Forgiveness and Second Chances (23 page)

“Yes, yes….” He just watched his baby as he cut the cord. She started crying her lungs out. “That’s it, Faith,” he said proudly. The nurse came and got the baby, and carried her toward the back. “Where are they taking her?”

“She’s just cleaning her up,” the doctor answered. “Mom, I need you to push one more time.” He massaged her stomach, and Jeremy saw something else coming out.

“What’s that?” Jeremy asked, momentarily forgetting everything he’d read and learned in childbirth classes.

“The placenta.” The doctor cleaned her up and then went to check on the baby.

The nurse came back with Faith, and Malanie extended her arms and gently took hold of her. “She’s perfect.”

“She weighed seven pounds, six ounces, and measured 21 inches.”

“Congratulations, Commander Wood.” The doctor shook his hand.

“Thank you.”

He had tears in his eyes. He’d missed all this with Alanie. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I love you.” He touched his little girl’s cheeks. She was fair-skinned, with lots of straight black hair, a button nose, and rosy full pink lips. “Happy birthday, Faith.”

Alanie entered the room, smiling. As soon as she saw her baby sister she ran toward them. “Hi Faith! I’m your older sister Alanie.” She touched her little fingers.

“Where is our goddaughter,” Stefanie asked as she entered the hospital room with Derrick and a bunch of pink balloons behind her.

Jeremy sat on the hospital bed next to his wife and brand-new baby girl. “She’s right here,” he said, touching the baby’s nose.

Derrick hugged Jeremy. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“She’s beautiful,” Stefanie said. “May I?” Malanie gently handed her the baby. Stefanie kissed her forehead. “I thought Alanie would be here.”

“She was, but she already missed a day of school,” Malanie said. “She’s on her way.”

“How’s dad doing?” Derrick asked Jeremy.

“Man, you didn’t tell me,” Jeremy said, arching his eyebrows, remembering the way her vagina expanded and did things he never imagined.

“Tell you what?”

“What went on during labor. I almost passed out when her head crowned.” Jeremy gazed at his baby.

Everybody laughed. “You needed to experience it.”

“That’s what you get for running out on the birth video.” Malanie giggled.

His mom and dad came in. “Let me see my grandbaby,” Mrs. Wood said, not waiting for an answer. She strolled over to Stefanie and took the baby out of her arms.

“Carol, Stefanie was holding her,” his father said, hugging Jeremy and then Malanie.

“That’s grandma.” Stefanie smiled. “Derrick let’s go.” She grabbed his hand. “We’ll be back later.”

His mom stared at the baby, her eyes shining with tears. “She’s precious.” She stared up at Jeremy and Malanie. “She looks like me,” she whispered.

“Faith weighed seven pounds, six ounces, and measured 21 inches,” Jeremy told his parents. Faith had Jeremy’s skin complexion, light eyes. In all, she favored him.

His parents, kissed, touched, talked, and prayed over baby Faith. Malanie fell asleep while they were there.

“I always knew you were the one.”
He whispered in her ear, kissing her.

“Son, we’re so proud of the man you’ve become. You assumed your responsibility from a young age and never looked back. Look at you now, a wonderful father and husband. I love you, son.”

“I love you too, Mom. Thank you for everything you instilled in me, and Dad, thank you for making me a man. I love you and I’m so proud to be your son.”

His father rushed toward him and hugged him. “Son, God blessed us the day he put you in our life. We couldn’t ask for better kids than you, Jack, and Carolyn.”

“I heard my name,” Carolyn said, walking in. “Hi baby Faith, I’m your Aunty Carolyn.” She watched her mom rock her.

“She’s beautiful.”

“Yes she is….” Carolyn turned and hugged Jeremy. “I’m so happy for you and Malanie. After all these years, you found your one true love. You never gave up on her.”

“Thank God he didn’t,” Malanie said, waking up. “He’s my one and only.”

“Malanie, let me apologize in advance, because I’m going to spoil your baby like I did Alanie. I don’t have girls,” Carolyn said. “How’s Alanie with the baby?”

“Alanie is over the moon with her baby sister,” Jeremy answered.

“Grandma, grandpa!” Alanie ran into the room and hugged her granddad. “My sister is a cutie. She looks like daddy and me.” She went over and kissed her mom, and then sat in the chair next to her. “Grandma, I want to hold her.”

Mrs. Wood gently placed the baby in her arms, making sure Alanie supported her head.

“Mwah! I love you, Faith,” Alanie said, paying all her attention to her sister.

“When do you leave the hospital?” Carolyn asked.

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Son, we are going to leave, but we’ll be by tomorrow. Is that okay?” his dad asked.

“Dad, you’re always welcome in our house.”

“Alanie, we love you. I’ll see you tomorrow, princess,” his dad said.

“Faith and I love you too.” She took Faith’s tiny hands and waved. “Bye grandpa, grandma, and Aunty Carolyn.”

His mom surprised everybody by hugging Malanie and kissing her cheeks. “Thank you for making my son and my granddaughters happy. I’m proud of you, too.”

His parents and sister said their goodbyes.

“Thank you for giving me a second chance,” Jeremy whispered in Malanie’s ear as they watched Alanie with her baby sister.

Thank you for reading.

Ancelli’s Books

My Best Friend

Stronger Than Ever

If Only We Knew

About the Author

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I married my best friend, the love of my life. On my spare time, I love scribbling and making my words come to life. I love writing romance stories about couples that go through trials and come out stronger. Love is never easy, but it's worth all the hard work. I would like to hear your opinion whether good or bad, you can leave your comments at
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