Early in the afternoon, Nick and Greg came to visit and meet Charlotte. It was entertaining to watch these two coo and coddle over her. They each took turns holding her, singing softly and telling her why they would be her favorite uncles. They left, insisting they would deliver dinner tonight and help us get things ready to come home tomorrow.
I loved watching Gil with Charlotte. He was at ease holding her, sitting in the rocking chair telling her how much she was loved. She would grasp his finger with her tiny hand, look intently at him as if she understood everything he was telling her. When she became fussy, he would rub her back and she would settle down. He was already the perfect father.
At one point, she began to whimper and nothing he could do would calm her. I reached for her and took her into my arms, settling her near my breast. We rocked, as best we could in the bed. I laid back against the bed, cradling her close and she began to root against me. A quiet laugh was shared between Gil and I when we realized she was hungry. It was a little challenging at first, but she quickly latched on and all was well in the world, as far as we were concerned. There was nothing sweeter than seeing her first milk drunk smile, eyes closed in satisfaction.
The rest of the afternoon is quiet, allowing us all to get a little rest. Our nurse, Beth comes in to help us give Charlotte her first bath. I watch mostly, Gil holds her so gently, taking great care to every detail of a first bath. Beth takes pictures of this, and I'm tearfully thanking her for capturing these first moments.
A knock at the door means the arrival of dinner. And while I thought that the boys would just go to a restaurant near by, they arrive with plastic containers that we had just unpacked. After a small quarrel over who was going to hold Charlotte while we ate (Greg won this one, claiming more experience), we were very surprised to find homemade vegetable lasagna and garlic bread, along with a spread of store bought desserts.
"Boys, thank you so much. And while I don't doubt your culinary abilities - I know that you all didn't cook this by yourselves - in our kitchen." I tease, between bites.
And the two boys stare at each other, looking like the cat that got the canary.
The door opens and in walks Catherine Willows and her daughter Lindsey
After warm greetings, Catherine gently steals Charlotte away from Greg.
"Oh, you are your mother made over. Those curls - I'm betting those eyes won't stay blue for long. But you've got your daddy's chin….at least it's a cute chin. Sara, Gil - she's perfect. Almost makes me wish for another one - ALMOST…."
"Catherine, how in the world did you get here on such short notice - and what about the lab?" Gil asks.
She just smiles, shaking her head - not willing to give any answers.
"And Lindsey, weren't you supposed to be on fall break?"
"Well Uncle Gil, I am on fall break - but to miss the chance to see Charlotte - and the boys mentioned something about football tickets…"
"Oh about those tickets, Nick, Lindsey and I were just getting ready to go to the game. We'll stop back by after the game."
Greg leans in kissing Charlotte on the top of her head, as do Nick and Lindsey. Catherine sinks into the recliner by the window intent on staying for a while. As the trio leaves the room, she begins telling of last minute plans to get here.
"I always knew that being Sam Braun's daughter would have it's advantages. One of those just happens to be access to a plane and pilot. Nick called when he and Greg arrived, betting me that Charlotte was coming before next weekend. I waited for Lindsey to get home and pack a few things to come here. We got in late Friday night - and spent all day yesterday…"
Her voice begins trailing off and I can see a hint of worry in her face - like she isn't telling everything.
"You spent all day yesterday, doing what? Catching up on sleep?" I ask.
"Not exactly. Lindsey and I spent all day yesterday finishing the nursery. I hope you won't be angry. I just knew that Gil had said it needed to be finished. We just followed along with things you had already done or bought. Well, maybe we did buy just a FEW extra things."
The silence in the room is humorous. Gil looks at me and back at Catherine. Catherine looks at us both, trying hard to suppress a smile, maybe even a laugh. The hush is too much and I can't help but laugh. There was no reason to make her sweat it out, I was thankful and intended to tell her so.
"Catherine - thank you so much. I didn't know how in the world I was going to finish the nursery. Especially with Gil needing to work on some lecture material and some publisher's deadlines. And then Charlotte decided to come a little sooner than expected. Poor baby was going to go home to a half finished nursery."
My grateful thank you is met with laughter. Finally, after several moments - Catherine is able to accept my thanks, but not before adding,
"You haven't even seen it yet."
"I'm sure that it's beautiful. Between you and Lindsey, there's not a doubt in my mind that it's fit for a princess."
Gil nods in agreement. Charlotte begins to stir prompting Catherine to cuddle her close and rock her gently. Unfortunately, the attempt is futile and soon she is handing her to me - as if I knew what to do with a newborn that was threatening a tantrum. The quivering of her tiny chin as her mouth turned into a perfect pout was adorable. Thankfully, instinct took over and I was able to soothe her enough to avoid tears.
I hadn't realized it was so late until the door opened and the boys and Lindsey came in the room. They were excited to tell us that the tickets were the best seats at Neyland Stadium and the game was a nail biter but the Vols had managed to win by a field goal. The five of us talked until the wee hours of the morning, appreciating the coffee that Greg had brought back from a small coffeehouse near campus.
"Greg, I just want you to know - this is the best coffee that I have had in nine months."
I grinned as I swallowed the last of the dark liquid in my cup. It had been nine months since I had anything with caffeine and I'm sure I could feel it coursing through my veins.
"Sara, that's the only coffee you've had in nine months - you would probably have drank the horrible stuff that they serve here." Gil jokes.
Sometime before my breakfast tray arrives, the gang had left and Gil had snuggled into the hospital bed with me, his arm wrapped protectively around the both of us. Charlotte was sleeping soundly against my chest when I woke, so I was content to lay there gazing at our new addition.