Page 101 of Tattered Souls
Everyone had their eyes on the tiny bundle.
Then she moved and placed the baby in Tatum’s arms, looked at us, and smiled, “You have a healthy baby girl.”
Tatum’s eyes teared up as she gazed down at our daughter.
I moved the blanket and counted her fingers and toes.
Taking in her little features.
She. Was. Perfect.
The perfect mix of the two of us.
And when she opened her eyes, I felt my breath catch as I asked, “Hope her eyes darken and look like yours.”
She winked up at me, “I’d prefer if they lightened.”
“Well, what’s her name?” Trust Talia to ruin the moment.
I growled at her.
Which caused everyone to chuckle.
Tatum looked up at me, and said, “What do you think?”
We had learned earlier that in order to stop the bleeding, they had to remove her uterus, fallopian tubes, and her ovaries.
I swallowed, then I said, “This is our only child, the only one we’re ever gonna have. You name her.”
Her eyes welled with tears, but she swallowed them back and then looked down at our daughter. And when I heard the name, “Sage Makenna Griggs,” I knew that it was perfect.
I nodded, “Fucking love that.”
My mother growled, “Language.”
We all chuckled.
When Tatum winced, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Pain is starting.” She said.
I nodded and pressed the call button.
Then I took Sage from her arms, but not before she pressed a kiss on her forehead.
The nurse came in then and inserted something into her IV.
Then I watched as my wife’s face transformed into that of relief, and then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
I looked at Dom as I handed Sage to him and said, “Spend some time with your goddaughter. I’ve got to get some sleep.”
Dom’s eyes flared wide, and then he nodded as he took Sage and pulled her to his chest.
Then I pulled the chair closer to Tatum’s side, sat down in it, tangled my hand with hers, and then lay my head down on her leg. And I promptly fell asleep.
Frank
It’s a hard pill to swallow when your child doesn’t need you.
