Baby Clifford

Our Child

I paced in the Haylie's hospital room as she was in a C-section. There were so many things that could go wrong with our soon, or already, born child. I can't wait to find out if our child is a boy or a girl. Melody Anastasia-Lyric if it's a girl, and Nickolas James if it's a boy. The guys aren't coming in a few hours from now and my family is meeting Baby Clifford tomorrow, so the baby will be ready to see them after he or she meets her grandparents, aunts, step-uncles, and cousins.

"Michael, calm down. She's probably fine." Kayla, Haylie's older sister, told me. "It's not Haylie that I'm worried about." I said as I continued to walk back and forth. "Michael, Levi and Lilly were twin preemie babies, and they are just fine. I'm sure the child is perfectly healthy. Haylie doesn't do anything bad like smoke or drink. Now sit down before Mom comes in and nags at you to sit down." Carlie, Haylie's oldest sibling, said. I obeyed and sat beside Jake, her older step-brother. "Hey, I would be doing the same thing if it was Lindsey." He spoke quietly about his wife to me, so Haylie's sisters wouldn't hear him. "Glad to know I'm not the only one." I said back before Haylie's mom and step dad came in with her two grandchildren, Levi and Lilly. They came running to their mum and told them about what they did when they weren't in here. I think they are around the age of seven.

Levi came over to where Jake and I were sitting. He crawled into Jake's lap, "Fishy when is Haylie coming?" He asked. Fish was Jake's nickname. "I don't know, but it shouldn't be that much longer."
"Okay, but I just want to see my new cousin!" He cheered. I looked over at Jake with question. "Hey Jake why do they call you fish?" I asked. He chuckled, "When I was in high school, one of the football coaches came over to my house to fix a fan, while I sat there watching eating Goldfish. That's why and it just stuck." He explained. "I used to call him cubbs and pork chop. " Zach, Haylie's oldest step brother put in.

"Mr. Clifford," Haylie's doctor said at the entrance of the door. I gulped and went up to him. "Let's discuss this out in the hallway." He whispered. That didn't help me at all. We went in the hall and he closed the door. Here it comes, whats wrong with our child? My heart speed its pace, and it felt like my blood slowed as if that was possible. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but," He paused. I could feel our child's heart stop. "your wife didn't make it. I'm sorry we did everything we could to keep her alive, but she just...didn't respond to any of it." My heart stopped and tears were coming to my eyes. I wanted to crawl in a corner and die and go where wherever Haylie is. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. "I know it's a lot to handle right now, but would you like to see your child?" He asked.

I nodded thinking, our child, he or she is both mine and Haylie's. He led me to the place where they kept the babies, "Wait here." He said and went into the room that had a large window to see the newborns. The doctor picked up a newborn in a yellow blanket before coming over with him or her in his arms. "Congrats, it's a baby girl." He handed her off to me with a smile. "Thanks," I say barely audible, trying to have it connect in my brain that my wife is dead and won't help me with our baby girl. He nodded and told me that I should bring her to the rest of her family. I didn't want to just yet.

I took a look at her calm face, her eyes were a hazel, which was odd since they should be blue, and the hair she has is brown and her skin was pale. She looked just like Haylie. "Hi Melody, I'm your daddy." I whispered to her. "I love you so, so, so much. Your mommy does too, but she c-"I choked up at the thought, "She can't be here with us. You look so much like her. I hope you have some me in you. You're be a punk rock baby, yes you are." I tell her, trying to stay happy when I wanted to break down and die with my wife. I softly stroked my daughter's round face. Her eyes went wide and brightened before her small hand took my finger. "Do you have Daddy's finger, Melody? I think you do." I gushed in a silly baby voice. She put it in her tiny mouth. I giggled at her, "You're a daddy's girl, aren't you or you just love my finger." Her eyes stared up at me. I couldn't help but laugh at her expression. Melody helps me remember there's a could chance I can raise her with or without Haylie. Even though it will be the hardest thing in my life. "Let's go meet your family. They might be a bit crazy, especially your grandmummy and aunt, don't worry if you don't like her." I said and headed to the room I was last in and heard crying.

I looked down at Melody and she was fussy, but not a single tear. They know, this makes this harder and easier. "Here we go little one." I tell her and exhale as I open the door. I saw the three women hugging each other while Jake was watching the twins with a few tears escaping every now and then. Bryan must be having a cigarette and Zach probably calling his pushover wife.

I went to Jake, he looked up at me with wide eyes as he saw the bundle of blankets. "W-what is it?" He stuttered, motioning to the newborn. "A baby girl, do you want to hold her?" I asked, seeing he was the calmest in the room. He stood up and took his niece in his arms. "What's her name?" He asked as the little bundle made some noises. "Melody Anastasia-Lyric Clifford," I answered. Jake shook his head, "You're going to have a mouth-full name little Melody." He laughed as he looked down the creation of Haylie and me. "Looks just like Haylie. Are you sure Haylie somehow got pregnant by herself." He chuckled. I shook my head in humor, "I'm sure Jake." I tell him. Melody flailed her arms up and, as small as they were, she managed to get a hold of his thick beard and tugged on it. "Hey, what are you doing?" He laughed before removing her tiny hand and pretending to bite it.

The women in the circle looked over at us, Margret came over. "Oh, she looks just like Haylie was born, only smaller." She cried. Melody started to cry at the sight of her grandmummy. "Hey, shh, you're okay." Jake cooed and bounced her. He has a kid of his own, so I trust he knows what he is doing. It did work.

"Can I hold her Michael?" Margaret asked and I nodded. Our new born child had everyone gushing over her. I felt a tug on my pant leg, I looked down to see Lilly with pleading eyes. I bent down to her height. "Where's Aunt Haylie?" She asked. Great, of course a seven year old doesn't understand death. "Have your mummy told you about Heaven?" Here goes nothing. She nodded her head, maybe not. "That's where Aunt Haylie is now. " I said as calmly as I could. Before I knew it, Lilly was tightly hugging me. I wrapped my arms around her and both of our tears came out. This is when it all came true of Haylie's death.

Everyone in the room took their turn gushing over the new member of the family, detracting them from the death of their sister or daughter. About an hour later, all of them went to the hotel they were staying at while Melody and I decided it was nap time. The nurse from earlier told me to help bond with her is skin to skin contact. I unbottoned my shirt and undressed Melody, other than her diaper. She whined at the cold air. "Shh, you're okay." I softly spoke before laying her on my chest. Melody calmed as I pulled up the blanket and put my hand on her back, keeping her in place. "Good night Melody, I love you." I said before kissing her head and falling asleep.

* Hey guys, what is a good song for a funeral (sorry, but not "I miss you" by Blink 182) I've been think about "End of All Things" By Panic! at the Disco, but your input would be great :)*