“Here is our little princess for her breakfast.” He sits on the edge of the bed and has no intention of leaving. I smirk at him as I adjust our daughter at my chest. He steals a glimpse of the sign that says Baby Cassidy Oaks. We’ll call her Cassie to incorporate Carter’s and my name. It begins with his and ends with mine.
We’re doing great after getting checked out. Truthfully, if it wasn’t for the hospital band around my wrist then I would say we could have just stayed home after this little bundle of ten toes and fingers came into the world. It’s unbelievable how this all transpired.
It still hasn’t registered that we are parents. It’s only the little gurgles that remind us of the fact.
I notice Carter’s smug smirk. “What are you up to?” I wonder then glance down at our daughter who is holding onto my crooked pinky.
Carter brushes the side of his hand gingerly across Cassie’s hair. “I have a surprise for you, but only if you want it.”
The corner of my mouth stretches. “Why wouldn’t I want a surprise? Oh yeah, because then I go into labor unexpectedly,” I remark.
“Okay, this surprise is more news.”
“That our parents won’t be here for another hour?” I look at him, intrigued but confused.
He laughs and rubs my leg. “The roads did clear.” He shrugs. “But that also means I can use an almost-mayor perk and the judge can stop on by… if you want.” Carter quirks his lips out and plays casual.
I sputter a laugh. “You mean to get married?” He nods. “Here?” He nods again. “As in, I’m washed out with a baby in my arms, but hell, let’s just knock out all life events in a twenty-four-hour period?”
Carter’s palms fly up to ease me. “Your choice.”
Sighing, I can’t help but smile at our little girl. “Your daddy is really putting me on the spot, you know that, right?”
“It was supposed to be our wedding today,” he points out. “The whole married before she’s born idea went out the window, but the sign-off on us can still happen.”
I point to the little hat on the bedside table, and like clockwork, Carter grabs it and positions it on Cassie’s head.
“Thanks. We need to cover her ears to prevent her from hearing me burst out laughing,” I explain dryly as my smile begins to creep across my face.
“A perk of being married twice to one another is that I can read you. It seems that I should be speed-dialing someone,” he gloats, and I roll my eyes because he’s right.
“So unfair. I don’t even have mascara with me.” Although I love my post-labor pajamas. A little lace over gray cotton tank and long pants with fuzzy socks. Gracie gave the outfit at my baby shower.
Carter takes that as an answer, and I’d be lying if it wasn’t the cue to my reply. He stands and fishes his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call him then.”
Now I’m amused with this spontaneous development of our day. “What about our family that is about to descend upon us?”
“Your call. I can either tell them to wait once they get here while the judge does his thing or they come in here with no clue.”
My eyes grow wide. “Are you crazy? The whole hospital will hear our moms lose their cool.” I consider that for a moment. “I mean… if they’re here anyways, then we might as well.” I brush it off as though it’s no big deal.
The sound of Carter’s chuckle won’t be forgotten in my entire life. “I was not expecting that little plot twist.”
“What?” I’m ready to defend myself. “Cassie has the same trait. We like the element of spontaneity.”
He quickly steps to us and leans down to kiss our foreheads. “I’ll go make the call,” he whispers.
Staring down at the squinched little face who doesn’t understand the new world that she is in, I just want to cuddle in her cuteness. “Your daddy can be grumpy, demanding, and then out of nowhere, be far too confident and euphoric.”
A knock on the door before it cracks open raises my attention to see Hailey and Oliver peeking in. “Ready for visitors?” Hailey asks.
“Come on in.”
The moment the door fully opens, a giant balloon on a string that saysbeary excited to meet youappears, along with a fruit basket and a bag with tissue paper.
Hailey is cooing and approaching us with vigor. “She’s so adorable.”
Oliver is a little more reserved and gives us a little distance. “My little niece didn’t make it easy for you guys, did she?” He goosenecks to get a glimpse, but his wife is stealing the view. “I heard you had a guest at the event, too. Supervising so that my brother wouldn’t mess up.”
