My dad turns to me and guiltily shakes his head.
I shoot off a quick text to her.The baby is coming! Hattie’sin labor and delivery right now!
She responds within seconds.I get off at midnight, but will try to be there sooner. Are y’all okay?
I respond to let her know I’m okay. We’re all okay. And then we wait.
Sara Belle Leroux is born at 11:53 p.m. at six pounds, three ounces. Her hair is blacker than night, and she hasn’t opened her eyes wide enough for me to see what color they are yet.
I am in love. Hattie fought for Sara to have her last name, since Tyler wanted to name her after his great-aunt Sara. And Belle? Well, Hattie’s daughter’s name had to have a little bit of flair.
Freddie, Ruth, and Saul all peek in on Hattie, but she’s still so doped up on drugs.
“I want what she’s having,” says Saul.
Ruth shakes her head. “We better get going.”
After they head off for the elevators, Freddie motions with his head in their direction. “Me too,” he says. “Gram said we had a little damage on the roof, and I told her I’d climb up there as soon as the sun comes up.”
“You let me know if she needs any shingles replaced,” my dad tells him. “You and me can jump up there on my day off and knock it out. No need to call anyone if it’s minor.” Dad holds out his hand for Freddie, and the two shake firmly. “I appreciate you getting Ramona here.”
“Of course,” Freddie says. “Congratulations, Hattie. Tyler, you too.”
Tyler waves, but doesn’t look up from Sara.
Hattie giggles wildly, on the verge of tears. “I’m wearing diapers and so is she.”
Freddie’s cheeks turn a deep red.
“It’s a pad, not a diaper,” I tell her.
“And oh my God! These socks are great. Why don’t more people talk about how great hospital socks are?”
“I’ll, uh, walk you out,” I tell Freddie, not bothering to hide my smile.
The walk to the elevators is quiet, but not in a bad way, I don’t think.
While we wait for the elevator, Freddie hugs me, pulling me to him with our arms wrapped tight around each other. I feel the weight of everything unsaid between us. But after everything tonight, I don’t even know where to begin.
I hold Sara for as long as I can before the nurse shoos us all away. Tyler’s mom is bubbling with constant tears, and I think even Dad’s eyes might have watered.
Once Mom gets here she seems stunned the whole time, dabbing her eyes nonstop. For once, she doesn’t make it about herself, and the only reason I can think of is that she’s under Sara’s spell, too. Either way, we are all completely smitten, and for those few moments in Hattie’s hospital room, it’s easy to believe that this sweet little baby is the answer to all of the world’s troubles.
Mom sits in the rocking chair with a pillow on her lap for extra support as she holds Sara for the first time. “Shelooks just like the two of you girls.” She turns to my dad. “And she’s got Hattie’s nose. Doesn’t she have Hattie’s nose?”
He nods. “And Tyler’s ears.”
“Guess I don’t have to waste money on that paternity test,” he says in true Tyler fashion.
But his mom is quick to smack him in the back of the head.
“Sorry,” he mumbles.
While the doctor is checking in on Hattie and Sara, I wait in the hallway with my mom while Dad and Mrs. Porter run down to the cafeteria for coffee.
“Hey, honey,” says Mom, “thanks for messaging me. I’m... I’m glad to be here tonight.”
I nod. “Hattie wanted you here.”
