The rental car pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and took the first available open space. Robert Thompson stepped into the bright noonday sun of a bitter cold Florida winter day and locked the door of the Bonneville with the remote. He hated traveling without his wife, but this time it was necessary. He zipped his jacket against the biting wind. He never expected it to be this cold in Florida, but this was one of those few February days where the north wind howls down the peninsula rubbing everything raw. The car radio had been talking freeze warnings for the evening, and advising people to cover plants, bring in pets and take extra care with space heaters. Only in Florida would people need to be reminded of these things.
Susan would have been with him. They had planned to spend part of February and March in Florida, helping Missy with her new baby, then head for Houston when Helena's baby came. Unfortunately, no one consulted his eldest grandchild about this and she appeared to have an independent streak. She had arrived nearly two months early, tiny but healthy, and Susan had been in Houston with Helena helping to take care of the fussy little Victoria Koenig for the past two weeks. He'd never seen a child scream so much. He certainly hoped this newest grandchild he'd come to see was a bit quieter.
Alan had called the Koenig household at 4:30 a.m. this morning to announce the arrival of Geoffrey Alan Carter IV. Melissa had been in labor for two days and Alan had been elated but exhausted. Susan had been torn. Helena still needed her, but Melissa needed her too. Alan had assured her that he had already called his mother in Australia and she would be here in just a few days, and he and Melissa would be fine. Melissa seemed to like Alan's parents just fine, but Susan still fretted over their other daughter and newest grandchild, so Robert had caught a flight from Houston to Orlando and was here at the hospital, without even letting Missy know he was coming.
He was glad of the warmth that greeted him in the lobby of the hospital. An elderly woman wearing a blue smock with a volunteer patch on it gave him the room number and directions to the maternity floor. He followed the maze of hallways and elevators through the frequently expanded hospital and found the right room number. The door was open and he could hear the tiny sounds of a contented infant coming from the bed farthest from the door. He crept in, past an empty bed and curtain.
The second bed in the room held his family. Alan lay on top of the sheets, fully clothed and sound asleep, his arm around Melissa's shoulders. Her head was tucked against his shoulder and she lay tight by his side on the narrow bed. She was also soundly sleeping.
Both looked exhausted.
Melissa was wearing no make-up, her skin was as pale as he'd ever seen it
since she moved to Florida. She had
dark patches under her eyes from lack of sleep.
Her hair was uncombed, and unwashed.
He didn't think he'd ever seen his willful daughter look more vulnerable,
or more beautiful. Held tightly in
her arms even in sleep was a carefully bundled baby, knit cap pulled down firmly
over his ears.
Unlike his exhausted parents, the baby was
wide awake, blue eyes staring around, lips moving experimentally as if he were
tasting the air around him. Little
Geoff's eyes met his grandfather's, something Robert didn't expect at all. A new baby shouldn't even be able to focus yet, much less
detect movement or sound. The baby
wiggled more vigorously as if trying to shed the blanket cocoon he was trapped
in. Robert caught his breath as he
fell in love with the child.
His granddaughter, tiny Victoria, had been
so delicate and not quite comfortable with her new life.
He had felt tenderness and fondness when he first beheld her, as well as
an immense pride in his daughter for bringing a new life into the world.
But Geoff… what a different, even overwhelming, feeling he had for this
tiny vigorous newborn. He stepped
closer.
Whether it was the scuff of his shoe against the polished floor or the baby's movement, something caused Melissa to open her eyes. They went wide with surprise, and he was pleased to notice, complete joy. "Daddy!" She said softly, almost drowsily.
He touched his finger to his lips and smiled indicating her soundly sleeping husband. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Tired out, Jellybean?"
"Yeah," she murmured with a smile. "But he was worth it, don't you think?"
Robert openly admired his grandson. "World class, little girl, world class." He patted her shoulder awkwardly. "Let me and my grandson get acquainted while you two get some sleep." He reached over and lifted his pride and joy from his daughter's arms.
"He just ate, so he'll probably need changing soon," she said, still softly so she wouldn't wake Alan.
"I'm fully qualified," Robert replied jokingly. She simply smiled and nodded and closed her eyes again, settling more comfortably against Alan.
Robert moved to the chair beside the narrow window and delighted in his grandson who appeared to be equally delighted to study his grandfather's face and get to know him better.
Maureen J. Long
