Cocky Striker - Evan Grace Page 0,71

chest I knew my life was complete. We’ve yet to name him. I wanted to give her time to rest before we talk about it.

There’s a knock on the door, and my dad sticks his head in. “Hey, come on in.” Mom’s back at our house with Ava, who was asleep when I talked to her earlier.

Dad smiles as he gets close. “Well, what do we have here?”

I’ve kept it together for the most part, but when I look at my dad I start to cry. “I have a son.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head. “He’s fucking beautiful.” Dad’s voice is hoarse. “Let me hold him.”

I carefully place him in my dad’s arms, and he kisses the top of my boy’s head. “I’m so happy, but so fucking scared,” I whisper. My eyes burn as I watch Dad hold my son. I bend down, kissing my son’s forehead.

He grabs me by the back of the neck with his free hand and pulls me into his side. He hugs me tightly. “That’s completely normal. You’re twenty-three, married, and I’m still scared. That’s part of being a parent, but you’re going to be a great father.” Dad looks at my son and then smiles at me. “He looks just like you did as a baby.” Dad kisses him one more time before handing him to me. “I’m gonna let you guys get some rest. Just call us when you’re ready for us to bring Ava up.”

“Great, thanks, Dad … for everything. I hope I’m half the dad you’ve been.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t make me cry. Ahem… I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad.” Dad goes over to where Laken is sleeping, brushes her hair back from her face, and kisses her forehead. “See you tomorrow, Dad.”

The nurse comes in a few minutes later to take my son to the nursery. I kick off my shoes and climb into bed with Laken. She inches back until her back is to my front.

“Let’s name him Wyatt Robert Bateman,” she whispers softly. “I love that name.”

“Wyatt Robert Bateman. I like the sound of that. Rest up, baby,” I say softly. In seconds she’s breathing heavily.

***

Laken sits cross legged on the hospital bed with Wyatt sleeping in her arms. My parents are on their way, bringing Ava to meet her brother. I’m anxious because I don’t want her feeling left out.

We bought her a present from Wyatt, and hopefully that’ll help ease some of the tension. My mom texts me that they’re in the waiting room. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, Daddy. We’ll be right here waiting.” Laken smiles from the bed.

I come over and kiss her before heading out to get Ava. I reach the waiting room, and Ava jumps up and runs to me. “Daddy! I missed you so, so much. Where’s da baby?”

“We’re going to go see him and Mommy right now.” I look at my parents. “Give us about ten minutes, and then you can come on back.”

Mom is bouncing excitedly in her seat. I know she’s dying to get her hands on my son. “Okay. Eekk … I can’t wait.”

I shake my head and then carry my daughter down to meet her brother. The moment we step into the room I set her down, and she runs to the bed. “Is this him, Mommy?” Laken put him back in the little bassinet while she waited for Ava.

“This is your brother, Wyatt. What do you think? Should we keep him?”

Laken peers over the side of the bassinet. She reaches out and touches his hand. Wyatt immediately grabs onto her finger. “He likes me.”

“Do you want to hold him?” I ask her. “He also got a present for you.”

“He did? Then yes, I wanna hold him.”

I chuckle as I pick her up and sit her on Laken’s lap. She wraps her arms around our daughter and gives her a kiss. “Are you ready to meet Wyatt?”

“He’s so little, but he loves me. I can tell.” I pick our son up and carefully place him in our daughter’s waiting arms. She bends down and kisses his forehead. “Wyatt, I’m yow sista.” He opens his eyes and looks at her.

I grab the gift bag and set it down next to her. She reaches for it with one hand and pulls the paper out. Laken is helping hold Wyatt. Ava pulls out an American girl doll and hugs it to her chest.

“Thank