Page 118 of Forever Fallen

Their baby crying.

“Mr. Merrick, come cut the cord,” Dr. Bow ordered, holding up the baby and laying it on Sophie’s chest. She felt her hands reach up, trembling and shaking, barely cognizant of what was going on except someone just handed her a slippery, very angry baby.

Her baby.

“Your baby boy is beautiful, Sophie, and you did such a good job,” Dr. Bow smiled, nodding to her team. “Just a few more pushes and we’ll get the afterbirth out, before cleaning you up. You’re a pro at this, little mama…”

Sophie started sobbing openly, looking at Ryan who was weeping and smiling at the same time, looking at the two of them in awe.

“Cut here, Mr. Merrick, and then go see your family.”

“Oh, sweet Jesus, thank you…” he whispered openly, cutting the umbilical cord and pressing his hands to his chest as he stared at Sophie holding the screaming child.

“Ryan… oh my gosh, R-Ryan,” Sophie stuttered, choking on her tears as she stared between the baby and Ryan in shock and disbelief at the miracle before her.

“Look at his little fingers and his feet… Oh, my gosh…thank you…” she whispered, looking up at him. “Thank you, Ryan…” she wept, smiling, and reaching for him. “I love you so much.”

Ryan leaned over her, wrapping his arm around her, and reaching forward to touch the baby’s hand. She saw his hand trembling as the infant clenched at his pinky… only to hear Ryan try to hold back a strangled sob.

“He’s so beautiful, Soph…oh my gosh… just look at that hair and those eyes,” he choked. “Thank you, Sunshine,” he uttered, kissing her on the temple before kissing her lips. “Thank you for just loving me.”

“I’m going to take your son and get him cleaned up,” one of the nurses said tenderly, reaching for the baby. “We need to weigh him, look him over, and check his stats. He’s such a handsome baby.”

“Is he o-okay?” Ryan choked out.

Sophie looked up sharply at him in horror as she stared at his face – before sliding a look to Dr. Bow, where he was staring.

“He was in distress you said – is he okay?”

“We’re going to check him over to be sure, but I think he’s fine. He’s got a good strong healthy cry,” Dr. Bow said carefully. “I think he arrived in time before there could be any problems… but if there are? We can talk about them, because it won’t affect the love his parents have for him, will it?”

“No,” Ryan replied. “That’s my son - and I just need him to be okay.”

“We all do.”

“Oh my…” Sophie collapsed, her heart breaking as she heard the two of them speaking. “Is something wrong… I’m so sorry, Ryan…”

“No!” he bit out looking at her, pulling her to him and gathering her in his arms, whispering emphatically to her, his voice thick with tears. “Don’t you dare apologize for giving me our son, Sophie. You’ve done nothing but give him life. He’sperfectand he’sours.”

“Ryan, I was trying…” she whimpered, clinging to him as her heart was breaking and filled with fear for her child.

“I know, baby… I know,” Ryan whispered, holding her. “Don’t ever apologize for creating a miracle between us. He’s our son,our blessing,and I knew what unconditional love meant the moment I saw him. He’s ours, Soph… always and forever.”

“Yes, he is…” she hiccupped, wiping her eyes, and looking up at him. “I’m glad you are here.”

“I am, too.”

“He’s so beautiful, isn’t he?”

“My goodness he’s got a head of hair,” Ryan chuckled proudly. “All that thick dark brown hair was swirled around his head. Poor boy has a cowlick right on the crown like a whirlpool… just like his daddy.”

“And your beautiful eyes,” she breathed. “They were such a beautiful dark brown, Ryan.”

“I guess we need to talk about a name for our boy,” he smiled. “Can’t keep calling him ‘the boy’ all the time. He needs a strong name, our little miracle.”

“Benedict…” she breathed, smiling at him tearfully. “I love that name and it’s supposed to meanblessingormiracle. I’ve read a lot of baby books the last nine months.”

“Benedict… Ben Merrick?” Ryan smiled. “I love it. That’s perfect, Sophie.”

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