She left the room and we quickly put the blue scrubs over our clothes. I opened the door and we followed her down a hallway and turned left into a room where I heard all kinds of different machines. My stomach clenched thinking that my baby was hooked up to one of these.

The nurse gave me a small smile, probably noticing my panicked expression, “It’s ok to be afraid, it’s a little overwhelming.” We strolled a few more feet before she stopped in front of one of the tiny beds. “Here’s your little miracle.” She smiled at me then stepped aside.

I took a step forward and my eyes landed on a little baby all bundled up, but from what I could see, looked perfect. I noticed a little card above the baby’s head.

Wow, I had a baby boy! I took a shuddering breath and looked back over at the smiling nurse. “Can I hold him?”

“Of course!” She came closer to us, realizing my hesitation. “Do you want me to pick him up and hand him to you?”

I nodded my head. She leaned in and scooped him up and he started fussing. She pointed with her head to a rocking chair that was next to me. “You can sit there if you want.”

I took a seat and she handed me my son. As soon as he was in my arms he took a deep breath and settled down. Mrs. Cahill had tears in her eyes but stood aside and gave me this time with him.

The nurse winked at me and said, “Looks like someone knows who their dad is. I’ll leave you two alone for a little bit; if you need anything just let me know.”

I looked up at her and smiled. “Thanks. By the way, what’s your name?”

She returned my smile, “I’m Lynn.”

“Thanks Lynn.”

I looked back down at my pride and joy. He was so little but so chubby. I pulled his cap off and chuckled to myself, “Looks like I won the bet, little man.” He had a head full of dark curly hair, almost exactly like his little cousin Alex. I laid him down on my legs and gently put his cap back on. I opened his blanket and his little fist came springing out, so much like his mom already, so much fight in him. I took my pinky to his little fist and he opened it and latched on. I cuddled in close to him; I was going to remember this moment for the rest of my life. A few tears dripped down and landed where my finger and his hand connected, I looked at his face and he cracked a little half smile. I knew he didn’t understand what was going on around him but at that moment my whole world changed. I did not care what anyone thought or was going to say about us having a baby together so soon, or that she was too young. All that I cared about was this little man and my soon to be wife.

A bond was created today, a bond so strong that we wouldn’t allow anyone to break it. Our little family is where our roots would take hold and we would grow. We were now molded into one, which would allow us to prepare for what the world would throw at us, and how we would deal with it.

3

I was enjoying my time with my son but I was also getting antsy about going to check on CC. I needed to see her for myself, to make sure she was really okay. Mrs. Cahill had left us alone after she’d got to hold her grandson for a little bit and he was just starting to wake up from his slumber. Nurse Lynn came back around to check in on us just as he started fussing. I didn’t have the first clue what to do, so when she sauntered in relief rushed over me.

Lynn smiled at me, “I think it’s feeding time. You ready?”

“Umm,” I shook my head. “No. I don’t have the first clue how to do this.”

She patted me on the shoulder, “Sure you can. Let me grab a bottle and I’ll be right back.”

I guess I’m going to feed him. I didn’t like that CC was missing this; she shouldn’t be missing this. Guilt started to set back in. I looked down at my little man, flailing his arms while his face turned beet red. I tried to reel it in but Lynn came back and frowned at me.

“Hunter, are you ok? You look as white as a ghost and you’re sweating.”

I wiped my forehead and looked down at the baby. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

She handed me a napkin and the bottle. “Just put the nipple in his mouth and he should latch right on. If he doesn’t, try and wiggle it around on his tongue.”

I did as she said and he latched on perfectly, his color soon returning to normal. I looked up at Lynn and she was smiling at me; I couldn’t help but feel proud.

“See, nothing to it. We’ll pull the bottle out and burp him in a few minutes.”

Lynn walked me through burping him and after he finished eating we got to work on changing his diaper. We were in the middle of the changing lesson when another nurse strolled in and told me that CC was in her room. I was torn. I felt like I needed to stay here with my son but I needed to check on CC too.

Lynn saw the turmoil on my face. “Hunter, he will be fine here. Go check on MacKenzie, we’ll still be here when you get back.”

I picked up my little man and kissed his warm, smooth cheek, “Sorry you were born into this chaos. I’m going to check in on your mom. I’ll be back.”

I handed him back to Lynn and turned to leave without looking back, afraid that she’d see me crying.

Right before I pushed the door open she called my name. I stopped but didn’t turn around.

“If he’s cleared by the doctors tomorrow, he’ll be moved down to the maternity ward with MacKenzie and you.”

I nodded and walked out of the door, making my way down the long hallway still dressed in my scrubs. When I walked into the waiting room a police detective walked out. I didn’t recognize him. I thought I’d met all the detectives in the surrounding area at a lunch meeting for work a few weeks back.

I glanced around and everyone’s eyes were on me. I wandered over to my mom and Mrs. Cahill to show them the picture of their grandson that I was able to take before I left him.

Mom started crying and gave me a big hug. Mrs. Cahill walked over to show her husband, he hugged her and offered me a proud smile.

“Well?” Hailey said, coming up to Mrs. Cahill to grab the phone.

“It’s a boy!”

That seemed to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. Jaylinn untangled herself from Cooper and came over to give me a hug. “Congratulations!”

“Thanks.”

“Yeah, congrats bro.” Cooper walked over and pulled Jaylinn back to his side. I still wasn’t sure if I liked them being together, but right now I had other things to worry about.

Jackson, Chloe and Alex came over to me and offered their congratulations as well. Everyone was here but Mason. I looked over to Hailey and she must have read my mind, “He went in first to check on Kenzie.”