"Because I've watched you for seven months. How you talk to her. How you take care of yourself for her sake. How you're already putting her first."
"That's just pregnancy stuff."
"That's motherhood. And you're already incredible at it."
She cried against my shoulder whilst I held her, rubbing her back, whispering reassurances.
"I'm terrified too," I admitted. "Of being a father. Of messing this up. Of not being what she needs."
"Really?"
"Really. But we'll figure it out together. Like we've figured out everything else."
We stood in the nursery—perfectly organized now, waiting for our daughter—and held each other.
"The hospital bag is packed," Paola said after a while.
"I know. I watched you pack it. And repack it. Twice."
"Just making sure we have everything."
"We do. Birth plan's written. Car seat's installed. Everything's ready."
"Except us."
"We're as ready as we'll ever be."
She pulled back, looked up at me. "Two to five weeks. That's all that's left."
"Any day now."
"Any day now we meet her."
Lucia kicked hard between us, as if reminding us she was listening.
"Hi, sweetheart," I said to the bump. "We're ready for you. Whenever you want to make your appearance, we're ready."
Another kick.
Paola laughed through her tears. "She's saying 'Good. Because I'm coming soon.'"
"Then we'll be here. Waiting. So excited to meet you, Lucia."
We stood together in the nursery, hands on Paola's belly, talking to our daughter.
Any day now.
Any day we'd become parents.
And despite the fear, despite the uncertainty—I couldn't wait.
CHAPTER 27
Paola
Thirty-seven weeks.
Full term. Officially. “Any day now,” Dr. Lin had said at my last appointment. “Your body's ready. Lucia's ready. Now we just wait.”
