One of a Kind - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 54

DJ couldn't stop staring at his daughter, taking in every little detail about her - her dark hair that she inherited from him, her tiny lips and nose, long fingers. She was perfect and sound asleep against his bare chest after she had her first feed. It took a few tries for her to latch onto Kath's breast, which was a tense time but it was the biggest relief when she did start to feed on her mother. The midwife told DJ to take his shirt off as they waited for her to finish, just so she could have some skin-on-skin contact with her Dad and it would help the two of them bond and as DJ stared at Dylan, all he wanted to do was cry. The birth may not have been anything close to what either of them wanted or planned, but it was still one of the best days of either of their lives.

"She's totally passed out against you," Kath said with a wide smile, lying on the bed watching the father and daughter moment. She had an IV in the back of her hand keeping her hydrated since as she'd thrown up a lot during the labor and the birth because of the intensity of the pain but it was as if every second of pain was forgotten about as she stared at Dylan - she was worth every moment of it.

"She's had a big day." DJ cooed, kissing the top of Dylan's head and Kath smiled, it was like she could feel the love in the room radiating towards their baby girl. "I didn't get to do this when Noah was born," DJ said softly, caressing Dylan's face as she slept, making small noises as she dreamed.

"How come?" Kath asked, confused.

"Because Jasmine had already discharged herself before they could even come back and show her how to feed the baby... and I haven't seen or heard from her since," DJ said and Kath's eyes instantly burned with tears. They didn't talk a lot about Noah's Mom, but as Kath looked at her daughter she couldn't ever imagine walking away from her, not thinking about her ever or wanting to fight for her. Noah was such a wonderful kid, it hurt her that his mother was out there somewhere missing everything. He'd have his first day at school soon and she wouldn't be there to witness it, but Kath would make sure that she didn't miss it. DJ and Kath would join Noah to take him to school, Dylan in her stroller - Noah would never miss out on having a Mom so long as Kath was around, she was determined.

"Well, this time around we can both enjoy her and Noah... I'm not going anywhere." Kath said and DJ smiled.

"I know... get some sleep, baby girl, before everybody can't stand it anymore and let themselves in here to meet her." DJ encouraged and Kath let out a tired laugh, her eyes on Dylan.

"I don't wanna miss anything."

"And you won't. I'll wake you if she needs anything, or she'll wake you herself." DJ said jokingly, making Kath smile and she almost instantly fell asleep. DJ looked back down at his daughter, rocking her as she slept against his bare chest. He could feel her chest rise and fall against his own, he could feel her breath as she breathed - she was his world. His girls and Noah were his world. "You don't know how lucky you are to have a Mommy like yours, but one day you'll know and understand... and you have so many people who love you so much, even people who will never meet you! Because they love Mommy so much they have no choice but to adore you too, because you're a part of her and you have your grandparents, Uncle JC, Auntie Liza... and of course, you have your big brother." DJ kissed her head, continuing to rock her. "You'll always be loved, Dylan Padilla... always."

He turned his head as there was a knock on the door, making both Dylan and Kath stir but both girls stayed asleep even as DJ got up to open it and he grinned when he saw the family all stood there.

"We won't stay long, I promise," Karla said, but she was instantly in tears at the sight of Dylan.

"You can come in, but be quiet - Kath's only been asleep for twenty minutes," DJ said quietly, stepping aside to let them all in - the only people missing were Rommel and Noah.

"Why are you shirtless, man?" JC asked, chuckling.

"It helps us bond." DJ defended himself, rubbing Dylan's back to keep her settled but he smiled when he saw his Mom and Teddy already in tears at the sight of her.

"She's so beautiful - she's tiny." Karla cooed, wiping her tears but more kept falling anyway.

"I'd let you hold her, but I don't want her to wake up and wake Kath too."

"No, that's okay - we all have plenty of time to give her cuddles," Karla said, but she leaned in and gave Dylan a gentle kiss.

"Kath is okay, right?" Teddy asked, Miles going over to Kath and kissing her hair, taking her hand and it made her smile that Kath held onto her hand a little tighter even in her sleep.

"They're perfect." DJ smiled.