Not long after the nurses have cleaned everything up, they transfer us to a private recovery room. That’s when the reality of our new normal set in.

Jeff and I haven’t so much as put her down for a second. I want her to know how loved and wanted she is. I know these days are numbered, and each one is a gift I want to commit to memory.

My upper body naturally starts to sway as I cradle her in my arms. “What do you think we should name her?” I emphasize the last word as my subtle way of saying, you were wrong!

“Just so you know, I’m still holding out hope that this baby will grow a penis.”

“You are utterly ridiculous, Jeff.” I shake my head at him and deeply inhale the delicious new baby smell, savoring every moment of it. “What about Spencer? I’ve always loved the name Spencer for a little girl.”

“Hmm … Spencer.” The name rolls off his tongue gracefully, but I can tell he doesn’t love it as much as I do. “That’s a fine name and all, but what about something a little more girly? Like Sophie?”

I scrunch my nose up in disgust. While I love the name Sophie, I taught a girl named Sophie last year who was such a little asshole. Those lashes and rosy cheeks may deceive some novice teachers, but I saw right through her charm and conniving ways.

“No. Sophie isn’t even up for discussion.”

“Ooookay, then. Lillian, perhaps? That was your grandmother’s name, right?”

The suggestion steals my breath and makes me smile. “Lillian is perfect. Lillian Elisabeth. For your grandmother, too.”

He leans down and kisses Lillian delicately on the forehead so he doesn’t stir her, then presses his lips to mine. Ever so gingerly, I pass Lillian to her father and melt as he softly begins to sing to her. Jeff wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t know any lullabies, but I take great amusement in the fact he’s changing the words to the Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice, rapping “got my mind on my mommy and my mommy on my mind.” It’s impossible not to fall even further in love with Jeff, watching him dote over his daughter.

“Thank you …” I say softly, fighting the building tears in my eyes.

“For what?” His forehead creases and his eyes turn curious as he looks at me for a quick moment before diverting his attention back to Lillian.

“For everything. You’ve been so incredibly supportive throughout all of this.”

Everything is such a vague word, but it’s the only one I’ve got. He could have run when he learned I was pregnant. But he didn’t. He gave me everything. And therefore he is my everything.

“Well, you’re my girl—my girls. I’d do anything for you two.” He beams with genuineness.

“About that …”

Jeff cocks his eyebrow.

“You know how I’ve always said that I wanted to get married after I had the baby, right?”

“Yeah …” The word lingers in the space between us with uncertainty.

“Well, I just thought that maybe it’s time we start thinking about it?” I shift on the bed, my legs still feeling a bit dead from the aftereffects of the epidural.

“Why are you talking about the wedding now? Enjoy this moment. Let’s get settled into this parenting thing and find our rhythm. We don’t have to plan this wedding until you’re completely ready.”

“What? You don’t want to marry me now?” I try to pout, but a smug smile plays at my lips as I see him consider taking the bait.

“I’ll marry you the instant you’ll let me. It doesn’t matter if that’s next month or next year. I love you, and it’s the kind of love that isn’t going anywhere.”

I hit the nurse’s call button and wait.

“Hi, this is Nurse Julie. Is everything okay?”

“Hi, Julie. Yes, everything is fine. I was just wondering if you could see if there was a priest in the building who could stop by our room.”

Jeff’s eyes go wide, and he looks at me with shock, mouth agape. The pieces are starting to fit together in his mind, and I’m not sure if he’s panicked or excited about the stunt I’m about to pull.

“Oh sure, honey, I can absolutely see if there is someone available to stop by and bless your baby.”

“Thanks,” I chime into the speaker.

I sit up a little taller and pat the open space next to me on the bed. “Blessing Lillian is fine and all, but I want to show you just how much I love you. This, right here, is all that matters. It wasn’t only a baby born today. It was a family. And with that, I want it to be our marriage, too.”

Jeff continues to stare at me, completely lost for words.

“What?”

“I can’t believe you just did that.”

“Why not? I’ve said all along that I wanted a small, intimate wedding.”

He runs his hand through his hair and watches me intently, trying to get a better gauge on the bomb I’ve just dropped. “This isn’t sleep deprivation and exhaustion overtaking your decision-making abilities, right?”

I laugh, shaking my head.

“And this isn’t some weird new mom hormone imbalance where you’re going to punch me in the junk and shout ‘psyche!’ is it?”

“I’m pretty sure nobody has said ‘psyche!’ since the late nineties. And please, rest assured that I am alert and completely ready for this.” I reach for his hand and squeeze it tightly. “I have never been more ready for anything in my entire life.”

And the words mean more than simply being married. I’m ready for this new life, our new family. As long as I’ve got Jeff, I have everything I need.

“God, I love you, woman.” He leans in and surprises me with the kind of kiss that puts all other kisses to shame, even with a baby balanced in his arms.

A few minutes later there’s a soft knock at the door. “That was quick,” Jeff comments.

I sit up a little taller in the bed, realizing that not only am I about to get married, but I’m about to do it in a soiled hospital gown. Meh … I’ve always felt designer wedding dresses were overrated, and weddings were more a party for the parents and their friends than the couple. I can hardly contain my smile.

It’s a shame it doesn’t last for long.

“Oh, hell no!”

Leo cautiously stands just inside the door and puts his hands up in the air like he’s trying to surrender. In his right hand is a small pink teddy bear. Leo looks different in his street clothes rather than doctor scrubs. If I squint my eyes just right, he looks like the guy I once thought I loved.

“What are you doing here?” Jeff delicately passes Lillian back into my arms, taking extra care to support her neck.

“I just wanted to stop by and see Henley before I head home.”

Jeff stands to meet Leo and extends his arm out for a handshake. “Don’t you think you’ve spent enough time all up in Henley’s business?” The look in Leo’s eyes tells me Jeff is squeezing his hand just a little too hard.

Good.

When Jeff finally releases his hand, Leo shifts his attention toward me. “Congratulations, Henley. You, too,” he says to my soon-to-be husband. “I’ve always known you’d make an incredible mother, and from the looks of it, I was right.”

It’s the nicest thing he’s ever said to me.

We spend a few minutes catching up, and it’s strangely nice to see that Leo isn’t all asshole. Deep down, underneath the mocking patriotic songs and obnoxious pet names, there is, in fact, a shred of humanity.

“Ahem.” A man dressed in black with a white collar clears his throat from the far side of the room. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Is now a good time or should I come back later?” He looks exhausted with dark pools under his eyes, and something tells me that ‘later’ would be tomorrow.

“Oh! No, now is a perfect time, Father. Please, come in.”

He walks in further and stands at the end of the bed with a smile on his face. “I’m Father O’Donnell. Your child is beautiful.” He looks fondly at Lillian. “May I?” he asks, reaching out his arms.

I pass my daughter to him, and he beams down at her. It’s amazing how such a tiny little person can have such a profound impact on a person. “Have you decided on a name yet?”

“Yes, Lillian Elisabeth.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” Father O’Donnell praises.

He asks us to bow our heads as he leads us in a prayer and blesses both the baby and our new family. When he finishes, he makes a small cross gesture on her forehead and passes her gingerly back to Jeff.

“Thank you, Father. That was beautiful.”

“My pleasure, and all the best to your family.” He turns on his heel and starts toward the door.

“Actually, Father, if we could trouble you for just one more thing before you leave…”

“Yes?” He turns back around to face us.

How on earth do I even broach this? I know you think you were here just to bless our little bundle, and I’m pretty sure we’ve broken at least four—maybe five of the Ten Commandments recently, but would you mind marrying us? I’m fairly certain if I were to step foot in a church, lightning would strike and engulf the building in flames.

Catholic guilt suddenly grips me, and I bite my tongue.

“Father, I am madly in love with this woman. Have been since the moment I met her last year. Every morning I wake up and thank my stars for how lucky I am to have her in my life.”

My heart doesn’t melt at his words. It soars.

Father O’Donnell folds his hands in his lap, listening intently. And out of the corner of my eye, I see Leo shifting uncomfortably.

“Nothing about our relationship has ever been conventional, but I know that she’s the one for me. We’ve been engaged for a few months now, and the only thing that could possibly make this day more remarkable than it already has been is to spend it with my wife. Sure, we don’t have all of the legal hodgepodge filed, and we don’t have rings here with us, and heck, our family doesn’t even realize we had the baby today. But it would mean the world if you would marry us. Right here, right now.”

I hold my breath and await the condescending look…

But it never comes.

“I am not one to judge you or your definition of conventional. I have always believed that love knows no bounds, and it’s clear by the way you look at her that this is meant to be. Besides, when you know, you know.”

He looks to Leo, questioning his presence here. “Would you mind serving as their witness?”

“Uh … sure,” he says unconvincingly.

Thank you, I mouth to him in appreciation.

“Since we don’t have all of the formalities in place, maybe we can just hit the highlights, Father?” Jeff smiles.

A light flickers in Father O’Donnell’s eyes. He’s clearly amused by this whole scenario. “I suppose we can do that. Under the promise that you’ll take care of the license and come back to see me officially with your families?”

“Absolutely,” I say.

“Of course,” Jeff agrees. He comes to sit down next to me on the hospital bed with Lillian in his arms. She’s just as much a part of this celebration as we are.

Father O’Donnell begins with a short prayer before cutting to the chase. “I’m sorry, what were your names again?”

I giggle, realizing we never actually told him our names, just Lillian’s. “I’m Henley. And this is Jeff.”

“Ah yes. Okay.” He clears his throat. “Before you declare your vows to one another, I need to hear you confirm that it is your intention to be married here today. Henley, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Jeff in marriage? If so, please answer ‘I do.’”

I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. “I do,” I repeat confidently.

“And Jeff, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Henley in marriage?”

“I do.” Jeff wraps one arm around my waist, trying to pull me closer to him and Lillian.

“Now, do either of you have vows prepared or…?”

“I can wing it,” I say to Jeff. Because if I’m being honest, all those nights where I couldn’t fall asleep because I had a baby bouncing on my bladder, I was running through one million and one scenarios of what my vows would be.

“Me, too,” Jeff says.

“Okay then.” Father O’Donnell gestures to me to look at Jeff.

I take a deep breath and look him in the eyes. I love the sincerity on his face and wish I had a picture to capture this moment. “Jeff, you are my light. You’ve shown me more love than I’ve ever known before. I promise to have the patience that our love demands, to speak when words are needed and appreciate the silence when they are not. I look forward to laughing with you and crying with you. Caring for you, and sharing with you. I love that I get to build with you and live with you. And I promise to be faithful to you all the days of our lives.”

Jeff can’t contain the happiness that takes over his entire demeanor. His smile illuminates the world and I can sense his heart is about to burst from his chest in genuine joy.

“Henley, the day I sat down next to you on that plane, my life finally took off. You gave me the kind of feeling that was instant, powerful, and utterly indescribable. Just like you. You’re indescribable. I promise to stand by your side, even when our legs are tired and broken. I promise to never sing America, the Beautiful to you.” He laughs knowingly which makes me blush. “And I promise that I will never be perfect. Because while neither of us is perfect, we are perfect for each other, and together, we share a perfect kind of love. And really, that’s all that matters. I swear to you that I will live each day loving you more than I did the day before. Thank you for allowing me into your life.”

We sit there in silence for a moment, savoring each other’s words.

“This is typically the part where you’d exchange rings.”

“Eh, semantics,” Jeff interjects.

“Okay then, by the power vested in me by God and man, I pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Jeff looks at me desperately, his lips aching to taste mine, and in an instant, our mouths meet in perfect harmony.

Father O’Donnell laughs. “You may now kiss your bride.”

“Congratulations again, Henley.” Leo leans down and kisses me on the cheek before placing the pink teddy bear into the bassinet. He then turns to Jeff and exchanges another firm handshake. “She was the one who got away. Take good care of her, will ya?”

“I will. And I’m glad she got away.”

“I am, too,” he responds earnestly. “I never saw her this happy when she was with me.”

“That’s probably because you called her Fire Crotch and sang patriotic anthems at inappropriate times.”

Leo simply shrugs. “What can I say? I never claimed to be a good guy. But don’t underestimate the power of America the Beautiful when it comes to Henley.”

“Duly noted.”

Jeff follows Leo to the door and closes it behind him. That went significantly better than I ever imagined it going.

“So now what, wifey?”

“I guess we call our parents? I can’t imagine that’ll go over well. I got you a special surprise, Mom! How about a granddaughter and a son-in-law!”

“Hmm, you’re right. How about we keep this our little secret? We can tell them all about it later.”

I know how butt-hurt my folks will be, but the suggestion sounds perfect.

“Okay. You’ve got yourself a deal. This stays between us, hubby.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too.”

We both look around the room and soak in the peacefulness of Lilian sleeping in her bassinet.

“So … Now what do we do?” I imagine every new parent has had this thought at some point once they’ve gone through the traditional hospital to do list.

Jeff turns toward me with a mischievous light in his eyes. “This is our honeymoon period, right?”

“I guess technically it is.”

“You know what they say about honeymoons?” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

I laugh uncontrollably. I swear this guy always has sex on the brain. “They say you have to wait six weeks—at least!”

“I’m counting down the days. Because Lillian needs a baby brother.”

“You’re just looking for another reason to joke about a penis being inside of me.”

Jeff winks. “I love you, woman.”

“I love you, too.”