“Hmm?”
“Thank you for being such a good friend. I don’t know if I could have done this alone.” Leaning over, MacKenzie gave Aviva, who sat beside her on the bed, a kiss on the cheek. Then they looked at each other and smiled.
A knock on the door pulled their attention. Standing in the doorway were Jason and Jake.
“Do you guys want to see her?” MacKenzie asked the serious looking men.
**********
Both men hovered just outside the room as though unsure of her question; identical looks of uncertainty plastered on their faces.
With a slightly jerky movement, Jake was the first to take a step forward. When he realized his brother wasn’t following him into the room, he stopped and turned his back to the women and looked at Jason. The look of uncertainty on Jason’s face told him that he was probably wearing the same expression, and he grinned at his twin in assurance. Turning around, Jake finally walked into the room with Jason a few steps behind.
When Jake reached the side of the bed, he stood looking down at the baby as though he had never seen one before. In all honesty, the only child he had ever seen at such an early age had been his younger brother. Peeling back the folds of the blanket MacKenzie showed off her brand new baby.
Jake stared at the baby for such a long time, and it took him a while to notice that he was making MacKenzie uncomfortable. “May I hold her?”
“Um, yes... I guess. If you really want to.”
“I really want to.” Reaching down, Jake was never more aware of the size of his hands. Compared to the size of the newborn child, they looked huge. But something compelled him to take the baby.
With delicate care, he lifted the child, one of his large hands cupping her head and the other secured beneath her rump. That was all it took, one look and he was smitten. He didn’t know nor did he care about other babies. This baby was perfect.
Cradling the newborn in his arms, Jake moved to a corner of the room, his attention only on the tiny baby girl. Unaware that all eyes were firmly fixed on him, he retreated into a place that only had room for the child in his arms.
“Hello, little one. Do you know that you’re special? No, maybe not, but you are, and you will know it. I’m Jake, and I welcome you to the world.”
Jake had no idea that the words he directed at the child were witnessed and affirmed by all who heard them. His words hadn’t been spoken for the benefit of others. They had just seemed right, and they came from the heart.
After long moments of looking down at the baby, he became aware that the room had grown silent. He and the baby were the center of attention, yet the realization didn’t bother him. Turning, he looked at each of the people gathered around MacKenzie; his penetrating stare daring anyone to make a comment. No one did.
Just then the baby demanded his attention, emitting a cry that only a newborn could. Pulling her closer to his chest, Jake murmured words of comfort. His voice seemed to soothe her. Her cries ceased as though she knew she was safe and protected while being held securely in his strong yet gentle arms.
Walking towards MacKenzie, Jake lowered the baby into her mother’s waiting embrace. “She’s beautiful.” Jake somehow managed to pull his eyes away from the now pacified child long enough to look at her mother. The smile on his face was also reflected in his eyes, which had darkened to the point that their usual green was almost gone.
“Do you have a name for her?” Jake asked.
“As a matter of fact I do...” MacKenzie paused for dramatic effect.
“For goodness sake, MacKenzie what’s her name?” Aviva interjected, voicing her impatience when MacKenzie didn’t immediately begin speaking.
“Her name is Christmas Day Leah.” Jake watched in stunned silence as MacKenzie lowered her head at the shocked silence that overtook the room.
“Are you out of your mind?” Jake demanded, “Christmas Day Leah! Do you want this kid to hate you?”
Jake’s outburst was met by an almost unnatural quiet as everyone stared at MacKenzie as though she had lost her mind.
“Calm down, Jake, she’s kidding... right?” Aviva tentatively asked, giving her friend an uncertain look.
“Relax, Jacob. Her name is Noelle, Ava, Leah Braithwaite,” turning to Aviva, MacKenzie smiled, “Ava for her godmother who got me through the most frightening day of my life.”
Chapter 4