Page 24 of Brokered Betrayals
“It was my pleasure.”
Sawyer had mostly held his emotions in check while Megan was in the room, but tears flooded his eyes the moment she stepped outside and closed the door. “I can’t believe she’s finally here.” The tears ran unchecked down his face. Sawyer swiped them away, but new ones immediately took their place. “I can’t turn these darn things off. Can you find the faucet and give it a hard crank?”
Royce got up on his knees, wrapped one arm around Sawyer’s shoulder, and carefully draped the other under Darla, pullingthem into a family hug. He pressed a kiss into Sawyer’s hair and on top of Darla’s head before whispering, “Cry as much as you want to. This is the biggest moment in our life.” Royce’s voice was thick with tears too, and Sawyer felt the way Royce’s body trembled against his.
Sawyer leaned into Royce’s warmth and rested his head against Royce’s shoulder. “She’s so perfect.”
“Gorgeous, just like her mom,” Royce agreed. “And she has so much hair. Kels will have to teach us the proper way to care for those glorious curls.”
“I didn’t get to see her hair,” Sawyer said, not bothering to keep the pout from his voice.
“Take a peek.”
“I want to, but I don’t want to let any of her body heat out.”
“We’ll be fast,” Royce said. “Then I’ll cover you both with my favorite blanket Aunt Tipsy knitted.”
“Okay, but quickly.”
Royce reached over and gently peeled the knitted cap off her head to reveal thick, dark curls. “Evangeline is going to go nuts over this hair.”
Sawyer longed to run his fingers over the silky strands but resisted the urge. “Okay, cover her back up. It feels cold in here.”
“That’s because our little angel is stealing all your body heat.”
“Worth it,” Sawyer said as he shivered.
Royce positioned the hat back in place and retrieved the soft blanket from the bag. “Lean forward.” Sawyer did as instructed, and Royce draped it around his shoulders and crisscrossed the material over his chest, leaving Darla’s head sticking out of the little cocoon. “How’s that?”
“Better if you were in here with us. This blanket is certainly big enough.”
“Let me reach out to Ivy first, and then I’ll climb under there with you.”
“Can you do a quick group text to our friends and family to let them know Darla is here too?” Sawyer asked.
“Yep. Ivy first so she can get our legal documentation filed, then friends and family. I know just the first picture I want to send them.”
Royce called Ivy first and left a voicemail message when she didn’t answer. Then he sent out their birth announcement before switching his text notifications to vibration so they wouldn’t disturb their little miss. Dozens of messages flooded in within seconds, everyone congratulating them and expressing their excitement to meet Darla. Evangeline and Eddie wanted to know when they could come to the hospital, and Royce replied that he’d get back to them in a few hours.
Sawyer lifted a corner of the blanket in invitation, and Royce slid inside the toasty cocoon. “I have never felt this at peace with the world.”
“Me neither.” Then Royce tilted his head to the side. “Or I will be as soon as Ivy confirms she sent the post-birth agreement to the judge.”
“I’m sure she’ll get back to us soon.”
But before they knew it, hours had passed. They’d consumed their breakfast and made sure Kelsey got hers. She’d responded with a picture of her buffet spread around her and a second picture of Andrew eating a single strawberry and wearing a sad face. A nurse named Kitty had assisted them with Darla’s first feeding. Their Lil Pumpkin had been sleepy and shown little interest in eating. Kitty had assured him that some babies just wanted to be left alone after their big arrival. Darla took almost an ounce with patient coaxing, and the nurse accepted that for her first feeding. Kitty had made sure they were comfortable changing her diaper and had given them a thumbs-up when they’d completed the task. They’d get additional training beforethey took Darla home, which reminded Sawyer that they hadn’t heard from Ivy yet.
Sawyer reluctantly placed Darla back in her bassinet and turned to Royce. “Should we call Ivy again? Or maybe try her office. Someone else could surely file the paperwork on our behalf if she’s tied up in court today.”
“It’s worth a shot.” Royce pulled up Ivy’s contact on his phone and called the office. He pursed his lips as he waited, then said, “It’s going to voicemail too. This is Thursday, right?”
“Yep.” Sawyer checked his time on his watch. “It’s too early for them to close for lunch if that’s their practice.”
Royce left a voicemail message at the office and then texted Ivy’s cell phone for good measure. “I’m sure we’ll hear from her soon. Do you want to take a nap while Darla sleeps, or should we reach back out to our parents and let them know when they can come visit?”
Sawyer sighed heavily. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep after so much excitement.” But his mouth parted on a jaw-cracking yawn that contradicted him. “Maybe a little nap.” He looked at the two hospital beds. “Do you have a preference?”
Royce snorted. “I’m getting in your bed and spooning you, so pick one.”