"Rebecca Hanson. Maternity," I told the receptionist. She typed something into the computer, and then handed me a green pass. "Room 562," she said without looking up.
As I walked towards Rebecca's room, I laughed to myself. Yet ANOTHER Hanson was born in this hospital. I figured it was just a matter of time before a room was reserved for anyone with the last name Hanson. As it is, Mom's on a first name basis with every nurse on this floor.
I entered room 562. Rebecca was sitting up in bed. Ike was sitting in a rocking chair feeding the bady.
"So, have we named my niece yet?"
"Yup. Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hanson," he said, never taking his eyes off the baby.
I kissed Rebecca on the cheek. "So, how are you doing?"
"Fine," she said, smiling sweetly. "Your brother though..."
"What?" I asked.
"He's slightly annoyed because I sorta broke his video camera."
I laughed. "Why?"
"Let's just say that after twenty-six hours of labor, I wasn't feeling glamerous enough for the small screen," she said, laughing. Ike had a pained expression on his face. My guess was that he was suffering from video camera-anxiety-sepatation.
"Hey, hey, hey! Where's my favorite niece?" Zac burst into the room.
I rolled my eyes. "Zac, she's your ONLY niece!"
"Doesn't matter. Okay Ike, give her up. My turn to hold her." Rebecca laughed at Zac's enthusiasm.
"Just a sec." Ike finished burping Kaitlyn and then stood up. Zac sat in the rocking chair, and Ike gently placed the baby in Zac's arms.
"She's so cute," he cooed. "Must take after me!"
"She better not!" Ike said jokingly.
"You know who must've been a real cute baby?" asked Zac.
"Who?" I asked, expecting him to say himself.
"Madeline. You know, Laura's daughter. I ran into them today at the ORU day care center. Maddy is too precious. Laura did all right, raising her on her own and all. By the way, they said hi."
"I'm gonna go get something to eat. Anyone want anything?" I asked, standing up. I suddenly felt the need to exercise my legs.
"Wait. I'll go with you," spoke Ike. He turned to his wife, "think you can handle these two babies by yourself?"
"Hey!" said Zac.
Rebecca giggled. "I think I've got it under control."
Ike and I made out way to the cafeteria. "So, I guess you haven't spoken to Laura since..."
I shook my head no.
"Ike, can I ask you something?" I asked as we sat down in a booth in the cafeteria.
"Sure. Anything."
"How... how... how did you know you were ready to be a father?"
A thoughtful expression appeared on Ike's face. "I don't know. I guess I never REALLY thought about it. It's not like I woke up one morning and said, 'okay Becca, I'm ready to be a father now. Let's go have a baby.' And I'll be honest with you, throughout the past nine months doubts entered my mind. I mean, could I REALLY raise a child? But now, I hold Kaitlyn in my arms, and it just feels so... RIGHT. It's just... it's the most AMAZING thing. I mean, to hold this person that's a part of you and depends on you. The feeling is just really beyond words." He paused. "Does that help?"
I shrugged my shoulders. I was confused, and the answers I was looking for weren't going to be handed to be on a silver platter.
"Why don't we head back?" Ike suggested. "You haven't even held your niece yet."
We got up and headed back to the maternity ward. "Okay. Time's up. Tay's turn," Ike said, acting as a referee.
Reluctantly, Zac handed Kaitlyn to me. He got up and I sat in the rocking chair. She began to fuss a bit.
"I was very active when I was carrying her, so she likes motion. If you rock a little, she'll quiet down," Rebecca explained.
I did, and sure enough a smile spread across her face. She just looked so happy lying in my arms, like that's all she needed. "Hey," I said softly as I stroked her cheek gently with my right pointer finger. She turned her head towards my chest and looked into my eyes.
"If you do that, she's gonna look to be fed," Ike explained. "Here," he said, handing me a pacifier.
Kaitlyn gladly accepted it. She moved her arms about, reaching into space. I touched the middle of the palm of her hand. She grasped my finger, tightly.
"You got quite a grip there. You know that?" I whispered.
Kaitlyn smiled at me, pacifier falling out of her mouth.
I continued rocking and started humming softly. I didn't even realize what I was doing. I just did it, like I was programed, or something. I looked down at my niece. Her eyelids were becoming heavy.
"Looks like you've got the touch."
"Hmmm..." I said, looking up.
"Looks like you've got the touch," Rebecca repeated. "You look so comfortable, so natural with her in your arms."
I looked back down at my niece. My NIECE. I'm an uncle now, Uncle Taylor. I smiled to myself. It sounded kinda funny. Slowly and carefully I stood up, Kaitlyn still in my arms. Gently, I laid her down in the "crib" provided by the hospital. For a split second, her eyes opened, only to close again. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was just too precious for words. I sat back down in the rocking chair. And when no one was looking, I would glance at Kaitlyn.
Ike smiled at me.
"What?" I thought he caught me sneaking a peak at the baby.
"You're rocking, Tay."
"Huh?"
"You're rocking, Tay," he repeated.
Sure enough, I was rocking, just like I had been when I was holding Kaitlyn. Only this time, something felt wrong. Something was missing. I knew what it was, and I hoped it wasn't too late to rectify the problem.