Page 104 of Night Moves
No one argued, so she took Drake’s hand and followed his parents from the house. They set off for the hospital, where Natalie knew she would find out what it was like to truly be a member of this amazing family.
In the waiting room five hours later, Drake watched his mom give Reed a hug, then the expectant father all but fled toward the hall. Malone had joined them and caught up to him. She was dressed in high fashion, as usual. She wore a leather jacket and crisp white blouse with designer jeans and knee-high leather boots. She didn’t say a word but grabbed her brother up in a hug. He sighed, gave her a tense smile, and rushed away.
Each time Reed updated them on Sierra’s progress—everything was going according to her birth plan, and Elvis would be born soon—Drake could feel the guy’s anxiety. Drake had never seen Reed so amped and terrified.
In this situation, Drake would likely feel the same way. Maybe worse.
“Please, Peg.” His dad stood. “Tell me I wasn’t such a basket case when our boys were born.”
“Not by the time we had Drake and Erik, but before that? Yeah, you were.” She chuckled.
His dad planted his hands on his waist. “Not possible.”
“Mom doesn’t lie,” Drake said.
“No, but shedoesexaggerate.”
She circled an arm around her husband’s waist. “This isn’t one of those times, dear.”
He shook his head.
The others shared a knowing look. Sure, they hadn’t seen their dad at the time, but as Drake had said, their mom would never lie, so they knew it was true.
“Okay, back to charades,” his mom announced. “Who’s up?”
“Me. Prepare to be dazzled by my acting skills.” Malone grinned and grabbed a card from the game box.
They laughed and resumed the game, and Drake participated, but he held tightly to Natalie’s hand as they played and just sat back to admire his amazing family with a strong belief and reliance on God. And now he had a girlfriend too. She fit in like she’d been here for years. Sure, she seemed a bit tentative at times, which was why he held tightly to her hand. Or maybe he did it to convince himself that they were really going to pursue a relationship together.
Many rounds later, Reed barreled into the waiting room. “Eight pounds, thirteen ounces. Big healthy boy.”
“That’s a Byrd for you.” Their mom grinned. “Big and strapping from birth.”
“I’m a dad,” Reed said, looking baffled. “For real. A dad.”
“Congrats, big brother.” Malone hugged him as congratulations were shouted all around.
“Okay, so I’ll come back and tell you when you can see him.” He bolted away.
Drake hugged Natalie, but he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because it was such a special moment, and he figured that was a good way to express his joy.
“This is so exciting,” Natalie whispered and pulled back, her face glowing. “I see the tough side of babies coming into this world with challenges the child doesn’t even know he will face. But here, with this big loving family, it’s just the opposite. Thank you for letting me be a part of the special day.”
“I’m the one who’s blessed to have you here.” He sat back and snaked his arm around her shoulders. feeling so contented that he figured his face held the same big dopey look that Reed’s had before he bolted.
The family talked about the birth and speculated on the baby’s coloring. Would he have dark hair like Reed or be blond like Sierra? After growing a little more comfortable with kids, Drake was looking forward to meeting the little guy.
Reed came back, the same big smile brimming on his face, glowing from ear to ear. “You can come in now. I begged for permission to let you all in at the same time, but get rowdy and you’ll be bounced.”
Their mom and dad went first, and then the guys filled in behind in birth order. They were so accustomed to the lineup that, even if they didn’t like it, it felt normal.
When Drake laid eyes on Sierra smiling down on the baby wrapped in a blue blanket, their parents’ faces enamored and eyes glistening, tears stung his eyes too. He’d never felt so emotional before. So overwhelmed. Birth was an amazing thing. So amazing, and he’d never really understood that.
Natalie’s hand slipped into his, and she grinned up at him, her eyes brimming too.
Drake squeezed her hand, swallowed, and tried his hardest for a level voice as he looked back at his sister. “Do we have a name?”
“You would be the one to ask.” Sierra wrinkled her nose at him. “And we do. Meet Asher John Rice. John after Reed and Malone’s dad.”
