Peyton coos in my arms while her mom sleeps peacefully. At just a few hours old, she’s already captured my heart like the rest of my girls.
Larissa woke me up at a little after midnight when her water broke. I had just got to bed after being gone for an away game. I thank my lucky stars I was able to be here. The league now offers paternity leave, which I’m taking full advantage of. I was torn not wanting to let my team down, but at the end of the day, my girls are my home team, and this is where I need to be. I know any of the guys who were in my position, and those who have been, have made the same choice.
At just a few hours old, baby Peyton already has a firm grip on my finger. I can’t help but wonder if she’ll be into softball like her big sister Paisley? Parker is Paisley’s shadow, I can’t imagine that Peyton will be any different.
“Hey,” my wife’s sleepy voice greets me.
“Hey, beautiful,” I whisper.
“How is she?”
“She’s perfect, Ris. Just like her momma and her sisters. She’s perfect,” I say again, unable to take my eyes off our daughter.
“You’re going to spoil her.” My wife laughs.
“Of course I am.” This time I pull my eyes away from my sleeping baby girl to look at Larissa. “Have you not figured it out yet? Spoiling my girls, all four of you is my life’s mission.” Her soft laughter meets my ears, and I cherish the sound. I vowed years ago to do whatever it took to keep the laughter on her lips. I’d like to think I’ve achieved that and continue to do so.
“I’m glad it worked out that your parents happened to arrive yesterday instead of today.”
“It was nice to not have to drag the girls out of bed to get you here.”
“Have you talked to them?”
“I texted Dad. He and Mom are going to bring them over after breakfast.” I glance outside and see that the sun is just starting to rise. “Your mom went home to get some rest. She’ll be back later.”
Peyton fusses in my arms. “Are you hungry, sweet girl?” Her soft whimper is my answer. Carefully, I stand from the chair and help Larissa get adjusted. She lowers her gown, baring her full breast. “God, you’re gorgeous.” She blushes. After all this time, I can still make her blush.
“You’ve caught me, East. You can stop with the flattery.” She shakes her head, but a soft smile plays on her lips.
“Never.” I lean over and press my lips to hers. “You’ve never looked more beautiful than you do right this minute.”
“You said that the day we were married, you said that when Parker was born, and a million other times.”
“That’s because you’re more beautiful every damn day.” Another quick kiss to the corner of her mouth and I place Peyton in her arms. Larissa coos at her for a few moments until Peyton decides she’s had enough and wants to eat. Before Larissa has the chance to, as gently as I can, I guide her bare breast to Peyton, placing the nipple against her lips. She latches on immediately. I can’t take my eyes off them. To see my wife feeding our daughter in the most natural form…. My heart is so full it feels as if it could burst from the love pumping through my veins.
When she’s finished eating, I change Peyton’s diaper and am just placing her back in Larissa’s arms when the hospital room door pushes open. I hear Paisley first.
“Shh, Park, Mommy might be sleeping.”
“I see baby sister,” Parker replies.
“Hey, you,” I open my arms, and both my girls know the drill. They come rushing as I capture them both in a hug. “You ready to meet your little sister?” They both nod. Standing to my full height, I pick Parker up, placing her on my hip and hold Paisley’s hand. “Paisley and Parker, meet your sister Peyton,” I introduce them just as I did Paisley to Parker when she was born.
“She’s so tiny.” Paisley is now ten and older beyond her years.
“Tiny,” Parker agrees.
“Why don’t you climb up here and you can hold her?” Larissa offers. Paisley wastes no time sliding in bed beside her mom.
“Me hold her,” Parker says.
“You too,” I agree. Paisley moves over, and I sit Parker in between her and Larissa. Taking Peyton from Larissa, I place her in Paisley’s arms. I’ve placed Peyton just right so her legs are resting on Parker’s lap, so she too feels as though she’s getting to hold her little sister. “Hold her head,” I instruct.
“I’ve got this,” Paisley assures me.
“Got this,” Parker agrees.
“Hey, son.” Dad pulls me into a hug. “She’s a beauty.”