Page 57 of Luci’s Lullaby

I’m caught in a trance, staring at the most amazing baby ever born. Out of all the names on that list, one stands out. I mutter it to myself, trying it on her, “Luci.”

“Lucy is a great name.” He smiles at me.

“Luci with an I,” I repeat.

“Alden?” Reese calls my name.

I turn to her, tears brimming my eyes. “Luci.”

A smile spreads across her face. “I love it.”

I nod as she slides her arm around my back. “Me too.” My heart makes a noise, something unfamiliar, and then the pain is back.

“She’s gonna do great things,” Reese says as Walker joins us. “Meet Luci, your god-niece.”

“Hello, Luci.” Walker waves, taking Reese in his arms.

The man standing beside me frowns. “Which of you are the parents?”

“My brother and his wife, they passed away in an accident.”

His frown forms a deep crease in his forehead. “I’m so sorry. They’d love her name.”

“Now, to figure out a middle name.” Reese giggles when I roll my eyes.

She slaps my chest. “You’ll figure it out.”

“It looks as though she’s going to be here a few more days. Do you want to visit her?” Walker asks.

I shake my head. “Not yet, I need another day.”

“Bye, Luci.” Reese waves as I walk away. “I’ll be right down, I’m gonna let them know her name and guardianship.”

“Hey, Alden,” Reese calls from the spare bedroom. “Where do you want her things?”

I walk over to the room, standing in the doorway. “Where did all this stuff come from? Shelley didn’t have all of this at home?”

“You have friends, and Luci needs things.” She looks over at me. “Besides, you’re gonna need more than this.”

I run my hand over my face. “I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“You’ll be fine, just like the rest of us.” She tries to reassure me, but it isn’t sinking in.

“Are you ready to get going?”

She nods as she lays clothes in a drawer. “Yeah, we’ll finish this later.”

My phone vibrates, and I pull it from my pocket. “Hello, Alden Beck.”

“Mister Beck, I’m Doctor Sevani from Wake Medical. Luci is my patient,” she explains.

“Yes, Doctor Sevani.”

“I wanted to let you know that Luci has passed all testing and can go home when you’re ready,” she says as my heart drops.

I shift my feet. “I’m on my way to the services, I’ll make arrangements after it’s over.”

“I understand, that’s quite alright.” Her voice is solemn. “My condolences.”