can’t believe I went into labor at their wedding.”
I skewer her with a glance. “I’m pretty sure you were in labor before we ever got there.”
Her cheeks pinken. “Yeah, probably.” With a sigh, she says, “I have to pee.”
“I’ll help you.” I finally lay the baby down in the bassinet. He squirms a little, making soft noises, but quickly settles. I offer Bertie both hands and she takes them. “How are you feeling?”
She grimaces. “Sore, but honestly not as bad as I expected.”
Once she’s standing, I wrap an arm firmly around her body and help her to the bathroom. Her steps are small, so it takes us a bit, but I’m not going to complain.
“I can handle it from here,” she says, easing onto the toilet.
“I’m going to be right outside the door in case you need me.” She gives me a thumbs up. A few minutes later, she pushes the door open and I help her back to the bed. “Do you think you can sleep some more?”
Before she can reply, our baby boy gives a squawk of displeasure and then starts screaming. “He needs to eat first.”
“Do you want to get back in bed or sit in the chair?”
Her lips twist as she contemplates. “Chair.”
I help her settle into the chair and give her a pillow to put in her lap.
Scooping up the baby, I lay him gently in her arms. He immediately nuzzles his face against her covered breast. She laughs softly and adjusts to uncover herself.
She’s only been feeding him a few minutes when the door opens and a nurse comes inside.
“Well, look at y’all.” She stops to squirt some hand sanitizer in her hands and rubs it into her skin. “You’ve got this down already. What do you need me for?”
Bertie gives a tired laugh. “I don’t know about that.”
While the nurse is looking over Bertie and the baby I slip into the bathroom and do my best to freshen up.
I’m certain Daire and Rosie will be here any time.
When I texted them, Rosie insisted they’d be here as soon as visitors are allowed.
I know Bertie is going to feel guilty about them showing up early the day after their wedding, but I also know they’re doing what they want.
My dirtied dress shirt is draped over the bathroom railing. Since it’s bloodied and covered in fluids I just leave it there. Besides, selfishly, I like that Bertie can’t seem to take her eyes off of me.
By the time I step out of the bathroom, the nurse has left and it’s just Bertie still in the chair nursing the baby.
“Hey,” she says softly, giving me a small, happy smile.
“Hey,” I echo. “Do you want me to go get you anything?”
“No, I just gave my breakfast order so that’ll come eventually, and I don’t really need anything except my water right now.”
My phone vibrates from where it’s plugged in by the door. I scoop it up and I’m not surprised to see that Daire and Rosie will be here in about two hours.
“Daire and Rosie will be here soon.” I unplug my phone and shove it in my pocket. “Do you want to try to nap before they come?”
She yawns. “I just got up. I’ll be okay.”
I stare at her for a long moment. “You also had a baby yesterday and didn’t get much sleep last night so I’m not going to judge you if you need more rest.”
She gives a tiny shrug. “Maybe.”
I hate that she seems to think she has to be tough. Her body has been through a lot, not just with labor but with pregnancy itself.
“Once he’s finished eating, I can burp him,” I offer.
“Okay. He shouldn’t be much longer.”
A few minutes later, she passes me the baby and slowly stands so she can move to the bed.
When the baby has burped, I change his diaper and swaddle him up.
He gives the most adorable yawn in response, and I can’t help but grin like a fool.
I’m still in a state of disbelief that he’s finally here.
Cradling him in my arms, I hum under my breath as I gently rock him.
Or maybe it’s more of a bounce. His eyes grow heavy and he drifts off to sleep quickly.
I make sure he’s fully out, though, before I lay him down.
When I turn to check on Bertie I find that she’s fast asleep and I’m glad to see it.
I settle back in the chair, figuring I’ll grab some extra sleep too, but just like it did all through the night sleep evades me as I ride the high of having my own little family.
I’ve always dreamed of this, of being a dad—and a husband one day—and just because things aren’t happening in the order I expected doesn’t change how fucking happy I am.