Page 25 of Cupid
I stopped in front of him and looked at the doors to my left and right. “Where is he?”
Dad pointed to the left. “Your mother is with him. They’re just getting started.”
I took off at a dead run, not bothering with the niceties. Those could come later, after I knew for certain that Jude and my son were all right.
The nurses stopped me from just charging into the operating room. I knew the drill and moved as quickly as possible to change into scrubs and mask up before heading to see my family.
When I walked in, Jude was being roused by the doctor, and a nurse was holding my baby up to show my mom. “You’ve got a healthy grandson as a Christmas present this year.”
My mother choked on a cry as she clutched Jude’s hand to her chest. “Look at that perfect angel.”
Jude had tears streaming down both cheeks as he nodded. “I can’t believe he’s finally here.”
Then the nurse noticed me. “Dad, do you want to cut the cord?”
My throat was thick with emotion as I tried to clear it. “Yeah. I mean, yes, please.”
With careful hands, I separated the cord that had provided nutrients to my son for so many months before he was gently placed in my arms.
“Congratulations.” The doctor was talking to all three of us, but I couldn’t focus on his words. The tiny miracle in my arms held all my focus.
I quickly counted ten fingers and ten toes and one button nose, just like his daddy. “He’s beautiful.”
Jude sobbed and reached for me. “Quit hogging him.”
I choked back my own sob. “I guess I have to share, huh?” I carefully placed our son on Jude’s bare chest.
He nuzzled the baby and sprinkled kisses along his fuzzy head. “Welcome, little Archer. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Archer?” My mother and I both had the same questioning expressions, but I was the one to speak the words. “You want to name him after my dad?”
Jude stared down at our perfect son, tracing the side of his face with his fingertip. “Yeah, I do. If he’s going to carry on the family legacy, he should have a family name too.”
Mom wiped the corners of her eyes and then rested her hand on Jude’s shoulder. “That’s very sweet Jude. Archie will be honored.”
Jude finally looked up at me with an uncertain glance. “Is that okay with you? I mean, we can call him Arrow Junior, if you’d like.”
I smiled, once again choked up by how amazing my husband was. “Archer is perfect. I love it.”
And I did. It suited him perfectly, and it meant so much to me that Jude came up with that on his own.
For the next twenty minutes, I followed the nurses from station to station as they did all the standard tests and checks of Archer. He was eventually bathed and handed back to me, wrapped up like a little burrito.
We were moved to a recovery room after that, and that was where my dad was finally able to meet his namesake.
“Well, Dad.” I transferred my son into my father’s arms. “This is your grandson, Archer.”
He gasped and looked from the baby to me, locking me in his gaze. “After me?”
I nodded, hoping to avoid more waterworks. Alphas weren’t usually so emotional, but I was a crying mess. “It was Jude’s idea.”
Dad looked at Jude and raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? There are probably more friendly and approachable names than that one. You don’t want this little guy to be a cranky old codger like me.”
I laughed and placed my arm around Dad’s shoulder. “You’re not so bad.”
Jude smiled affectionately at us. “I’m sure. You raised an excellent man who helps the world in so many ways. I hope my son will take after both of you.”
“Hey, now.” I walked back to my husband and sat on the bed beside him. “I can already see several of your features in him. Don’t give his Cupid side all the credit.”
