Page 23 of Brokered Betrayals

“Is there anything special you want?” Sawyer asked Andrew.

“Nah, I’ll eat anything.”

“I’ll place the order as soon as they move us to our suite. Love you, guys.”

“Love you,” Kelsey and Andrew echoed.

Sawyer joined Royce and the nurses across the room. He looped his arms around Royce’s shoulders, and Royce slid his arm around Sawyer’s waist. They stared down at their perfect angel, who blinked beneath the warmer’s bright lights. Darla’s limbs were long and lean just like her mother’s. Her skin was pink from getting toweled off, but the beautiful, warm brown tone of her skin was evident beneath the blush. Sawyer couldn’t resist counting Darla’s fingers and toes as the nurses prepared to swaddle her. He was dying to see her hair for himself too, but they’d already put a hat on her tiny head to help regulate her temperature. He’d wait to sneak a peek once they got moved to their own room.

“We just finished her second Apgar test, and she scored great,” Megan said.

“Our brilliant baby girl,” Sawyer said. “How much does she weigh?”

Royce rested his head against Sawyer’s shoulder. “Seven pounds and two ounces. I’ve probably taken two dozen pictures already, and she’s about ten minutes old.”

“She’s twenty inches long,” Megan added.

“That’s incredible, considering she arrived four weeks early,” Sawyer said.

Darla’s tiny bow mouth opened, and she made her opinion about their conversation known.

“She has those healthy Locke lungs too,” Royce said. “Never afraid to speak their minds.”

Megan laughed as she finished the swaddle and transferred Darla to a bassinet attached to a chest of drawers on wheels. “Are you guys ready to head over to your suite?”

“Yes,” Sawyer and Royce said.

They called out their goodbyes to Andrew and Kelsey before following Megan out of the room.

“We need to order a breakfast fit for a queen,” Sawyer said.

Royce whipped out his phone. “Leave it to me.” He tapped and scrolled for the duration of the walk. “How do we make sure she gets it? There’s a box here for delivery driver instructions.”

Sawyer repeated what Kelsey had told him.

Royce typed for a few moments, tapped once more, and grinned with satisfaction. “I added food for us and treats for the nursing staff too.”

“Bless you,” Megan said as she entered their suite. “Which one of you is going to take the first shift of skin-to-skin bonding?”

Sawyer whipped off his shirt before she finished the question. “Me.”

Megan blinked a few times, turned a cute shade of pink, and shifted her attention to the baby. “You make yourself comfortable, and I’ll bring her over to you.”

Sawyer sat down on the love seat, and Royce joined him. Megan carefully unwrapped Darla, who immediately cried to protest the loss of warmth.

“I have something better for you, sweetheart,” Megan said as she carried Darla over. “You want her tummy against your chest.We recommend thirty minutes twice a day for the first few weeks of her life, but some experts recommend the practice for longer. Feeding times are the easiest.”

Sawyer’s heart was in his throat, and his hands shook as he accepted the crying baby from Megan. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Daddy’s here.” He gently placed Darla against his chest and covered her with her little blanket. “I’ve been waiting for you forever.” Darla calmed immediately and made the cutest little newborn noises he’d ever heard. Sawyer let peace wash over him and prayed for time to slow down.

Royce stroked his finger over the tiny fist resting against Sawyer’s chest. “What a blessing.”

“So sweet,” Megan said. “I’m going to head back over to my side of the unit. Your new nursing team will check in with you soon to get her ready for her first feeding. They’ll also go over basic newborn care.” She smiled warmly. “Looks to me like you’re both pros already.”

“We’re involved godfathers and uncles,” Royce explained. “We’re no stranger to diapers, bottle feedings, and anything else this little girl might throw our way.”

Megan smiled brilliantly. “Nothing left to do but settle in and get to know your baby girl.”

“Thank you for everything,” Sawyer told her.