Page 47

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SEVEN

EMMA

Archie is sitting in the chair next to my bed, holding the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. Ten perfect little fingers. Ten perfect little toes.

When we arrived at the hospital, I was already dilated to four centimeters.

However … they wouldn’t give me the epidural until I was seven centimeters.

Then my labor lasted for thirteen hours, and I pushed for one hour.

But I had an incredibly supportive cowboy by my side. He was so calm and attentive.

“Well, Mama, I think we should decide on a name for our perfect angel here before our families offer their input. We probably should have thought about it a little more before she was born.”

Archie called his family and Liam on the way to the hospital to let everyone know, and his mom called my parents.

They’re all waiting to meet her. Archie and I wanted to have some time with her before everyone descends on the room.

Plus, she’s been having some tests done on her heart to get a better idea about how large the hole is and if there are any other mechanical issues.

So far, they don’t see any sign of pulmonary atresia, but they want to keep her here for a few extra days just to make sure she isn’t having any trouble breathing.

“Yeah, we should have, but there’s been so much going on, and we didn’t know the gender.”

“I think the next time, I’d like to know.”

“Next time?”

He gives me that sexy smirk of his. “I mean, whenever you’re ready, of course.”

“Let’s let it rest a bit before we start making plans for another baby. It’s only been three hours.”

“You got it.” He leans down and kisses the baby’s head.

“Darlin’, I just want to say thank you for giving me this gift.

I knew I wanted to be a dad someday, but this is more than I could have imagined.

This is a true gift right here, and I will forever be grateful to you.

” He reaches over and takes my hand. “I love you so much.”

A few tears run free, and I wipe them away with the back of my hand. “I love you too, Archie. She’s a gift of life for both of us. Unexpected, but the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

“What would you think about honoring your sister? We could use her name as a middle name or something.”

“I think … that would be perfect.”

Archie stands and brings her over to me. When he places her in my arms, a peace comes over me, and I know without a doubt that this little girl was meant to be mine.

“Doesn’t it feel like she’s really looking at us? I mean, I read somewhere that they can’t really see or something, but I think she’s looking at us.”

“Yeah, I think so too. She’s just so perfect.” I trace her little nose and lips, which makes her mouth open, and she starts rooting. So, I bring my gown down and nurse her. I can’t say it’s a pleasant experience, but I think we’ll get the hang of it.

“Baby, you’re both perfect.” He kisses the top of my head.

“What do you think about Lainey for her first name and Sunny for her middle name? I love the idea of using my sister’s name, but I want the baby to have her own identity too.”

“Lainey Sunny Griffith. I like it.” He leans down and kisses her head. “What do you think, Little Sunshine? You like that name?”

“I like it too. Okay, so we’ll go with that. Should we introduce everyone to her now that we have a name?”

He nods. “I just want to sit here with my girls for one more minute.”

“Hey, come here.” I tilt my head up and pucker my lips, and he leans down to kiss me. “You’re already the best daddy. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, darlin’. I’ll be right back. Do you need anything before I bring everyone in?”

I shake my head. “Nope, I think we’re ready.”

Archie kisses me, then the baby again and walks out the door.

The baby is no longer sucking, so I place her over my shoulder and rub her back. “I hope you’re ready for this, Lainey. You’re part of a rowdy family, but they sure will love you.”

The football season is upon us already. Archie is doing amazing and has had the opportunity to start in most of the games. This week, they’ll be playing the Monday Night game, which worked perfectly for us because it’s a big game at Walker this weekend and Archie wanted to be here.

His friends love Lainey, as do mine. Anytime we get to see any of them, they all want to spoil her rotten. The only one we don’t get to see that much is Liam, but he and Archie talk all the time. I know he misses him and the rest of the guys.

We’re staying at my parents’ house this weekend. They’re getting ready to move to Dallas to be closer to us and will be helping me with Lainey when I go back to school. And to help me with any final details for our spring wedding.

One of the hardest things for them about leaving Oklahoma is that my sister is buried here.

But my mom says she feels Sunny around her every day and that the gravesite is just a place.

Sunny is around us, and I have to say, I agree.

Because since Lainey has been born, I feel like my sister is watching over us.

Lainey has had to continue to be monitored, but so far, we haven’t had major concerns.

Definitely a few bumps in the road in terms of irregular heart rates, and the hole is closing a little slower than they hoped, but no matter what happens, I just have faith it will be okay.

And Archie has been a huge support and a big part of why I’ve been able to stay calm about all the testing.

We have to leave soon for the game, and we’ll be taking Lainey with us. Archie likes to show her off to all his friends. But we’re going to make a stop at Sunny’s grave before we go. Like my mom says, I know it’s just a place, but I want to take Archie and Lainey anyway.

“You ready to go?” Archie comes into the guest room we’re staying in with Lainey in his arms. She has a fistful of his hair that’s peeking out of his Walker football hat and trying to eat his jaw.

Her own hair is growing in, with some ringlets starting, and as predicted, it’s blonde. Her eyes are blue, like Archie’s. I know I’m biased, but she’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. She’s the perfect combination of us, but I will admit, she does favor the Griffith side of the family.

I’m not sure there is anything sexier than seeing him with our daughter. Even when he changes her diaper. Sexy.

“Yes, I think I have everything she’ll need. I’ll feed her in the car before we go into the game.”

“You don’t have to feed her in the car. We’ll be going in the players’ entrance and be able to use the family waiting area. You’ll be fine there, unless you don’t feel comfortable.”

“Oh, no, that’s fine. I have my little sheet to drape over my shoulder. We just need to stop at the florist to grab Sunny’s flowers on our way to the cemetery.”

“Okay, baby. I’ll go put Little Sunshine in the car seat. Did you grab the baby carrier, or do I need to grab it on my way out?”

“I got it. I’m ready, so I’ll come out with you.”

My mom is in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee and scrolling on her phone. “Emma, did you see this idea for a photo shoot? We could dress her like a bumblebee! How cute is that?”

Archie’s mom is rubbing off on my mom, and collectively, we’ve done several photo shoots of the baby in various settings.

But they love it, and it makes them happy, so I play along.

Archie thinks it’s funny, and he’s not at all surprised by their Pinterest obsession with finding new trends to try with our daughter.

They did a football set at the start of his season, which I think was his favorite so far.

“That’s super cute, Mom. We can do that one once you get settled. Let’s not take that on in the middle of the move.”

“Oh, I’m sending it to Alicia. I thought we could do it on the ranch. Can you imagine the backdrop? Perfection.”

“Whatever makes you happy.” I laugh. “We’re gonna head out and stop to see Sunny before the game.”

She gives me a soft smile. “Okay, sweetie. I love you. Let me kiss the baby before y’all leave.” Mom walks over to Lainey, still in Archie’s arms. “I just know your auntie would have loved you. You’re our Little Sunshine, aren’t you?” She kisses Lainey on the cheek.

“We’ll see you later, Mom. Tell Dad we said goodbye. I haven’t seen him since breakfast.”

“Oh, he ran out to the store to get more packing tape.”

“Stacy, I told y’all I would be happy to pay for movers.

You don’t have to do this alone.” Archie has tried repeatedly to get them to let him pay for the move, but they won’t let him.

He’s already bought them a house not far from ours, so they don’t want to feel like they’re taking advantage, even though he insisted.

“Not another word about it. Besides, Van is very particular about his things. He would annoy them by giving them instructions.” She laughs and shakes her head.

“That’s so true. Okay, we need to go if we want to make it to the game on time.” I start walking to the door, trying to move this goodbye along.

“Say goodbye to Grammy, Sunshine.” Archie lifts her arm and waves it at my mom.

“Bye, my sweet girl. I’ll see you later!” Mom blows her a kiss as Archie starts to walk out.

After leaving my parents’, we stop at the florist and get some sunflowers for Sunny’s gravesite.

Archie is carrying Lainey as we walk to her headstone. Lainey fell asleep in the car and has barely stirred since he took her out of her seat.

When we reach her stone, I kneel on the grass, set the sunflowers against her headstone, and run my fingers across her name. “I brought someone to meet you today. Well, two someones.” I turn and look at Archie, who is now sitting on the grass behind me.

He smiles and places a hand on my shoulder.

“This is my baby girl, Lainey, and the love of my life, Archie. I’m sorry we haven’t been by sooner, but I think about you and feel you every day.

I wish you could have been here to meet them.

You would love them. They both have the same happy nature you had.

” I wipe a tear from my cheek. “I wanted you to know that I’m not scared anymore because I know you’re watching over her and I have faith that everything will be okay.

” My tears are coming faster now, and I need a minute to breathe.

Archie gives my shoulder a squeeze and clears his throat.

“Hey, Sunny. I wish I could have met you, but your sister talks about you a lot, so I feel like I know you.” He pauses.

“I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to take care of your sister and our baby girl.

They are my entire world. But I know you’ll have our backs too.

” He squeezes my shoulder again, then lets go.

“I’m gonna give you a minute alone with her. ”

I nod and wipe the tears from my face. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” I set my hand on top of the stone. “We have to get going, but the next time we’re here, I’ll come back. I miss you and love you so much.” I sniffle. “I’ll see you in the sunflowers.”