Thank you for the lovely reviews x
Thank you for following along x
Chapter 59
Our Memories Have Begun
1800 –
Georgie's eyes were bright but weary from her labour as she watched Elvis help cut the umbilical cord. She could see little Daniel's arms and legs flailing against the intrusion. The nurses quickly wrapped him in warm blankets and lifted him up to his father. Elvis looked up at her with a smile that held a bottomless depth of emotion. He cuddled his son close, proudly sniffing back the tears brimming in his eyes. He carried Daniel to her, all the while soothing the fussy whimpers with soft words that only the baby could hear.
The corners of Georgie's mouth spread into a mellow smile as he neared. Witnessing the bonding moment between father and son was priceless to her. She welcomed both of them with open arms. Elvis carefully placed Daniel in her care and sat close beside the bed. The babe was warm and secure and it was as though his eyes were looking up at his parents.
"I like the hat." Elvis cheeked, touching the little stockinette cap.
"Maybe we could get you one." Georgie said. They both chuckled and marveled at the little wonder who would occupy their days and nights.
"Have you a name for him?" Amelia asked.
"Daniel Paolo." Elvis answered straight away.
"Yes. Daniel P." Georgie added happily as she stroked the baby's soft dark hair that was poking out from beneath the cap.
"Good one George." Elvis said flashing a toothy grin.
"Let's have a go with the first feeding mum." Amelia said maneuvering around the bed.
"Alright…..are you hungry little one?" Georgie asked sweetly, fingering the blanket away from Daniel's face. "I do hope I do this properly." She murmured as Amelia helped her to reposition. Elvis scooted his chair back.
"You'll do fine Georgie." he encouraged.
"Yes. You will." Amelia added.
Elvis released a heavy sigh. It was a long day. It was an unforgettable day and he watched Georgie begin to nurse their child. She had wanted to be a mother for so long. His admiration for her only grew stronger. She looked up at him.
"He is hungry." She said lovingly.
Elvis smiled. To him, all was well in the world.
Xxxxx
1900 -
Amelia popped into the delivery suite to find a sleeping Georgie and Elvis cuddling Daniel. The baby was asleep in his arms.
"Oh good. She's resting." Amelia whispered loudly, moving close to Elvis. "Georgie's bed is ready on the post natal ward."
"I'm moving now?" A sleepy voice said and Amelia turned around.
"Yes indeed. We will get you moved shortly."
"Elvis do you have my mobile?" Georgie asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Yeah." He took one hand and dug into his pocket "'Ere ya go."
"Amelia, fancy taking a few photos of my two boys?" Georgie asked.
"I would love to." The midwife said happy to oblige.
Georgie grinned as Daniel yawned and Elvis watched him with a rapt expression. That was the moment Amelia pressed the shutter button. She took several more including all three of them together.
"Awwww, perfect." Georgie said as she lazily scrolled the updated gallery.
"Elvis now you do realize that dads are not permitted to stay the night?" Amelia said more as a statement than a question.
"Affirmative." He answered casually, but Georgie could see he was reluctant to relinquish his son.
Xxxxx
Once settled in the ward Elvis leaned down to kiss Georgie goodnight. "He's sleeping now." He said tilting his head towards the cot. Georgie's eyes followed.
"He's so quiet. I hope he's a good sleeper." She said.
"You get some kip whilst he is." Elvis said stroking her hair.
"Yeah. I will. You as well."
"Don't worry about me…"
They looked at each other and chuckled but Elvis' gaze lingered and his expression became thoughtful.
"What?" Georgie asked.
"You. Just you." He said sincerely. She smiled warmly, anticipating his further explanation. "You are the most amazing woman I have ever met. I never thought it possible to love you any more…..but I do."
She was not the romantic type but his words caressed her heart. The response she could not utter played out in her eyes and she reached out to embrace him. "Are ya getting soppy on me now?" she finally said playfully, though her eyes welled with emotion.
"Well….yeah….reckon I am." He admitted bobbing his head with a lop-sided grin. "But I meant every word George."
Xxxxx
2100 –
The cries were subtle and became louder, demanding…
Georgie's eyes popped open. She was surrounded by pull around curtains and she heard footsteps.
"Daniel." She whispered hoarsely. She leaned over the bedrail and saw him lying peacefully in the cot. He was awake but not crying. She leaned her head on the cool metal rail. It was another woman's baby that was crying.
"Mrs. Harte?"
"Yes." Georgie answered lifting her head, eyeing the feet visible beneath the curtain.
"Time for a feeding." The nurse said entering what little privacy Georgie had on the ward.
As Daniel began to take his nourishment Georgie watched him. How content he was, how utterly dependent he was on her. This little life that she had carried for so long was now his own little person. As she looked down, her eyes caught the reflection of the golden charm Elvis had given her. The tiny diamond was in her arms now. She smiled and felt a calm sense of bliss. She could hear her parent's excited words play back in her mind…
"Hello?! Elvis! Is that you?" Max said waving a hand wildly to enhance his wife's attention.
"Is it them?" Grace said. "Well put it on speaker!"
"Mum! Dad!" Georgie sputtered as Elvis held his mobile close by.
"Georgie! We've been so anxious to hear! Tell us about our grandchild!" Grace asked rippling with delight.
"Awwwww he is absolutely precious!" Georgie said tearfully looking down at Daniel nestled against her chest.
"Everything is fine? You're OK? Oh Georgie I wish I could have been there with ya!" Grace happily sobbed.
"I'm fine. Yeah. Wish ya could have been here mum, but Elvis has been with me the entire time. Our son is soooo cute!" Georgie said touching the baby's cheeks and lips with feathery fingertips. She looked up at Elvis and smiled. His expression was the mirror of the unbridled joy and love the couple were experiencing.
"We'll send photos soon." Elvis said.
"Oh yes! Please! Oh Georgie our first grandchild!" Grace gushed. "I will work on getting there as soon as I can luv."
"Ok mum…OK." Georgie said, swiping her cheeks and smiling from ear to ear.
The Lanes could hear the wee noises Daniel was making. They looked at each other with awe as Grace squeezed Max's upper arm and shuddered with delight.
Xxxxx
2200 –
Elvis did not want to disturb her. He felt Georgie needed rest in between learning to care for the baby. Daniel. Their son. Elvis propped his arms behind his head as he stared up at the bedroom ceiling. It was quiet in the cottage. It was lonely and all he could think about was finding Georgie in the bathroom this morning and then seeing her holding Daniel. Elvis now had a better understanding of what Debbie had gone through. His life was so different now. He was grateful he had witnessed the birth of his second child. Actions and consequences he thought. He smiled and almost felt giddy. The joy on Georgie's face…. He could hear the excitement in his parent's voices…..
"Ma! Ma! Ya 'ave another grandchild!" Elvis announced into the mobile.
"Oh Elvis! Oh we have been waiting to hear! How is Georgie!? How is the baby?" Guilia said scurrying through the house to locate Guiseppe. "Beppe! Beppe!" Elvis grinned at Georgie as they heard the action taking place.
"What?! What is it?!" Guiseppe answered with a distant voice that became louder.
"It's Elvis. Georgie delivered!"
"Mio Dio! Figlio! Son!" Guiseppe bellowed. "Congratulazioni!"
"Grazie papa!" Elvis said happily. Absolutely not trying to cover his emotions.
"What have you named him?" Guilia asked.
"Daniel Paolo." Elvis answered proudly.
"Awww…. Your nonno's name." Guila said, her voice cracking.
"Yeah ma, after nonno."
Georgie's nose scrunched with delight as she watched her husband's joy. This was a wonderfully happy day for both families.
Elvis found himself smiling even now, remembering the exchange. He rubbed his face and raked his hair back. Tomorrow Georgie and Daniel would be home. The hardened SAS commander could not stop smiling. His life was so different now. He released a heartfelt sigh but was roused from his attempt at relaxation when his mobile pinged. He dropped a hand at his side to pick up the phone, thumbing the screen to access the text message.
We cannot wait to see you tomorrow… there were several heart emojis accompanying the message but the best surprise was the attached photo of his dear Georgie and his newborn son. Memories. They would have a lifetime of memories.
