Chapter 18

" F inn, wake up," Ella said, shaking him.

"What is it?" he asked groggily.

"My water broke."

"What?" he asked, leaping up. "You're not due for three more weeks."

"Tell that to the baby. She's tired of waiting."

"Oh my God," Finn said, noticing the wet sheets. He started spinning around in circles, unable to decide what to do first. "Wait right there, sweetheart. I'll throw some clothes on, and then I'll help you get dressed. What time is it?" he asked, turning to the clock without waiting for an answer. "Just after five. I'll need to call the sitter, or Jason, or someone to watch Betty until my parents can get here. And Dr. King, we'll call her when we're on our way. Don't worry, baby, everything is okay."

Ella giggled. "You might want to tell yourself that. Relax, my love. Our little one is coming."

He took a breath, kissed her forehead, and said, "You caught me off guard, but I've got this."

"It seems Georgia may take after me. Clearly, she's spontaneous, and I get the feeling she's having a good laugh at throwing her daddy into a frenzy."

"ELLA, THE BABY IS CROWNING; there's no time to get you to labor and delivery. She's coming now," Dr. King said, peering up from between Ella's legs.

"But we just got here. I don't . . ."

"Your child is ready. Push, Ella, push!"

Finn and Ella exchanged a shocked look. He took her hand, and she bore down and pushed.

"One more big push," Dr. King said.

Ella pushed with all her might, letting out a primal shriek.

"Your daughter is here," Dr. King announced, holding the newborn.

"How is she?" Finn asked. At that moment, the baby let out her first cry.

"She's perfect. Here, you can cut the cord, Dad."

"I love you so much, sweet little girl," Finn whispered as he cut the cord.

The doctor placed the baby in her mother's arms.

"My God, she's so beautiful," Finn said. "She looks just like you. The spitting image."

Ella burst into tears, unable to formulate words.

Finn leaned down and planted a tiny kiss on the tip of her nose. "Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you for bringing this angel into the world."

Ella's tears kept falling as she looked down at their newest little love.

"Are you okay, baby?" Finn asked.

She smiled and said, "I had forgotten what it feels like to be this happy."

A FEW DAYS LATER, ELLA WAS NURSING Georgia in her bed at home, with Betty and Finn beside her. Betty gently patted Georgia's head.

"That's a good girl," Ella said.

"I'm the big sister," Betty declared.

"That's right," Finn said. "See how Mommy feeds her? She did the same thing for you."

"Did you feed me too?" she asked, looking up at her father.

"This is something that a mommy does for her baby. When you were old enough for a bottle and big-girl food, I fed you."

"She's real hungry, my sister," Betty observed, intrigued by the process.

Ella smiled and held the newborn to her chest. She patted her back until Georgia let out a little burp.

Betty giggled. "'Scuse you!"

Ella cradled the baby in her arms. Betty watched and said, "Look, she smiled! My baby sister smiled."

Finn rubbed her back. "She's a little too young to smile. It does look like that, but she probably just had a little gas."

"Look. Look," Betty insisted. "She smiled again."

"You know what, I think Betty's right. I think our Georgia peach is already smiling at us," Ella said. As she looked down at the funny faces Georgia was making, she began to laugh. Her laughter got louder, and soon she was completely overtaken by the giggles.

"Silly Mommy," Betty said.

Ella finally caught her breath and said, "I guess sometimes I'm silly." She gazed over at Finn and asked, "Would you mind watching them?"

"Of course not," he replied as she passed the baby.

Ella kissed Betty's forehead and said, "Please be Daddy's helper." She slipped out of bed and put her robe on.

"What are you doing?" Finn asked.

"Going to my office to write."

"That's great! You haven't worked in months," he replied.

"Suddenly, I feel inspired," Ella said. "Come get me if she gets fussy."

"Come here and give me a kiss first," he said. She walked over and gave him a smooch. "We'll be fine. Take all the time you want. Do your thing."

Ella smiled and headed to her office. Walking into the magnificent room, she stopped to take it all in and see it anew: the sparkling Eiffel Tower, the old map of Sweden, the books, the photos, the globe they had examined each time Finn booked a job on location. She crossed the room to her laptop, turned it on, and took a slow, deep, deliberate breath. She began skimming the notes she had been compiling for years, then opened a blank document and typed a single word: love .