My attention is pulled back to the baby as he lets out a soft sigh. My heart melts at the sweet sound.
There’s a knock on the door, and the midwife comes in. She’s a tall woman in her mid-forties, with purple hair and several holes in her ears for piercings.
“There’s a bed for you on the maternity ward. Are you ready to go up?”
Niamh nods and looks at me. “You should go and get some rest. Come back during the day.”
“How long will you be in hospital for?”
Niamh shrugs and looks at the midwife.
“There aren’t any complications, which means you might be out by teatime. If not, it’ll be tomorrow morning,” the midwife replies.
“So soon?” Niamh’s voice shakes.
The midwife smiles and nods. “But you’ll be looked after by the community midwives. They’ll come and weigh the baby and ensure you’re both doing well. You won’t be alone.”
“I’ll be there,” I say. “As much as you want me to be.”
“For two days,” Niamh mutters.
“I’ll call my boss. Maybe he’ll let me take a few more days off.”
She nods and holds out her arms for the baby. I give him to her, carefully placing the precious bundle into her arms.
“Go and get some sleep,” she says softly. “I’ll see you later.”
I don’t want to go, but I don’t have much choice. I lean down to kiss the baby’s head and then slip away as the midwife prepares the bed to be wheeled upstairs.
I have to get a taxi back to Rory’s shared house. I doze off in the back of the car, only to be woken by the sharp beep of the horn a short while later. I pay and then let myself into the house.
I expect everyone to be asleep, but there’s light seeping under the lounge door and the low hum of a TV from inside. I open the door and peer in. Rory and Quinn are sitting on the sofa. Quinn is asleep, and Rory appears to be dozing with his head resting on his hand. He snorts as he sits upright and then rubs his eyes.
“I didn’t expect you home so soon.”
“Why aren’t you in bed?” I ask.
“I was waiting for a photo of the baby.” Rory taps his phone. “And Quinn’s been keeping me company between naps.”
“I didn’t get a photo.” I should have. Why didn’t I? I sit on the other sofa and clasp my hands between my knees. “He’s beautiful, Rory.”
He grins. “You look happy.”
“I am happy.” I sigh.
“But?”
“I’m only here for two more days, including today. Then I’ll have to go back to Dublin, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back.”
Rory’s grin fades.
“I wasn’t ready to be a dad, but I was so happy when I held him in my arms. I’m not sure I want to be a long-distance dad, Rory.”
“Move here,” Quinn murmurs.
Rory and I shift our attention to him.
“Is he awake?” I ask.
