Page 18 of Dreams Do Come True

Monica nods. “No matter if the baby was a boy or girl, they were going to be called River.”

Kean looks down at the baby. “Then that will be your name. River. River Lee Compton-Stone.”

Monica sniffs.

“Monica, if you can send me the total you and your husband spent on baby paraphernalia, I’ll transfer the money over,” I say.

“Nonsense. This is our gift to you. Now I’m going to leave you, but I’ll be back in the morning. Titus, you’re on three months' leave, starting tomorrow. Night.”

“I need to message Daniel,” I say as Monica leaves.

“Wait until the morning, it’s after midnight,” Kean suggests.

I gently stand up, trying not to move Lyric too much, and walk over to the bed. Thankfully, the baby bags are at the bottom of the bed. I one handedly pull the covers open, gently lay Lyric down, and cover him just as a nurse walks in pushing the crib.

Kean is about to put River down when the baby starts fussing.

“In the cupboard there,” the nurse says, pointing, “are nappies, the first pile are the baby’s size. Do you need me to show you how to change a nappy?”

“No, we have a large family and have all taken turns changing nappies,” Kean replies.

“In that case, I’ll go and make up some formula as the baby is due a feed.”

“Thanks, also this is River,” Kean says.

The nurse touches the baby’s cheek. “Hello, River. When you put the new nappy on, make sure you don’t cover the umbilical cord stump.”

“Noted, thanks.”

The nurse goes off to get the formula while I get a nappy. The side also has wipes and nappy sacks. Thankfully, we both know how to change a nappy. I put the bits on the changing table and let Kean change the nappy, because new baby nappies are rank.

“Gah, I forgot this part,” Kean gripes, as he undoes the nappy.

I grin his way. “I didn’t.”

Kean makes quick work of cleaning River and has just picked up the new nappy when River pees, hitting Kean on the chin and covering his top.

“Put the nappy over it,” I suggest, trying hard not to laugh.

“I can’t believe he waited until his nappy was off.”

“River’s first surprise pee attack,” the nurse says, grinning, walking in with a bottle.

“Yeah,” Kean grumbles, wiping his chin on his sleeve, before putting the nappy on. “You’d think I would have remembered from changing Cam and Alfred.”

Kean redresses River, just as the baby lets out a loud cry. “It’s okay, Baba, your food is here.”

The nurse hands the bottle to me, then looks at Kean. “The cupboard at the end has basic t-shirts, all new and in different sizes. You’d be surprised how many people have surprise pee attacks. Help yourself.”

“Thanks,” Kean says, handing me River.

“If you need anything, I’m Jess, and I'm on all night.”

“Thanks, Jess,” we both say.

I give River his bottle as Kean finds a new top and goes to wash his face. I can’t believe I’m feeding our day old son. He’s so tiny and cute. Lyric starts to stir, so I sit gently on the bed. “You’re safe, Lyric, go back to sleep,” I say, touching his back, and to my surprise, he does.

I feel Kean come over and place a cloth on my shoulder. He leaves his arm around me, and I lean into him.