VI
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
In My Daughter's Eyes, Martina McBride
"It's a girl!"
Blair had come out of the delivery room, where Mama Jo and Gloria Rose were sleeping off the anesthetic, her face red with tears, a proud smile on her face. The family that had gathered let up a cheer and clapped, everyone giving Blair a hug.
"So my dear", Monica said first, "give us the vitals, and don't make us wait?" Everyone laughed.
"Yes, Mother", Blair said with a laugh, kissing her mom. "Seven pounds, 9 ounces, 21 inches long, I ask you to please welcome Gloria Rose Warner into our family."
Like everyone else, they were shocked that Warner would be the last name. Everyone had assumed that Jo would name the baby as a Polniaczek. Blair's first move was toward Rose, the name of her granddaughter clearly overwhelming her. She wanted to see how her almost mother-in-law dealt with the news. She pulled Rose aside while the others talked and celebrated.
"Rose?" Blair amended herself. "Mom, are you okay with the baby's name? I know there's a lot to take in with that name."
Rose didn't speak at first, simply taking Blair into a loving hug, both women crying happily.
"Oh, Blair, honey, how can I be upset? You thought that maybe the name Gloria, or the fact that last name is Warner would really matter? I know why she named your daughter Gloria, and as for the last name, well, when she marries you..."
"I loved the name when I heard it, immediately, but I didn't want there to be any issues with you and Charlie. She's more a Polniaczek than a Warner, always remember that."
Rose grasped Blair's hands. "All I wanted was a healthy grand baby, honey. The gender, or the name in the end, is a personal choice. It's a beautiful name. I'm so proud of both of you."
"I love you, mom", Blair said to Rose, hugging her and kissing her on the cheek. "With all my heart. Once they wake up, I'll make sure you get some time with both of them."
Until the anesthesia had completely worn off, Gloria's first feedings had been with a bottle, both her Mama Jo and Mama Blair taking a turn. David was awestruck to think this little tiny baby was his sister, and wanted to hold and play with her right away, his mothers telling him it would be just a while before she could play.
Finally Jo had a chance to breast-feed for the first time, only Blair in the room with her. Little Gloria easily attached to the nipple, the healthy milk being sucked into her mouth.
"Blair, you were always tellin' me how overhwelmin' it was when DC first breast-fed. I see what you're sayin', Princess. This is...as much as I love you, I don't know if I've ever felt so attached to anyone in my life. Does that make sense?"
Blair leaned in and kissed Jo. "It makes perfect sense, love. I was simply overcome by the instant connection with David, probably what you're feeling with Gloria right now."
"This is just so awesome, and she's so beautiful! Takes my breath away."
"One of the questions I was asked in Albany was if I would feel any less different about this baby as compared to DC, because DC is biologically mine, while Gloria isn't."
"What did you tell them?"
"I told the Senator that there certainly is a maternal bond when you give birth, but that in and itself doesn't make either one of us any less a parent to the other. I told them family runs deeper than that. I could never not love our children the same."
"I'm proud of you, Mama Blair", Jo said seriously. "Shows what we're up against, doesn't it?"
"I thought the same thing. For now, let's forget about politics, Senators, and issues, and enjoy the newest member of our family."
"You hear that, Gloria Rose", Jo said softly, trying not to disturb her daughter while she fed. "You're part of a really crazy family, kid." She and Blair laughed, then enjoyed the peace of watching Gloria nurse.
Even with having a C-Section, Jo was allowed to go home with Gloria two days later, although she had orders to do no strenuous lifting for a few weeks, while her sutures healed. That meant no lifting Gloria until Dr. Washington gave her the OK. Until then, Blair would hand Jo their daughter to hold or feed, and Jo was allowed to change the little girl. Jo wasn't going to let a few weeks of healing ruin the miracle of their new edition. She had been through worse.
David was simply besotted with his little sister, always wanting to help change her, or hold her, or on the off chance when Mama Jo couldn't feed Gloria directly, even feed her from the bottle. He showed no signs of being a jealous sibling. Neither Jo nor Blair had thought it would be a problem, and, so far, David was having a ball.
It also meant the dreaded middle-of-the-night feedings.
It was a little more difficult that first month, with Jo's stitches healing up, but Blair didn't complain on the nights Jo would breast feed, Blair having to be up as well, to walk around with the infant if needed, or even to heft Gloria over her shoulder to burp her. On the nights it was Blair's turn to bottle feed, Jo got up as well, feeling duty-bound to help when she could.
After the healing had finished, Jo took joy in picking up her daughter, and carrying her around. It also meant both Mama's were now able to sleep every other night, while the other tended to the little baby.
Around 4 am one morning, about two months after she had been born, Gloria had a good meal with Mama Jo, who changed her and made sure she got to sleep. Crawling back into bed, Blair was awake, which wasn't unusual.
"How'd she do tonight, Joey?"
"She had a nice surprise in her diaper, but she ate well, and was back to sleep in no time. She's starting to get better at not waking up half the night." Jo leaned over kissing Blair's cheek.
"The first great hurdle: getting her to sleep through the night."
"Amen, Princess", Jo agreed. "I think we done pretty good with our kids, don't you?"
Blair smiled at her partner. "We'll have our ups and downs, and so will they, just like every parent and every child, but we've certainly been blessed with David and Gloria. And I've certainly been blessed loving the most amazing woman in the world."
"I thought that was my line about you?"
Blair gave her the old Blair snooty response. "Oh, it is, and don't you forget it."
They giggled, kissed sweetly, and shortly both were back to sleep, another day mere hours away.
In between, on July 6th, the New York State Supreme Court dealt another blow to same-sex marriage and rights, ruling by a vote of 4-2 that it would be up to the New York Legislature, and not the Judiciary, to determine if such rights would be granted.
Blair and Jo would enjoy a few more weeks of uninterrupted family time, getting to know their daughter, but both were determined to see the day that they could be Blair and Jo Warner.
Three Months Later, Georgie and Boots Photography
Boots and Georgia had quickly gained the reputation as hard-working, talented, but very fun photographers, whether in studio or out on a shoot. It was getting to the point that they would have to hire at least one other photographer to handle their increasing demand.
It was hard work, setting up for a wedding shoot, or a family reunion in the area, and also taking care of in-studio shoots. Some days they never saw each other until after the shop closed at 7pm, but they were enjoying what they were doing immensely. It made their time together that much more special.
They had a secretary now, which saved them from having to answer the phone themselves, especially in the middle of a shoot. They had even gone to a computerized booking software, that let clients go on the computer and pick a time, or that someone who called in could get a time locked in. They tried to glance at least a day out to see what was coming up as far as the types of shoots they would do, but some days, they just couldn't.
It as about 2 pm on a Monday, usually one of their slower days. Georgia had been out doing a shoot of a banquet for a local company, Boots and the secretary manning the studio in Flushing. Boots was just wrapping up a session with an elderly couple who wanted a portrait for their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary. Boots had a blast with them, as they bantered back and forth with each other and Boots the whole time. Those were the types of clients that made the job fun.
As she was cleaning up, her secretary came back and announced their 2:20 pm appointment had arrived. Boots had been lax at looking ahead, but it wasn't really necessary most days. Most days were the usual far-families, animals, which were popular, and the like.
Boots came out to greet the client for her next appointment, when she stopped dead in her tracks, two very familiar faces smiling back at her, with two young children in tow.
"Jo? Blair?"
"Surprise, Boots", Jo said, holding the most beautiful little girl Boots swore she had ever seen. "It's good to see ya, kid."
Boots moved forward. "Oh, my God, Jo. I've been wanting to meet Gloria since she was born, but we've been so busy at work and..."
"Relax, Boots", Jo said softly, giving the woman a one-arm hug. "We get it, and it's no big deal. But yeah, I'd like you to meet Gloria Rose Warner."
Jo extender her three-month old daughter to their friend. With tears in her eyes, Boots confidently grabbed the little girl. "Hello Gloria Rose", Boots said sweetly, giving her a peck on the cheek. "I must say you're every bit as beautiful as your Mama Jo."
Jo and Blair looked at each other, warm smiles on their faces. Of course, their other child could talk, and David decided to do so at that moment. "What about me, Aunt Boots?"
Jo snickered as Boots blushed. "Mercy", Boots said, handing Gloria back to Jo, making her way to the young boy, "you are growing like a weed, DC. Come here." David jumped into Boots' arms, the woman picking him up. "Good Lord, I think I broke my back picking you up", she said with a laugh, the others joining in.
Boots had the family take a variety of shots. She made sure to get photos of Blair holding David, and Jo holding Gloria, but also shots of David with Jo and Gloria with Blair. She even was able to coax the secretary to hold Gloria while she took several shots of simply Jo and Blair, and even one of just David holding Gloria.
All the while, Boots filled her friends in on how she and Georgia were doing, Blair and Jo keeping her up to date on Mrs. Garrett and any other classmates they had run into or heard about.
When they were finished, Jo and Blair had picked out which shots they wanted, and had paid for the package, Blair pulled Boots aside.
"Thank you so much, Boots", Blair gushed. "This was so much fun!"
"It was, wasn't it?" Boots again blushed. "Blair you have such a gorgeous family, I can't even tell ya."
"We are blessed, that's for sure. I was wondering that on an upcoming day off for you and Georgia, if I can sit down and talk to you about something?"
"Business or personal?"
Blair laughed. "Actually somewhat of both. You know all about the Foundation and the work we're doing."
"Oh, yes, Georgia and I follow what's going on here in New York and around the country. We have a vested interest in all this, too."
"I know you do", Blair nodded. "What I want to talk to you about is hiring you and Georgia to occasionally to publicity photography at some of our events, that are usually in Albany, at the Statehouse. As you say, you and Georgia have a vested interest in this, and that's why, on behalf of the Foundation, I want you to meet with our board and discuss this?"
Boots eyes went wide. "Holy crap", she said in a very un-ladylike manner, making Blair laugh. "That's a huge assignment. It would change what we do. We'd have to hire more people here to do studio work, and maybe get a bigger place and..."
Blair chuckled. "One step at a time, Boots. If it works out, I'm prepared to underwrite whatever you and Georgia need to make it work, both with the Foundation and insofar as your business goes."
"You know", Boots said seriously, "I really think I need to discuss this with Georgia, don't you think?
The dead-pan had been so well played that Blair fumbled with her reply for a second, then she burst out into laughter. "I, uh, think that's a good idea, Boots."
Boots leaned in toward Blair and whispered. "I'm finally getting a hang of this humor thing."
The two women hugged and laughed.