Carrie let out a loud wail, and Bode jumped up and ran across the room, handing the baby to me with wide blue eyes. “She cried!”

I cuddled my sweet daughter, realizing I had missed holding her in the few minutes she was being passed around. This is going to be the most spoiled child ever, I thought happily. “She’s probably just hungry,” I said, starting to unsnap the shoulder of my gown.

“Cool. We get to see Blaire’s boob,” Bode said, and my brother punched him in the eye.

“Dammit, Shark. Cut that out. You could detach my retina or something,” Bode complained, holding one hand over his left eye.

Beau snarled, “I’m going to detach all your limbs from your body if you don’t shut up. Everyone out! Now!” He herded all his friends toward the door and gave me and Carrie a quick kiss on our heads before heading to the door. “Blaire, we’ll be back tomorrow. Just let us know what time we can come,” he called out over his shoulder.

“Okay. I love you, Beau.”

My brother’s face softened markedly, and he said, “Love you, sis.” His gaze dropped to the precious little girl in my arms. “And Carrie, too.” He stared at us for a long moment, almost as if he were reluctant to leave, before finally following his friends out the door.

I turned to Evan, who seemed to be confused as to whether he should stay while I breastfed or not, his fingers tapping nervously against his legs. “Evan, you go on home, too. I’ll feed Carrie, and then the nurse will take her to the nursery so I can get some sleep. I’m seriously ready to crash.”

“Are you sure, sweetheart?”

“I’m sure. I’ll text you when I wake up in the morning. Oh, and can you bring my makeup bag when you come? I forgot to stick it in the suitcase.”

“Of course.” He kissed me and Carrie and said goodnight, and I was finally alone with my little treasure.

Carrie let out a squeaky little cry, which was just about the cutest freaking thing I had ever heard. “I know, precious. Mommy knows,” I said, unsnapping my gown at the shoulder and baring my breast. “You’re a hungry girl, aren’t you?” After a couple of attempts, I got the baby latched on, and she suckled happily, her eyes so full of trust as she looked up at me.

She trusts me. I’m her mother, and she trusts me to take care of her. That overwhelmed the shit out of me. I was responsible for this lovely little person, and I vowed right then—through copious amounts of tears—that I would always, always be the person who loved her unconditionally. The person who would keep her from harm. The person who would lie down and die for her.