Gramps dabbed at his eyes as he got to his feet. Chris slipped her arm through his. “Let’s go meet our little one.”
Dan was tapping away at his phone, no doubt telling Missy that she needed to get back in here quick. Ben thought he should do the same and tell Charlotte. He stared at the screen for a few moments not knowing what to say. In the end, he simply typed:
It’s time.
Charlotte and Missy came back in a few minutes later. Missy had a bounce in her step and a big grin on her face. Charlotte looked a lot more subdued. Ben got up and went to her side. “Are you okay?”
She gave him a brave smile. “I am. I can’t wait to see the little one.”
They let the others go in first, all taking turns so as not to crowd Emma and the baby. Pete and Holly came out and Pete grinned at Ben. “She’s gorgeous.” He turned to smile at Chris. “And you think Jack’s overprotective toward you. Can you imagine what he’s going to be like with a daughter?”
Chris laughed. “I think I may have to help Emma keep him in line, or my granddaughter may lead a very sheltered life.”
Dan smiled, “I think Aunt Missy may be able to help the two of you out there.”
Gramps looked at Ben. “Do the two of you want to go in now?”
Ben looked at Charlotte. She nodded and took hold of his hand and they went through the double doors. Jack beamed at them as they came in. “Come meet our daughter, she’s beautiful.”
Ben swallowed—hard—at the sight of Emma sitting up in bed holding her new baby. He could not cry; he would not cry. Charlotte tightened her grip on his hand and he heard her suck in a deep breath.
“She’s beautiful, Emma. How are you?”
Emma smiled at Charlotte. Ben had never seen her look so happy. “I’m exhausted. I had no clue it was going to be like that.” She smiled down at the baby. “But it was so worth it. Just look at her, she’s amazing.”
Jack went to perch on the bed beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.
“Does she have a name?” asked Ben.
Emma smiled up at Jack. “She does, we’re going to call her Isabel.”
“Oh, Em, that’s beautiful. I love it,” said Charlotte. She wiped at the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.
Emma reached out and touched her arm. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I knew this was going to be hard for you.” She looked at Ben. “And you. I’m so sorry.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Don’t be. Nothing should spoil this moment for you. Don’t be sad. This is the happiest day of your life.”
Ben nodded. He didn’t know what to say. It was such a bittersweet moment. Emma—one of his oldest and dearest friends—was experiencing a joy that he and Charlotte had been robbed of. He truly was happy for her and Jack, despite his own sadness.
Jack smiled at them. “The nurse said we could only have a few minutes. We just wanted to introduce her to her godparents.”
Ben was only too happy to get out and leave the new little family to each other. Charlotte’s death grip on his hand as they made for the door told him she felt the same way.
When they got back to the others in the waiting room, Pete grinned. “We called around everyone, they’re going to meet us at the Boathouse to wet the baby’s head. We’ll see you there.”
Missy came over to them as everyone made their way out. “I can make excuses for you if you don’t want to go.”
Ben looked at Charlotte, not sure if either of them would be able to stand that. She shook her head slightly. “I don’t think I can, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you be sorry, hon. You do what you need to for yourself.”
“Thanks Miss.”
They walked in silence back to Ben’s car. “You can join everyone if you want to,” said Charlotte.
“I don’t want to. I want to be with you. I’m happy for Emma and Jack, but I couldn’t face the celebrating. I just want us to go home, together. We don’t have to talk, we don’t have to do anything. I want to be with you, the last thing we need right now is to be apart.”
When they got in the car she leaned across and rested her head on his shoulder. “I wasn’t trying to push you away. I want to be with you. I just didn’t want to make you come home and be sad with me when you could go and celebrate with the others.”
