“Give them a minute,” Anne said. “Baby’s dad hasn’t even gone up yet.”
Lorenzo was hovering at the bottom of the staircase. He stared up with a look of undisguised longing, but he seemed uncertain of whether or not he was allowed.
Dawn came down the stairs and put her hands on his shoulders. She said something to him, then sent him up. Then she turned to face her daughters.
“It’s a boy!”
“Yes!” Pete put two fists in the air. “Finally!”
“Can we see him?” Mia asked.
“Not yet,” Dawn told her. “Let his mama rest.”
“Just a peek before I go?”
Soon, Dawn signed.
Anne put together a simple charcuterie platter to stand in for the dinner they had skipped, and that kept the kids happy for a while. Once they had eaten the last of that, the midwife came down and told them that they were allowed to go up two by two to see the baby.
“You first,” Anne said to Laurie. “Then you can take Mia home to get some rest.”
Mia tiptoed up the stairs with her mother right behind her. They walked down the hall to Akemi’s room, where Lorenzo was putting fresh sheets on the bed. Nestled in a cozy armchair in the corner sat Akemi with her baby cradled in her arms.
Hi mom,Laurie signed.
“Hi.” Akemi smiled at them, tired and glowing.
“Can we come in?” she asked from the doorway.
“Of course.”
They crossed the room and looked down at the new baby. He was wide awake, staring up at them with astonished eyes.
“This is Kaleo Kalama Lazzeri,” Akemi said, fingerspelling the name for Laurie.
Hi,Laurie waved at him.Nice to meet you.
Mia held a hand in front of his face.I love you.
Do you need anything?Laurie asked her sister.
Akemi’s smile was beatific. “I have everything I need right here.”
“He’s so beautiful,” Mia said. “Can I hold him?”
Another day,Laurie told her.Let’s go.
No!she signed angrily.
It’s past everybody’s bedtime. Auntie Akemi needs to rest, and so does the baby.
Fine.She sighed and waved goodbye to the newborn.
I love you,Laurie told her sister.
Ditto,Akemi signed back.I love you too.
Mom?Mia said as they walked back down the hallway.Can you have another baby?
