I sniffle quietly, but Colton’s eyes catch mine watching him and he smiles the biggest smile I’ve ever see on his face. “Hello, darlin’.” He whispers. “I’m so happy to see those beautiful hazel eyes.” He exchanges seats from the rocking chair to the side of the bed then lays Rylee down in my arms. Without a second thought my tears break free. He wraps his arm around me and kisses my forehead before drying my tears with his calloused thumbs.
“She’s absolutely breathtaking, Colton. I never knew I’d love someone as much as I love her.”
“She looks just like her Momma, darlin’.”
Kissing the top of her head, I inhale and smile. She smells like flowers blowing through the wind and her hair is soft and silky. Trailing my finger down the side of her plump cheek, I gaze at her beauty in complete wonderment. Only something so perfect can be heaven sent. I count her toes, then her fingers. Rubbing tiny circles across her palm, she clutches on to my finger and I kiss the top of her little hand. Resting her hand against her chest, my eye catches the bracelet on her wrist.
Baby Girl Weston
September 3, 2014
3:30 AM
“Some birthday present, huh?” I ask, looking up at Colton through tear soaked lashes. He tilts his head, looking at me in confusion. I kiss his cheek then turn the bracelet around on Rylee’s wrist for him to read. He smirks, rubbing the tears from his eyes. “Happy Birthday, baby.”
“I just knew that little baby would decide to come when I’d be asleep. Now I missed it all.” Heidi Jo pouts.
“Would you have preferred I woke you up, baby girl?”
“Heck no, old man. A girl needs her beauty sleep. That’s why that little baby sleeps so much. She’s gotta catch up to me, ya know.”
“Your little sister’s name is Rylee Jordyn Weston. Not little baby, Heidi Jo Weston.” Colton points out, calling Heidi Jo by her full name for emphasis. Her eyes grow wide, then she crinkles her nose and sticks her tongue out at Colton. He laughs, ruffling her hair.
“Well, she’s a pretty little scutter, I guess.” Heidi Jo shrugs her shoulders as she takes a bite of cake. The day has been full of commotion with everyone and their brother stopping by to meet Rylee. Emma and Bill left just a bit ago, right before the real party started.
Savannah and Luke refused to let the celebration of Colton’s birthday go short lived. They’ve been here most of the day, but left for a short while to take the kids for lunch. They returned with cake, ice cream and a huge bouquet of balloons. Everyone sang Happy Birthday as Colton held Rylee in his arms, smiling down at her with so much love in his eyes. He hasn’t stopped smiling all day, although his eyes are heavy and sleep laden.
“Happy Birthday.” Luke says handing Colton a gift. Colton’s eyebrow cocks up and he peers at Luke like he has a third head.
“Thanks, but I ain’t twelve.” He chuckles.
“Shut your mouth and open the gift, Colton. Gimme my sweet girl.” Savannah picks Rylee up from Colton’s arms.
He shoots Savannah a piercing glare, the usual cocky smirk ever present on his face. “I’ll open it, but as soon as I’m done you reach my baby girl back.” She rolls her eyes as she sways lightly from side to side with Rylee in her arms. “Heidi Jo, come open Daddy’s present from Uncle Luke.” Heidi Jo bounces across the floor and takes the present from Colton’s hand, ripping the paper away in one swift tear. She pops the box open then lays it in Colton’s lap. He moves the tissue paper to the side and pulls out a silver frame. He looks at the picture, then up to Luke. His brows furrow drawing deep in the corner of his eyes. “How’d you?”
Smiling, Luke shrugs his shoulders and says, “I just knew.”
Colton stands, reaching me the frame before he takes two swift steps and pulls Luke into a bear hug. I look at the shiny silver frame and complete awe washes over me. I love Luke Ashton just a little more in this moment. I don’t know how he always knows when and where he’s needed, but he just shows up offering strength and creating special memories that can never be forgotten.
The engraving on the silver frame reads:
Rylee
September 3, 2014
Daddy’s Little Monkey
The picture is exactly what I saw when I laid my eyes upon my daughter for the very first time; her snuggled to her Daddy’s chest as they both lay sleeping.
I lay here scrunched up in this small recliner, listenin’ to every sound that Rylee makes as she sleeps. Carly Jo is absolutely exhausted between labor, surgery and the excitement of the day so she’s nappin’ as Rylee naps. I can’t bring myself to put her down. I can’t stand for anyone else to touch her aside from Carly Jo.
My eyes are heavy and my body is worn, but I can’t sleep. I’m layin’ here with my baby girl on my chest, replayin’ the last nine months in my mind. I nearly threw all of this away, as if it didn’t matter. I nearly lost my faith in Carly Jo and the love that I feel for her. When she told me about her and Luke, I washed my hands of her and was determined to walk away and never look back. I’ve never felt a pain so raw and gut wrenching as I did in that moment. By the grac
e of God I wandered back to her.
All the hell, the heartache, the anguish…it was worth it all.
I’d relive it all again, in a heartbeat just to relive this day again, over and over. The best birthday gift I’ve ever received is my daughter. I can’t imagine missin’ this moment. I can’t imagine not holdin’ Rylee in my arms and feelin’ her heart beat against mine. I can’t imagine wakin’ up each mornin’ to a cold, empty bed. I can’t imagine not havin’ Carly Jo wrapped up in my arms. Because that’s where she belongs.