Luke chuckled. "I think all babies have that in common."
"She has a full head of hair like you did. And all babies are wrinkly," Vinia responded with a grin.
Luke stroked a finger down the baby's back. "She's perfect."
Sarah looked at him. "I'm sorry I ruined the reception."
"I don't think anyone cares," he replied with a soft kiss on her lips.
"I hope you don't mind making our big day, ourbigday."
He gave a little shrug. "It's fine with me. Aleena is just practicing to always make herself known and doing things when she damned well wants to."
They all laughed before the doctor came in to clean her up. Tuva poked her head in once Sarah was settled back in bed.
"My great-granddaughter is exquisite."
Luke stood back and watched as his sister and all of the Hales circulated through to meet the newest member of the family. After growing up with a relatively small family, it warmed him to have so much family now.
Drake was infatuated with his niece. “My little Horatio.”
“Excuse me? What did you call my daughter?” Luke asked.
Drake tried to look innocent. “I just wanted to nickname her horror, since that’s exactly what she’s going to be.”
Luke laughed. “That can be a private thing for the two of you. But please don’t be calling my daughter Horatio in polite company.”
Vinia suggested that they all go and let Sarah get some rest with the baby. Luke caught her brothers out in the hallway.
"We haven't really gotten the nursery set up yet. It was something we were planning to get on as soon as the wedding was done. Do you guys think you could help me this evening?"
They all looked at each other and then back at him. "Absolutely."
"I know it's not the afternoon you had planned, and you're free to go back to the reception..." Luke's voice trailed off at the expressions he was having thrown his way. "Okay. Help it is."
Vinia motioned to all the girls. "We'll go get everything that a new mom needs and meet you in your chambers when we get back."
Drake teased Luke on the way up to their chambers. "Sarah wanted to be married before the baby. She certainly didn't accomplish that by much."
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Colton added.
Luke nodded. "We certainly gave people a wedding to talk about." He stopped right outside the chambers. "Actually, I suppose I should go see if anyone is left down in the ballroom." He showed them where the nursery was planned. "Everything you need is in here somewhere. I'll be right back."
Luke hurried back to the ballroom, but the only person left wandering from table to table was Tuva. Her face lit up when she saw him coming toward her. She pulled him into a warm hug. "I can't believe my grandson is now a father."
"Sarah's brothers are going to help me get the nursery ready before Sarah brings the baby up."
"That's wonderful."
"What are you doing in here all by yourself? I came back to make sure no guests were waiting it out."
Tuva held out her hand in which she held all of the name cards. "I figured that Sarah would want these for thank you's." She gestured to the gift table. "Shall we have all of those taken up to your chamber?"
"No," he answered, "leave them here for now. I don't want Sarah to have a lot of clutter with a newborn. There will be plenty of time to acknowledge the gifts."
"You're a good husband, sweetheart. When are you making the royal announcement of little Aleena's birth?"
"Probably in a day or so when Sarah is feeling better. That birth thing is no joke."
