Suddenly I couldn’t breathe when I saw an empty cradle, and the pieces began falling together. “Where’s the baby? Where’s my baby?” I gripped his arms, my nails digging in. “Please tell me—”
“He’s all right. Everything’s all right,” Austin assured me.
When Katharine approached the bed with a bundle in her arms, I reached out and realized I would always be a broken puzzle with a missing piece if I didn’t have my child. The moment I felt his weight, his warmth, his strong arms and legs, I pulled him close to my chest and kissed his nose. Austin scooted to my left and let me lean against him.
“There’s my handsome man,” I whispered, tears in my eyes. “I missed you… and I’m so sorry for leaving. I didn’t mean to. I’ll never leave you again. Gosh, look at him, Austin. He’s so beautiful.” I smoothed my fingers across his chubby cheeks as he yawned and went back to sleep. “I can’t thank you enough for taking care of him, Katharine.”
A laugh bubbled out, and she patted my shoulder. “You can thank Austin for that. All I did was fold laundry and change sheets.”
I swung my eyes toward Austin. “You took care of him?”
“Did you ever doubt?”
“Wait. Are we talking about the same man who vacates a room when a baby is crying or a diaper is dirty?”
He frowned, and a tiny crease appeared between his brows. “Those damn things aren’t easy to put on.”
“See? What did I tell you?” I kissed my baby and placed him on my lap. “You have the best daddy in the world.”
“Are you okay?” Austin asked, eyes brimming with concern.
“It just tires me to hold him too long. My shoulder’s sore, and I have a migraine.”
Edward handed me a bottle of water. “You’re probably dehydrated. I couldn’t run a saline drip in you because it could damage your vein if you shifted. We just gave your wolf small but frequent sips.”
I drank several mouthfuls, and water dribbled down my chin. It felt like ice going into my empty stomach, and I slowed, afraid I might get sick.
“I’d like to run a line now, if that’s okay,” he said. “I brought my equipment, and we’ll also give you a round of magnesium and potassium.”
I nodded. “Sure. But can you give us a minute alone?”
Edward inclined his head. “As you wish.”
Austin urged me to drink more water, but I declined. I was about to get an intravenous bag of it, so I didn’t see a point in increasing my bathroom trips. He propped several pillows behind my back and then sat near my legs.
I looked down and smiled when our little boy opened his eyes.
“What should we name him?” I asked, holding his little hand.
Austin tickled his chin. “I’ve already given him a name.”
“Oh really? You didn’t think I might want to be consulted?”
Austin reached around his neck and removed his medallion. “This is the last day I’ll ever wear this.” He placed it over the baby’s head.
“Isn’t that a choking hazard?”
Austin smiled and brushed his fingers over the round heirloom. “He’ll grow into it. I can always make it a belt buckle.”
I chuckled and let the little guy grip my fingers with his tiny hand. “What was the name you had in mind?”
Austin leaned closer and winked. “Not just had in mind, Ladybug. His name isn’t up for discussion. I’d like you to meet Travis Cole.”
“Travis,” I said, letting the name play on my tongue. “I actually like it.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You seem surprised.”
“Well, it’s such an ordinary name. No offense, but your family is a little kooky with baby names. First your parents with all the cities, and then Jericho and all his musical names.”
“My parents said a name should mean something. Travis is special.”
I could hardly take my eyes off Travis.
My Travis. The more I looked at him, the more I could see into his future. Horseshoes in the yard with Uncle Reno, summers at the lake with Uncle Denver and Aunt Maizy, ice cream cones and bubbles, girlfriends and first kisses, leading his own pack and giving me grandchildren.
“What’s special about the name?” I asked.
Austin held my hand in his. “I named him after the lake where I fell in love with you.”
I smiled and kissed him softly. “I love you, Austin Cole. And I’m so glad we didn’t go to Lady Bird that night.”
He nibbled my lip playfully and scooped Travis up in his arms. I watched as he placed him in the cradle and pulled the curtains closed.
“Austin, what if we have more kids? You only fell in love with me once.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Ladybug.” He checked Travis one more time before turning around. “The lake is where I first fell in love with you, but it’s not the last time. I have names picked out for every place where we share a special memory.”
I smirked. “I hope we can automatically rule out Schlitterbahn then. What about his middle name?”
Austin shrugged. “We don’t need middle names unless you want one.”
I lay back down on my left side, pulling the sheet all the way over me. As much as I’d been sleeping, I still felt tired.
“What were you thinking?” Austin asked, winding up a musical toy.