I can’t stop staring at my baby angel. I run my finger over her head full of short golden hair and marvel at how soft it is. She reaches out and clings onto my finger, her entire hand wrapping around it, and I stare. Her fingernails are so small!

“She’s perfect, Isabella,” my mother coos, looking down over my shoulder with my father standing beside her.

I can’t argue. Little Jill is blissfully unaware of the world around her, fast asleep against my breast.

“Can I hold my sister?” Madison whispers, in awe of our newborn.

“Not for a little bit. She needs her mom right now,” Colt answers her, but his eyes never move from the baby.

He couldn’t be happier about having a little girl. I don’t have the heart to tell him what kind of madness he’s in for. Although, when I look into Jill’s innocent face, it’s hard to imagine her ever being anything less than wonderful.

It’s incredible how a baby can just calm a room and deflate the usual endless chatter from people’s lips. They have a way of putting it all in perspective.

“Hello there? I’ve got a special delivery!” Everyone looks over at the door where Parker is pushing Julia in a wheelchair.

My body feels like it’s been hit by a truck and then the truck decided that wasn’t good enough, so it backed up for good measure. I can’t even imagine what kind of pain she must be in after a C-section.

Parker parks Julia’s chair beside my bed, and when her eyes meet mine, we both start crying.

“I would like to introduce everyone to Wayne Malone McGregor.” She smiles down at the healthy baby boy swaddled in her arms. “I named him after my father.” Tears well up in her eyes. “I know he’s smiling down on us from Heaven.”

“Both of your parents are, Julia. I’m certain they’re very proud of you.” My dad places his hand on my mother’s shoulder and smiles warmly.

“Thank you, Pastor John.” Her voice strains with emotion as fat tears slip down onto my cheeks.

“Ohhh, Julia, he’s precious!” My mother swoons. “You’ve both made two of the most gorgeous babies I’ve ever seen.” She clasps her hands together.

“Thanks, Mom,” I tease her.

“No, I mean, next to you and your sister, of course.” She starts backpedaling, and the room erupts with chuckling.

“This little guy put us through the wringer there when he tried to jump into the world, feet first.” Parker looks like a puffed up proud papa, standing behind his family as he holds Julia’s chair. “But the doctors here are excellent. They took good care of them.” He leans down and kisses the top of Julia’s head.

I smile as I look down at my newborn daughter, and then over to my step-daughter-to-be in Colt’s arms. My parents are flanking the other side of my bed, lovingly standing arm in arm. A year ago I would’ve asked you what drugs you were taking if you told me this is where I’d be now. It may have been a long road to get here, but I think I finally found my path. I feel like someone just handed me the keys to the kingdom and told me it’s all mine for the taking.

Julia yawns loudly then looks up at the room quickly. “Oh my, I’m sorry! I think I should probably get back to my room. I’m pretty worn out.”

“You know what they say, sleep when the baby sleeps.” Mom shares her wisdom, and Julia nods.

“Okay, let’s get you to bed. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one day.” Parker smiles down at Julia and pulls her chair back from the bed.

“We’ll stop by your room later.” I wave like she’s leaving for a long road trip.

“Sounds good. You get some rest too, Mom!” she answers over her shoulder as Parker wheels her back out the door.

“We should probably get a move-on too, Shirley.” My father gives my mother’s shoulder a squeeze as disappointment crests her face. “We need to let this family have some time together.”

“I suppose,” Mom answers glumly. She leans over me and gives me a quick kiss on the forehead, then another one on Jill. “I’m proud of you, honey. You’re gonna make a great mother,” she whispers in my ear before reluctantly gathering her purse and jacket off the couch.

“We’re both proud of you, Isabella.” Dad grasps my hand and gives it a quick squeeze.

I look up at him and see the same look he used to have when he taught me to ride a bike. His face is beaming with pure joy.

My heart is about to burst open in my chest as my voice hitches in my throat. My words won’t come out around the lump in my throat. Instead, I just squeeze his hand back and nod.

I watch as my parents quietly walk out of the room and look up at Colt with my eyes full of tears. He puts Madison down on her feet and gives me a soft kiss.

“How about I put Jill in her bassinet? I don’t think a nap is a bad idea for you either. Your mom’s right, you should get as much rest as you can when the baby is quiet.” He carefully takes our daughter into his arms and walks her across the room to her hospital crib.

My eyelids start to droop as I see Colt and Madison look down at our little bub.

“Hi, baby, I Madison. I your big sister and I two years old.”

The baby begins to fuss a little, and Colt runs his hand softly over her hair.

“Shhh, it okay, baby. Don’t cry. Everything okay. We a family!” she explains excitedly. “Right, Colt? We a family?” She looks up for confirmation.

“That’s right, honey, we are a family. And as long as we stick together, everything will be just fine.” He places his broad hand on her little shoulder, and Madison smiles.

A smile twinges upon my lips as my eyes close, and I drift off into a warm, peaceful sleep.