I am a dad.
A nurse steps into the room and leans toward Dr. Bell. They exchange a few quiet words before both of them glance in our direction.
“Well,” Dr. Bell says gently, “we’re going to take her for a quick check and bring her right back. It won’t take more than fifteen minutes, okay?”
“Yes.” Riley swallows and carefully hands our daughter to the nurse.
“Riley, sweetheart, you need to rest,” Dr. Bell says kindly. “You just delivered a baby. Try to relax and maybe get a little sleep. We’ll bring your daughter right back as soon as we’re done.”
Ry nods weakly. “Okay.”
A few moments later, the room grows quiet again. It’s just the two of us.
“Thank you, Hade,” Riley murmurs. “Thank you for being here with me.”
“Hey.” I brush her hair away from her face. “You need to stop thanking me. I didn’t do anything. You were incredible. I’m so damn proud of you.” I pause, studying her soft smile. “So…what about the name? We went through so many options.”
The moment I ask, her eyes light up. “As soon as I saw her, I knew,” she says softly. “She’s Iris.” She smiles at me dreamily. “Do you like it?”
“DoIlike it?” Tears are streaming down my face, and I don’t fucking care. “I love it. And Iris Hale sounds pretty damn cool.”
She smiles slowly. “It does.” Her eyes grow heavy, and she yawns.
“Get some rest. I’ll be right here with you and our baby girl.” I kiss her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you”—she yawns again—“too.”
It takes her less than two minutes to fall asleep.
I settle into the chair by the window and send a few quick texts to our families, then to our friends. Happiness burns inside my chest, making me feel almost weightless, like I’m some kind of hot-air balloon filled with too much warmth to stay on the ground.
When the nurse returns with our baby girl, she walks over and gently places my daughter into my arms. With a soft smile, she nods and quietly leaves the room.
I cradle my baby against my chest, my eyes never leaving her face. She looks so peaceful. So perfect. My chest tightens with so much joy and love it almost hurts.
“Hi, Iris,” I whisper. “It’s your dad.” I trace her chubby cheek with the tip of my finger. “Ever since I heard your heartbeat for the first time, I’ve loved you. And now that I finally get to see you…” My voice cracks. “I love you even more.” I swallow hard, tears are leaking down my face. “You’re my world, baby girl. You and your mommy are my everything. I’ll do anything for the two of you.” I brush my lips softly against her tiny forehead. “Because you’re my love songs.”
As I sit there with my daughter in my arms, I realize I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I don’t even know what to do with all these feelings. I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I want to sing. I want the whole world to know that I’m a dad. That the love of my life gave me the most precious gift in the world—our daughter.
Our Iris.
43
let me be there for you
RILEY
I keep my ears pricked,listening to the sounds of the apartment while I dry my body with a towel.
What if Iris is awake? What if she needs me? What if…
I shake my head.This is ridiculous. You fed her and she fell asleep. You were only in the shower for five minutes, besides Hayden is home.
Taking a deep breath, I drop the towel to the floor and slip into a pair of shorts and a blue T-shirt.
I’m combing my hair when there’s a knock on the door. With a little huff, I shake my head. As if he needs my permission to open it.
“Come on in.”
