“Wyatt Robert Bateman. I like the sound of that. Rest up, baby,” I say softly. In seconds she’s breathing heavily.
***
Laken sits cross legged on the hospital bed with Wyatt sleeping in her arms. My parents are on their way, bringing Ava to meet her brother. I’m anxious because I don’t want her feeling left out.
We bought her a present from Wyatt, and hopefully that’ll help ease some of the tension. My mom texts me that they’re in the waiting room. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay, Daddy. We’ll be right here waiting.” Laken smiles from the bed.
I come over and kiss her before heading out to get Ava. I reach the waiting room, and Ava jumps up and runs to me. “Daddy! I missed you so, so much. Where’s da baby?”
“We’re going to go see him and Mommy right now.” I look at my parents. “Give us about ten minutes, and then you can come on back.”
Mom is bouncing excitedly in her seat. I know she’s dying to get her hands on my son. “Okay. Eekk … I can’t wait.”
I shake my head and then carry my daughter down to meet her brother. The moment we step into the room I set her down, and she runs to the bed. “Is this him, Mommy?” Laken put him back in the little bassinet while she waited for Ava.
“This is your brother, Wyatt. What do you think? Should we keep him?”
Laken peers over the side of the bassinet. She reaches out and touches his hand. Wyatt immediately grabs onto her finger. “He likes me.”
“Do you want to hold him?” I ask her. “He also got a present for you.”
“He did? Then yes, I wanna hold him.”
I chuckle as I pick her up and sit her on Laken’s lap. She wraps her arms around our daughter and gives her a kiss. “Are you ready to meet Wyatt?”
“He’s so little, but he loves me. I can tell.” I pick our son up and carefully place him in our daughter’s waiting arms. She bends down and kisses his forehead. “Wyatt, I’m yow sista.” He opens his eyes and looks at her.
I grab the gift bag and set it down next to her. She reaches for it with one hand and pulls the paper out. Laken is helping hold Wyatt. Ava pulls out an American girl doll and hugs it to her chest.
“Thank you, bwother. I love it.”
A knock on the door pulls my attention away from my kids. My kids … wow. I never thought this would be my life, but I’m so grateful to have it now.
My parents walk in, and my mom comes toward me with tears in her eyes. “My baby boy has a baby boy of his own.”
I pull her into a bear hug. “Come meet Wyatt.”
“Wyatt? Oh my God, I love it.” She kisses my cheeks before hugging Laken.
Dad grabs my shoulder. “Let’s go for a walk.”
I nod before going to Laken and kissing her on the lips. “I’ll be back.” The smile she gives me is soft and full of love. “I love you, baby.”
“I know. Hurry back.”
I follow Dad out of the room. He wraps his arm around my shoulders. Neither of us speaks as we ride the elevator downstairs. Once we’re outside, I’m a little nervous. I thought he was happy for me.
We sit on a bench, and he slaps my knee. “I just wanted to check on you. You get some sleep last night?”
I nod. “I did. We got up around six when the nurse brought Wyatt in so Laken could feed him. He latched on immediately; he knows a good thing.” I smile.
Dad laughs and throws his arm around my shoulder. “He’s a true Bateman. Fuck, I’m so proud of you. You know, when your mom gave birth to you, I was so scared, but the minute I held your tiny body in my arms it all just felt right. Parenthood isn’t easy, and marriage isn’t easy, but when you have the right partner it’s all worth it. I see good things, Son.”
“Thanks, Dad. If we have half the marriage you and Mom have, I’ll be happy.”
“Let’s head back inside. I need to hold my grandson again.”
***
My son sleeps in my arms, and my wife and daughter are snuggled into my side. We’ve been home with Wyatt for a week, and our families have finally left. I love them all, but I’m glad for it to just be us. We’re getting used to the new us, and I’m loving every exhausted second.
“I love you,” Laken whispers and then kisses my cheek.
“I love you too Daddy,” Ava chimes in. “I love you too, baby bwother.” She bends down and kisses his head.
This right here is the best feeling in the world. I can’t wait to see where life takes us.
Epilogue II
Ava
Twenty years later
I climb out of bed and smile. Today’s my wedding day, and I can’t wait. I met Gabe my senior year of college, and it was love at first sight. Now, two years later, we’re walking down the aisle.
I head down the hall to the kitchen and find my dad leaning against the counter, drinking a cup of coffee. He looks up and smiles. “There’s my girl.” I step into his arms, closing my eyes as he hugs me tight. “Are you sure you want to get married?”
“I’m sure. Gabe’s a good man. He reminds me a lot of you.” I smile up at him. At forty-two he is still handsome as ever. All my girlfriends have always had crushes on him and my brothers, Wyatt and Dylan.
Wyatt looks identical to dad, and Dylan looks more like Mom, but he’s tall like Dad.
“He was a good man until he decided to marry my only daughter.” Dad kisses the top of my head. “Do you want some breakfast?”
“I could eat.”
Mom comes out a few minutes later. She goes right to my dad, sharing a
