Page 115 of The Golden Goalie

“Okay, Amber,” the doctor says. “On this next contraction, I want you to bear down. She’s almost here.”

“You can do this,” I tell her again and then move back. The contraction hits, and Amber pushes, crying out and squeezing my hand hard. And then, she comes out.

“She’s here,” the doctor calls out. And then there’s a wail. I stand to my feet, still holding Amber’s hand. And then I see her. My heart instantly grows at least twice in size. They place the wailing baby in Amber’s eyes, and I watch as the tears form in her eyes.

“Hey, Baby girl.” And then my own fight with tears is lost. Amber kisses her, and she quiets. Amber looks up and meets my eyes. “She’s here,” she says in awe. “Come meet your little girl.” I lean over the two of them and look down at the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen. “This is your daddy,” Amber says softly. The baby starts crying again, and I lean closer to the two of them.

“Hey, Little One, it’s okay.” She stops fussing, and I reach a finger out. When she wraps her tiny hand around my finger, I think that’s the moment I know my heart is forever hers. She’llhave me wrapped around her finger for the rest of her life. I look at my other girl. “I am so proud of you.” I lean forward and pull both of them into my arms.

“Mom, we’re going to take her for just a few minutes to clean her up and then we’ll get her right back to you.” The next hour blurs by with a bunch of activity. Finally, it slows a little and they bring the baby back so Amber can try nursing her. Baby does pretty well and goes to sleep on Amber’s chest.

The nurse comes in to check on Amber and the baby. “You rest for a little bit while you can.” She comes back just a few minutes later. “Are you up to some company?” I look at Amber, letting her take the lead. She nods, even though she’s exhausted. The nurse opens the door and waves whoever is waiting inside. “These three, well, mainly this one, have been driving me crazy for hours.” I don’t even have to look to know that she’s pointing at Sebastian.

“Thank you,” I tell her as my three friends and teammates walk in. They all three wear matching pictures of awe on their faces, that I’m sure reflect my own.

“Hey Guys,” Amber says softly. “I heard you had quite the adventure. Would you like to see her?” She looks to me, and I stand up and carefully take the baby from her arms. I kiss her forehead before standing and walking to the end of the bed.

“Here she is,” I say reverently.

And just like that, three of the strongest guys I know melt into a puddle of goo as they oooh and ahh over her. “How are you, Amber?” Aiden asks.

She gives him a tired smile. “I’m good.”

“Bri’s on her way; she went to go get your mom.”

“Oh good. I’m sorry. My phone died, and I haven’t been able to charge it.”

“No worries,” he says softly. “Congrats, she’s beautiful.”

Amber practically glows, and I have a hard time looking away. She’s never been more beautiful to me than in this moment.

“We’ll be sure to get Rico here earlier for the next baby,” Sebastian says to Amber. She groans, and he grimaces. “Too soon?”

“Too soon,” I growl.

“What did you name her?” he asks. “Sebastiana has a nice ring to it. I’ll even take Sebina.”

Amber smiles and shakes her head. I meet her eyes. We talked about baby names but never settled on one for sure. “Riley Grace,” she says, and I smile.Rileywas one of my favorites.

I stare down at the tiny bundle in my arms. “Riley Grace.” Then I look back at Amber. “It fits her.”

The door to the room opens, and Amber’s mom and my mom and Bri all walk in, wide-eyed.

“Oh my goodness.”

“She’s here.”

“She’s perfect.”

“She has Amber’s eyes.”

They gush over her as I turn my gaze back to the love of my life.I love you,I mouth to her. I’m rewarded with the most beautiful smile.

I love you more.

Surrounded by our friends and family and holding this little girl in my arms while my wife lays in the bed a few feet away from me, I realize it doesn’t get any better than this. This is everything I ever dreamed of and so much more. Every hockey game I've ever won pales in comparison to this moment right now. I want to hang on to this moment and to my loves. This is what really matters. These girls have my heart now and forever.

After

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