Godmother Sarita

Sarita is the first of Lacey's friends to see her and baby, Ella, having immediately traveled the distance upon learning that Lacey had gone into labor. Though still close, frequently talking on the phone and sending e-mails, the two women haven't seen each other in month, the last time being at Lacey's baby shower. Lacey had been so delighted to have her around that she'd taken to nagging Sarita about moving to their small suburban town, telling her that it was time to escape the hustle and bustle of the big apple. Scoffing, Sarita had rolled her eyes, responding that while she liked the occasional cheese steak, she'd never leave the rude New Yorkers and pollution that signified home.

Now watching Lacey with her baby, the glow of motherhood lighting up her being, Sarita is beginning to change her mind; vaguely contemplating that a change of pace may be what she needs in her life, the constant rush of work and the city taking its toll.

"The socio is already skimping out on his fatherly duties?" Sarita says by way of greeting, harping back to their high school days; no real bite behind her words. She's standing by the entrance, having recently knocked on the door to the hospital room. Hesitant, she further enters, suddenly nervous about meeting the new life Lacey and Danny have brought into the world.

"Sarita," Lacey exclaims, smiling widely; her attention drawn from her daughter for the first time in an hour. "You came!"

"Of course, you think I'd miss this?" Sarita returns the smile. Coming to stand at the edge of the bed, she glances down at the baby cradled in Lacey's arms. "She's beautiful, Lace." Both her hands lift to rest under her chin. Feeling her throat begin to close up, Sarita becomes chocked up, the emotions elicited by the sight overwhelming her.

"Are you going to cry, Sarita?" Lacey asks, teasing, her own eyes beginning to tear at her best friend's reaction. The hormones are still flowing through her body, maintaining the heighted sensitivity she felt throughout her pregnancy.

Scowling softly, the smaller woman reins in her sentiment, bringing her arms back down to her sides, "No."

Giggling, Lacey bounces Ella, the baby having woken up from her nap. "It's okay, but imagine if all the interns and secretaries you torment on a daily basis could see you now? It'd be like watching Miranda Priestly coo over a baby." Lacey raises an eyebrow making a face in the other woman's direction.

Unable to hide her amusement, Sarita grins, proud of the fear she's able to instill in those working underneath her.

"You want to hold her?" Lacey interrupts Sarita's musings, elevating Ella higher up in the air.

Face lighting up, her grin blossoms in to a full blown smile, the unease falling from her body. Her arms lift of their own accord before her mouth has a chance to form the word, "Yes." Tossing her bag onto a nearby chair, Sarita accepts the baby from Lacey; settling down on the bed, she sits perched on the edge. The baby is heavier than she expected, eyes seemingly focused as they look up at her, little fists moving about her face. Beaming down at the infant, Sarita runs a finger along her cheek, poking gently before allowing her to grasp the digit in her fist.

"You're so cute," she can't help but say, murmuring softy, "Yes, you are baby…" Sarita pauses, lifting her head to look at Lacey. "What's her name?"

"Oh," Lacey is surprised she hadn't mentioned it. "Ella Sophia Desai."

Nodding her head in approval, Sarita returns her attention to Ella. "You're the most beautiful baby ever, Ella, and so luck because it looks like you took completely after your mommy. No, icky daddy traits in you," she coos, waving her finger in Ella's grasp as she shakes her head at the baby.

Lacey laughs then remembers that she should defend her husband. "Hey!" she calls out, at the same time Ella makes a noise, mouth opened wide with her face still turned up to Sarita.

"Where is he anyway? I should offer my congratulations. He did do something right after all."

Rolling her eyes at Sarita's remark, Lacey responds, "I sent him home to shower, get a change of clothes and rest for a bit. He should be back any minute now." Giving her arms and hands something to do, Lacey rearranges the bed sheets around her, the appendages feeling empty without the weight of her daughter. "Actually there's something the two of us wanted to ask you. We were going to do it over dinner, but since you're already here now's a good a time as any." Quieting, she waits for Sarita to look at her before posing the question, "Will you be Ella's godmother?" Her voice is hopeful and her face turning earnest as she awaits an answer.

Staring at Lacey, eyes wide, Sarita is stunned. Never one to enjoy the company of children – more often than not, shying away from them, disgusted by their outbursts and less than hygienic practices – Sarita is flabbergasted that they've selected her. She'd been certain Jo would be their choice, the woman already with two children of her own and a much less hectic life as a kindergarten teacher.

Looking back down at Ella, the baby falling asleep in her arms, Sarita feels her emotions surge again, eyes watering. She knows, without a shadow of a doubt, if anything were to happen to either Lacey or Danny she'd be there for this child in any way she could. That makes the decision an easy one. Pushing aside her insecurities and fear, Sarita says, "Yes." Her eyes return to Lacey, smile blooming at the happiness on the woman's face, "Yes, I'll be Ella's godmother."