"That one afternoon, I kissed you. In the middle of the street, where a white truck zoomed past our connected lips. And boy, it caused problems we couldn't have seen, but wasn't it also amazing?"
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Scared, anxious, exhausted. That was all I could think about as I held my baby to my chest. I loved having my little one here in the flesh, but goodness it was a fight. So many moments when Lori had to tell me to fight my tears or keep pushing through a pain that I'd never felt. But like the sun rising, soon my baby was here and the room fell with calm peace. A soft cry—more like a whimper—was heard and everyone's hearts that had stopped momentarily were beating.
After having Lori check me head to toe every couple of moments for hours, she finally allowed me the freedom of soaking in my introduction to motherhood. I was alone with my baby just staring at the beautiful eyes, nose, lips, and ears that Deen and I had created.
Deen, I suddenly thought. I need him.
Like our minds read each other, a soft knock rang on my door.
"Angel?"
I smiled giddily and softly brushed my now-textured hair behind my ear. "Come in, please."
Slowly, the door glided open and Deen revealed himself with the biggest smile. His steps were slow as his eyes focused on my face and then our baby's.
Once close, he cradled my head in the softest embrace. I caved into his touch and accepted all the kisses on my forehead and cheeks.
"How do you feel?" Deen asked, his thumb stroking my cheek.
"Like a mother. A tired one, but nonetheless, a mom finally," I responded. "I've been waiting for you to meet the little one."
Deen blew out a puff of air. He seemed slightly nervous but also ready to swoop the baby away from my arms.
"Meet our little Lena," I said excitedly.
"No. . ." A smile crept on Deen's lips. "A girl?"
I nodded. "You were right all along. A baby girl. Our baby girl, Lena."
Slowly, I placed Lena in Deen's arms to which he just stared at her face for five minutes. I could see his green irises shift quickly from each of her features. A soft yawn escaped from Lena and Deen grinned with such adoration as she opened her eyes to our surprise.
"Hi my sweet girl," Deen cooed. He stroked over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. "We've been waiting for you for months. You didn't disappoint either. You look just like your mom. Just like her." Deen glanced at me with a chuckle. "How did she get all your beautiful features? Her eye shape, nose, and cheeks. Everything looks just like you."
I shrugged. "She's a beautiful baby. I can't believe we created such a small little human. Look at her little fingers," I gushed.
Deen gently unwrapped Lena from her swaddle and kissed each of her fingers. With each kiss, he counted until he got to ten and cheered softly at the end. Another whimper escaped from Lena and immediately Deen's eyes widened in urgency.
