Page 132 of Not Mine to Rescue

Honor shook her head. “Blessing, she’s definitely that.”

Okay. Poor kid. But the more I stared at her, the more I agreed with Honor. This little thing in my arms was more than a blessing, she was a miracle. It was hard to keep the tears in my eyes from landing on her face.

Lemon leaned over and dabbed my eyes dry.

“Thanks.”

“Hand her over.” She tried to trade a Kleenex for my baby.

“Over my dead body, she’s mine. Get your own.” I’d never get my baby back if I gave her to Lemon.

“Mine... Mia.” Sonnet played with the name a bit. “Mia Blessing. She’s both of yours so, it works.”

I held my breath and looked at Honor. “Mia?”

“I like it. Mia.”

“She needs a middle name. How about something pretty, like a flower?”

Dad’s suggestion was shot down. Especially when he listed the oddest possible choices.

No wonder all of us got weird names. “There ain’t no way I’m naming her Mia Larkspur Blessing.”

“Hyacinth?”

“Dad!” All three of my sisters protested in unison.

“Penelope,” Lemon’s voice broke through their argument. “It’s bright. Fun. Not too weird.”

Honor’s face slipped into a secret grin. Between house arrest and Sonnet’s obsession with Netflix, there were weekly watch parties with books, naked butts, and period clothing. And through all that, I paid attention.

I liked it, too. I tried it on for size. “Mia Penelope Blessing.” One name from each of my sisters. I handed her back to Honor before I drenched the poor thing.

Honor rocked her softly. “Mia Penelope Blessing. Hi.” Her chest hitched once. “You made it. I’m so glad you’re here.”

This woman. I laid my head next to hers so I could lend her some strength. “You made it. I love you.” And not to leave Mia out of it, I whispered it again against her hair.

A blessing. Mine, Honor’s...

“Did you call Jim yet?”

I glanced at Honor. “Oh, whoops. I forgot. Maybe I should take pictures?”

Her chest shook. “Do it.”

I snapped at least a dozen of Mia, then added more including Honor and me cuddled up against each other. In one, I lifted Mia’s tiny hand that she’d wrapped around my index finger. As I lined up the shot, I snuck my thumb under her middle finger to raise it toward the camera. “Take that, Jimbo.” I smiled wide.

“You’re going to be a bad influence on her,” Honor complained.

“Me? Never.”

Speaking of bad influences, the room got more crowded as Kid and Walt joined the mix. They strutted in, flashing their vests to everyone.

“Didn’t anyone tell you to put a hospital gown on?” Sonnet jumped to her feet as if she could ward them off.

“Walt couldn’t find one that fit. How’s the little wombat doing? Is she pooping squares yet?” Kid leaned to see Mia tucked against us.

I shoved his face away. “Mask, you smell like whiskey.”