By some miracle, we all get out of the stadium and into Ubers. Leighton and Hayes have to wait for an XL for their whole crew.
Everyone is here.
Hayes and Callie’s parents.
My mom.
Leighton and the kids.
Easton’s parents.
And the new addition to our group recently… Penelope and her daughter, Hazel.
We’re all so busy picking cars and getting everyone to the hospital since we’re all going to be there for Foster and Callie that I don’t realize until I look at the seat behind me that I have Mom, Penelope, and Hazel in my car.
Well, this is awkward.
My mom makes conversation because she’s like that. Foster and I didn’t get her conversational skills.
Penelope answers her questions politely while I try not to hang on to every last detail she shares so I can know what her life is like these days.
Penelope is my maybe someday. Our paths have crossed, but we’ve never been able to stay.
I’m in misery for the brief ride to the hospital, and after we get out of the Uber, we file into the hospital, looking like an overly close family that doesn’t have any boundaries.
Not that far from the truth actually.
Somewhere in the midst of Callie and Foster disappearing, we all end up in a labor and delivery waiting room, vying for chairs.
We stay for fifteen hours, taking turns going in and seeing Callie as she sucks on ice chips and complains, deservingly so. We order food, we fall asleep, but all of us stay.
Finally, right before noon the next day, Foster comes out and gives us all the news. “Ellis Riley Davis has arrived.”
He looks as if he played all seven World Series games in one night, but I never thought I’d see that smile on his face.
I’m proud of all the work he’s done. He allowed himself to fall in love and managed not to blow it. I glance at Penelope playing with Hazel and Monroe. Foster is more courageous than I am.
We all take turns visiting with Callie and the new baby, and when my turn rolls around, I’m paired with Penelope.
Is the universe trying to tell me something?
Callie is in the hospital bed, and Foster’s at her side, running his hand over the top of her head. Ellis is in the bassinet.
“She’s beautiful.” I’m probably more sensitive than my twin brother, but I’m not an overly emotional guy, so I’m surprised by the surge of emotion I feel when I look at my niece.
“We’re hoping the blue eyes stick.” Callie smiles at Foster.
Foster comes over, picks her up, and holds her out. I’m a little surprised by how comfortable he seems maneuvering with the baby. “Ellis, this is your uncle Decker. Don’t go to him when you get in trouble, he’s one of those rule followers. Easton’s probably better for that kind of thing.”
The two of us chuckle, and he hands her to me. I’m a little awkward with the pass over, but I manage.
My brother and I are mending our relationship, which has resulted in me making some decisions about the woman to my right and why I need to keep my distance. There’s still so much between us that hasn’t been discussed. Maybe it should be buried and left to rot, never to be dug up again. Leave it where it is, and we just all move on.
“She’s going to be a rule follower too,” Callie says.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a little wild.” Foster winks at Callie.
“A little bit maybe.” She smiles at where Ellis rests in my arms.
