“I’m sorry, Sammi,” Dr. Ruby says. “It’s standard procedure when a baby comes this early to have them thoroughly checked out by a NICU nurse. Given his size and that we don’t have a true due date to work off of, it’s really for the best.”

“Oh…okay.” Her voice cracks and fresh tears spill down her cheeks.

I move back to my wife’s side, dabbing her face with a tissue. “It’s better to be safe,” I say, smoothing her sweaty hair back. “That cord was wrapped pretty good around his neck too.”

Sammi nods, never taking her eyes from that warmer.

“Five pounds, ten ounces,” the nurse announces.

“He’s so tiny.” Sammi continues to stare in awe at the little life she created. “Is he okay?”

“So far, so good,” the nurse says, looking back briefly to smile at my wife. “Lungs are good and strong.”

“He’s such a handsome little guy,” Dr. Ruby offers while finishing up with whatever she’s still doing between my wife’s legs. “Have you two decided on a name?”

The way she just carries on conversation while she’s messing around down there boggles my mind.

“George Wayne Livingston,” I answer, not missing a beat.

“That’s ni—”

“That’s not his name,” Sammi says, cutting her off when she nails me with another one of those killer glares. “Stop calling him that.”

I cower at the unfamiliar bite in her tone. “Sorry, baby. Won’t happen again.”

“Would you like to hold your son?” The nurse chooses the perfect moment to walk over with the baby bundled up like a little burrito and place him into my wife’s arms. “Congratulations. You have a healthy baby boy.”

I’ll never forget the expression on her face as she trails a finger over his little features, as if trying to commit them to memory. This right here is the definition of love at first sight. It’s sacred and pure and I feel honored to bear witness to it.

“Judd,” she says, lifting her gaze to mine for approval. “Judd Wayne Livingston.”

“It’s perfect.”

The name.

The baby.

This moment.

Our life.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

We’ve been home from the hospital for a few days now, and I still have this constant urge to pinch myself just to be sure I’m not dreaming.

I just can’t believe this is my life. That this little angel baby is truly mine to keep.

He’s got the most perfect little head full of blonde fuzz, and Lyle definitely manifested those dimples. His lips are so tiny and cute. And his long, golden lashes just melt this momma’s heart.

Judd is everything I never knew I needed, especially not at the age of twenty-one.