Page 96 of The Shell Collector
Hailey’s mouth, red from the popsicle, formed a perfect O. “Look at all the colors!”
Maeve looked pleased. “I’m glad you like it. I’ve always heard that color and movement is good for babies. It gets them looking around and wondering.”
“Well, there’s nothing more wonderful than the sea. You and I have that in common. I love this mobile so much.” Kimmy teared up. “I’m sorry. I’m doing a lot of crying right now, but you’re so sweet and talented and wonderful. Maeve, we love you. Thank you for doing something so special for our girls.”
Maeve pulled Kimmy into a hug. “Oh, honey, I’m so proud of you. You’re a strong, beautiful woman. You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“I hope so. I was terrified to have even just one baby. I don’t know why the Big Guy upstairs thought I should get a double dose, but I’m trying to remind myself it’s a blessing.”
“It most certainly is.” Nate returned to Kimmy’s side. “I’ll do my part, baby. Don’t you worry.”
Amanda fanned her tears from the tender moment. “Well, my gift is not handmade or colorful like Maeve’s, but I promise you it is practical.” She carried a stack of gifts over to Kimmy.
“You didn’t need to bring a thing.”
“I’ve got two children, remember? They are two years apart and that was hard enough. I’m tickled pink to help you in any way that I can. Any friend of Maeve’s is most definitely a friend of mine.”
“Thank you.” Kimmy opened each item carefully. “They are wrapped so pretty I hate to mess up the paper.”
“Oh good grief.” Nate took one of the boxes from her and ripped into it. “No offense, but I went through this with her at our wedding shower. She takes a year to open each one, and then it’s not like she does anything with the paper.”
“What do you want me to make from it?”
“I don’t care, but if you’re going to painstakingly protect the paper as you open the gift, you ought to do something with it afterward other than throw it away.”
Kimmy made a funny face. Nate kissed her on the nose, to which she crossed her eyes. “It’s the only bad habit she has. Totally fine with it, as long as she lets me open half the presents so I don’t fall asleep.”
“We have an understanding.” Kimmy lifted matching dresses into the air. “Oh my gosh, these are too cute.”
“I couldn’t resist. I promise everything else is practical.”
Nate picked up the big box of preemie diapers with one hand. “Oh great. I guess I’m going to be a pro at these soon.” He put his other hand on his hip. “I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but I had no idea how many diapers newborns went through in a day. No wonder they are in boxes of eighty to a hundred.”
“Hopefully, you’ll be a pro by tomorrow,” Kimmy said, rolling her eyes. “These babies are pooping machines.”
Amanda remembered bringing Hailey home and all the things she had to learn as a new mom. Jack never really mastered the diaper thing until Jesse came along. Paul gave Jack a hard time about it. Come to think of it, Paul probably changed as many diapers as Jack did on their kids.
“She’s not exaggerating,” said Nate. “I told her we could save enough to send these girls to college just by raising them in the ocean like mermaids. The cost of these diapers is outrageous, and we’re going through them like soapsuds.”
“Yeah, we’re not doing that!” Kimmy shook her finger at Nate. “I’m never going to be able to leave my girls alone with you for fear of your shortcuts. I can see it now. They’ll each be on one side of the kitchen sink so he doesn’t have to change a diaper.”
“Are you going to let me hold one of these babies?” Maeve looked like she wasn’t willing to wait one more second.
“Yes ma’am. I’m sorry. You could’ve been holding them all along. Go for it.”
Maeve walked over and scooped Brenna right out of her bassinet. “I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but this one looks exactly like you did when you were born, Kimmy.”
Becky sat proudly at the end of the couch. “I told her the same thing. Nixie’s already sassy just like Kimmy was, though.”
Nate scooped up Nixie. “Hey, girl.” She wiggled her arms and looked completely content with him. “She’s so light.” Nate lifted her up and down, then cradled and rocked her.
The rest of the room seemed to fall away as Amanda focused on Nate holding the baby. When Hailey first came home from the hospital, she wouldn’t stop crying. It was Paul that finally got her to quiet down, although Amanda had told herself at the time it was more like a round of hot potato and he got the lucky handoff. It struck her that Paul had been there through all the big moments: before she’d married Jack and then as part of their family at the birth of each child. Their first words, birthdays, and first steps. Most recently their first kite. First ghost crabbing too.
Amanda put her hand out, steadying herself on the back of the chair she was standing next to.
Maeve and Nate walked closer to each other with the babies, holding them at an angle to see each other. Then Nate turned to Amanda. “Do you want to hold her?”
Amanda snapped out of it and took Nixie. The innocent life in her arms was half the size of Jesse the first time she held him, and Nate was right. She was as light as a feather. Her movements didn’t even look real. Tears blurred Amanda’s vision. “She’s beautiful.” Amanda pressed her thumb to the baby’s hand. “You are so special,” she whispered.
