Page 17
Story: Torn in Half
Chuck’s arm had been resting behind her neck, and he squeezed her shoulder. “Darn right you’ll be. And there will be plenty more grandkids for you to dote on before you know it.”
Sniffling, she raised her gaze, and it settled on Nick and Jake, sitting next to each other on the opposite side of the room. Their heads were close together, and they were deep in a private conversation. Her smile appeared again and grew as she turned back to her husband. “I think you’re right.”
“Break out the cigars!” Ian declared from the doorway, with sparkling eyes and the broadest grin Marie had ever seen on his face. “It’s a girl! God help me and any little shit that wants to date her someday.”
Everyone jumped to their feet, gathered around, and cheered.
“What’s her name?” Kristen prodded, since the new parents had kept a list of all possible names for boys and girls to themselves.
“Peyton Marie Sawyer weighs eight pounds five ounces, has a full head of black hair, and came kicking and screaming into the world, just as I knew she would.” He accepted a fat cigar with a baby-pink ribbon around it from Brody as others were handed out by Nick and Boomer. Apparently, they’d stocked up on them in both pink and blue for the occasion.
Stepping over to his parents, Ian shook his father’s hand, smiled down at JD, then kissed Marie on the cheek. “She’s beautiful, just like her mother and grandmother, and you have permission to spoil her rotten—although, you were probably planning on doing that anyway.”
“You know me too well, sweetheart,” Marie responded. “I’m so happy for you. How’s Angie?”
“Exhausted but happy.” Turning to face the rest of his family and friends, he said, “Nick, since Dev was my best man, Angie and I would like you to be Peyton’s godfather.”
His youngest brother’s eyes and smile widened. “Me? Absolutely! I’m honored, bro, and I won’t let you down.”
“Good, and I know you won’t. And that leaves just one last announcement.” As his gaze fell on Jenn, his eyes watered, and his voice grew thick. “Baby-girl, I remember standing in a similar maternity waiting room over twenty-two years ago, when your dad came in and announced you were a girl. I think I fell in love with you at that exact moment, and I hadn’t even seen you yet. When Jeff asked me to be your godfather, I honestly didn’t fully understand what it meant when I said yes. But now I do, and I’ve never regretted it. It has been my honor and privilege to hold the title of godparent for such a beautiful and exceptional young woman, and I’m thrilled to pass it on. Angie and I would like nothing more than for you to be Peyton’s godmother.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Jenn rushed forward, clearly too overcome for words, and threw her arms around Ian’s neck. He held her tightly for a few moments until she regained some of her composure. Through her sniffles, she finally answered him. “Yes, Uncle Ian. I’ll be there for her every step of the way, just like you were there for me. Thank you for the honor.”
“You’re welcome, Jenn. Always know I’m proud of you.” With a final squeeze, he released her, and they both wiped away some more tears. Then Ian hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to Angie. Thanks for being here, everyone. The nurse said you’ll all be able to see Peyton in about fifteen minutes through the nursery window, although I’m not sure they realize how many people are here waiting to see her.”
After shaking a few hands again and getting his back slapped a bunch of times, Ian turned toward the door, but a small voice ringing out stopped him in his tracks.
“What-waffle, Unc-en!”
The roomful of people burst out laughing as, with a huge grin, little Mara repeated herself even louder from her father’s arms. “What-waffle, Unc-en!”
Ian just groaned and shook his head. “I’m doomed.”
Sniffling, she raised her gaze, and it settled on Nick and Jake, sitting next to each other on the opposite side of the room. Their heads were close together, and they were deep in a private conversation. Her smile appeared again and grew as she turned back to her husband. “I think you’re right.”
“Break out the cigars!” Ian declared from the doorway, with sparkling eyes and the broadest grin Marie had ever seen on his face. “It’s a girl! God help me and any little shit that wants to date her someday.”
Everyone jumped to their feet, gathered around, and cheered.
“What’s her name?” Kristen prodded, since the new parents had kept a list of all possible names for boys and girls to themselves.
“Peyton Marie Sawyer weighs eight pounds five ounces, has a full head of black hair, and came kicking and screaming into the world, just as I knew she would.” He accepted a fat cigar with a baby-pink ribbon around it from Brody as others were handed out by Nick and Boomer. Apparently, they’d stocked up on them in both pink and blue for the occasion.
Stepping over to his parents, Ian shook his father’s hand, smiled down at JD, then kissed Marie on the cheek. “She’s beautiful, just like her mother and grandmother, and you have permission to spoil her rotten—although, you were probably planning on doing that anyway.”
“You know me too well, sweetheart,” Marie responded. “I’m so happy for you. How’s Angie?”
“Exhausted but happy.” Turning to face the rest of his family and friends, he said, “Nick, since Dev was my best man, Angie and I would like you to be Peyton’s godfather.”
His youngest brother’s eyes and smile widened. “Me? Absolutely! I’m honored, bro, and I won’t let you down.”
“Good, and I know you won’t. And that leaves just one last announcement.” As his gaze fell on Jenn, his eyes watered, and his voice grew thick. “Baby-girl, I remember standing in a similar maternity waiting room over twenty-two years ago, when your dad came in and announced you were a girl. I think I fell in love with you at that exact moment, and I hadn’t even seen you yet. When Jeff asked me to be your godfather, I honestly didn’t fully understand what it meant when I said yes. But now I do, and I’ve never regretted it. It has been my honor and privilege to hold the title of godparent for such a beautiful and exceptional young woman, and I’m thrilled to pass it on. Angie and I would like nothing more than for you to be Peyton’s godmother.”
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Jenn rushed forward, clearly too overcome for words, and threw her arms around Ian’s neck. He held her tightly for a few moments until she regained some of her composure. Through her sniffles, she finally answered him. “Yes, Uncle Ian. I’ll be there for her every step of the way, just like you were there for me. Thank you for the honor.”
“You’re welcome, Jenn. Always know I’m proud of you.” With a final squeeze, he released her, and they both wiped away some more tears. Then Ian hitched a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ve got to get back to Angie. Thanks for being here, everyone. The nurse said you’ll all be able to see Peyton in about fifteen minutes through the nursery window, although I’m not sure they realize how many people are here waiting to see her.”
After shaking a few hands again and getting his back slapped a bunch of times, Ian turned toward the door, but a small voice ringing out stopped him in his tracks.
“What-waffle, Unc-en!”
The roomful of people burst out laughing as, with a huge grin, little Mara repeated herself even louder from her father’s arms. “What-waffle, Unc-en!”
Ian just groaned and shook his head. “I’m doomed.”