Page 132 of Good as Gold
“The steadiest,” I promise. Then she places my daughter into my arms, and I finally get a look at her shocked little eyes. My voice is an awe-filled scrape. “Tiny queen.”
Leila sobs. “Can I…”
I lean close to the bed, and together we look down into our baby’s angry red face.
“Good job, little girl,” I say, gathering her close. “Thanks for joining the party.”
She stares up at us and howls.
I’m taking it as a compliment.
* * *
Later that afternoon, our families descend on the hospital. I’m groggy from catching a couple hours sleep on the reclining chair in Leila’s hospital room. Leila is exhausted, too, but she’s so happy, and the baby is nursing well.
She’s currently sleeping in a little plexiglass bassinet beside Leila’s bed, while her grandmother coos over her.
Mrs. Giltmaker seemed completely unsurprised when I turned up yesterday, suddenly placing myself in charge of Leila’s care and notifying her family that the baby was on her way.
And that’s cool. Apparently, Leila and I weren’t as discreet as we’d imagined ourselves to be. This morning I posted a picture of Baby Giltmaker-Rossi on the Rossi family group chat. No surprise on that front, either.
My mother was the first to reply.
Mama
She’s gorgeous! I’m so glad I can stop pretending not to know that I had another grandchild on the way. I’m on my way to the yarn shop for supplies to make her a baby blanket.
Benito
Nice baby. You copycat.
Damien
Good job, Jesus.
Alec
Wait, you’re in Vermont? Want to work a shift tonight?
Zara
I’m in charge of the sibling baby gift. You all owe me $100.
“My grandchild needs a name,” Helen Giltmaker says. “Unless you’re sticking with ‘baby girl Giltmaker-Rossi,’ which is kind of a mouthful.” She winks.
Leila and I turn toward each other with matching sheepish smiles. “I didn’t choose names,” she says. “I mean—I have a few ideas. But I didn’t know if I was having a boy or a girl. And I kind of wondered if you’d want to help me choose.”
“All right,” I say, kissing the top of her head. “Let’s brainstorm.”
“And I’ll go find us some lunch,” Helen says. “Can’t wait to see what you come up with. But I’d like to point out that Helen is a solid choice. Or even Helena.”
“Noted,” Leila says with an eye roll.
Cackling, my future mother-in-law lets herself out.
“Okay, what’s on your list,” I say, rubbing my hands together.
“Pass me my phone? Now that I’ve seen her sweet face, I need another look at my list of names.” She glances lovingly down at the bassinet.
