My Ward My Woman

‘I can’t believe I missed it all. I can’t wait to hold my babies.’ I looked to the side where they were both asleep in their little cribs. They weren’t hooked up to anything and so far their vital signs and everything else were in working order.

‘We’re going to have to spoil Jared, you and I, because it looks like your son is already attached to Sabrina. He’s already being very territorial.’ Just then he jumped awake and his hand flexed in mine as he sat up and looked around the room.

I put my phone down at my side as our eyes met. “Hi beautiful, how do you feel?” I smiled to reassure him as he got to his feet and leaned over for a kiss before going to stand over the babies. He touched their little heads with such reverence it was hard not to fall in love with him all over again.

“They’re perfect; so perfect. I don’t think it’s quite settled in yet. We’re parents.” He looked back at me as though he really couldn’t believe it. “When are they gonna wake up, weren’t they asleep too long?” This from the man who only the night before was complaining about never getting a good night’s sleep again.

“They’ll be up soon, it’s been a couple hours since they ate.” He came back to the bed and sat beside me, his arms coming around me. “We can take them home today the doctor said. I’ve ordered the other crib and stuff but I’m not sure we have everything we’re gonna need.”

“We already had too much before so it’ll be fine. Don’t do anything crazy.”

“Like what? What do you mean?”

“Oh I don’t know, like buying out the baby store. Your mom and I already told you they’ll grow out of everything in the first few months so it doesn’t make sense to buy too much.”

“Maybe you and mom should mind your own business. I have it on good authority that babies need two of every damn thing just to get through the day.”

“Which authority is that, Google?”

“Smartass, I don’t want them to ever need anything. They’re so tiny, so helpless. How are we to know what they need from us until they learn to talk?” He worries about the strangest things. But it’s too cute, so I don’t remind him that men and women have been doing this for centuries.

“Did I thank you?”

“About a thousand times.” I lifted my lips for his kiss.

“It bears repeating. You did an amazing job baby. I owe you. Won’t ever be able to repay you, but damn if I don’t owe you.” He’s too cute.

Just then little Sabrina fussed awake and he was off the bed like a shot. I watched him as he concentrated while checking her nappy and talking to her as if expecting an answer. I could already see there was going to be trouble. She has him wrapped around her little finger and she’s barely a day old.

He picked her up like he was afraid he’d break her before bringing her back to me. “She knows me baby. Look how she watches me.” I don’t think there’s any use in telling him she can’t really see him yet. Or that the little smile he swore she gave was just gas.

He sat beside me and passed the baby into my arms, but instead of letting go, he wrapped his arms around us in such a way that her little bottom rested on his chest as I led her to my nipple.

His finger touched me right above where her mouth worked as if he would help her draw the milk from my breast. “My little Sabrina.” His words were filled with awe and admiration as he ran his hand gently over her head.

“Your son’s starting to fuss.” He left us and went to pick his son up. I need not have worried that all his love was for our daughter. He picked our boy up and studied him with a strange look on his face. “My son.” It was all he said, before pulling the baby to his chest and kissing his little head as he closed his eyes.

THE END