The Dream Is Not Over

Ohana

Early the next morning, Olivia and River come back to the hospital bearing gifts. Lindsey has been snapping pictures nonstop and neither of us can stop smiling.

"So, Kaiya Jane, huh?" River asks, hugging his father, then coming over to kiss my cheek.

"Yep!" I can't stop looking at this beautiful little girl. I discovered quickly why the pink sleeper wasn't on her. All of the tiny baby clothes I had brought in the bag were all too small. Lindsey offered to return them for me once we got settled at home but it still makes me a little sad. She's brand new but she won't be my tiny baby forever...she never was.

"She's perfect, mom." He strokes her hair, listening to her squeak in her sleep. He smiles, gazing down adoringly at his baby sister.

"Soon, it will be your turn." Lindsey reminds him and River looks over his shoulder, grinning from ear to ear.

"Yeah, Olivia and I will be parents in just a few months."

"Speaking of, why aren't you over here with us?" I ask River's quiet wife standing in the corner.

Olivia steps forward. "I didn't want to crowd you guys. I thought I should let the family admire the new baby first."

"You are family, Olivia." I tell her and she bows her head, wiping a tear. River wraps an arm around her and kisses her temple.

"Thanks, Stevie."

"Oh, honey, of course. Would you like to hold her?"

Olivia looks surprised. "Really? Are you-are you sure?"

"I'm sure. You helped me so much during my pregnancy and my labor...you deserve a cuddle."  Olivia extends her arms and I carefully transfer Kaiya over. She presses the baby to her body and the scene is so natural, it brings tears to my eyes. "You're going to be such a good mother, Liv."

"Thank you." She kisses Kaiya's head and caresses her cheek with the back of her index finger. "She's perfect."

"She is...I think I'm still in shock."

"It's those hormones! That post-birth euphoria as you called it."

"Baby bliss." River adds and Olivia nods, swaying with the baby in her arms.

"Exactly." The wavy haired blonde flicks her ever growing, rapunzel-like hair behind her, wanting it out of her way. It's just another thing for Kaiya to grab if she so chooses. After a few moments, she looks up at me. "You can have her back, mama. She's your reward at the end of this after all."

She carefully places her back into my arms and she frowns as the weight is transferred. "I love watching you two together. She's really an easy baby, I'm sure she wouldn't mind getting passed around if you or River wanted a few extra minutes."

"I appreciate you letting me hold her but this is your time to bond." Something in her voice is so sad. Just like me, she must be getting impatient waiting for her own baby to come.

Lindsey touches her shoulder, and she turns around. He hugs her, rubbing her back. "Thanks for coming." He's become sort of a father figure to her even though she has a father of her own. It's nice to see the two of them getting along and dare I say, bonding?

"You're so welcome. It's my pleasure."

River becomes anxious, maybe a little impatient from all the excitement. He's shuffling around, clasping his hands behind his back then in front of him, unsure what to do with his hands. "Uh, wanna see what we got for the baby?"

"Sure!" I sit up and River repositions my pillows. Such a good son! I'm feeling much stronger than yesterday. Kaiya slept beautifully, mostly dream-feeding through the night. Even though the nurses didn't like me co-sleeping with her very much, we got some much needed rest.