"Told you my son was going to be big. You didn't believe me. Bet you'll never doubt me again."

"I doubt that," I teased, opening my eyes back up.

"Think you're funny, don't you?" he asked, squeezing my hand.

"Sometimes. You're an easy target."

"Mr. Larsen, would you like to give your son his first bath?" asked one of the nurses.

"Sure," he said, excited. "I'll be back, Adriana. You're okay?"

I nodded and closed my eyes, happy that it was finally over. It had been a stressful night and now all I wanted was to rest.

My mother and Jim were waiting back in my hospital room when they wheeled me in.

"Do you want to hold your grandson?" asked Trevor, who was carrying Samuel.

"Oh, my... yes," said Vanda, her eyes full of tears.

He handed her the baby and she smiled down at him. "So, this is Samuel? Aren't you a beautiful little boy..."

"Little? He was over eight pounds," boasted Trevor.

"I figured he'd be big after how big you were, these last couple of months, Adriana," said Vanda. "I almost thought there was a second baby hiding in your stomach."

"I know. I gained a lot of weight, but I was always hungry," I said, blushing. "I just couldn't help it."

"Don't worry, you did a fine job, Adriana," said Jim, standing next to her.

"She certainly did," said Trevor, grabbing my hand. "How are you feeling?"

"Good, but I'm sure it's because of the drugs," I replied. Something told me that after they wore off, I'd be hollering for more.

"Jim, give her the envelope," said my mother, as she rocked the baby in her arms.

Jim reached into his pocket and pulled it out.

"What's this?" I asked as he handed it to me.

"Open it," she said.

I opened it up and my jaw dropped. There were two airline tickets to Hawaii inside.

"That's so that you can elope or use them for your honeymoon," she said. "If you prefer."

We hadn't gotten married yet. I'd decided that I wanted to wait until after the baby was born.

"But we just had a baby. How can we leave him?" I protested.

"Don't worry, we'll watch Samuel," she said, smiling at Jim.

"Who's going to run the shop while you're watching Samuel?" I asked.

"I've hired a new manager," she said and smiled. "Tim."

"Why?" I asked, shocked.

"Remember when I fainted in the shop, last fall?" she said.

I nodded.

"My doctor told me that there was too much stress in my life and that I was working myself ragged. Now, I'm finally going to do something about it."

"What about your headaches?" I asked. "Was that stress related, too?"

"Yes," she replied and then looked embarrassed. "It also has to do with aging."

"Aging? Whatever. You're not that old," said Trevor.

"Thank you, I don't feel that old. Apparently, my body does, though," she said, chuckling.

"So, you're fine?" I asked, feeling a little ashamed that I hadn't even bothered to ask her about the headaches again.

"Fine enough to take Sammy here when you're on your honeymoon."

"Thanks, Vanda," said Trevor. He walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You're welcome," she said, smiling.

"Yeah, thank you, Mom. For everything."

"You're welcome." She handed me Samuel and we both looked down into his face. "And thank you for giving me such a handsome grandson. You, too, Trevor. I can tell already that he's going to have your features."

"Thanks Vanda," he said.

She sat down next to me on the bed. "Being a parent doesn't always mean that you know what you're doing, Adriana. You learn as you go along. Even when your kids grow up, you sometimes make decisions that you regret later." She looked at Trevor. "Or assumptions about people when you shouldn't."

He smiled.

There was a knock on the door and Jim went to answer it.

"Hi, I'm Mavis," said a woman's voice. "I'm Trevor's mother."

Trevor swore under his breath.

"Come on in," called Vanda.

Mavis walked in. She was a little taller than my mother, but very thin and haggard looking.

I glanced up at Trevor. "Is this okay?" I whispered.

He didn't say anything but he looked angry.

Mavis walked into the room and gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to barge in on you. I just wanted to see the baby. If that's okay?"

"Of course," I replied.

"How did you hear about this?" asked Trevor sternly.

"I called her," said my mother, smiling innocently.

"How did you get her number?" he asked, turning to look at Vanda.

"I spoke with your club president. Slammer," she answered. "Who should be arriving shortly, too. With Frannie."

"You know Frannie?" I asked, surprised.

She nodded. "Yes, she and I went to school together. I didn't realize it was the same woman whose wedding you attended in Maui. Anyway, they were in the shop last week and Slammer introduced himself. We got to talking and I found out that Slammer knew your mother, Trevor. He gave me Mavis's number. I hope you're not angry."

From the tense look on his face, I could tell he wasn't very happy about it. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

"Oh, he's beautiful," said Mavis, her eyes filling with tears. She took a tentative step toward the bed. "And, he looks just like you did when you were born, Trevor."

"You remember, huh?" he asked, a sneer on his face.

Mavis opened up her purse and took out an old photo. "Here, look," she said, ignoring his comment.

He took the picture and stared down at it.

"Let me see," I said, after a few seconds.

Trevor handed it to me, his expression unreadable.

I stared down at the photo and smiled. Our baby did look like his father. "You had dark hair when you were born, too. Just like Samuel."

He shrugged.

"Is that his name?" asked Mavis. "Samuel?"

"Yes," I said, kissing his forehead. "Samuel Jordan Larsen."

"He's beautiful," she said, staring at the baby longingly.

"Would you like to hold him?" asked Vanda.

Before she could answer, Trevor picked up Samuel and held him close to his chest.

"That's okay," said Mavis, her lips trembling. "I should probably go. I didn't want to interfere. I just wanted to see him."

"You wanted to see him? That's all?" asked Trevor, his eyes hard.

She nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry. I probably don't even deserve that much. Anyway, I'll leave you."

"You don't have to leave," I said, feeling sorry for her. "Really. You can stay."

"No," she said, blinking back tears. She looked back at Trevor. "You did well and I know you're going to be a wonderful father. Just don't make the same kinds of mistakes that we did."

"I won't," he said firmly.

She nodded and turned away.

"Wait," said Trevor, walking toward her.

Mavis turned around.

He held Samuel out. "I'm not going to make the same kinds of mistakes, which includes shutting out the people I love. Hold your grandson, Mavis."

She smiled, the tears streaming down her cheeks as he placed Samuel into her arms. "Oh, my... he's so beautiful. Hello, there, Samuel," she cooed, snuggling him against her chest.

Trevor turned around and our eyes locked. His face relaxed into a smile and I returned it.

I love you, I mouthed.

I love you, too, he mouthed back.

Just then, the door opened and a nurse walked in, carrying a gift box.

"Who's that from?" I asked, as she handed it to me.

"A man dropped it off,' she said. "It's for Samuel."

Trevor grabbed the envelope that was attached and opened it up. He read the card and his eyebrows shot up. "It's from Jordan."

I ripped the wrapping paper off of the box and we all stared at the little blue T-shirt. There was a picture of a gavel on the front and underneath it read "Don't Make Me Call My Uncle."

"Hey, at least he's acknowledging that he's an uncle," I said, smiling. "Maybe we can invite him over for the holidays this year? I bet he'd like that, you know?"

Trevor just laughed.

The End.

Author's Note.