He opened his tiny eyes and looked up at me, and I sobbed and laughed at the same time because they were gray—they looked like Cane’s. I picked my head up, and Cane was smiling down at him. He lifted his chin to meet my eyes.
“He’s so beautiful,” I cried.
“He’s perfect,” Cane said, cupping my cheek. “Just like his mother.”
Cane kissed me hard and deep, and then pulled back to kiss the baby on the forehead.
“We normally don’t advise that the mother holds baby right after C-section. We prefer you wait until the anesthesia wears off, so in the meantime, we’ll let Dad hold him,” Dr. Maxine said.
“That’s fine,” I smiled at her as she handed the baby to Cane.
Dr. Maxine sewed me up, and after a while, Cane let go of the baby so the nurses could dress him properly. When he was dressed, they took us to a recovery room, and while we were there, they handed him to Cane again. Watching him with his son was beautiful. He couldn’t stop staring at him. I’d seen him in awe, but never like this. Never while looking so vulnerable, so close to crying tears of pure joy. His eyes glistened as he rocked the baby in his arms, whispering all the while.
“You’ll never have to worry about a thing, baby boy,” he cooed. “I will love you until the end of time, and even beyond that. You’ll have the world.”
God. My heart.
An hour went by, and my body felt less numb. Finally, I was able to hold my baby in my arms, and of course, I cried instantly. He was warm and snuggly and smelled good. He was so innocent, and all I wanted to do was protect him from any and everything. I couldn’t believe the joy I was feeling—the warmth and power in my chest. This was what unconditional love felt like, I realized. It was powerful, emotional, and rooted deep within my soul. Nothing could describe it or replace it—this feeling so monumental it swallowed you whole and refused to let go.
All this time, I wondered how my parents had forgiven me for all I’d put them through, and in this moment, I realized why: this kind of love is irreplaceable. This kind of love steals your heart away, but you don’t mind it, because the little thief who has it is worth more than the world can give.
There was a knock on the door about thirty minutes later, and a nurse opened it, just as Cane stood up and grabbed Chance, curling him in his arms. Mom and Dad stood in the doorway, both standing with wide eyes, as if they weren’t sure where to go first.
“Oh, Kandy!” Mom gasped, rushing across the room. “Are you okay, sweetie?” She held my face in her hands, looking me all over.
“I’m great, Mom. Everything’s okay.”
“You had me worried sick,” Dad said, moving in next to her, messing up my hair with his hand. He leaned forward. “Sure you’re okay?”
“I promise,” I laughed.
He stood straight again with a sigh. I looked over at Mom, but she was focused on Cane, who was leaning against the window, facing us. He had the baby in his arms, and Mom had a hand over her mouth, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. My man looked pretty damn hot holding a baby.
Dad wrapped an arm around Mom’s side and urged her forward. She hesitated as she went toward Cane, focused on her grandson.
“It’s a boy,” I told them.
“Oh my goodness,” she breathed. “Oh. My. Goodness. Look at him.” She finally met up to Cane, looking the baby all over. “Oh, he’s so handsome. So perfect.” She put her eyes on Cane’s. “Do you mind if I hold him?”
“Of course I don’t mind,” he said, handing the baby over to her gently.
I looked at Dad, who stood his ground beside me while Mom cooed and sang and cried over the baby. “Dad,” I whispered, nudging him with my hand. “Go meet your grandson.”
Dad looked down at me, and for once he’d swallowed his pride and did what I told him to do without putting up a fight. Along the way, he locked his eyes on Cane, who stood a little ways off, watching Mom with the baby. When Dad got closer, he swept his eyes up and down the length of his grandson, finally revealing some emotion. A smile spread across his lips. It was subtle, but still a smile. “Wow,” he breathed.
“Here.” Mom handed the baby to Dad, and at first he looked alarmed, like he wasn’t ready for this part of it yet, but Mom left him with no choice. When the baby was in his arms, he cradled him, holding him close to his chest. Dad’s eyes lit up instantly, and there might have even been a glistening.