It took a moment for Eden to figure out what he meant. When she did, she swatted his arm. “Don’t let my mother hear you say that. She’ll have us married within days.”
“I take it she’s desperate for more grandchildren?” Steve asked with a remarkably straight face.
“Desperate doesn’t come close. My sisters refuse to have any more children. They keep pointing mom in my direction when she gets clucky.”
Steve reached out and took her hand. “You’ll be a great mom someday, Eden. You’ve got so much love and compassion to give. Any child would be lucky to have you.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” she groaned. “You sound like a Hallmark greeting card for single, childless women.”
A lady sitting in a chair across from them cleared her throat. “If you want my advice, accept his offer. You could have beautiful children together.”
Eden blushed something fierce. She covered her face with a magazine and sank into her seat. It didn’t help that Steve burst out laughing. “Stop it,” she groaned. “You’ll make things worse.”
“It can’t be much worse than a total stranger saying we should?—”
Eden dropped the magazine, stuck her fingers in her ears, and looked up to see John standing in the doorway.
“She’s here,” he announced, his voice thick with emotion. “Would you like to come and meet her?”
Eden’s heart leaped as she and Steve stood up. Steve squeezed her hand gently before they followed John down the quiet corridor to the maternity ward. The door to Shelley’s room was slightly ajar, and they could hear her singing a lullaby.
John pushed the door open, and they stepped inside. Shelley was sitting up in the hospital bed, looking exhausted but happy. In her arms was a tiny bundle wrapped in a soft pink blanket. Eden’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of the newborn.
“Come closer,” Shelley said softly, her eyes shining with happiness.
Eden approached the bed, her eyes fixed on the baby. “She’s beautiful, Shelley.”
“Everyone, meet Karen Elana McDonald,” John said, his voice trembling with pride.
Eden’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at the tiny face peeking out from the blanket. Karen’s delicate features and peaceful expression touched her heart in a way she hadn’t expected. “Hello, little one,” she whispered, reaching out to gently touch the baby’s tiny hand.
Steve stood beside her, his usually composed expression softened with emotion. “She’s perfect,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shelley beamed. “We thought so, too. It’s amazing how much love you can feel for someone so small.”
Eden nodded, unable to tear her eyes away from the baby. Steve’s hand rested on her shoulder, and she looked up at him and smiled. “I take back everything I said,” she said quietly. “The lady in the waiting room might be right.”
A grin lit his face. “If I’d known that, I would’ve brought you to the hospital weeks ago.”
Just then, Eden’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and smiled. “Sam and Bailey have been calling regularly for updates.” She handed the phone to Shelley. “I’m sure they’d like to hear the good news from you.”
Shelley nodded, her eyes grateful. “That’d be wonderful. They really wanted to be here.”
While Shelley spoke to her sisters and parents, Eden snapped a few photos of the baby, capturing her tiny fingers and peaceful expression. She sent them to Shelley and John’s phones, knowing they’d like to share them with their families.
John looked up from his phone and smiled at Eden. “Thanks for the photos.”
“We won’t stay long,” she said quietly so she didn’t interrupt Shelley.
John looked adoringly at his wife and daughter. “I don’t know what we would have done without the two of you. Thank you for looking after Shelley.”
Steve moved around the bed and hugged John. “We were glad to be able to help. Congratulations.”
Eden smiled, touched by the sense of family and support inside the small hospital room. She felt lucky to be part of this moment, sharing Shelley and John’s joy and excitement.
As they prepared to leave, Eden gave Shelley a gentle hug. “Congratulations again. Karen is perfect.”
“Thank you,” Shelley said, her eyes misty. “And thank you for being here. It means so much to us.”
