A Time to Love

Chapter 25

Instead of the hungry cry that would usually awake Sarah, it was the watchful eyes and touch from Zander that opened her eyes. 'Hello mummy' he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead. Sarah lifted her head so that her mouth was linked to his and the kiss lingered on 'How is he?' she asked when they finally broke free.

'He's beautiful and perfect, he takes after his mum.'

Sarah pushed herself further up the bed and placed herself against the propped up pillows before swinging her legs around to stand up 'I want to see him, I need to make sure he's ok.' But Zander's hand firmly gripped her shoulder deterred any further movement.

'Sure babe, I'll take you to see him in a bit' he proceeded towards the door and looked to either side before closing it 'but first, there's something I need to do.' He gently pushed her backwards until she was sat down again and patted down his pockets, like a police officer would search a suspect.

'I was going to this on Christmas Day but then...well, you know' he cleared his throat and exhaled slowly as he lifted the box from his pocket. Sarah threw her hand over her mouth as she became aware of what was about to happen. Zander bent on his knee as he opened the box 'Sarah, you've made me the happiest man alive and I can't wait to be a dad to our little boy. There's just one thing missing so I have to ask you, will you marry me?'

'Yes I will' Sarah almost screamed as she pulled Zander off the floor and threw her arms around him, before he slipped the ring onto her finger. Another passion filled kiss followed before Sarah pulled away and held her hand up towards the light to admire the ring, then declared 'I'd better call my mum.'

'Let's leave that for now' Zander offered his hand as Sarah entwined her fingers around his 'and go to see our son.'

***

Sarah carefully lifted the baby from his incubator and placed him in her arms 'He looks different now that he's been cleaned up.'

'Yeah' Zander agreed 'but he's still a little heartbreaker' he placed his finger on the child's palm and gushed when he clasped his fingers around it. 'Anyway, we can't keep referring to him as "he." We need to think about what we're going to call him.'

Sarah opened her mouth, about to suggest but Zander, able to read her mind, stopped her before the words could even form. 'We're not naming him after me.'

'Oh come on' Sarah pleaded cutely 'even just as a middle name?'

'Well, what other names were you thinking of?' Zander sighed defeatedly and scratched his head.

I'll tell you what, why don't you name him.' Sarah suggested while Zander studied the infant closely, almost expecting him to chose his own name until finally deciding.

'I've always liked Cameron.'

Sarah joined in with the close studying and said the name in her head, repeating it a few more times. 'Yeah, I like that. Cameron Alexander Riley.' After he had been passed from each of them, Sarah began to gently place Cameron into the incubator which was temporarily aiding his assistance to become stronger but as she leaned over, ready to release him from her arms, something captured her attention.

'Lucy' she screamed as she saw her absent friend standing by the entrance of the NICU 'what are you doing here?' she ran towards her best friend and wrapped her hands tightly around her shoulders.

'Your boyfriend called me and told me you'd had the little one and, as it happens, I fancied a holiday.' Sarah hugged her again before grabbing her hand to pull her into the room.