“For the record, there really is no comparison between us naming our son after a famous jazz pianist and you naming your daughter after a murderous dictator,” the Healer pointed out before getting back to the task at hand. “I think in two or three more pushes, we’ll have a baby.” He was looking at Cadence now, smiling at her above the draped sheet that made her feel a little more secure even if it didn’t really hide anything at all from the doctor.
“Okay,” she said again, ready to get it over with. Jamie told her to push, and she did, as hard as she could, hoping for two and not three as the lucky number.
“Keep pushing,” Jamie said, even though Aaron had reached ten. “She’s almost there.”
Cadence strained even harder, giving it every bit of energy she had left, and a few seconds later, she felt her daughter slip into the world. Listening to her cries made Cadence’s heart melt all over again.
“Can’t criticize their lung development,” Jamie joked as he wrapped her up and lay her where Cadence could see her.
Josephina’s hair was darker than Cadon’s, almost black, and her little face was scrunched up as she continued to voice her unhappiness.
“Shh, little one. You’re okay,” Cadence said, waiting for Aaron to cut the cord so she could hold her daughter closer. She could tell Aaron was emotional, probably more so now than before because this was the daughter he’d always longed for. It took him a moment to snip through the cord, but when she was free, Cadence didn’t lift her straight to her chest. Instead she offered the baby to her daddy, and he gladly took her.
“Hi, there, Jo,” he said quietly, holding her close. “You’re okay. You’re safe and warm. No reason to cry.”
The sound of her father’s voice stilled the child. She rested her head against his chest, seemingly content to be out in the world. Aaron held her for several minutes, rocking her back and forth, and Cadence watched with tears in her eyes. He was a natural at this, clearly, and it made her heart heavy to think he’d had to wait so long to fulfill a role he was made for. But at least he had his children at last, and Cadence imagined this probably wouldn’t be the last time she found herself in a birthing room.
Jamie finished doing whatever he had to do down there—she didn’t want to know—and pulled the sheets and blankets down over her. Cadence was glad to have the opportunity to relax and enjoy her family. Aaron handed her over just as Hannah brought Cadon back in. He was all clean and wearing the little jammies they’d picked out for him, wrapped in a receiving blanket.
“Do you want me to let your family in before or after I clean up Josephina?” Hannah asked in her gentle voice.
“You can let them in,” Cadence said, excited to see their reactions. Hannah smiled and moved to the door. She already knew who to let in right away and who would have to wait, and Cadence hoped she didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings, but she couldn’t let the entire team in all at the same time.
Her mother was bawling before she even made it through the door. Her dad had tears in his eyes, too. Cass was bouncing off of the floor, and Brandon looked like he wasn’t sure whether he should be there or not but happy just the same. Elliott was certainly a proud uncle as he asked, “Where’s my new favorite lil girl?”
“Hey!” Cass elbowed him. “I’m your lil girl. You’re going to have to think of something else to call her.”
“Oh, I’m just teasing,” he assured her. “Still, she is definitely lil. And she is my girl.”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” Cadence said as her mother insisted on holding her granddaughter. Cadence didn’t want to let Jo go, but she did, her eyes never wandering far from the bundle as everyone came close enough to see the newest addition.
“You’ll probably want to try feeding them soon,” Jamie said quietly near her feet.
Cadence nodded. She’d be waiting until everyone cleared out for that. Luckily, Ona had experience as a lactation consultant, so even if Cadence struggled, she’d be able to get some good coaching. The idea of feeding her children seemed daunting before they were born, but now, she couldn’t wait to hold them close and give them the nutrients they needed to thrive.
Jamie didn’t let the family stay for too long. Jo needed cleaned up, and Cadence was exhausted. It was hard for Cadence to see her mother’s tears as she left, but she assured the new grandma she’d get lots of time with the babies, even if Cadence and Aaron would both be with their children the majority of the time.
“See y’all later,” Elliott said, waving, a proud smile on his face. Cadence waved back, glad her children would have him as their uncle.
Cassidy kissed her niece and nephew on the head. “Remember--Aunt Cass. Aunt Cass. You can say it. Aunt Cass.” She winked at Cadence, and the big sister had to laugh. Maybe if she said it enough times, they’d learn to repeat it.
Cassidy took Brandon’s hand and the pair followed Elliott out the door as Liz and Eli blew kisses and promised they’d be back soon. As the two closed behind them, Cadence was glad they’d have such wonderful people around for her children to grow up with.
Cadence had taken a leave of absence two months prior, and Aaron’s officially started the day before, which meant they’d both have as much time as they needed to spend with the babies. She knew Aaron was worried about stepping down, but Margie would be an excellent Guardian Leader, and Daniel Bower had already proven he could handle his new position as Hunter Leader. Having his sister in KC had been a little bit of an adjustment for Jamie, but then, everything else in his life had been changing, so he’d said, “What’s one more bit of craziness to add to the chaos surrounding me?” New wife, new baby, new boss.... He was making it work.
