Wide Open Spaces

Landslide

Iris Selene Buckingham was born late in the evening, clearly inspired by her moon goddess namesake. The moment she was born, she was so calm, reaching out only to grab hold of her mother and slip into a peaceful sleep. She surprised them both with her golden blonde hair and already dark brown eyes. Lindsey stared at the two of them lovingly, patting the baby's back and kissing Stevie's lips softly.

"You are both so beautiful"

"Thank you. She's so precious" Stevie kisses her new daughter's little head. "The name you chose for her is perfect."

"I told you I had an idea, I just can't believe you liked it so much!"

"Well I love it. It suits her."

"Yes it does. The only thing I don't understand is how you made a perfect carbon copy of yourself. Blonde hair, brown eyes. She's got your nose and lips. It's like I had no part at all!" he says with a chuckle.

"Amazing, isn't it? Her big brother and big sister are going to be so surprised. When can they be here?"

"After you rest. Aren't you tired?"

She shakes her head but yawns, her eyes heavy. "Not at all."

He smiles, stroking her hair. "Sleep, and in the morning, I can have your mom and dad bring them up"

"Okay. Can you hold Iris?"

"My pleasure" he tells her. "I love you. Sweet dreams."

"I love you too" She kisses him, transferring the baby into his arms and falls asleep almost instantly. Lindsey sits in the rocking chair in the corner of the room by the window. The desert landscape was breathtaking, mountains in the distance. He began to hum, watching the serene expression on the baby's face. She really did look just like Stevie, he thought. What a beautiful girl she would grow up to be. He found words to an old song Stevie had written years ago. He couldn't believe all that had happened in the past year and a half or two years. Reconnecting, becoming pregnant with Iris, moving back to San Francisco. The ups and the downs were exhausting but worth it every time, just to be together.

I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
'Til the landslide brought it down
Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too

He hums the tune, Iris's eyes opening to look at him fully, reach for his finger then flutter her eyes closed again. Her thick fringe of black lashes lay softly atop her cheeks and he smiled at her.

Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I'm getting older, too
Oh, I'm getting older, too

I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down

He could stare at her face all day, stroking her soft hair. "I love you, little one" Lindsey whispered, continuing to rock, placing the baby on his chest.

At some point, he too must have fallen asleep. He felt nervous at first, she could have easily fallen and gotten hurt but he reassured himself nothing like that happened. She was safe. He felt his new daughter stir, knowing what that meant. He looked up to see if Stevie was awake and she was, taking in the scene before her. "I love seeing you guys together."

"And I love seeing you guys together too"

"I'm still blown away. We had a baby!" Stevie says.

"Yes, we did! She's here and she perfect. You did such a great job."

"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you."

"You could have but I'm happy I was here. I never want to miss a second of time with you, or any of our kids."

"I miss them."

"Me too. I will call them soon. It's very early."

"Yes it is, and I suppose this little girl is hungry?"

"She seemed that way." he says. "I will give you some privacy."

"It's okay, stay." Stevie unsnaps her hospital gown and situated the baby on the breast. Iris begins to eat, already nursing like a pro. "It's natural and I will be doing it a lot. You will just have to get used to it." He blushes, turning away. "Don't get embarrassed, come here" She's smiling, pulling him over to her. She pats the edge of the bed, trying to move over the best she could without causing herself a lot of discomfort. "Look..."

"I feel like I shouldn't be watching."

"Why not?"

"You're exposed"

"I'm feeding our baby. You really can't see anything."

"That's true."

"I didn't really get to nurse the twins because of all the nicu time but I want to nurse Iris. I'm going to need your support."

"I know and I support you 100 percent."

"Thank you"

"You know, watching you is amazing. You created her, carried her, nourished her and now, even after she's born, you continue to nourish her. God, women are truly amazing creatures" Lindsey says.

"You are the sweetest man. I'm so lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one, babe." He cuddles into her, watching as Iris's eyes grow heavy. He places the baby in the little cot beside them as Stevie covers herself back up. They doze off for a little while longer, soaking in the delicious silence, knowing that soon the room would be filled with noise and celebration.