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"Hi, I'm Jenn. I’m a friend of the groom's family." Her gaze flits around, as if she’s looking for an escape route. "Could you... would you mind holding my baby for a minute? I just need to use the restroom really quickly. My mom is here somewhere and she could take Amy, but I can’t find her. I am embarrassed to say that I really can’t hold it--"
"Of course," I cut her off. “You go! I will stay right here and make friends with Amy.”
I extend my arms to take the baby. Amy doesn’t make a sound, although she looks up at me with wide blue eyes. She’s teeny tiny, adorable perfection at what I would guess is two months old.
“Thanks so much. I’ll hurry back!” Jenn says, pressing a kiss to her fingertips and then lovingly to Amy’s cherubic face.
“Take your time. I’m here all night!” I try not to be too needy. But I love babies.
Okay, I might be a little baby crazy.
As her baby settles into my arms, Jenn gives me a grateful nod and hurries off.I look again at the tiny face peeking up at me. Her eyes are so wide and curious.
There's something about holding a baby that makes the world feel simpler, quieter.
Her innocent weight in my arms roots me to the spot. For a moment, everything else fades away.
The thumping music, the clinking glasses, even River’s electric glances from across the room? Poof. Gone.
"Hey there, little one." She coos. I can't help but chuckle. "Looks like you and I are on babysitting duty, huh?"
I lean close and I catch a whiff of Amy’s scalp. That unique newborn scent hits me. It’s pure and sweet, like the promise of new beginnings. It stirs something deep inside me. I sway gently, making soft shushing sounds.
“I want a baby just like you someday,” I can’t help but coo at her. “Yes I do! Yes. Yes I do!”
I shift my weight, adjusting her onto my hip as I bounce gently. Amy makes a face that looks like a wide, gummy smile. It's a shot of sunshine straight to my heart. "You like that, huh?" I grin. I tickle her under her neck with gentle fingertips. Her eyes crinkle in response. She’s feeling pure joy without reservation.
"Wow, you're a natural with her," Jenn says, returning from her brief escape to the restroom. She watches me for a moment, a smile touching her lips.
"Thanks," I reply, feeling a swell of pride. The pride also comes with a pang of longing. I've always thought I had a knack for babies. But hearing it from a new mother is unexpectedly validating. My heart seizes with a fierce, desperate want for a moment, before I get it under control. “I can hold onto her for a while if you want.”
I hope that isn’t a weird thing to blurt out.
“You don’t mind if I grab a plate?” Jenn asks, eyes going wide.
“Seriously, go nuts. I mean, don’t leave Amy with me until midnight. But definitely go enjoy yourself.”
Amy stretches and babbles. I find myself paying more attention to her than to her mom, who promises that she’ll be back in just a few minutes.
“What are you thinking about, I wonder?” I ask the little one. “Astrophysics? The true nature of man? Something like that, I bet.”
"Whose baby is this?!" Savannah's voice cuts through the hum of party chatter. I turn to see her approaching, with Grace in tow.
“Friend of a friend.” As I say it, someone calls Sav’s name. She flashes me a smile and an apologetic glance that seems to be becoming a habit, then turns away.
I look to Grace, who's left looking mildly panicked. I assume it’s because she is an introvert by nature and has been since day one of our freshman year of college. She was clinging to Savannah like she was a life raft coming from a ship wreck.
"This is a lot of peopling,” I tell her sympathetically. “I know that if I’m feeling partied out, you must be about to lose your fricking mind. Just hug the wall like me."
Grace offers a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Pearl. You're too nice. Who's your buddy?"
"Friend of the groom's family," I explain, still swaying Amy in my arms. "Just helping out for a sec. You know how I feel about kids."
"Looks good on you," Grace observes. Her gaze softens as she watches me interact with the child. “You should definitely have a family.”
"Some day soon," I say. The words are out of my mouth before I even really think about what I am saying. They surprise me.
"Really?" Grace's eyebrows rise.
