“I hope so.” I swallow. I’ve never been religious, much to my Catholic mother’s dismay, but I’ll take every ounce of help from God I can get today. Heck, it’s Christmas Eve and while we’ve been singing Santa Baby all week, I’ve inserted a healthy baby into the lyrics, so I’ll take some help from Saint Nick as well.

“Miss Avila. Are we ready?” the doctor asks from the threshold of the door.

“Mrs. Hirsch,” Adam says, standing up.

“She’s not Mrs. Hirsch anymore,” my sister says, “I haven’t seen you get down on one knee.”

“I’ve gotten on my knees plenty of times,” Adam says, shooting me a wolfish smile that I can’t help but laugh, blush, and squirm at.

“You’re so gross, Adam.” Camila shakes her head.

“I got the bag,” Warren announces, also stepping into the room.

“Only four of you are allowed,” Doctor Vishnu says, “but I’ll allow it. Did you bring me a special Christmas Eve dessert, Momma Avila?”

“I sure did. I made my special coconut flan just for you.” Mom winks at Doctor Vishnu.

“In that case, you can bring ten more people.” He winks at my mother and glances at me. “Let’s welcome this baby into the world, Vanessa.”

I nod as tears form in my eyes. Adam squeezes my shoulder and my sister squeezes my hand one last time before letting it go. The nurses wheel me out quickly, and before I know it, I’m in the operating room and everything is happening so quickly I can barely wrap my head around it. I focus on Adam, his blue eyes and caring smile, his hand on my hair, soothing and comforting, and then we hear her. A crying baby. Our baby. Adam instantly begins to cry as they hand her to him, and when they set her on my chest, I feel like it just might explode from all of the love I feel for this little being. Her eyes are the bluest of blues, just like her father. I begin to cry, the sobs tearing out of me to match my daughter’s.

“I’ve waited an eternity for you, Noa Lily Hirsch. Welcome to the world.”

I kiss her head and she stops crying, just staring up at me.

“She’s as perfect as you are.” Adam kisses my head and pulls away slightly. “I brought your ring in that overnight bag, but in the meantime, will you be my wife again, Vanessa, the love of my life, mother of my child?”

The nurses around us, who are buzzing and finishing up whatever it is they’re doing, suddenly start chanting, “Say yes, say yes, say yes.”