“Boys,” Dad softly scolded, he was used to me and Griffin fighting one minute and making up the next.
With a soft laugh, Aunt Sarah grasped Griffin’s shoulders. “Sit with your parents for a bit, Shay, I’ll go grab your dad and me some coffee. Come help me, sweetheart.” She dragged a protesting Griffin out with her.
After they left, Mom looked at me. “Would you like to hold her?” I clenched my fists, unsure if I was ready to share my mom with this baby. As if she read my hesitation, Mom palmed my cheek. “It’s okay, Shay. I have enough love for the both of you.” My gaze shifted between her and the baby for a moment then I nodded. “Sit down and bend your arm like I’m doing.” I did as she asked before she placed the baby in my arms, keeping her hand under mine.
The baby wasn’t as heavy as I thought she would be for a human. When I was comfortable with holding her in one hand, I ran a finger of the other along her cheek. It was soft and smooth reminding me of the melted chocolate Mom used when baking.
Mom dragged a slow hand through my hair. “Have you chosen any names yet?”
I shook my head, my smile sheepish. For the last month while they wrote down names for girls and boys, I only scribbled names of boys from some of my favorite shows, but we hadn’t chosen any yet.
“Maybe we should name her January since she was born on New Year’s Day,” I joked. They laughed at my suggestion.
“Unique but I think the kids will tease her at school. Smile, son.” Dad held up his phone and took a photo. “Perfect.” He held it out for me and Mom to see.
I grinned, liking the photo.
“The right name will come to you,” Mom said then held out her hands. “Shall I take her.”
Weirdly, I enjoyed holding the baby, it made me feel all warm inside. Like I was part of something special. I shook my head.
Her laugh was soft before she leaned back against the bed frame. “Are you okay with having her in our lives now, sweetheart?”
My earlier anxiety had died a quick death. I nodded.
“Do you promise to always take care of the baby,” Mom asked as Dad settled into the one-seater sofa next to the bed.
“I promise.”
She was quiet for a bit then asked, “can I ask you to make another promise?” When I looked up from the baby, Mom leaned forward again, bringing her face close to mine. Seeing the sudden worry on her face, I frowned but nodded. “Would you promise me she will never know your dad isn’t her real dad.” Maybe it was my hesitation that made her add, “Your grandmother and some people in town are not happy your dad married me, you know that, right?”
I looked at Dad and he smiled his encouragement. “Yes,” I replied.
She palmed my cheek. “I just don’t want those people to treat the baby like she’s no one even if her dad left me. Because she’s innocent and important to us just like you are to me.”
“I’ll protect her, Mom and she’ll never find out that Dad isn’t her real dad, I promise.” I looked down at the baby and silently whispered, “I plan to keep my promise no matter what.”
As if she heard me, her small mouth rounded in a yawn before she opened her eyes and blinked a few times. They rolled around a little then met mine. She stared at me, and I smiled, fascinated by the color. “Her eyes are so blue. They look like the sky.” I glanced up at Mom. “Would it be silly to call her Blue?”
She laughed. “It’s not silly but I’m not sure if that’s a suitable name for her.” She chewed her bottom lip like she usually did when she was thinking. “What if we called her Skye? But she’ll be Blue, just for you?”
We both looked at Dad. He rubbed at the stubble along his jaw. “I like it.”
Stupidly, pride raced through me. Mom picked a name I suggested. Well, I sort of did.
“Would you like that, Shay?” she asked.
I beamed like an idiot. “Yes.” I looked at the baby again. “Did you hear that, Blue? They’re going to call you Skye. Would you like that?” She squirmed making a funny noise. I laughed, forgetting that I was supposed to hate this baby for stealing my mom. Then she opened her little hand, and I watched her tiny pink fingers close around my pinky. “We’re going to be best friends.”
