Page 96 of Your Second Chance
Nova gritted her teeth and pushed one final time, her body taut with effort. As if the whole world held its breath, the room filled with the sound of a tiny, piercing cry.
“She’s here,” the midwife announced. “Your baby girl is here.”
As the first cries of the baby filled the room, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I dropped my head to Nova’s, wrapping my arms tightly around her as I cradled her. “You did so good,” I murmured. “I’m so proud of you, love. So proud.”
Her breathing was ragged, her chest rising and falling as the adrenaline ebbed away. Her hand found mine, clutching it with a strength that surprised me. “I did it,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I did it.”
“You did.”
The midwife brought the baby up, carefully placing her on Nova’s chest. I leaned back to see, my breath catching at the sight. This tiny life, pink and wriggling, with the softest cries that quieted as she settled against her mum’s warmth.
Nova reached up with trembling hands to cradle her daughter, her expression shifting into something indescribable. Awe. Love. Relief. It was all there, written across her face.
I wiped my cheeks instinctively, thinking it was sweat, only to realize they were soaked with tears. Luna leaned in, brushing her hand over Nova’s hair and gazing down at the baby.
“She’s perfect,” Luna whispered, her voice catching as she reached out, her fingers brushing the baby’s tiny hand.
I stepped back for a moment, reaching for my phone. “You’ll want this photo,” I said, my voice still unsteady as I captured the moment—Nova holding her daughter for the first time, with Luna leaning close, their faces glowing with joy and love.
I lowered the phone, taking in the scene again, realizing that nothing could ever compare to this. Nothing.
“Dad, you want to cut the cord?” the midwife asked, holding the scissors out to me.
“Not the dad.” A small smile tugged at my lips as I gestured to Luna. “She is.”
Nova burst into laughter, and Luna grinned, stepping forward proudly. The midwife looked confused, but handed Luna the scissors anyway.
Luna snipped the cord with an exaggerated flourish and turned to me, patting my back with a wink. “Thanks for putting me in, Coach.”
The nurses gently took the baby from Nova to clean her up, and Luna followed closely. I stayed at Nova’s side, her hand still holding mine as the midwife quietly worked to clean her up.
“Do you see me any differently?”
“Yes,” I answered honestly, meeting her gaze.
Her face fell slightly.
“I see you stronger than I ever have,” I continued, leaning down to press my lips to hers.
Her expression softened, and I shifted closer, brushing damp strands of hair from her forehead. “She’s got curly hair,” I murmured, hoping to distract her from the discomfort of what the midwife was doing.
Nova’s lips curved faintly, her hand tightening on mine. “Austin has curly hair, too. I’m not surprised.”
Any other time, jealousy might have crept in—envy for what Austin had been a part of. Yet, as I stood here with Nova, experiencing this with her and knowing he was missing all of it because of his own choices, there was no room for jealousy.
I had it all. I had her. I had what he’d given up.
36
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.
