Funny how the hospital seemed more alive than the city that never sleeps. All of its little noises and shuffling sounds came together like one big heartbeat. In the maternity ward, awkward de facto family reunions and happy introductions made for an atmosphere unlike any other. Steady beeps and ticks of machines were soft metronomes.
But at this time of the night, these sounds were not appreciated. It was an ungodly hour, probably about three in the morning.
Charlotte was crying. No, screaming. Declan and Amanda had tried everything. She wouldn't nurse. Her diaper was clean. Declan was gently rocking her while pacing back and forth in a feeble attempt to soothe her. Nothing.
"Here, hand her to me," Amanda said. He walked to her and gently transferred the howling blond baby. She continued crying.
"Should we call someone?" Declan asked.
"No," Amanda responded almost immediately. "We can handle this." Amanda stroked her daughter's arm and kissed her forehead. Twenty minutes later, she finally calmed her. At the break of dawn, Amanda was passed out with Charlotte asleep on her chest.
Declan, who could not find comfort on the ages-old couch, snapped photos of his dreaming child and baby mama. In a few hours, the friends and family would flow back in. He knew this, and he sat and enjoyed the hospital's metronome of life.
Their first visitor of the day was Olivia. She came bearing a stuffed bear, a box of pacifiers, and two pink onesies.
"Declan, Amanda," she greeted. "How are you?" She said, turning to the new mother.
"I'm fine," she said as Charlotte stirred in her arms.
"Can I hold her?" Olivia asked. Amanda nodded and passed her baby to her friend and boss. Olivia bounced the child up and down as the baby gently jolted her arms and legs, becoming aware that it was no longer her mother who was holding her.
"So, Olivia," Declan began. She looked at him expectantly. "We were wondering if you'd like to be Charlotte's godmother." Olivia smiled and looked down at the infant in her arms, and then back to her parents.
"Of course I will," she said. Naturally, such a calm, peaceful, loving moment could not go interrupted. Just as Amanda smiled and thanked Olivia, Carisi and Fin burst through the door, assortment of colorful balloons and toys in tow.
"Good morning," Carisi said, opening a white box. "Cannoli?" He offered to the room. The group chatted and laughed for a while until it came time for Amanda to feed the baby. Murphy directed everyone out into the hallway, where they buzz about the baby died down and they began to talk shop. A short while later, Declan went back into Amanda's room to check if she had finished feeding Charlotte.
Declan motioned for the group to come back in, and Carisi requested to hold the baby. He stared at her intently before declaring, "She has your nose, Amanda."
"Uh, thanks, Carisi," she responded.
"You got a middle name?" Fin asked. Amanda smiled sheepishly, and looked from her baby to Olivia.
"Charlotte Olivia," she said. Liv froze and said nothing, then smiled and hugged Amanda.
Liv's phone rang and she announced that she had to go, Barba needed her and Carisi. The two said their goodbyes and then left.
"Fin?" Amanda said. "You know, Charlotte, she uh, she needs a godfather. We were hoping you'd do us the honor."
He nodded. "Definitely," he said.
Amanda may not have had the best family, but Charlotte would.