Dear Daddy,

You have a granddaughter! Her name is Octavia Lauren, and she is the most beautiful thing in the entire universe, as you probably know because I swear you were there.

Holding her before she was ten minutes old, Daddy . . . the smell of her, her little sounds, grunting and squeaking. I said, “I love you, sweetheart,” and, Dad, she opened her eyes. She looked right at me, and it was like staring into all the mysteries of the universe, like this tiny baby (well, she was eight pounds, five ounces, so not tiny for Jen . . .) was telling me that no matter what, everything will be okay. We just looked and looked at each other, and I have never felt more perfect or known in my life.

Eventually, I had to give her back to Jen, who was a champion. She is amazing, Dad. Amazing.

Then Josh came in with Sebastian, because he was in the waiting room with the little guy. Sebastian ran in with a stuffed bunny and said, “My sister! Hi, my sister! You’re so cute!” Then he started crying with love. He kissed her forehead and said, “I love you, my sister!” and everyone was bawling.

When Mom came in, for once she didn’t make it about how sad she was that you weren’t there. She was just beaming, and when Jen told her the name, Mom said, “Oh, how beautiful! What a perfect name!” and hugged me.

There was so much love in that room, Dad. I know you felt it, too.

Josh and I took Sebastian home with us later that day so Jen could rest, and he slept over. Pebbles slept on his bed, which he thought was so funny. And you know Jen; she was up and about in two days, oversharing about her bleeding and how much it stings to pee.

I’m so happy, Dad. Seeing Octavia being born . . . it was a miracle. I know, I know, it happens every day. It’s still a miracle.

Congratulations, Daddy! Take good care of your little granddaughter and her big brother. Love you!

Lauren

“Don’t think this is because you’re sick,” Jen said two weeks later. “I was always going to have a daughter with Lauren for a middle name.”

Lauren was babysitting; Jen needed a nap and a shower. Darius had taken Sebastian to the library with plans to visit Newport Creamery for lunch, and so Lauren was summoned.

She did not mind in the least.

Little Octavia fussed and cried and pooped (would Lauren ever look at pumpkin pie the same way?). Lauren put her in the baby carriage and took her for a walk to get her fresh air and vitamin D. The baby didn’t mind how slowly she walked; Octavia just made little snorting and grunting sounds, like a tiny and very adorable piglet.

“Congratulations,” said one lady from a park bench.

“Thank you,” Lauren said, smiling. “She’s my niece.”