by AA Lee
“Fifteen weeks,” she smiled, still waiting for that lecture he would bestow on her behalf.
“Already, and you are just now telling us?” He turned toward Angelo with reproof.
“Father, I only found out yesterday. You know how married women gain a few pounds. I couldn’t tell she was pregnant.” Ella’s jaw dropped at his remark and received a teasing smirk in return. “Anyway, we can all go to lunch and celebrate if you both would like.”
Nina threw her smaller arms around Angelo’s neck, making him lean down as she kissed both of his cheeks. “I am so happy for you, Angelo. We would love to go to lunch with you and Ella.”
“Sounds good,” he said and looked at his father, who nodded. “Just give us a few minutes to get dressed then.” Angelo looked at Ella and motioned her to the bedroom.
“Your parents are happy.” Ella smiled as he shut the door behind.
He did not respond as he pulled off his cotton pants and slid on a pair of slacks. She could not figure out what suddenly bothered him—only that something did. She was not going to let him stay silent, though. She walked directly in front of him and looked at him.
“Are you all right?”
He finally smiled and entwined his fingers underneath the back of her hair. “I was just thinking about you and having a baby. About keeping you both safe.”
“And I’m sure that we have nothing to worry about under your protection,” she said with a smile.
He looked back at her. His strong gaze did not show he was worried, but his silence did. He wrapped his arms tightly around her body and held her to his. “No, you have nothing to worry about, Ella. All you have to do is let me protect.”
EPILOGUE
Bright lights. Beeping monitors. Contractions and the constant interference of nurses. Angelo had taken Ella to the hospital before the sun ever came up. However, a minute after the birth of their daughter, Lilian, it all had been entirely worth the wait.
The nurse handed the wrapped infant to Ella, whose bloodshot eyes looked at Lilian with awe. “She is so beautiful. Isn’t she, Angelo?” She smiled through her tears. The last six hours had been hell for her.
He nodded with an exhausted grin on his lips as Lily clenched her entire hand around his single finger. “She is…” He shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the child as she fed. “She is amazing, Ella.”
It had been an hour since the birth, and Ella looked completely worn out. She had struggled with delivery and had no more energy to spare.
“Let me take her for a while,” he offered. Ella closed her eyes as soon as he picked the small bundle from her arms. Lily looked even smaller against the white tee of his broad chest. She snuggled in his arm as he sat on the loveseat in the room. She was so tiny that he felt like he might break her. It took a few minutes, but he felt more comfortable with every second that passed. He gazed at her little face with quiet wonder that he had helped to create this life.
“Well, little one,” he whispered. “What did I do to ever deserve you?” Watching her fall asleep in his arms almost made him emotional as he smiled. “I promise to give you a happy life, Lily,” he said. Then he leaned against the back of the chair and gently stroked her hands. “I always wanted a daughter.”
Angelo looked at the clock. Rafa was supposed to be here already. If he waited another ten minutes, they were not going to let him in. As Angelo fought to keep his eyes open, Rafa tapped lightly at the door.
“Hey,” he whispered. “I came as soon as I received word. How is Ella?” Angelo gave a weary nod to the bed when Rafa stared at the new baby.
“You lucky bastard!” He spoke low, smiling all the same at the small child in Angelo’s arms. “How did you get so damn lucky to have a woman who loves you and a beautiful baby girl to top it off?
Rafa’s words did not faze him in the slightest. He was not even annoyed. Instead, he looked at Rafa and replied. “Hell if I know. Something good has to happen to me every once in a while.” He barely smiled as he stroked Lily’s cheek. “I don’t know what I did to deserve any of this. I was just asking myself the same question.”
Rafa smirked at him. Angelo was sure his eyes became redder by the minute from lack of sleep. “Here, let me have a turn with her.” Rafa held out his hands. “You get a few minutes of rest.”
“All right,” he agreed. Angelo looked down at Lily and back at Rafa. “Would you like to be her godfather?”
Rafa grinned and looked down at Lily. His smile seemed satisfied at the thought. “Godfather?” He looked at Angelo and smiled again. “I would be honored to be her godfather.”
Angelo nodded and gently handed his child to one of the only men he trusted to hold her. Then he crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
“Hi there, beautiful.” Rafa spoke softly to the baby girl. “I guess I am babysitting while your parents sleep this afternoon.” He tucked the small blanket under Lily’s arm and sat down in the single cushioned rocker in the room. “I’m afraid you are going to have to keep this moment just between the two of us. If your father ever found out how fond I am of babies, he’d be endlessly harassing me to settle down.”
Angelo smiled, though Rafa thought he was asleep. He guessed right. Rafa would not mind a child of his own. As Rafa started rocking Lily, he glanced over at Ella’s peaceful face. His smile seemed to grow. “Don’t worry, Lily. I might wake her up when you’re hungry.” He grinned down at the bundle. “Or I might just feed you and keep you to myself for a while longer.”
Angelo smiled again as Rafa started to hum. Rafa seemed more at ease with Lily than he was at first. He would make a good father someday too.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Previously offering her works on various online writing sites, AA Lee discovered the art of fiction writing in 2013, after her child with autism prompted a search for new ways to spend her time. In the future, Lee will release more novels to give a means of escape to others with limited situations.
Lee can be found at authoraalee.com, on Twitter @ali_a_lee and on Instagram @ali_a_lee. She appreciates all feedback and reviews.