“Yes. That hurt worse than I was ever ready for it to. But it’s not that. I feel the wave. The connection. He’s here. He’s ours. And I love him so much already.”
“Alright mom and dad, Bee’s cord has turned white, so I’ve clamped it. Hawk, are you ready to cut the umbilical cord?”
Hawk nodded, taking the small sterile scissors from the packaging Birdie was holding towards him. His fingers gripped the metal and he pressed down between the two clamps. And then, Jessie and the baby were no longer physically connected to one another.
“Welcome to the world, Bee. Daddy loves you so much.”
Thirty-Nine
“Alright, Mama. Here’s one fresh and clean little boy, bundled up extra tight and ready for his midnight snack.”
Jessie was in heaven. As powerful and incredible as it had been to hear Hawk proudly talk about ‘his girls’ throughout her pregnancy, it didn’t compare to how much her heart burst with pride thinking abouther boys. Hawk, and their son… who still needed a name.
They had time. Birdie stayed the entire day, leaving just a bit ago to get some sleep at Beau’s. She’d been so cautious in watching over Jessie and the baby since the delivery. And although Hawk was a little apprehensive about staying home, there was no reason to leave. Their son was healthy, and Hawk had already called Jake to see if he would be willing to make a house call in the morning to establish the baby’s medical care. Of course their friend had agreed. They were blessed to have so many wonderful people supporting them.
“I called my mom and dad while you were resting. They’re over the moon. And as much as they want to get on a planeand come out to meet him, they don’t want to come before we're ready for them to be here.”
Jessie smiled. “I love your parents so much already.”
They’d limited the number of people who’d met Bee already to just Mae and Stone, and of course her mom and dad, too. Their friends and her brothers had been so understanding.
“Oh my god!” she screeched.
“What? What’s wrong.”
“The Founder’s Day setup. Did we… Did everything get done? My poor parents. I didn’t even think of it before now…”
The worry melted off of Hawk’s face. “Jesus, Jess. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
Little did he know how close she was to having her own, not just because of her panic over Lachlan’s fundraiser. Seeing him holding Bee against his bare chest, swaying in the moonlight with his shorts slung low on his hips was making her heart feel all sorts of wonky.
“Since Gunner, Stone, and Gage were here helping Colt, Hayes and Beau went back to work. Last I heard, it was all set to go. You don’t need to worry. You pulled it all off, even while giving birth. You’re incredible.”
“Our friends and family are incredible. I’m so thankful for them. And that Bee is finally here, safe and sound.”
Hawk nodded. “Do you want to try and feed him before you get up to use the bathroom or… shoot, I wasn’t thinking. Maybe we should have done that first.” Hawk swayed side to side with Bee in his arms, but was by her side in an instant as she tried to get into a more seated position. He shifted the baby into a seasoned one-arm hold while the other braced her arm and helped her move back against the pillows.
“You’ve sure got this dad thing down pat already.”
Hawk shrugged. “I practiced a lot.”
Wait…what?
“On who? Cami?”
Even in the dull glow of the nightlight placed by their bed, she could see his cheeks flush with color.
“No. Not on Cami.”
Her brows furrowed. “Do not tell me you have a secret child hidden somewhere.”
“No way,” he sighed. “You’re my one and only and forever baby mama.”
Jessie closed her eyes in dramatic relief. “Good. But that still doesn’t get you off the hook. You have to tell me now. Did you have a baby doll I wasn’t aware of?”
“No.”
“I just pushed your perfect nine pound baby out of my body, Hawk. I want to know. And I’m not above holding our son over you to get you to spill.”
