“Kiro’s with her now. He actually shoved Mase down and ran past him to get to her first when I went to tell them. I was going to see what I could do about getting Lila Kate to Harlow. She wants to see our baby girl.”
Blaire was still sniffing and wiping at her face. “She needs to see her. Go talk to them. I can stay in here with her if you want me to.”
“No. Nate’s in the waiting room with Rush. Go see your son. You’ve been here with me since this happened. You and Rush go home and get some rest.”
Blaire smiled and nodded. “OK. But I’m only taking a bath and a quick nap, then I’ll be back to see Harlow. I’m ready to plan this wedding.”
“Thanks, Blaire. Thanks for being her friend. She’s never had anyone like you. Thanks for loving her.”
Blaire put her hands on her hips. “Stop making me cry, Grant Carter,” she said.
“Sorry. But I mean it.”
Blaire sighed and sniffed again. “I know you do. That’s why I’m on the verge of tears again.”
“Go find your family, and y’all go on home and rest. I’ll call when she’s ready for visitors.”
Blaire nodded and hugged me again before leaving the room.
I walked over to the incubator and stared down at our Lila Kate. I never knew I wanted a baby. Not something I had ever thought about before Harlow. But now that I had her, I couldn’t imagine life without her.
“She’s awake. Your mommy is awake, and she’s waiting for you. She woke up for us, and we have a lifetime of memories to start making.”
An hour later, we had Lila Kate in a rolling bed, and we were heading down to Harlow’s room. Since Lila Kate’s lungs were fully developed and she had shown no signs of any problems, they felt it was safe to let her spend some time with her mother. Today was the first day she had really started eating properly. Harlow was going to get to feed her. They were bringing the bottle down with her.
I opened the door and checked to make sure Harlow was awake and that Kiro and Mase had left. Harlow was sitting up and sipping water. She was alone except for a nurse. I couldn’t wait to see her smile when I rolled in our daughter.
“I have someone really important waiting to meet you. She’s been as patient as can be expected, but she’s ready now,” I said. I held the door as the nurse rolled Lila Kate into the room.
Harlow’s eyes went wide with wonder as she gazed at our baby girl. Lila Kate had slept through the ride down here, so she was still unaware of this moment and how important it was.
“Can I hold her? Will it hurt her? I want to hold her, but I don’t want to hurt her,” Harlow said, her voice still weak.
The nurse adjusted pillows on each side of Harlow. “The best thing for her right now is to be in her mother’s arms. She will have missed your voice and your heartbeat. She’s been waiting for this, I can assure you.”
Harlow’s eyes were on our daughter, and mine were on her. The nurse picked up Lila Kate and placed her securely in Harlow’s arms. I stood as close to them as I could while taking in the sight I had been afraid I would never see.
“She’s beautiful,” Harlow breathed, with a worshipful look on her face.
“Told you,” I reminded her.
“She’s so small. Is it OK that she’s so small?” she asked, looking from me to the nurse.
“She was born two months early. She’s four pounds, which is a really good weight for a thirty-two-week preemie. Her lungs are great, and so is her heart. She’s even taking the bottle with no problem.”
Harlow touched her little hands and ran her finger over her delicate nose as she studied her. “I get to watch her grow up,” Harlow whispered. “I get to be her mother.”
“The world’s best mother,” I said, watching my girls together for the first time.
Harlow spent the next few minutes checking out Lila Kate’s toes and fingers and even her tummy. She checked everything. While I was helping her put socks on Lila Kate’s little feet, the baby’s little eyes fluttered open, and she puckered up.
“Hey, my precious baby, it’s Mommy. I’m here,” Harlow said. The puckered frown disappeared instantly, and Lila Kate gazed up at Harlow.
I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and snapped a photo of that moment. They were lost in each other’s eyes, and I wasn’t sure who was more in love with whom. It was one of those moments that there are no words to adequately capture. Nothing was good enough.
Lila Kate stuck her tiny thumb into her mouth and continued looking at her mother.
Harlow glanced up at me and beamed. “She’s sucking her thumb.” The awe in her voice was something I completely understood.
“She’s been doing it since the first day. She also likes to add a finger in there every once in a while.”
Harlow laughed, and Lila Kate stopped sucking. Her little eyes went wide with wonder, as if she was just realizing who was holding her.
“You’re our beginning,” Harlow told her. “It’s time we lived without fear. You’re the most wonderful chance I ever took.”
I bent over and kissed Harlow’s forehead. “Thank you for her,” I said. Then I lowered my head and kissed the other love of my life on the head.
Harlow
The day after I woke up, I was moved to a large suite. That was the best way to describe it. This room wasn’t covered by health insurance and was hardly ever used, but it was on Kiro’s bill, and it was the best they had to offer. I was thankful for it. The extra bed for Grant and the large sofa and extra seating for guests were nice. It didn’t feel so cramped. If I was going to be stuck in a hospital, then this was a nice way to experience it.