Page 185 of Stay With Me

It all happened so fast. By the time I got Magnolia to the hospital, she was eight centimeters dilated, and it was too late for an epidural. Of course she thinks she had an easy labor because of all the sex we’ve been having the past two weeks.

I told her it’s because Willow couldn’t wait to meet her daddy.

Every night in bed since Magnolia and I officially got back together, I’d talk to her belly so she’d recognize my voice. Her cute little baby kicks always made me smile in return.

They felt like our first father-daughter bonding moments.

Either way, I’m beyond proud of how well Magnolia handled everything. She nearly broke my hand squeezing it so hard and screamed in my ear for a solid thirty minutes, but she never gave up. She put every ounce of strength she had into pushing through the pain.

I was also pleased with myself at how well I was takingeverything in and not letting my emotions take over since I wanted to be strong for Magnolia.

But then they asked if I wanted to cut the umbilical cord and that’s when I lost it. Magnolia cried as soon as she saw Willow and then there was no chance of me keeping it together anymore.

After they cleaned Willow up and got her wrapped in a blanket, Magnolia got to hold her for the first time. Watching the love of my life become a mother is a moment I’ll never forget.

When Fisher and Noah showed up a few hours later to visit, her water ended up breaking, and they took her into her own delivery room. Four hours later, Poppy Underwood was born.

Now our girls share the same birthday.

My family, Magnolia’s dad, and Ms. Boone all came before visiting hours ended.

Jade cried when she heard Willow’s middle name was after her.

Mr. Sutherland teared up as he held her. He and Magnolia shared a sweet father-daughter moment together.

Landen walked in wearing a black T-shirt with “The Godfather” written on it and then made me take his photo with the baby for his new dating profile picture.

Waylon was too scared to hold her.

Two seconds after I put her in Wilder’s arms, she spat up breast milk all over him.

Needless to say, it was the best day of my life.

After my parents visited us, they were able to go next door and meet their other granddaughter.

Two in one day.

The luckiest grandparents in the world.

“Alright, Willow. You wanna help me surprise your mama? We gotta take your picture.”

After Magnolia fell asleep, I put her in the onesie I secretly packed. The framed painting she surprised me with that’s now hanging in Willow’s nursery is what inspired this idea to go alongwith the scrapbook. This photo is the final touch, and then I can give it to her.

Carefully, I set Willow down in the little bassinet and pray she stays asleep while I get the shot. Luckily, I do without waking her up.Dad win.

When Noah came up to visit, she brought me my secret bag with everything I’d need, including my polaroid camera, the scrapbook, and double-sided tape.

“Perfect,” I tell her when the image clears. “You look so cute.”

I can’t help gushing at how adorable she is. Magnolia really said copy/paste.

Once I wrap Willow back up into her blanket, I grab the scrapbook and tape her photo on the final page.

Underneath the photo, I write all of her newborn stats: date and time of birth, weight, and height.

But I have a feeling it’s going to be what’s written on her onesie that’ll either have her squealing or crying.

Probably both.