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“You are a very lucky little girl to be surrounded by a large family who will love and always protect you.” I smiled at her. “This is where you’ll grow up and make many childhood memories—ones you will cherish forever. Tomorrow is your daddy’s birthday, and we’re throwing him a big beach party. Are you excited for your daddy’s birthday?” I held her up.
Taking her back inside the house, I strapped her in her car seat, grabbed the diaper bag, and headed to the cemetery. I took Gia from her car seat and sat on the grass in front of my father’s grave.
“Hi, Henry. I would like you to meet your granddaughter, Gia. I know this is kind of weird because you don’t know me or never knew I existed, but a part of me wanted you to meet her.”
“Claire?” I heard a voice from behind.
Turning my head, I saw Barb standing there. I stood up with Gia in my arms.
“Let me see that beautiful baby.” Barb smiled as she took her from me. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I’m not really sure. I felt like Henry should meet his granddaughter. What are you doing here?”
“Today is Ian’s birthday. I put some flowers on his grave.”
“Do you do that for Henry’s birthday?” I asked.
“Oh, God, no.” She laughed.
“You are coming to Nick’s party tomorrow, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A smile crossed her lips. “How about we go and get some lunch?”
“I’d like that.”
She handed Gia to me, and I placed her in her car seat.
After Barb and I had a nice lunch, I went home and laid Gia down in her bassinet. I was exhausted, so I lay on the bed and was awoken by tiny kisses on my lips. Opening my eyes, I saw Nick’s smiling face mere inches from mine.
“Hi,” he said.
“What are you doing home already?”
“Already? It’s six-thirty.”
“What?” I quickly sat up and looked over at Gia, who slept peacefully. “Oh, my God. We’ve been sleeping for four hours.”
“Good. You needed the rest.” Nick smiled.
“No. No. No. Now, the baby will be up all night. Shit. How did I sleep that long?”
“Babe, relax. Tomorrow is my day off. I’ll stay up with her tonight.”
“It’s your birthday. You’re not staying up.”
“You’re right. It is my birthday, and I want to spend it with my daughter if she refuses to sleep.” A smirk crossed his lips.
Iopened my eyes to the sun filtering through the curtains. Glancing at the clock, it was six a.m. Nick’s side of the bed and the bassinet were empty. Climbing out of bed, I walked into the living room and smiled as I saw him sprawled out on the couch, sound asleep, with Gia lying on his chest. Running back to the bedroom, I grabbed my phone and quickly snapped a picture. Nick’s eyes opened.
“Did you just take a picture of me?”
“I did.” I grinned, leaning down and kissing his lips. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, babe.”
I carefully picked up Gia. She opened her eyes, looked at me for a moment, and slowly closed them.
“How long have you two been out here?” I asked as Nick sat up, and I sat beside him.
