Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

EPILOGUE

Donna cradled the tiny, perfect head against her chest. Babies weren't supposed to be capable of eye contact this young, but she could have sworn they shared a moment of connection. Of recognition. She was in heaven.

Dr. Jack Gentry poked his head around the corner, looking dashing as ever in his white lab coat.

"How are mama and baby doing?"

"Beautiful," she said. "Come on, come hold her."

"I only have a few minutes before my shift starts."

"That's enough time."

He came closer and pressed a kiss on Donna's forehead before gently picking up the little angel and tucking her under his chin. Donna's heart grew another two sizes.

"She looks just like her Mama," he said.

"I still can't believe you missed the birth," she accused.

"I was working! Besides, what could I have done?"

"Hold my hand, at least."

"Like that would have made any difference. Your whole family was there. You didn't need me."

"I always need you."

She stood and walked over to him, kissing him full on the mouth with the baby tucked between them.

The door opened.

"Now that's a picture I want to frame," Audrey said, shuffling through the door in her hospital gown, holding onto Ty for support with one hand, holding Hudson's chubby little hand with the other. They'd taken a required walk around the ward.

"Well done, Audrey," Jack said. "She's perfect."

"Isn't she?" Audrey said, climbing back into her bed with a sigh. Jack gently handed Jayne Carolina Westerbrook to her mother, then stepped back and slipped his arm around Donna again.

"So Donna," Audrey asked. "Have you decided what you're wearing to the Emmys yet?"

"Ugh, no," Donna said. "I've got it narrowed down to six options, though."

"Six?"

"I know which one's my favorite," Jack said.

"That one is a big, fat NO," Donna said. "Much too revealing."

"Says who?" Jack said.

Donna rolled her eyes.

"I've gotta keep it classy," Donna said. "I'm lucky I'm even going. I've only been working with Camila for a couple of months."

"What about you, Jack?" Ty asked. "Got your outfit all picked out?"

"Yes, pajamas," Jack joked.

"Only the lead costumers get to bring a date," Donna explained. "I will be hanging out with my fellow lowly peons."

"Pee on! Pee on! Pee on!" chanted Hudson, then he noticed Jack looking at him, and he hid behind his dad's legs, peering up at Jack suspiciously. The white lab coat always brought out this reaction. Donna wondered if Jack would ever be fully forgiven for the alligator eyeball incident.

"You two sure looked cozy when we came back in the room," Audrey said. "Babies look good on you."

"I was just giving him a hard time about missing the birth again," Donna told Audrey, wrapping her arms around Jack's waist.

"You're the only family I know who all gather in the waiting room during the entirety of the delivery," Jack said.

"Good thing Audrey's labors always go so fast," Donna said.

"You won't think it's fast when it's your turn," Audrey said, grimacing slightly as she readjusted to get more comfortable.

"Still, I was sitting there with Mom and Dad, Betty and Gavin, and Cat and Liam, all snuggled next to each other, holding hands. And I was by myself with Elizabeth and the twins. Again. What's the point of even having a boyfriend if he's not there to hold your hand during the defining moments of life?"

"This was a defining moment for you? "

"The birth of my very first niece? Of course it was."

"With a family this size, there are going to be a lot of defining moments," Jack said, eyes wide with alarm.

"You have no idea," Ty muttered good-naturedly.

"But don't you want to find out?" Donna said, smiling up at Jack in full dimple mode.

Jack's bottomless blue eyes met Donna's, and she felt the whole world melt away.

"You know what? I think I do," he said.