ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

28. Intimate

 P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

The silence of the hospital room was comforting. The only sound was the soft whisper of my voice as I swung Nina from side to side, trying to keep the rhythm so she wouldn't wake up completely.

Her little eyes were beginning to open, blinking slowly, while the still swollen face of birth made curious expressions. We were alone in that little moment of peace, with Carina sleeping in bed and Liam wrapped like a ball in the cart next to it.

Looked at my wife, exhausted, her serene face of who finally gave in to fatigue after hours of labor. She was so beautiful, though.

My heart was pressed with love for her, for what had just passed, the strength that always demonstrated, even in its moments of greatest vulnerability. I knew she needed that break, and I was more than happy to take care of our little one for now.

- Hi, princess - whispered softly, looking at my daughter whose eyes were now almost completely open, the curious and confused glow typical of newborns - You want to see the world, don't you? Or maybe just want to see your mom and brother.

She moved slightly in my arms, releasing a small sigh, as her honey-colored eyes met mine for the first time. That moment was a stroke of tenderness so overwhelming that I almost lost my breath.

Time seemed to stop. It was as if the whole hospital disappeared and we were just us, connected by something indescribable.

My eyes are swayed by emotion. I never thought I could feel so much love for someone I just met.

She blinked slowly, her gaze still a little blurry, but enough to find me, as if she knew I was her mother. As if, somehow, she already recognized me. I felt seen, loved by this little being who had just arrived in the world, and the feeling was something that words could not describe.

- You're so small - I kept on mumbling, gently rocking her - So perfect. And already so loved. You know that, don't you? Your mamma and I have been waiting for you for so long... And now you're here.

The room was shrouded in that soft light of early morning, the sun coming through the half-closed blinds and creating patterns of shadows on the white walls. I knew that the world outside was continuing, but here inside, it seemed we were in a bubble, a bubble where there only existed me, Nina and the love we felt for our family.

- Your little brother is sleeping - I said softly, looking at Liam, who was breathing softly in the cart - He still doesn't know how much his life has changed. But I know he will be the best older brother you could have. He already loves you so much, even without understanding yet.

I approached Liam's cart, still with my baby in my arms, and looked at both of them. My heart was overflowing with happiness and gratitude. This was the life I always dreamed of, even if I never knew it until I found it.

Nina moved again, her little arms swinging slightly, and I knew it was a matter of minutes until she went back to sleep. I held her more firmly, feeling the softness of her skin against my fingers, and leaned to give her a kiss on the forehead.

- You, your brother and your mamma are my world.

She blinked one last time before closing her eyes completely, sleep dominating her again.