The doctor held out the scissors. “Okay, Dad. You going to cut the cord?”
Matt didn’t hesitate, or even look at her in question when the doctor referred to him as “Dad.” But his hand shook as he made the cut, and after, he buried his wet face in her neck.
“I love you.” He kissed her head and lips.
There was a moment when Matt held their daughter for the first time that she knew she would remember for the rest of her life. She loved her baby instantly, as she did all her children, but it was the look on Matt’s face as he cradled that tiny bundle that brought tears to her eyes. He couldn’t believe it. Which is what he kept repeating, staring into baby Mary’s tiny face.
They were moved to a room filled with flowers: Pink and white carnations. Tall vases of elegant red roses. Giant arrangements of flowers she’d never seen, spilling every color over the edges of ornate containers.
“You sent me flowers?”
Matt smiled sheepishly. “I might have had something to do with it.”
“I just can’t believe it,” he said again, sitting in a chair beside her bed, the baby in his arms. “I can’t believe she just…She was inside you and then she came out and…It’s just…”
“Well, believe it. I can.” Abby shifted in the bed and he looked up.
“You okay?”
“Nice of you to notice I’m still here,” she said with a smile. She didn’t mind playing second fiddle to the baby. Watching him so completely captivated was incredibly endearing.
“Sorry, baby.” He got up and sat on the edge of her bed. “Do you need something? Are you hurting?”
“No. I’m fine.” She ran a finger over her daughter’s soft cheek. Swaddled like a burrito, five-pound-twelve-ounce Mary was only half the length of Matt’s arm.
“I’m so proud of you,” he said, leaning down to kiss her.
“Knock, knock.” The door eased open and the first face Abby saw belonged to Matt’s mother. Marge held Annie’s hand, followed by Matt’s dad, who held Charlie and Gracie in his arms. And the people just kept coming, until there wasn’t one square inch of room left.
“Careful, now,” Matt’s dad said softly as he sat the kids on her bed.
Matt held the baby for them to see, then turned to give Jack and Annie a look, introducing them all to their new baby sister.
“Oh, Abby. She’s perfect,” Marge said, taking a peek. When she held her arms out, Matt pulled Mary back in, close against his chest.
Marge gave her son an Are you kidding me? look.
“Sorry, Mom. We’re, uh, not really letting anyone hold her yet.”
Abby also gave him a look. “We’re not?”
“Matthew,” Marge said, with a hand on her hip. “I know how to hold a baby.” But she didn’t press the issue, picking up Gracie and cuddling her close instead.
“Congratulations,” Sarah said.
“That’s right.” Patrick slapped Matt’s back. “Double congrats, brother. A ring and a baby in less than twelve hours. Well done.”
Matt smiled proudly with Mary in his arms, showing her off to the crowd. And declined every offer to hold her.
“Most beautiful baby born so far,” his dad said.
“He says that about every baby born,” Beth told her. “But she really is perfect, Abby. How are you feeling?”
“Fine, great.” And she did feel great. It hadn’t been a hard labor, and she could take a deeper breath than she had in weeks. It was liberating, but before she knew it, she was crying. All these people welcoming Mary, all this love. It bubbled up like a volcano until she was full-out shoulder-shaking crying.
“Don’t cry, Mommy,” Gracie said.
Matt was by her side in an instant.
“I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m fine.”
But the more Beth, Marge, and Sarah coddled her, the more she cried.
Matt’s dad stood at the foot of her bed, holding Charlie. “We should go and let you rest.” He gave her foot a pat where it lay tucked under the covers.
“Thanks for taking the kids, Mom.” Matt kissed his mother’s cheek.
“Of course. They’re angels. Just like their mother.” Marge leaned down and kissed Abby’s cheek, then ushered everyone out.
Matt carefully handed Abby the baby, then joined her in the bed. He cuddled up close, surrounding them both within the protective circle of his arms.
They lay that way for several minutes, watching the tiny movements of Mary’s face. Her little squeaks grew into mewling cries of hunger.
“I think someone’s hungry,” Matt said. “Guess I’ll have to share for a little while.”