“You have a little boy, and he’s perfect.”
After Doctor Riley cut the cord, the nurse whisked the baby away.
The doctor delivered the afterbirth.
The nurse returned with the baby swaddled and a little blue hat on his head.
Willow held up her arms for him. A son. They had a son.
She looked down at her son. He looked perfect. When he opened his eyes, she smiled. “Hello, baby boy. You know your sister won’t be happy. She was sure you’d be a girl. But your daddy and I are so happy you’re here. We love you very much.”
Travis sat on the edge of the bed next to her. He ran a finger down the baby’s cheek. “I don’t think she’ll mind much when she sees him.”
Willow laughed. “We’ll see, but you’re probably right. She’ll just be happy to have a baby to play with.” She unwrapped her son. Her son. Until Travis, she thought she’d have no more children. Now she had him. With the blankets open, he kicked and stretched and let out a wail. “Oh, my darling, you’re fine. Mommy just has to see all of you.”
“Daddy, too. He’s perfect.” He kissed Willow on the forehead. “Thank you, my darling, for my son. Our son.”
She counted fingers and toes.
The baby’s arms and legs stretched and moved because he had no control over them, and he continued to cry.
“Okay, sweetheart. I’m wrapping you back up.” She swaddled him like a pro.
He quit crying and sniffled.
“Mindy will love him with her whole heart when she sees him. She might even forget she wanted a baby sister.” Willow looked up at Travis, where he sat on the bed next to her.
“Do you think so?”
Willow laughed. “No. She’ll remember and be after us to have another one so she can have her sister. But she’ll play with him just the same, and she’ll become his fiercest protector. Just wait and see.”
He frowned. “Isn’t he a little small for her to play with?”
“For the moment, but he’ll grow like a weed.”
“True.” He leaned down and kissed Willow gently on the lips. “Thank you again for my son.”
“You’re welcome, my love, but I think you might have had a hand in that.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I suppose I did. Still, you went through all that pain.” His eyes watered. “I never imagined what you would have to go through. So, thank you.”
“Of course, sweetheart. It is nothing more than a fading memory now. What about his name?” She looked at Travis. “Do you think he looks like a William? I’m thinking we should name him Trevor. Keep with the T’s like you and Tanner.”
Travis moved, so he sat beside her knees. “We have a family name of Tyler. How about that for his first name?”
She grinned down at the baby. “It’s perfect. Tyler William Morgan.” She tore her gaze away from the baby and turned toward her husband. “What do you think?”
“I like it.”
Tyler scrunched up his face and let out a squeaky cry.
Willow picked him up and kissed his lips. “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Are you hungry? I bet you are, and you’re probably cold, too. Mommy was being a bad mommy, wasn’t she? But you’re better now.”
She laid the baby to her breast and teased him with her nipple.
It took a bit, but soon he latched on and suckled.
“Oh, oh, my.” Willow bit her lower lip.