only nod as I bend down and curve both of my arms to receive the single most precious bundle they’ve ever held. I can see his resemblance to Shelby in the full pink pout of his little rosebud lips and the curve of his brow. When he opens his eyes and looks up at me in that unfocused way that newborn babies do, I can see his resemblance to me. His eyes and nose are similar in shape to mine and I know at this moment, without a doubt, that he really is my son. I smile down at him, at my son, and nuzzle his blonde peach fuzz-covered head. Having Liam in my arms gives me the most euphoric feeling I’ve ever experienced and I never want it to end. I have to make Shelby realize that we belong together as a family. I don’t want any part of the “every other weekend dad,” thing. I want to be with Shelby and Liam, every day for the rest of our lives.
***
Once Shelby was out of recovery and placed in a room, the nurse wheeled Liam there, in his bassinet, with me following along beside them. There’s no way I’m letting him out of my sight. When we walk into Shelby’s room, we find all of her family surrounding her bed. Her dad immediately comes over and shakes my hand.
“It’s good to see you son.” He says and then he catches a glimpse of Liam, and I am soon forgotten. Jace and Hollis have a similar reaction, brief handshakes and then it’s all Liam. Hailey pushes her way through all of the testosterone gathered around and she scoops him up and snuggles him into her arms before any of them realize what she’s doing.
“Hey, I was about to hold him,” Greyson complains with a scowl on his face. Hailey doesn’t seem intimidated by his surly manner at all.
“Too bad. What happened to ladies first? Mr. Tyler, I think you need to give Grey a lesson on manners. He seems to have forgotten how to be a gentleman.” She sticks her tongue out at him and then she lowers her face to Liam’s soft head.
“Greyson, I taught you better than that.” Mr. Tyler admonishes him and that’s the end of that conversation. I inwardly smile as I think about how this giant mixed martial arts fighter still listens to his father. I hope Liam will have a similar respect for me when he’s an adult.
While everyone else is preoccupied with my little guy and who’s going to hold him next, I sit down in a chair at Shelby’s bedside. I take her graceful hand in mine and raise it to my lips, holding it there for a moment. I gently caress her hair and enjoy how soft it feels sliding against my fingers.
“I’m so proud of you, Shelby. You did it. Our son is here and he’s perfect.” I keep slowly stroking her hair back from her forehead and it’s only another minute or two before she begins to stir. Her eyelids slowly raise only to close again. This happens a couple more times before they remain open and locked on me. A look of panic washes over her face and before she can even form the words, I’m already answering.
“Liam is fine. He’s healthy and strong.” She closes her eyes for a moment and exhales a large sigh of relief.
“Where is he?” She asks in a husky voice as her eyes dart around the room. Her brothers make an impressive wall as they all surround Hailey completely obstructing any view of Liam, in her arms.
“Hailey, can you bring Liam over here, please? His mother would like to see him.” Once Shelby’s family hears she’s awake they all turn around and a chorus of “Seashell,” echoes throughout the room. Hailey shushes them all as she brings Liam over to Shelby and places him in her arms. Shelby’s eyes immediately go to his little face as the rest of him is covered up in the blanket he’s bundled in. The nurses have him wrapped up tight like a little burrito. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the sight of him in Shelby’s arms. She’s a natural. She raises her eyes up to
***
Once Shelby was out of recovery and placed in a room, the nurse wheeled Liam there, in his bassinet, with me following along beside them. There’s no way I’m letting him out of my sight. When we walk into Shelby’s room, we find all of her family surrounding her bed. Her dad immediately comes over and shakes my hand.
“It’s good to see you son.” He says and then he catches a glimpse of Liam, and I am soon forgotten. Jace and Hollis have a similar reaction, brief handshakes and then it’s all Liam. Hailey pushes her way through all of the testosterone gathered around and she scoops him up and snuggles him into her arms before any of them realize what she’s doing.
“Hey, I was about to hold him,” Greyson complains with a scowl on his face. Hailey doesn’t seem intimidated by his surly manner at all.
“Too bad. What happened to ladies first? Mr. Tyler, I think you need to give Grey a lesson on manners. He seems to have forgotten how to be a gentleman.” She sticks her tongue out at him and then she lowers her face to Liam’s soft head.
“Greyson, I taught you better than that.” Mr. Tyler admonishes him and that’s the end of that conversation. I inwardly smile as I think about how this giant mixed martial arts fighter still listens to his father. I hope Liam will have a similar respect for me when he’s an adult.
While everyone else is preoccupied with my little guy and who’s going to hold him next, I sit down in a chair at Shelby’s bedside. I take her graceful hand in mine and raise it to my lips, holding it there for a moment. I gently caress her hair and enjoy how soft it feels sliding against my fingers.
“I’m so proud of you, Shelby. You did it. Our son is here and he’s perfect.” I keep slowly stroking her hair back from her forehead and it’s only another minute or two before she begins to stir. Her eyelids slowly raise only to close again. This happens a couple more times before they remain open and locked on me. A look of panic washes over her face and before she can even form the words, I’m already answering.
“Liam is fine. He’s healthy and strong.” She closes her eyes for a moment and exhales a large sigh of relief.
“Where is he?” She asks in a husky voice as her eyes dart around the room. Her brothers make an impressive wall as they all surround Hailey completely obstructing any view of Liam, in her arms.
“Hailey, can you bring Liam over here, please? His mother would like to see him.” Once Shelby’s family hears she’s awake they all turn around and a chorus of “Seashell,” echoes throughout the room. Hailey shushes them all as she brings Liam over to Shelby and places him in her arms. Shelby’s eyes immediately go to his little face as the rest of him is covered up in the blanket he’s bundled in. The nurses have him wrapped up tight like a little burrito. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than the sight of him in Shelby’s arms. She’s a natural. She raises her eyes up to
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