Page 134 of Not Mine to Rescue

I couldn’t resist pushing the line a bit further. “Sweet sixteen in eleven. Driving, dating...”

“My baby girl is not allowed to date,” Walt declared.

We all had a good laugh at that one.

Much later, after the families went home, I watched Mia in her little transparent bassinet. Honor was resting, and the room was quiet.

“I know your mother and I want to keep you all to ourselves. But that’s no way to live. So. I promise not to be too possessive. But I also don’t want you running wild like Auntie Hal. Maybe you can help me out by falling somewhere in between, okay?”

Of course, Mia didn’t answer. I pulled the chair closer, so I could watch her sleep. A thousand thoughts, dreams, and wishes spun through my head. Worries and fears and joy... it was too much to pin down.

But there was one thing that kept me grounded. Honor and I had a future. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that slip from my fingers. And I vowed every day from now until Mia stepped into her own future, I’d do my best to make sure she had balance, safety, and a home filled with joy and wonder. Just like her.

I’d protect her, but try not to crush her spirit. I’d guard her and let her fly. Hell, I’d build her wings if necessary. It was going to be rough trying to make all that happen at the same time. No wonder people said parenting was the toughest job. You couldn’t avoid trouble forever. Honor and I had made it through the first obstacle.

We were parents.

That was a miracle. One I wanted to hold on to forever. I stared at Mia until it was well after midnight, and the darkness settled in. The sounds and work of the hospital hushed into unsettled whispers.

The shadows grew thick. To let them know I was watching. I placed a hand over Mia’s basket and spoke aloud. “Mine.”

“You’re using your biker voice again,” Honor mumbled.

I slid over to keep our conversation from waking Mia. “I was scaring the ghoulies away.”

“Hum. That’s good. But she’s mine.”

I laughed quietly. “You heard that?”

Her uh-hum was gentle. She slid a hand out from under the blanket and waited for me to take it. Then she tugged me close.

In her best biker chick voice, she uttered one word. “Mine.”

To quote from one of my favorite movies,

The end is only the beginning...