“Why can’t we make it a first? There are no rules when it comes to naming babies.”
“How did you come up with my name?” asked Clarissa, eyes wide and innocent.
Chuck wrapped an arm around behind my back and rested his hand on my hip. “Sandy and I named you after my grandmother. She was the one who encouraged me to write. Without her, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today.”
Clarissa tilted her head to the side and stroked her chin. “Then I think you should name my brother the same way. Is there someone in Mama’s life who’s that special?”
I smiled wide at Chuck. Clarissa had a very good point. When I thought back to almost a year and a half ago, my answer would have been different. I didn’t know what I was looking for back then, didn’t have a concrete path. I’d been wandering around aimlessly with the hopes that obtaining a degree would somehow open doors to brand new opportunities. But it had been Chuck who gave me a purpose, gave me a fresh outlook on life. He made colors more vibrant, smells and flavors more brilliant. He was everything to me, just as I assumed I was for him.
“How about Charlie?” I asked softly.
Chuck raised his eyebrows. “You want to name him after me?”
“Charles Hill the Second,” I hummed. “It has a very nice ring to it. We’ll call him Charlie for short.”
He cupped my face and kissed me, laughing happily as he did. “I really like that.”
I smiled up at him, warm, and safe, and over the moon. “I’m so glad.”
“Um,” interrupted Clarissa, “Mama?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Did you pee yourself?”
I frowned. “What?”
We all looked down to find a puddle of water spreading out across the floor. The legs of my maternity pants were completely soaked through. I looked to Chuck in surprise.
“Is it–” he breathed, “Oh my God, did your water just break?”
I sighed and grumbled, “I just polished the floors. Now I’ve got to mop it up and–”
“Lara,” he stressed. “Hospital. The baby’s coming.”
I finally snapped to, all the pieces coming rapidly together. “Oh my God, the baby’s coming!”
Chuck took my hand and looked to his daughter. “Will you please get the back door for us, baby?”
“Is my brother almost here?”
Chuck nodded and laughed, “He sure is.”
“Little Charlie Hill,” I hummed, voice a little shaky with an overflow of happiness. “This is really happening.”
“I love you, Lara.”
“I love you, too.”
- THE END -