Play On (Game On 4)

My eyes widened. All sound in the room ceased to exist as my heart seemed to swell inside my chest. “Willa,” I whispered.

Leah nodded. “Radleigh and I talked about names over and over, never reaching a conclusion, but when we saw her it suddenly became clear.” She smiled, the first tear falling from her eyes. “Freya, I can’t explain how much you and Will meant to me from the second I moved to Westberg, and all the support you both gave me through so many things made all the hard days so much better. Will was honest, straight-talking, dedicated, kind, generous, and he loved his friends so much. I want my little girl to be all those things too, just like her Uncle Will. I want a part of him to always be remembered. I couldn’t think of a better way to do it.”

With her words we both broke down and I snuggled into her as she wrapped her arm around me.

Bittersweet. The only way to describe the moment; crying with my best friend over someone we’d lost while celebrating someone we’d gained. The love in the small room wrapped us in its embrace, holding us tight as we sat in silent appreciation of each other.

In my arms, Jessica let out a small whimper.

“I know,” I said, softly. “It’s an emotional day, huh?” I ran my fingers across her cheek again. “I think I should give you back to Mommy before I steal you away, little one.”

Leah laughed as we shifted positions and I handed Jessica back to her. “You’ll be first on the list for babysitting duties.”

“I can’t wait.”

With Jessica in her arms again, Leah closed her eyes and took a long breath in, the corners of her lips lifting.

“Leah?”

“Yeah?” She didn’t open her eyes.

“Thank you. For Jessica’s name, and for putting up with me at my worst. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

“Right back at ya, babe.”

“Do you want to sleep?”

“Yes.” She laughed and opened her eyes. “But not yet. Right now I want to sit here with you and my baby.”

That was exactly what we did. We sat; no need for words, both of us entranced by Jessica. Every tiny movement or sound she made captured our attention until she settled, and then we waited quietly until she moved again. She was utterly fascinating, and with both Leah and I so tired, we barely had the energy to do anything more than watch her as she slept.

Radleigh returned more than an hour later, and it was clear from his dark eyes and dishevelled appearance that he was starting to feel the tiredness too, but he grinned that special grin he reserved for Leah and she roused from her semi-conscious state. He kissed her then placed a soft kiss on Jessica’s cheek before sitting beside her on the other side of the bed from me.

“My girls all okay?”

Leah nodded. “Ready to sleep soon.”

“Me too. But before we do that, I have something funny to show you.” Radleigh pulled his cell phone from his pocket and brushed his thumb across the screen then turned the phone towards Leah and me.

“Oh my God!” I said, as Leah and I burst out laughing.

On the screen was a photo of Leah and Radleigh’s living room. Bree and Jamie were asleep on one of the leather sofas, and Bryce was asleep on the other. Isabelle and Jesse were snuggled up together on the floor, both of them sleeping too. They all looked horribly uncomfortable; they must have crashed out while keeping Jamie’s mind off what was happening at the hospital.

“We have great friends.” Leah giggled. “Wait.” She turned to Radleigh. “You went home?”

He nodded. “I have something for you, but I need you to close your eyes.”

“If I close my eyes I’ll fall asleep.”

“No you won’t. You’re too curious to fall asleep.”

She threw a mock glare his way because she knew he was right. Exhausted as she was, her interest had been piqued. As her eyelids lowered, Radleigh stuffed his cell back into his left jeans pocket, and drew something else from his right pocket.

My hand flew up to my mouth to stop me gasping out loud. I jerked my head towards the door, silently telling him I’d leave but he smiled and shook his head.

“Stay,” he mouthed. “Please.”

I’d left the delivery room for Jessica’s birth because I didn’t want to be in the way, but this felt like an even bigger intrusion. A moment for two people only.