Page 99 of Lose to Win: Lost Trilogy: Part 3
“They have to clean him up, Puck,” Emily chuckles, repeating what the nurse just said. She looks tired and disheveled.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper to her as I keep one eye on the baby in the corner.
The next couple of hours feel chaotic, but it all comes to a halt when we actually have to fill out the birth certificate. I am holding a clipboard in my hand, staring at the form that I need to fill out so they can file everything with the state.
First name is easy. We talked about it as soon as we got settled into the married life. Middle name was a no brainer. Giving the baby my brother’s name just felt right. The fact that it is also our father’s name just made it sweeter.
What stomps me though is the last name.
I pause with the pen over the field where I have to write it in. My eyes go to the hospital bed where Emily is trying to get some rest before the baby wakes up to eat. He finally fell asleep, obviously tired from all the birth trauma.
The two of them are my world now. I can’t imagine my life without this very moment in it.
An idea comes to me, but I need help. I grab my cell phone from my pocket and call my brother. This is a family affair.
* * *
Emily
Something startles me from a deep sleep. I look around in confusion and realize that I’m still in the hospital room where they brought me after I gave birth to our son.
I look to the side, my eyes clashing with the small crib where Thomas Blake is sleeping. The clear side panel of the crib allows me to see his little face. I get emotional at the sight of it. I can’t believe me and Puck made this. He is everything I’ve always wanted.
A soft knock brings my attention to the door. It’s followed by the door itself moving slowly, only to reveal Becca.
“Hey,” she whispers into the quiet room. “Can I come in?”
“Of course!”
I am so happy to see her, I want to jump out of the hospital bed and into her arms. But I am a tad sore and finally found a comfortable position to lie in.
“He is so beautiful,” she whispers when she stops by the crib. She then turns to walk toward me, arms wide open for a hug. “I can’t believe you’re a mom now, Em.”
I squeeze her back so tight, I actually feel her baby moving in her belly.
“Oh my gosh, I felt her kicking.” And now I’m crying. I feel emotional and refuse to apologize for it.
Becca takes a seat on the side of my bed, and we just remain like this, holding hands and staring at my son as he sleeps peacefully in his crib.
“I have gifts for you and for the baby,” she confesses. “But I didn’t want to leave the hospital. I’ll bring everything to your house once you’re situated.”
“Thank you so much,” I squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy that you’re here. I just…”
“You’re my best friend, too,” Becca interrupts me. “The last few months have been so rough. And I missed you. Let’s not do this again, what do you say?”
“Pinky promise.” I put my pinkie up and wait for her to do the same. We shake on it and giggle like school girls.
That’s how Arlene and dad find us when they join us in my hospital room.
“Emily,” Arlene rushes to give me a hug. She then pulls Becca into it as well, and she rocks us side to side for the longest time. I’ve never felt more loved.
I look at my dad over Arlene’s shoulder. His eyes look shiny, almost as if he is holding back the tears. I can tell that he wants to come to me, but he is being patient as Arlene goes overboard with all the motherly attention both me and Becca need right now.
The door opens again. This time, I see Dylan, who is holding his son, Ethan, and Sully entering the room. And right behind them is…
“Wyatt!” My brother is standing in the doorway, a bunch of blue balloons in one hand and a sleeping Parker in his free arm. Alison is peeking from around him with a giant grin on her face.
“Congrats!” she rushes into the room, joining our little party.
