Three more times and the baby’s head crowns. I had no idea women’s openings could go so wide. It’s miraculous and disturbing.
With one final scream from my wife, my daughter slips out. She’s all red and wrinkly, and I hold my breath while they suction her.
Why doesn’t she cry?
When she does, the tiny wail fills my heart. They put her to my wife’s breast who counts fingers and toes.
“She fookin’ perfect.” I put my head next to hers and hug my family.
Then, I take a tiny hand and when my daughter squeezes, I fall instantly in love.
“We’ll bring her right back, we just need to weigh her and check a few things.” They let me cut the cord and a few minutes later, reappear with her swaddled in a cotton blanket.
My baby girl bobs her head, snorts for a breast, and the nurse helps her find it. When she suckles, Callie dons this heavenly smile and I swear to God, choruses of angels begin to sing Waltzing Mathilda.
I stand, grinning like an idiot, about as happy as a bloke like me can get.
