Four hoursand a lot of tears later, the doctor is in the room and we’re starting to push. I’m exhausted, but ready to meet this baby.
“Okay, Mackenzie, you’re almost there. Dad, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?” Dr. Mason looks over at Jordan who is holding my hand and he immediately nods, the biggest grin on his handsome face.
“On the next contraction, push. Okay, ready, push!” I don’t hear the rest of what’s said because I focus on pushing with Jordan holding my hand. I squeeze his hand so hard, I hope I don’t hurt it.
“Good job, Mackenzie. I see the head. One more big push.”
I give all I have into this next push and I feel the strangest sensation before a piercing cry erupts in the room.
“You did so good, baby.” Jordan kisses my forehead and squeezes my hand.
“It’s a girl! Come over here and cut the cord.” Jordan follows directions and then the most beautiful baby is placed on my chest.
She has a head full of light brown hair, chubby little cheeks and all I can do is sob and kiss her tiny head.
“Hi, baby girl. I’m your momma.” The nurses then take her and get her measurements.
“Jordan, go stay with her, okay?” He looks at me and a frown starts on his lips.
“Mack, are you okay?”
“I feel a little dizzy.”
And the world fades to black.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
JORDAN
Iwalk into the hallway and sink to the floor against the wall, my head in my hands as sobs rip through my body.
How did I get here?
How did a day that was supposed to be full of joy turn into a nightmare?
When Mackenzie passed out, monitors started screaming and the doctor and nurses rushed around trying to help her. I looked down and all I could see was blood. So much blood. They were trying to get it under control, but it wasn’t working. In a flash, they were wheeling her bed down the hallway for an emergency operation and I was standing there in shock. The baby had been taken down to the nursery right after. My attempt to follow left me here after my legs gave out and I couldn’t hold back my emotions.
An arm wraps around me, holding me to their chest as I continue to cry. “Let it out, son.” Conrad is consoling me while his only child is fighting for her life. I wipe my tears with my sleeves before I look into eyes that are just as worried as my own.
“I don’t know what happened. One second everything was great and the next she was bleeding… and… there was just so much blood. I can’t lose her, Conrad. I can’t.” The tears start falling, completely out of my control.
“Jordan, it’s okay. She hemorrhaged, and they’re getting it under control. I have faith that this isn’t her time. She’s going to recover.” Nodding, I take his words as peace and reassurance, realizing I have to get off the floor and be better—for her. Be the man she and our little girl need me to be.
“The baby is a beautiful, healthy girl.”
“The nurses let us see her a moment before they took her to the nursery. She’s the spitting image of her momma. I can’t believe I’m a grandpa.”
“Conrad, she asked me to stay with the baby, but I can’t not be here when they bring her out of surgery. I don’t know what to do.”
“The baby will be having a few extra tests and evaluations with Mackenzie having been on magnesium, so you just sit with me a minute and then we’ll figure out a plan together. I think we have something to discuss.” He gives me a knowing look and I can’t help but let a small laugh slip out.
“Yes, Sir. I think we do.”
A few hours later,I’m holding a perfect baby girl in my arms while she sleeps soundly. She’s the tiniest little bundle, swaddled in a thin yellow blanket and a tiny hat covering her curly light-brown hair. Every detail of her face is an exact copy of her gorgeous momma. Tears prick my eyes as I place a kiss to the top of her head.
She lets out a tiny fuss and I pull her in a little tighter as she settles back down and her breathing evens out. This moment with her will forever be imprinted on my heart.My little girl.
