Chapter 6 - Isabella
The surgery lasted forty-three minutes.
To Adrian, it felt like forty-three years.
He stood beside Claire's head wearing blue hospital scrubs that looked absurd over the tattoos climbing his neck.
Claire squeezed his hand.
“Adrian.”
“I'm here.”
“Don't let them take her away without telling me.”
“I won't.”
Then came silence.
Doctors moved quickly.
Adrian watched their faces.
“What's happening?”
Nobody answered immediately.
Then—
A cry.
Small.
Angry.
Perfect.
Claire broke into tears.
Adrian stopped breathing.
The doctor lifted a tiny baby.
“She's here.”
Claire laughed through her tears.
Adrian stared.
His daughter.
His entire world reduced to five pounds and eleven ounces.
The nurse carried her toward the warmer.
Adrian followed instinctively.
“Sir.”
He stopped.
“Give them room.”
He stood two feet away, helpless for perhaps the first time in his adult life.
Then the baby cried again.
Adrian whispered:
“Hey.”
Her tiny hand moved.
He laughed.
Claire had never heard that sound from him before.
Not the controlled laugh he used at restaurants.
Something completely unguarded.
The nurse finally approached.
“Dad?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Would you like to hold your daughter?”
His hands—hands men feared across Chicago—suddenly trembled.
“I don't know how.”
“I'll show you.”
She placed the baby against his chest.
Adrian stared down.
“Hello.”
Claire watched from the operating table.
“What should we call her?” Adrian asked.
Claire smiled weakly.
“I was thinking Isabella.”
Adrian looked at the baby.
“Isabella.”
The baby opened her eyes.
Adrian was finished.
May you like
Completely.
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