The Gift
Chapter 4
Andrea's pregnancy progressed and everything was normal. An ultrasound revealed that she was carrying one baby and that it was a girl, which made her happy. Mike discreetly went to doctor's appointments and ran errands for Andrea.
They also spent a day decorating the nursery and putting the crib together. They even talked about names. Mike had suggested Lucy, which Andrea liked better than Molly. She knew he was becoming awfully invested in their baby, but continued to call himself 'Uncle Mike.'
He also helped her find a nanny. They hired a younger woman, named Ally. She was smart and they both liked her. She had a degree in early childhood development, but was also a trained EMT. Mike had done a thorough background check on her and she checked out. She would be living in Andrea's spare room.
Due to her age and the way the baby was turned, the doctor opted to do a C-section. Andrea thought she would be alone with the doctor and nurses, but was pleasantly surprised to find Mike next to her, wearing the surgical garb. After some intense pain, a perfect baby girl was shown to Andrea. She was taken away and Andrea was cleaned up and closed up. Finally, she and the baby were moved to a room and Andrea focused on Mike, who was holding the perfect baby girl.
"You look good holding a baby." Andrea said.
"I don't know about all that. So, is she Lucy or Molly? Lucy does sound a little too much like Lucas, but my opinion doesn't really count here." Mike said as he passed her the baby.
"That's not true. As I've said, you can be as involved as you want to be. If Lucy is too much, we can go with Molly." Andrea answered.
"She looks more like a Molly." Mike answered.
"Molly it is." Andrea answered.
"I got her this." Mike said as he handed her a stuffed bear. Molly was still too young to enjoy it, but Andrea knew it would be a treasured keepsake.
"Thank you. She'll love it." Andrea said. Mike had sat down next to bed but she could tell he was uncomfortable.
"Am I going to be put on her birth certificate?" Mike asked.
"Not if you don't want to be. I was thinking though, if something happens to me; I don't want her to be in foster care. I suppose I should have thought about that before now." Andrea remarked.
"We can have paperwork drawn up. If something happens, I can…take responsibility for her." Mike agreed. It shocked Andrea.
"Mike, thank you. You have absolutely no idea how much I appreciate this. Everything. For her, for being here, all of it. As I said, you can be as involved as you want. Molly will have you in her life." Andrea said. Molly was awake and looking around.
"I…am still figuring things out, but I do…I don't know. I'm just scared to love her but then I look at her and I wonder how I couldn't. I just have some thinking to do." Mike admitted.
"Well, we'll be here…or at home when you do. Molly needs you in her life, in anyway you want to be. You are a good friend. Not many would do what you've done, or put your heart on the line. If at some point, you are ready for Molly to know who you really are, she will be a very lucky little girl, because I saw you with your other kids. No one on Earth loved those kids as much as you did, and I think if they were asked, they would want you to love Molly like that." Andrea told him.
"Thank you. I think I'm going to home for the day. Good night. Please call if you need anything." Mike said. She was even more shocked when he leaned down and kissed Molly's hand. He was gone before Andrea could say anything else, and she picked Molly back up from the bed.
"Little one, I know he seems scary, but I think he likes you just a bit. He will be your biggest fan, besides me and despite anything he says, he loves you." Andrea told the baby girl who just looked around in wonder.