Chapter 9 - The Gift of Life
Waaah! Waaah!
The sound was small, fragile, but undeniably fierce.
Emily burst into tears, her whole body shaking with overwhelming relief. “Is she breathing? Is she okay?”
Dr. Miller lifted the tiny, wriggling infant above the surgical curtain. “It’s a girl! A beautiful, perfect baby girl! Apgar score of eight, breathing spontaneously on room air despite being premature!”
Adrian stood completely motionless, tears streaming openly down his cheeks, completely unashamed before the room of doctors and nurses. The hardened king of the Manhattan underworld was reduced to a weeping, awestruck father.
The pediatric team cleaned the baby and wrapped her in a warm blanket, placing a tiny pink knitted cap over her dark curls. A nurse brought the bundle over to Emily and Adrian.
“Would you like to meet your daughter?” the nurse asked with a warm smile.
Emily’s trembling arms cradled the tiny bundle against her bare chest. The baby weighed barely four pounds, her skin pink and delicate, but as she felt her mother’s warmth and heard her heartbeat, the baby immediately calmed down, nuzzling against Emily’s collarbone.
“Look at her,” Emily whispered, crying softly as she kissed the baby’s tiny forehead. “She’s so tiny, Adrian. But she’s perfect.”
Adrian reached down with a trembling finger. The infant’s miniature hand unfurled and wrapped its five tiny fingers around his index finger, holding on with astonishing strength.
Adrian choked back a sob, dropping to his knees beside the operating table so he could rest his cheek against Emily’s and the baby’s.
“What should we name her?” Adrian whispered, his voice thick with raw emotion.
May you like
Emily looked at the man who had torn down an entire empire to keep them safe, who had chosen love over darkness. “Victoria,” she said softly. “Because she’s our victory. Victoria Grace Moretti.”
“Victoria,” Adrian repeated, closing his eyes as he kissed the baby’s knuckles, then leaned up and pressed a tender, lingering kiss to Emily’s lips. “Welcome to the world, Victoria. Daddy’s got you now.”
