DISCLAIMER: See Niles' Story.
Niles' Epilogue
Things were going so well for my wife and I. My wife, I love that. My wife, Daphne. We absolutely love being married to each other. Dreams do come true. She had me worried there for a moment though. About a month after our wedding she came to me in tears. I nearly panicked but when she told me why she was crying my heart filled with joy. "Honey," she sobbed, "I think I'm pregnant." Pregnant? A baby? We had talked about having children many times in the weeks that we were together. We decided that we wanted to wait a little while before we bring a baby into our family. We wanted to spend the time together, just the two of us as husband and wife. We knew we eventually wanted to be Mom and Dad, but not just yet. How long we were going to wait, we didn't know. I know that's why she came to me in tears. She was so terrified that I would be upset. Upset? I was nothing short of ecstatic at the thought of her having our baby. "Really?" I remember asking. I sank to my knees, put my hands on her stomach and listened for an answer. When I didn't receive one, I looked up to see her simply nodding. She was so nervous, she couldn't say anything else. I told her that it was okay. This baby was a chance for us to see what our love created that night; it would be a symbol of our union. "I love you so much," she said throwing her arms around my neck.
I held her for a good hour before taking her to the drug store to pick up a home pregnancy test. She held my hand so tightly as we walked through the drug store I thought she was going to break it. I did everything but take the test. She even made me look at it when the alarm went off. I walked into the bathroom, saw the little plus sign, and practically did a cartwheel. When I came back out, I found her staring out the window twisting her wedding rings. I walked up to her, put my arms around her and whispered in her ear, "we're going to have a baby." And for the first time that day, I saw her smile. My elation must have been contagious because my wife was soon walking on air. The doctor later told us just how far along Daphne was. Indeed we did create our little one that night.
Her entire pregnancy was beautiful. It was a wonderful experience for the both of us. There were times where I was truly worried about her but her constant state of euphoria set my mind at ease. I wanted this to be our pregnancy, not just hers. I didn't want her to go through this alone; I wanted the sympathy pains and all of that. I went to each and every doctor's appointment. I even survived Lamaze class. I was the only man there who made through the entire film without passing out. Daphne was so proud of me. She told all of her friends how strong I was, something no one has ever done before. I called her after every patient, just to tell her I loved her or to add a name to the "what to name the baby" list.
The house was coming along nicely. With the baby on the way, the contractors had no problem speeding up the process of building so we would have a month or so to settle in the house before it was born. I was there pretty much every step of the way, overseeing every move the contractors made. I wanted to make sure that they got every detail of my wife's dream house. I even took upon myself to design a nursery and the master bedroom. We wanted to keep the sex of the baby a surprise so I had to design a unisex themed nursery. I think I shocked everyone with my simple baby animal theme. They were expecting something with an operatic or literary background.
Our bedroom is beautiful. I wanted big bay windows to overlook the water and the spot where we were married. And the sunsets. The sunsets from our room are beautiful and romantic. I placed our bed on the opposite wall so we could cuddle in bed and look out the windows at the beautiful Pacific. We spend so much time in there; I'm beginning to wonder if we should have just built a bedroom.
We decided that the baby should sleep in our room for the first couple of months, but I still thought we needed a crib for the nursery too. She had to talk me out of buying two cribs. I found these beautiful antique cribs and I couldn't decide which one I liked more hence the idea of two cribs. I told her that we might have two children who both need a crib. If we have two now, we'll already be one step ahead of the game. She patted my cheek, smiled and simply said, "no." The house was finished just as Daphne entered the final month of pregnancy.
As much as we enjoyed the months leading up to the baby's arrival, nothing compared to hearing the doctor say "it's a girl." I lost it and started sobbing. They were tears of happiness of course. I couldn't stop them. They just kept streaming down my cheeks. Then they placed our daughter on Daphne's stomach, to touch her, to see her. Incredible. I have always wanted to be a father, but this is the reason I waited so long. I was waiting for her. We both became oblivious to the doctor and nurses in the room. I don't even remember when they left. It was just Daphne and I and our little girl.
Naming the baby proved to be easier than we thought. Well, when the time came, it was easy. We kept going back and forth as to what names we liked that Daphne and I finally had to settle on making a list of our top three names for a boy and girl. My wife and I are of one mind as we both had the same name on the top our list for a girl. Avery Hester Crane.
Avery is such a beautiful baby. She's the perfect combination of the two of us. She has my eyes. Daphne says we're going to have to get a bodyguard for Avery. "No man is ever going to be able to resist those eyes," she said. "No man is going to come near her until after I'm dead." I replied. She has Daphne's dark hair and her long fingers. She's so laid back which is surprising because she's my daughter. Everyone, including me, thought she would be fussy. She's not. At least she's not when she's in my or Daphne's arms. I think five minutes is the longest Dad has gotten to hold her before she started fussing. I don't like other people holding my baby though, except for Daphne of course. We created her together; I know Avery is safe with Daphne.
One thing that bothers me though is the fact that I don't get to feed her as often as Daphne does. Daphne's breastfeeding, as it's best for the baby. We have had disastrous experiences with the breast pump and Daphne hates using it. So the only times I get to feed Avery is if Daphne's going out for a little bit, shopping with Roz or something. I have found a way to take part in her feedings though. Most of the time, Daphne feeds her in our bed so she'll nestle herself between my legs and use my chest as her pillow. I help her hold the baby. I hold the both of them. It's probably my favorite thing to do now. It's a very intimate thing for us. Daphne and I can talk and cuddle as she feeds our daughter and we both can gush over her.
I'm experiencing all sorts of new feelings now that Avery is in our lives. It scared me to death at first. My need to protect her, the responsibility, the fear that I'm doing everything wrong have led to a break down or two. I often get the feeling that Avery thinks I'm crazy. She looks at me with eyes full of wonder and brightness. Thank god my wife is there to set me straight. She has a way of soothing my nervousness before I show it. "Avery loves you," she said, "she knows you're nervous and it's okay."
Having a baby certainly keeps us on our toes, but I love every minute of it. Coming home from work is no longer something l dread. I practically break the sound barrier trying to get there now. I know that I have two beautiful women waiting for me. I'll walk in the door and find my wife curled up on the couch reading a book with our baby sound asleep on her chest, her head tucked protectively under Daphne's chin. It's a sight that I never thought I would see. I often stand there and watch them before making my presence known. The baby is so peaceful as Daphne strokes her head and back. When I see them together like this, I melt. I never get to enjoy the sight before me very long. Daphne always senses my presence and without looking up she reaches for me. "Don't stare at the scene, honey," she says, "be a part of it."
My heart is so full of love for them I often feel like it's going to explode. I finally have everything I have ever wanted in life. I know what it means to love and be loved. I now know what happiness feels like. I have so many blessings but I'm most thankful for the day that I fell in love with a beautiful physical therapist from England and I don't even care that she thinks she's psychic.
Niles' Epilogue
Things were going so well for my wife and I. My wife, I love that. My wife, Daphne. We absolutely love being married to each other. Dreams do come true. She had me worried there for a moment though. About a month after our wedding she came to me in tears. I nearly panicked but when she told me why she was crying my heart filled with joy. "Honey," she sobbed, "I think I'm pregnant." Pregnant? A baby? We had talked about having children many times in the weeks that we were together. We decided that we wanted to wait a little while before we bring a baby into our family. We wanted to spend the time together, just the two of us as husband and wife. We knew we eventually wanted to be Mom and Dad, but not just yet. How long we were going to wait, we didn't know. I know that's why she came to me in tears. She was so terrified that I would be upset. Upset? I was nothing short of ecstatic at the thought of her having our baby. "Really?" I remember asking. I sank to my knees, put my hands on her stomach and listened for an answer. When I didn't receive one, I looked up to see her simply nodding. She was so nervous, she couldn't say anything else. I told her that it was okay. This baby was a chance for us to see what our love created that night; it would be a symbol of our union. "I love you so much," she said throwing her arms around my neck.
I held her for a good hour before taking her to the drug store to pick up a home pregnancy test. She held my hand so tightly as we walked through the drug store I thought she was going to break it. I did everything but take the test. She even made me look at it when the alarm went off. I walked into the bathroom, saw the little plus sign, and practically did a cartwheel. When I came back out, I found her staring out the window twisting her wedding rings. I walked up to her, put my arms around her and whispered in her ear, "we're going to have a baby." And for the first time that day, I saw her smile. My elation must have been contagious because my wife was soon walking on air. The doctor later told us just how far along Daphne was. Indeed we did create our little one that night.
Her entire pregnancy was beautiful. It was a wonderful experience for the both of us. There were times where I was truly worried about her but her constant state of euphoria set my mind at ease. I wanted this to be our pregnancy, not just hers. I didn't want her to go through this alone; I wanted the sympathy pains and all of that. I went to each and every doctor's appointment. I even survived Lamaze class. I was the only man there who made through the entire film without passing out. Daphne was so proud of me. She told all of her friends how strong I was, something no one has ever done before. I called her after every patient, just to tell her I loved her or to add a name to the "what to name the baby" list.
The house was coming along nicely. With the baby on the way, the contractors had no problem speeding up the process of building so we would have a month or so to settle in the house before it was born. I was there pretty much every step of the way, overseeing every move the contractors made. I wanted to make sure that they got every detail of my wife's dream house. I even took upon myself to design a nursery and the master bedroom. We wanted to keep the sex of the baby a surprise so I had to design a unisex themed nursery. I think I shocked everyone with my simple baby animal theme. They were expecting something with an operatic or literary background.
Our bedroom is beautiful. I wanted big bay windows to overlook the water and the spot where we were married. And the sunsets. The sunsets from our room are beautiful and romantic. I placed our bed on the opposite wall so we could cuddle in bed and look out the windows at the beautiful Pacific. We spend so much time in there; I'm beginning to wonder if we should have just built a bedroom.
We decided that the baby should sleep in our room for the first couple of months, but I still thought we needed a crib for the nursery too. She had to talk me out of buying two cribs. I found these beautiful antique cribs and I couldn't decide which one I liked more hence the idea of two cribs. I told her that we might have two children who both need a crib. If we have two now, we'll already be one step ahead of the game. She patted my cheek, smiled and simply said, "no." The house was finished just as Daphne entered the final month of pregnancy.
As much as we enjoyed the months leading up to the baby's arrival, nothing compared to hearing the doctor say "it's a girl." I lost it and started sobbing. They were tears of happiness of course. I couldn't stop them. They just kept streaming down my cheeks. Then they placed our daughter on Daphne's stomach, to touch her, to see her. Incredible. I have always wanted to be a father, but this is the reason I waited so long. I was waiting for her. We both became oblivious to the doctor and nurses in the room. I don't even remember when they left. It was just Daphne and I and our little girl.
Naming the baby proved to be easier than we thought. Well, when the time came, it was easy. We kept going back and forth as to what names we liked that Daphne and I finally had to settle on making a list of our top three names for a boy and girl. My wife and I are of one mind as we both had the same name on the top our list for a girl. Avery Hester Crane.
Avery is such a beautiful baby. She's the perfect combination of the two of us. She has my eyes. Daphne says we're going to have to get a bodyguard for Avery. "No man is ever going to be able to resist those eyes," she said. "No man is going to come near her until after I'm dead." I replied. She has Daphne's dark hair and her long fingers. She's so laid back which is surprising because she's my daughter. Everyone, including me, thought she would be fussy. She's not. At least she's not when she's in my or Daphne's arms. I think five minutes is the longest Dad has gotten to hold her before she started fussing. I don't like other people holding my baby though, except for Daphne of course. We created her together; I know Avery is safe with Daphne.
One thing that bothers me though is the fact that I don't get to feed her as often as Daphne does. Daphne's breastfeeding, as it's best for the baby. We have had disastrous experiences with the breast pump and Daphne hates using it. So the only times I get to feed Avery is if Daphne's going out for a little bit, shopping with Roz or something. I have found a way to take part in her feedings though. Most of the time, Daphne feeds her in our bed so she'll nestle herself between my legs and use my chest as her pillow. I help her hold the baby. I hold the both of them. It's probably my favorite thing to do now. It's a very intimate thing for us. Daphne and I can talk and cuddle as she feeds our daughter and we both can gush over her.
I'm experiencing all sorts of new feelings now that Avery is in our lives. It scared me to death at first. My need to protect her, the responsibility, the fear that I'm doing everything wrong have led to a break down or two. I often get the feeling that Avery thinks I'm crazy. She looks at me with eyes full of wonder and brightness. Thank god my wife is there to set me straight. She has a way of soothing my nervousness before I show it. "Avery loves you," she said, "she knows you're nervous and it's okay."
Having a baby certainly keeps us on our toes, but I love every minute of it. Coming home from work is no longer something l dread. I practically break the sound barrier trying to get there now. I know that I have two beautiful women waiting for me. I'll walk in the door and find my wife curled up on the couch reading a book with our baby sound asleep on her chest, her head tucked protectively under Daphne's chin. It's a sight that I never thought I would see. I often stand there and watch them before making my presence known. The baby is so peaceful as Daphne strokes her head and back. When I see them together like this, I melt. I never get to enjoy the sight before me very long. Daphne always senses my presence and without looking up she reaches for me. "Don't stare at the scene, honey," she says, "be a part of it."
My heart is so full of love for them I often feel like it's going to explode. I finally have everything I have ever wanted in life. I know what it means to love and be loved. I now know what happiness feels like. I have so many blessings but I'm most thankful for the day that I fell in love with a beautiful physical therapist from England and I don't even care that she thinks she's psychic.