Tiny Toes - Chan POV
I hold our baby securely against my chest as I rock back and forth in the chair beside Monica's bed.
When I was forced out of the delivery room and into the hall - I thought the worst. It was the longest, most terrifying moment of my life.
I'm not a religious man, but as I was slid to the floor with my head in my hands, I prayed. I haven't prayed since I was a child and my father was in the hospital. When we lost him, I told myself there was no God. But in that moment if anyone could save my family, it was him.
I was away from Monica for a couple hours. The Doctors found me right where they left me and said she was going to be okay, but she needed to rest.
Relief came over me. I went to the waiting room where our families were sitting and told them Monica was doing good but she was tired. I didn't want to worry them with the details of the last few hours. Thankfully, they understood. And after exchanging congratulations and hugs, we went our separate ways.
I've never been happier than I am right now.
Quiet whimpers escape the little bundle in my arms. "You're alright. Shhh..." I adjust the baby slightly and the whimpering subsides. Tiny fingers grip my thumb as its face slowly relax from the soothing sound of my voice.
"You're a natural."
Quickly, I look up to find Monica smiling over at me. She struggles to keep her eyes open as I stand to move closer to her.
"We were wondering when you might wake up." I say softly, sitting on the edge of her hospital bed. "What do you say, you want to hold our daughter?"
Her eyes widen, her breathing more shallow. "It's a girl?"
I grin from ear to ear, my hand supporting her head. "It's a girl." I confirm.
Her vision begins to blur as tears form at the base of her eyes. She carefully takes our little girl into her arms and I gently unfold mine from around her small body. "Your Daddy never doubted you for a second." Resting the infants skin against her own bare chest creates a comfort that slows the child's breathing and soon puts her to rest.
Leaning in, I kiss my wife. "I love you guys so much." I place my hand gently on our daughters full head of hair; no question she got it from Monica.
A tear escapes and rolls down her cheek. "We love you, too."
This is our little family and it's never been more amazing. More complete. I never want this feeling to end - the feeling of joy, love and fulfillment. I've got a responsibility now. I have a life I need to protect other than my own. I'm a parent, I need to be there for every ballet recital, bake sale, scrapped knee and lemonade stand. For every daddy-daughter dance and heart break my arms will be open. People say you don't know what love is until you have a child; I didn't believe that statement until now.
I can't take my eyes off her. She's so tiny - so beautiful. She has long eyelashes and big dark eyes...which will probably find their natural color in the next few weeks. Monica and I both have blue eyes so it'll make sense if she does too. Her little fingers are wrapped tightly around Monica's as she continues to sleep soundly.
There is a soft knock on the door before it opens and Dr. Connolly appears.
With a smile on his face, he makes his way to the foot of the bed. "How are we feeling?" He asks as a nurse walks around to check Monica's vitals.
"Very well." Monica announces, gently rubbing the babies back.
"That's great to hear." He smiles and looks over at the nurse.
"Everything looks great, Monica. We're going to keep checking in every couple hours just to make sure." She informs us "If everything continues to look good you should be able to go home in a couple days."
As she throws away her gloves Doc turns to us. "So have we figured out a name for this little one, yet?" He asks
I look back at my family, a grin across my features. "We have." I pause and Monica nods for me to go ahead. "Meet Charlette Emerson Bing." A tear silently rolls down my own cheek as I swallow the lump in my throat.
"I love that." The nurse smiles "Any meaning behind it?"
Nodding, I explain. "Named after my father. Charles Edward Bing." I feel Monica's hand reach over to grab mine.
"That sounds very special." He smiles "You make a beautiful family. If you have any questions now or in the future you can always give me a call. My door is always open."
"Thank you so much." I stand and give him a handshake before leaning in for a hug. "For everything. I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Pulling away, he pats my back. "No need. You just promise me you'll take care of your beautiful family."
Nodding with a smile I look back at my girls. "I will."
When he leaves, I take my place beside Monica's bed, the smile never leaving my lips. She is singing soft melodies to the infant wrapped safely in her arms.
People say I'm the lucky one,
And we've only just begun...
She glances up at me with a smile as her eyes glisten with tears before looking back down at our baby.
Conceived in love,
The sun is gonna shine above...
Leaning forward, I place a soft lingering kiss on Monica's head as I gently rub the little dark hairs of Charlette's with my thumb.
And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you honey...
Nothing about our story is normal. But everything about it is fate. We are meant to be together and nothing will change that.
That day in the office, right after our meeting, I was done. I was on the verge of quitting, I wanted to move out of the city and find a home in the country far away from the business industry. I was alone and tired of the life I had.
Then, when I entered the break room I saw something - or rather, someone - and things shifted. Her long dark hair, light skin, and crystal blue eyes met mine as we bumped into each other. That would have been the perfect opportunity to drop everything and leave the life I had. But as her body tensed and her coffee-pot-filled hand brushed across my chest I felt what could be. In that moment I felt a connection to the woman in front of me. The woman who never speaks during meetings, the woman who doesn't blush as I walk by, the woman who was about to dab my sopping wet shirt with a towel.
She opened my eyes to the possibilities around me. She made me realize I could have something meaningful in my life. Someone special to share it with.
No, it wasn't love at first sight. It wasn't even love until well after we were married. But when it did happen, when I felt the strong feelings of love, I began falling fast. She saved me from chasing a life I didn't want.
It took months for her to realize it too. And when she did, we were in trouble. We couldn't keep our hands off each other, every time our eyes locked a smile would appear. We were in a dangerous love zone and we both knew it.
And now, only a couple years into our relationship, we're parents to an incredible baby girl. She's so tiny but I know she's going to leave big footprints in our lives. She's beautiful and sleepy and...
My face scrunches slightly as a small whimpering sound comes from Monica's arms.
"Uh oh, what'd I do?" I ask, panic rising. "Does she need something? Should I get the nurse?" I ask, rising from my chair.
Fortunately, I didn't need to because in the next few seconds the nurse walks in. "Oh no." She coos, walking over to Monica's other side.
"What's wrong, is she okay?" Monica asks, the same panic tone in her voice.
"Oh, you're doing just fine. She's probably just hungry."
Our bodies relax simultaneously as the nurse begins checking Monica's vitals and gently feels the babies back.
"Dad said you are going to breast feed, do you want to go ahead and try?"
I place my hand on Monica's back as she glances over at me, a soft smile on my lips.
"Okay."
"Let's sit you up a little bit." The nurse reaches over to adjust the bed so Monica is propped up and ready. "Now, don't be nervous if it takes a little while for her to latch on. All new Moms take time." She explains as she begins to unfasten the buttons on the shoulder of her gown. "I bet you're feeling a little full right now, this will help ease that tension."
But nothing will help ease the tension I'm feeling right now watching someone else undress my wife.
"I'll go ahead and give you a minute. If you need anything press the button." She says before walking out the room to allow us some privacy.
My eyes are on the door as it closes.
"Chandler...can you..."
Quickly, I look back at Monica as she struggles to drop the side of her gown that is loose to reveal her naked breast.
"Oh, yeah, sorry." I reach over and help her adjust Charlette so she connects with Monica's body.
"What's wrong?"
I shake my head "Nothing." I pause, before admitting the uncomfortable tension I was just feeling. "She was just going to expose your boobs to the world." I say, embarrassed. I watch as Charlette moves her face back and forth trying to figure out what's going on.
Chuckling, she takes her eyes off our baby girl and looks over at me. "Honey, the male doctor just saw every inch of my body and your main concern is that the nurse tried to cup a feel?"
That didn't cross my mind until now. "Thanks for point that out."
Smirking, she looks down as Charlette slowly figures out where the food is located. "Besides, who do you think got me into-"
"Okay, I get it." I stop her just as I hear a soft sucking noise coming from the bed. "Look at her go! You found it baby girl." I smile, leaning in closer "How does it feel?"
Another tear slowly falls from Monica's cheek. "Amazing." She sniffles and I grab a tissue from the table. "Sorry." She apologizes, taking it from my reach.
"Hey, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for. This is new and exciting for both of us." I rub her back consolingly. "We're allowed to feel all the emotions. Especially after the night we've just had." I say "Trust me, I've had my share of tears, too."
She meets my glossy eyes as I try to blink them away. But it's too late, she knows I've been crying.
"I'm sorry."
Once she says it we both laugh "Stop apologizing." I tease her
As our laughter comes down, we sit there in silent for a while; both mesmerized by the joy in our arms.
"You really scared me." I whisper softly.
"I don't know what happened. I was fine and then things began to blur."
"They said you had a postpartum hemorrhage. You lost quite a bit of blood." Now it's my turn to let a tear escape my eyes. "They pushed me out the room when you lost consciousness. I didn't know what was going on for hours as I waited outside the door while they performed surgery. When they finally came out, they told me a blood vessel burst as you tried to delivery which caused you to go into hypovolemic shock."
Her thumb comes up to wipe away the stray tears.
"I'm just so glad you're okay."
She smiles softly before leaning forward to place a gentle kiss upon my lips.
As we break away I ask "How are you feeling now?"
She hesitates, looks down at Charlette in her arms, then back at me. "A little tired. But I'm sure that's expected."
I nod seeing the baby slowly drift off to sleep again. "Do you want me to take her while you get some rest?" I ask, reaching my arms out.
Handing her over, Monica sighs contently, her head finding my shoulder.
"You are going to break some hearts little Charlie."
"Charlie?" She questions, lifting her head slightly.
I shrug "Yeah, she needs a nickname. Charlette is for when she's in trouble. When she drags mud through the house or gets fingerpaint on the wall." I smile and so does Monica.
"I can't wait."
"Me too." I gently kiss the top of my girls head once again before remembering. "Oh, I almost forgot." I stop "The guys down at the firehouse got a gift."
Carefully, with Charlie in my arms and Monica leaning against my side, I reach down beside my chair to retrieve the present I received last night. Setting it on Monica's lap, I let her open it.
"Oh gosh." We both laugh as she pulls out a mini karaoke machine for the baby. "No way." Smiling, I check it out to see if it's real or just a mini replica. "It's got a little mic too." I gush, finding all the features.
"Wait, there's something else." She reaches in the bag to retrieve a yellow onesie that says I Got It From My Daddy. "Oh, Chandler!"
That's just too funny.
"We should call them later and thank them." She tells me.
"No need, I'm sure they'll be up to visit later today."
She smiles, placing everything back in the bag and relaxing against me once more. "And my parents?"
"Yes, everyone will be back to see the newest addition to our family tonight." I say, resting my chin on top her head "After, you get some rest."