A Perfect Mistake

Chapter 20

A week later, on Sunday, August 14, Dr. Graham declares that Lorraine is completely healthy now and she is ready to be released from the hospital.

Lorraine is 20 inches long and weights 6 pounds. She is able to breath on her own and her heart functions normally. 

"Do you wanna go back to Colorado?" Gina asks me during the drive on the way to the beach house.

"Yes, of course!" I say eagerly. I know that Mom and Dad are dying to meet their granddaughter for the first time.

"I figured," Dylan chuckles.

When we arrive at the beach house, we all pack up.

Sometime earlier this weekend, Eva did a kind and noble thing for me. She went to a Babies-R-Us in Miami and bought baby things for Lorraine like a car seat, clothes, diapers, bottles, formula, etc.

We take the first plane that evening at 7:00 PM.

3 hours later, we're at home sweet home in good, old Dover, Colorado.

Dylan and Gina and Eva and Mitchell drops me off at my house but they go straight to their house since they're exhausted.

"Hi, Mom, hi, Dad!" I greet loudly as I walk in the house, carrying Lorraine.

Mom and Dad gasps when they see me and Lorraine.

"Oh my Goodness!" Mom cries.

"Aww, she's so cute!" Dad cries.

They both take turns to carry Lorraine.

"You've got the most beautiful baby girl ever," Mom gushes as she hands me back Lorraine.

"I know right," I gush as I cradle her.

"I'm so glad that you guys are okay," Dad says, looking relieved. "Your mom and I were so worried about you guys when we heard about everything. We wanted to come down and see you guys, but we got tied up with work and everything."

"First of all, Lorraine and I are GREAT!" I assure. "Second of all, I perfectly understand why you couldn't come. It's all right."

Mom and Dad smiles.

"Being a mom at 15 isn't ideal but I'm still proud of you," Mom says affectionately. She hugs me one-sided since I'm busy rocking Lorraine back and forth.

"Same here," Dad adds, hugging me, too. "You're still the greatest daughter I could ever ask for. And I got the greatest granddaughter I never asked for but glad I did."

I smile. "Thanks, Mommy and Daddy."

Lorraine falls sound asleep in my arms.

"We set up the nursery upstairs, by the way," Mom notifies me.

"It used to be the guest room, but it was useless, anyway." Dad explains.

"Thanks, guys, so much," I say softly, though I want to screech with happiness. (Obviously I can't because Lorraine is sleeping.)

I walk upstairs to the nursery.

I set her in the crib and pull a tiny blanket over her.

I gaze at her as she sleeps peacefully.

I promise myself and her that I'll provide her a wonderful life even though I'm young and inexperienced and uneducated and jobless.

"I love you, Lorraine Roselyn," I hiss serenely.