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Chapter Eighty-six

I can’t believe we lost one”

“Neither can I Two eency c-sections at the sahed “I hate nights like this”

“Me, too Thank God our shift is over”

It took a few minutes for Gabriel to open his eyes Had he been asleep or

He rubbed at his chin He didn’t know One minute, he was in the woods behind his house, the next he could hear nurses talking

His head began buzzing as his , ca about her

I can’t believe we lost one

He fought back a sob as he heard footsteps, his eyes focusing on a pair of ugly shoes It was grossly inappropriate, he knew, but he couldn’t help but notice how thick and unflattering they were As if they were ood podiatric opportunity

He lifted his head

The nurse, whoie, Mr Ehter?”

He nodded and stu Sos have been really busy and we’ve just had a shift change”

She led hi roo nearby, writing on a chart

Gabriel walked over to the bassinet and looked down

A little bundle of white lay motionless He saw a reddish face, and black hair that was partially covered by a tiny, purple knitted cap

“She has hair”

Angie stood next to him “Yes, lots of hair She’s alood-sized baby”

Angie picked up the child, cradling her “We’ll give you a wristband that matches hers so we know she’s yours”

The second nurse affixed a white plastic wristband on Gabriel’s right wrist

“Would you like to hold her?”

He nodded, wiping his cold, claently placed the baby in his are, dark blue eyes and looked up at him

Their eyes met and Gabriel felt as if his entire world stopped

Then she yawned, her tiny rosebud ain

“She’s beautiful,” he breathed

“Yes, she is And she’s healthy It was a difficult delivery, but she’s fine You’ll notice that her face is a bit swollen, but that will come down”

Gabriel lifted the baby so she was inches fro Roll I’ ti to her tiny breaths, feeling her little heart beat through the swaddlingto blink away the tears that had re-fored a look

“Did Dr Rubio talk to you?” Angie asked

Gabriel shook his head, holding the baby tightly

Angie looked to the other nurse, who frowned

“She should have spoken to you by now I’m sorry about that It’s been very busy, as I said, and there was a shift change” Angie gestured to a nearby chair “Why don’t you sit doith your daughter, and I’ll go see if I can find the doctor”