December 6, 2011
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Nathan:
"He's waking up. Bring Shocker over." Jay said.
I had forgotten until I heard Jay's voice that Shocker had been born earlier. He was here. I couldn't force my eyes to open quickly, they took their time, surveying the entire room until they landed on the bundle in Dr. Sutton's arms. He was....here. Right in front of me.
I saw that Max was in the room too, but I didn't really care. All I cared about was Shocker. I wanted to hold him and name him and...
"Ow." I whispered.
"Don't move around much. Dr. Reed stitched you up after the c-section." Jeffrey said.
I tore my eyes away from Shocker and to my side. I lifted my gown to see my stitches. I brushed a hand over them. Another hand met mine so I looked up meeting the blue eyes staring at me.
"You can still hold him. I've made sure no one's held him except Sutton here." Jay said.
"Dr. Sutton." Dr. Sutton said.
Dr. Sutton glared at Jay for the miss in saying "doctor." He let me hold Shocker after.
It was quiet.
Shocker was asleep. I wanted to see his eyes again, but I knew I would later. He was bigger than I expected him to be. He wasn't heavy, but even being a month early, he wasn't exactly light.
I stared at him, not believing he was really here. I could actually feel him and not just the kicks or punches he did inside me. He was warm and swaddled up in a green newborn blanket.
He wasn't bald, but he didn't have a lot of hair yet. I petted his hair as if he were a pet, a new pet that you wanted to be gentle with.
His face made me want to melt for the first time in my life. I could clearly see he had Max's ears. I traced a hand over them looking up at Max. He smiled and walked forward a bit.
"He's got your button nose." Max said.
"Our eyes mixed." I whispered.
"I'm sorry to break this up, but I want to know, what's his name?" Jeffrey asked.
Dr. Sutton now glared at Jeffrey who paid him no attention. Jeffrey, Dr. Sutton ( not wanting to admit he was curious too), Jay and Max all looked at me, awaiting the answer. I looked over at Max. I had made the decision myself. I didn't care if he liked it or not, but Shocker was getting my last name.
"His name is Elliott Sykes." I said.
I had been watching a movie a month or so ago in English subtitles. A movie called "Pete's Dragon." One character had been called "Elliott." I liked the way the name sounded when I said the name aloud. The way it rolled off my tounge. I kept the name to myself, unsure, what everyone else would think of the name.
"Elliott. Ellie for short?" Jeffrey asked.
"Or Ellis." Jay said.
"Elliott." Max said.
He reached a hand out to touch Elliott, but hesitated looking at me. I wasn't excited about letting everyone else hold him, but I knew I was going to have to. I held out Elliott to him and groaned a bit when I pulled on my stitches.
"Careful Nathan." Jeffrey said.
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"What about a middle name?" Dr. Sutton asked.
Jay sat in the chair next to me holding Elliott in his arms. He cooed at the sleeping child, wiggling a finger on his belly. Elliott didn't stir.
I forgot people had middle names.
