Page 156 of Never Started
Jett speaks up first. “Hey, little bro. Congratulations, I’m so proud of you,” he says to Ander as he pulls him into one of their man hugs.
“How is she?” I ask Ander, interrupting their moment.Fuck it. I’m dying here.
He chuckles softly. “Hey to you, too, Iz,” he says, pulling me into a hug.
“Congratulations,” I say shortly. “Now, how—”
“She’s absolutely perfect,” Ander interjects. “She’s dying to see you.”
“Good, let me in,” I beam, shuffling on my feet with joy radiating through me.
Ander smiles and turns to open the door, opening it way too slowly. He’s intentionally trying to make me suffer.Asshole.
Once we’re in the room, I peer past the curtain and spot my lifelong best friend. And although she looks exhausted, she’s glowing with love, and she’s absolutely beautiful. There, on her chest, lies a tiny, perfect little human.
“Oh my gosh,” I whisper, getting closer. “You did it. You’re a mom, V!” I say softly, as the emotions flood through me.
Via and I have experienced every aspect of life together. I cannot wait to stand by her side and watch as she flourishes in the role of motherhood.
“Hey, Iz,” Via says softly, looking down at her beautiful baby, splayed across her chest.
Part of me aches. It’s a moment I never had—a moment I missed out on with my own baby. But instead of being hurt for myself, I decide to embrace getting to witness this for V.
Via’s gaze flicks to mine. “Do you want to hold her?”
“It’s a girl?” I ask, my voice cracking with emotion. “Yes. Give me that baby.”
She smiles as she carefully hands her daughter over to me.
“Oh…” The tears of pure joy begin to flow. “She’s so perfect.”
Jett steps up behind me, peeking down over my shoulder at his niece as he lovingly rubs his hand across her tiny back.
“Aren’t you going to ask them what her name is?” he whispers in my ear, causing me to look up at him. He gives me a knowing smile and nods, as if encouraging me to ask.
“What’s her name?” I ask, to no one in particular, staring down at the beautiful little girl in my arms, not wanting to take my eyes off of her.
After a brief pause, Via speaks up. “Her name is… Natalie Izabel Cole.”
“What?” I ask in surprise as my eyes dart to Via and then to Ander. Then back to Via. Via just nods, with the proudest smile I’ve ever seen grace her face. “Oh, V.”
“She’s named after the two girls whose love for me managed to change my life.”
My heart.
“Olivia Cole, don’t you dare make me cry,” I say, sobbing.
“Too late,” Jett says sarcastically, earning him a swift kick to the shin.
“Ow.”
“Suck it up.” Looking back down at the bundle of joy in my arms, I stroke her cheek with my thumb. “Natalie Izabel Cole. You are so incredibly loved, beyond measure.”
We stay like that for a few minutes, and I soak up every second.
That is, until my rude assboyfriendcuts in and says, “Mind giving me a moment with her, baby hog?”
“Ugh.Fine, if you insist.”
