The next morning after peeking in on their son Blake and Gwen make their way to Jen's room to get her. They want her to be able to see Jackson. Gwen knows that, even though she knew the process, that it would still be hard on her. Carrying a baby, and giving birth to him only to not take him home has to be really hard. They knock on Jen's door hearing the couple yell "come in".
"Sis! How is Jackson?" Jen asks enthusiastically.
"He is good! We peeked in on him on the way to come get you. You can get out of bed right?" Gwen asks.
"Yeah but I think that today should be about you and Blake bonding with your son. We have his whole life to spoil him. I think today should just be you guys and him. I already talked to mom and dad about it and although they were sad, mom agreed. This is an important bonding time."
"Jen I don't even know what to say. You are a true angel. Thank you so much!" Blake says in awe of the total selfless attitude of his sister-in-law has.
They exchange hugs and Blake and Gwen make their way to the NICU to see their son.
"Do you think we will get to hold him today?"
"I don't know sunshine. Depends on how he is doing I guess. I would be scared to with that thing on his face. I would be scared I would bump it and he wouldn't be able to breath."
"I don't care. I want to hold him. I want him to know he is safe and loved. Him laying there breaks my heart."
They reach the door to the NICU and walk to the sinks, already knowing the routine. Once they enter the NICU, they head straight to their son's room. They walk up to his bed just staring at their little miracle.
"Are you guys mom and dad?" The nurse asks as she comes up to Jackson's bed.
"Yes. I'm Blake and this is my wife Gwen."
"I'm Stacie one of the NICU nurses. I've been taking care of Jackson."
"How is he?" Gwen asks worry lacing her voice.
"He is doing really well. He is still on the CPAP and the warmer. We gave him another dose of steroids to help his lungs a little more."
"How long will he be on the CPAP?" Blake asks.
"Well it's hard to say. It all depends on his lungs. The doctor will probably look to start weening him off in a few days. It's better to do these steps when they are ready rather than trying to push them."
"I hate him laying there in this bed. He should be in my arms." Gwen says turning into Blake burying her face in his chest not wanting to show the nurse how upset she is.
"He doesn't have to stay in there. In fact we were wanting to get you guys to do some kangaroo care with him. It works wonders for babies struggling to maintain their body temperatures."
"Kanga- what?" Blake asks.
"Kangaroo care. We would give you a gown and when you're holding him you guys take your shirts off. This allows us to lay him skin to skin with you. This will actually keep his body temperature where it should be better than our warmers."
"We can hold him with his CPAP on? He won't stop breathing or anything?" Gwen asks
"You absolutely can. We hold babies a lot less stable than Jackson is. I'm telling you he is doing really well."
"I want to hold him!" Gwen says needing to feel him in her arms.
The nurse grabs a gown for Gwen and steps out while she removes her shirt replacing it with the gown. When the nurse comes back she brings a crocheted blue and white baby blanket. She instructs Gwen to pull the rocking chair next to his bed. Of course Blake doesn't let her move it, he jumps in before she can do it. Gwen sits down and the nurse picks Jackson up. The nurse places Jackson on Gwen's chest, being aware of where all the tubes are, and places the blanket on top of him. The minute Jackson was on Gwen's chest, tears started rolling down her cheeks. She is blown away bey the unconditional love she immediately feels for this tiny human. Once they are settled the nurse leaves instructing them to hit their call bell when Gwen was done holding him, which in Gwen's head would be never. Blake has his phone out snapping pictures of her holding Jackson. He pulls the other chair next to them.
