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Emmie approached her and gently kissed her cheek. “Hi, darling girl. It’s Mom.”

Lauren’s eyelids fluttered open, and a smile crossed her face. “You’re here. Did you see the baby? He’s beautiful.”

“I’m about to see him. I wanted to make sure you were alright,” Emmie said. She moved to the incubator to get a first look at her grandson.

At three plus weeks early, he looked healthy to her. “How many pounds is he?” she asked.

“He’s almost six pounds. He was going to be a big baby,” said Rick.

“Have you decided on a name for him?” Emmie asked them.

“Clark Earl Harrison,” Lauren and Rick said together, and they all shared teary looks.

“It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful baby boy,” Emmie managed to say. “And Earl would love it.”

A nurse walked into the room, and Rick introduced Emmie as Lauren’s mother.

The nurse acknowledged her with a smile. “Let me check him over, and then would his grandmother like to hold him?”

“May I? Yes, I can’t wait,” said Emmie.

“Nurses come to monitor Lauren and the baby frequently while they’re in this room,” Rick explained to her.

“Okay, grandmother, he’s ready. Are you?” said the nurse. “Take a seat in one of the chairs, and I’ll hand him to you.”

After washing her hands, Emmie sat down as instructed and held out her arms. In moments, she held a beautiful little boy who looked a lot like Lauren with a little bit of Rick around his eyes. The weight of him in her arms was a reminder of what a precious gift he was. Acknowledging that she might have lost him and her own baby girl caused her breathing to stop, then start with a little gasp of gratitude. The baby's face grew blurred with her tears.

She unwrapped the blanket to see his toes. He was a perfect little boy.

“Hello, Clark Earl Harrison,” she crooned. “I’m going to spoil you with love, I promise.”

Watching from the bed, Lauren said, “Dad would be very proud to know Rick and I named him Clark Earl after him.”

“Oh, yes,” said Emmie. “It’s a lovely name, and he’s a beautiful boy.”

“Bring him to me, please,” Lauren said to the nurse. “I want to try nursing him again.”

Rick walked over to Lauren. “While your mother is here, I’m going to go home to shower and change and maybe get a little rest. Is that all right with you?”

“Of course, darling,” said Lauren. “Thank you for being my rock during this time. Get some rest. Then later, Mom can go to the apartment to sleep.”

Emmie was too excited to sleep at the moment, but she knew she couldn’t last much longer. Thankfully, the room had a couch.

She watched as the nurse helped position the baby on Lauren’s breast.

“This is important to me,” said Lauren. “I want to give him a healthy start in life, especially after the rough beginning.”

“You’re going to be an excellent mother. I’m very proud of you,” said Emmie, noticing how attentive the nurse was and how she’d listened to Lauren’s concerns.

“This baby is lucky to have such a loving family,” the nurse said. “I’ll leave you to it, to give you some privacy.”

“Come sit with me,” said Lauren, patting the bed.

Emmie was careful about sitting on the edge of the bed to keep from disturbing Lauren and the baby. “You and your baby are doing well,” said Emmie. “I’m very grateful.”

“Me, too.” Lauren’s eyes welled with tears. “I was scared, but Dr. Spellman was calm, though I knew she was worried. And Rick was my supporter. But I’m happy you’re here, Mom. I know you’ll help me in ways others can’t.”

Emmie leaned over and kissed Lauren. “I’m delighted to be here. Having a baby and becoming a first-time mother is a major event. It’s a time for women to come together and support one another as best we can.”