When Wheeler walks out of the double doors leading to the delivery rooms, he laughs as he sees his friends and family do exactly as the nurse described. They jump to their feet, some taking more time and moving as quickly as their age will allow, to greet him.
"What the…? Mishka, Gram, Yana?! How in the world did you get here so fast? And Dmitri! I know it's not a stretch for you to be here since the Planeteers could've stopped by DC on the flight here, but there's no way the Geo Cruiser could make it to Russia and back in the amount of time that the labor took. Linka might feel differently, but it wasn't THAT long!"
"As the due date got closer, Uncle Dmitri invited us to stay with him in Washington so that we could be closer and surprise you both…so, surprise!" Mishka says.
"That's awesome! Thank you, Dmitri. I know Linka will be so happy to have you all here…as am I."
"I am glad we were able to pull it off. And please, call me Uncle Dmitri. You are family now."
"Sorry you weren't able to make it to the wedding…it was kinda last minute. Literally."
"No need to apologize. I am happy to be able to be here now that your family is complete."
"We can't wait for you all to meet our little girl. Oh, and here," he says, passing out the pink bubble gum cigars.
"Clever!" Kwame says as he unwraps the treat.
"And healthy," Ma-Ti adds.
"I don't know about that…all the sugar can't be good for the teeth!" Gi says.
"Good point, but healthier than smoking," Aunt Sharon says.
"And 'kid friendly'," Joey remarks as he pretends to take a puff before biting into it.
"So when do we get to see her?" Wheeler's mom asks.
"They're cleaning her up after inking her for the paperwork, then they're taking her to the nursery. We can take a walk down there to have a look. They said eventually they'd move her into Linka's room, once they're both rested. I bet Linka fell asleep as soon as I was out the door. She's a tough one, and the adrenaline of meeting our little girl was keeping her going, but I could tell that she's exhausted."
"So does the newest Wheeler have a name?" His dad asks.
"She does. Since she's our miracle, we chose Mira as her first name. We also liked the name 'Faith' and the baby book that Gram gave us had different derivatives of the name. We liked 'Fae.' So we named her Mira Fae Wheeler."
"It sounds like you put a lot of thought into finding the perfect name," his grandma says.
"A special meaning behind a special little girl," his grandfather adds.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Uncle Bill asks. "Let's go see our little miracle and start spoiling her rotten!"
The group arrives at the large window and Wheeler sees the nurse that had been taking care of Linka and Mira tending to one of the babies as it fusses. She smiles and he realizes it's his baby. His heart instantly breaks as he sees her crying. The nurse picks up the baby and heads for the door.
"Is that her?" Nadia asks.
"Yeah. What's wrong? Why's she crying?" Wheeler asks the parents in the group for answers.
"Babies cry, sweetheart. She's fine," his mother reassures him.
"Better get used to it," his dad adds.
Before Wheeler can reply with his own smart-ass remark, the nurse appears with the fussy baby.
"I just changed her, but she wasn't happy about being put down. Maybe daddy can make her happy," the nurse says.
"ME?!"
"Pretty sure that was your name on the birth certificate, was it not?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm the dad…I mean…you think me holding her will help? I've never even held a baby before. Should I be sitting down? What if I drop her?"
The group laughs at his awkwardness.
"You can have a seat if you'd like. I'll set her in your arms when you're ready."
"The first time I get to hold her and she's crying…what if I can't get her to stop?" He asks nervously.
"You'll be fine Wheeler," Gi encourages him as the others also offer supportive words.
"Ma, Grandmas…get closer. I'm gonna need some moral support." Betty and Nadia take a seat on each side of him while his mom stands in front of him as the nurse places Mira in his arms.
"Now what?" He asks.
"Just rock her gently."
"Rub her back."
"Talk to her so she can hear your voice. Baby's eyesight is not good when they are first born, but she will recognize your voice if you and Linka talked to her, which I am sure you did."
He does all the things suggested.
"Hey little girl, it's ok. No need to cry. Daddy's here. You have no idea how special you are. You're the first child for your Mommy and me. First grandchild, first great grandchild, first niece, first mini-Planeteer. And you are already soooo loved."
Knowing that his sister would not want to miss this moment, Mishka has been discreetly recording the first time Wheeler held their daughter. He is sure they will both want this memory captured.
It isn't long before Mira has settled down and is cooing contently.
"See, Sweetheart, you're a natural," his mom says.
"She is beautiful," Nadia gushes.
"She has good genes," Betty says to her fellow great grandma with a smile.
"She has her Uncle Mishka's good looks," he boasts, drawing laughter.
Nadia, Betty, and Kathy make way for the others to get a better look at the baby. When the Planeteers meet their newest member, Wheeler smiles and says,
"Happy Anniversary. Linka says she's sorry for not making it to the party."
"Are you kidding? This is the best way to celebrate," Gi says.
"That's what I told her."
"I agree with Gi," Kwame adds. "Mira picked the perfect date to join us."
"Yes, how appropriate that the day we all met is also the day we added a future Planeteer to our group," Ma-Ti says.
Next up is Wheeler's grandpa, dad, uncle, aunt, and cousin.
"She's so tiny!" Joey observes. "Don't break her, Cuz!"
"As if I wasn't nervous enough! Thanks Joey!" Wheeler laughs awkwardly.
"You're doing great, kid," his dad says. "Your Ma was right. You're a natural."
"Yeah, you look good with a baby in your arms, Jase," Aunt Sharon adds.
"I didn't think it was possible for you to ever look happier than you looked on your wedding day, but you may have topped that," Uncle Bill says.
"This little one is going to be so loved. Look at all these people who will be there for her," Don gushes.
"We're very lucky to have you all here. I still can't believe you all made it here…especially all the way from Russia. Yana, come have a look. You were the first one to know Linka was pregnant. You're a big part of her story."
"And now she can officially call me 'Aunt Yana,'" she says, showing off the ring that Mishka had given her a few days prior.
"No way! That's awesome! Congrats, you two!" The group all join Wheeler in congratulating Mishka and Yana.
"Thank you. We did not want to say anything sooner because this was you and Linka's big moment, but now seemed like an appropriate time to add to the happy news," Mishka says.
"Definitely. Linka will be so happy to hear it. Yana was a really good friend to her when she needed it the most. You were there for her when the rest of us couldn't be."
"I am glad we will be sisters," Yana says. "And I am glad that this little one is my first niece."
"Dmitri…you can come closer," Nadia urges. "Come meet your great-niece."
He had been quietly observing in the background, but steps forward.
"I remember when Linka was born. I cannot believe my brother's little girl is a mother," he says as his eyes begin to swell with tears. "He and her mother should be here. So should Boris."
"They are," Wheeler reassures him. "We'll be sure she knows all about her other grandparents and her cousin Boris. I want to put together a family album, so if anyone has any pictures to send, and the story behind it, please pass them along to me. I can put together a photobook online and order copies for everyone."
"That would be great," Kathy says.
"And leave some extra pages for when Mishka and Yana add some cousins for Mira," Joe adds.
"I hope so!" Mishka says. He does not want to dampen the mood by pointing out that he may have also been affected by the radiation that he and Linka were exposed to as children, but Yana knows it is on his mind and puts her arm around his waist.
"And I want the Planeteers to contribute pictures as well. You all are family too," Wheeler adds.
The nurse returns and approaches Wheeler.
"Your wife took a half hour power nap after she was moved to a room and now, she's insisting that she's ready for the baby to come back in, as well as being ready for visitors."
"Yeah, that sounds just like her," he chuckles. "Is it ok if we all go at once?"
"Yes, but try to keep it short. She really should be resting. Looks like you've got the magic touch and got your little one to settle down. Think you're ready to try carrying her while you walk?"
"Better get used to it, eh?" He says as he stands up slowly so as not to disturb the baby.
"Follow me, I'll take you all to her room."
When they arrive, the nurse opens the door for Wheeler and Linka's face lights up at seeing him and the baby.
"You have her! I was so worried she was by herself…it is silly, but I did not want her to be alone so soon after being born."
"She's definitely not alone. She got to meet the whole family." He nods his head towards the door and soon, a parade of people are coming in and go over to give Linka a hug. Her eyes widen when the last group enters.
"Babushka! Dyadya Dmitri! Mishka and Yana! I was not expecting to see you so soon!"
They explain to her how they'd arrived in DC to stay with Dmitri and were going to wait until they got word that she'd gone into labor, and that they were fortunate to have decided to come a few days earlier than her due date.
"You did not say anything when we spoke on the phone earlier!"
"You did not ask," Nadia says with a wink and shrug.
"She decided to come today because today is a special date," Linka says as she smiles at her friends.
"We are happy to have another special occasion to celebrate today!" Kwame says.
By now, Wheeler has somewhat reluctantly handed his little girl off to Linka, but he sticks close to both of them, unable to stop admiring them.
"We should get going back to Hope Island," Gi says. "We just wanted to make sure we were all together for today, even if just for a little while."
"Yes, but we look forward to having you all back with us soon," Ma-Ti adds.
They bid their friends farewell and then others begin to take their leave.
"You should get some rest," Kathy says. "Jason, text us tomorrow when you feel like you're up to having visitors."
"We want to spend as much time with you all before you go back to Hope Island," Joe says.
"And once you're released from the hospital, you're welcome to stay with us as long as you'd like," Betty offers.
"Or use the cabin. That offer stands any time you want to trade in the island life for the lake life," Uncle Bill says.
"That sounds nice," Linka replies, smiling at Wheeler, knowing that the cabin will always be special to them.
"What about you all?" Don asks the Russian side of the family. "Do you need a place to stay? We don't have much room, but we can come up with something. Someone can stay in Jason and Linka's guest room while they're here, if they don't mind. We can hurry up and switch out the linens."
"We do not want anyone to go through any trouble. We had reservations at a nearby hotel two days from now. I can call to see if they can take us earlier," Mishka says.
"Cancel them," Sharon tells him. "We have plenty of room at our place. Two guest rooms for Nadia and Dmitri and a fold out bed in the loft for Mishka and Yana. Our vehicle seats seven so you can just ride home with us."
"Are you sure it is no trouble?" Nadia asks.
"It'll be fun. My dogs love meeting new people!" Joey says.
"It is very kind of you to open your home to strangers," Dmitri says.
"Nah, you're family. Wouldn't mind hearing about what sort of work you do at the embassy…if you're allowed to talk about it," Bill says.
"Da, of course. It is not very interesting though. I am sure you have much more interesting stories working in law."
"We should go now. Linka can barely keep her eyes open," Yana points out.
The young blonde is embarrassed, but not going to deny she could use some rest.
"It was so good to see all of you and I am very happy that you were able to be here. Hopefully I am better company tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, we will not be so kind and let you hog Mira the whole time," Mishka teases. "You will have to hand her over to the rest of us eventually!"
"I will," she chuckles. "Maybe."
Once everyone has left, Wheeler takes the baby back.
"Time to hand her over. Get some sleep. I'll keep watch over you both."
Linka nods in agreement and accepts his kiss.
"It was nice to have everyone here, but I am glad it is just the three of us again…even if I cannot keep my eyes open."
"Yeah…I'm gonna be selfish for a while and want you both all to myself as often as possible."
"I am ok with that."
"Are you feeling ok? Can I get you anything before you go to sleep?" He asks as he puts the baby into her bassinet.
"I am sore…maybe something mild to keep me comfortable? I think I have some aspirin in my purse."
"Hmm…isn't that a blood thinner? I'll go find a nurse to make sure that's ok. Don't know if there'd be any risk of you bleeding, but I'm not taking any chances. Be right back."
"I did not consider that. You are so smart, Doctor Yankee."
He laughs.
"Well, I know you're not loopy from pain killers, so you must be really tired if you're getting in a goofy mood."
He returns a little while later with a bottle of water and a small cup with some pills in it. She had been looking at her phone but sets it down to take the medicine from him.
"Spasiba."
"You're welcome." He seems distracted as he looks over towards the bassinet.
Linka notices.
"I know it is tempting to want to hold her all the time, but we need to get used to sleeping when she sleeps so that we can get our rest."
"Yeah…I know you're right."
"Everything ok?"
"I'm just…when we're not in the hospital anymore and it's just us at home…I don't know if I'll be any good at this without the comfort of a safety net."
"You will be great," she encourages.
"Easy for you to say…you've had all this time to bond. I feel like I need to let her get used to me. I don't want to scare her."
"She knows you. I could feel her react to you when you would speak. She would always get active."
"But at night, when I put my arms around you when we'd go to bed, she'd be moving, but then she'd stop when I was rubbing your belly…like I was annoying her…or was I annoying you and she noticed?"
"Nyet, I was not annoyed. That was my favorite time of the day. That was bedtime. Your touch calmed her…and thank God it did or else I would not have gotten any sleep…and if you need more proof, this is what I was watching on my phone when you went to find a nurse…" she picks up her phone and presses play on the video Mishka had sent her of the first time Wheeler held Mira. "Look how she settled down once she was in your arms."
"I didn't even see him recording," he says as his eyes fill with tears. "I'm glad he got that."
"Me too. Do not doubt yourself, Lyubov. I love you and our daughter loves you. I know that you are going to be the best husband and father."
He smiles at her weakly.
"HOW do you know? I have no idea what I'm doing."
"Because I know that no matter what, you are going to do your best. I do not know what I am doing either. We are just going to get through it the best way we can…together."
"Thanks, Babe. I feel better already," he says, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "And in case you don't remember all the little details of the birth, let me just say again how amazing you were. So strong and brave. You kicked ass today."
"Thank you. I do remember you being my biggest cheerleader. Right there beside me; encouraging me; supporting me. You were my rock, as you have always been since we started this journey," she smiles up at him as she strokes his cheek. "Let us get some sleep. She will want fed again in a few hours."
"She has my appetite," he jokes as he takes a place in the reclining chair next to Linka's bed and spreads the blanket over himself.
"Bozhe moy, I hope not!"
To Be Continued...