I looked over at Josh, and we both grinned.
“Well, Josh picked a name, and I picked a name. ”
Elizabeth smiled. “Go on. ”
“This precious little girl’s name is Isabella Gemma Hayes. Isabella is short for Elizabeth, and Gemma is after my mother. ” I smiled at Elizabeth as she began crying.
“And this future all-star football player’s name is William Gregory Hayes. William for Heather’s dad, and Gregory for you, Dad. ”
Greg stood up, leaned down, and kissed my forehead. “I’ve never been so honored in my entire life, baby girl. ”
I felt tears rolling down my face. I peeked over, and Josh was crying also. There was a knock on the door, and then Gunner and Ellie poked their heads in. Alex was wide-awake, and she smiled the moment she saw Josh.
“I still say that girl knows a good-looking man when she sees one,” I said.
Josh laughed and showed Alex the baby. “Alex, meet William Gregory. You can call him Will. ”
Alex started laughing and buried her head into Gunner’s chest.
Ellie rubbed Alex’s back and turned to me. “Oh my god, they are so tiny! Her name?”
“Isabella Gemma. Libby for short. ”
“Beautiful names. ”
“Ellie, how is Ari doing?”
Ellie smiled and shook her head. “She’s doing good, but Jefferson is freaking out. ”
Gunner and Josh both started laughing.
I snapped my head over at Josh and just looked at him. “Really? You’re one to talk!”
Josh instantly stopped laughing and looked at his dad. “Oh, um…uh. ” Josh turned back to look at me. “Princess, have I told you how beautiful you look?”
“Nice,” Gunner said, laughing.
As I looked around, my heart started to feel tight, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
My parents should be here. They should be holding my two beautiful children right now. My mom should be making plans to come and stay at my house for the first week, so she could teach me everything she knows about babies and diapers and no sleep.
Oh god! How am I going to do this alone? Take care of two babies? I’m going to drop one. Or what if I forget to feed one? Holy hell.
I looked at Josh. He must have seen the panic on my face.
Ellie must have noticed it, too. “I’ve washed my hands twice. May I hold Libby?” she asked with a wink.
I handed her the baby as Josh handed Will to his mother. He walked over and sat on my bed. Leaning down, he kissed me so softly and sweetly that I let out a small moan.
He moved his lips to my ears. “Don’t make noises like that. I’ve been told no sex for six weeks,” he whispered.
I giggled, and he kissed my nose. When I looked over at Elizabeth holding Will, my heart got heavy again.
“Breathe, princess. They’re with you, with us. I don’t think it was an accident that we both came up with your parents’ names for our children. I really believe they are with us, guiding us along. I wish more than anything they could be here for you…if only to kiss you on the forehead and tell you, ‘Good job, you did great,’ just like they knew you would. I’m so proud of you, Heather. You’ve made me the happiest man on earth…again! I can’t wait to start this next chapter of our lives. I love you. ”
Tears were building in my eyes as I looked at the most important person in my world—my husband. “I’d be lost without you. ”
“I’d be even more lost. ”