Tongue-tied

The little one decided to come on the night of a storm. As the wind and rain raged outside, Olivia labored to give birth to her child. In the wee hours of morning, the infant was born into Caleb's hands.

"Is my baby alright?" Olivia asked as Caleb cleaned the tiny body and wrapped it in a towel.

He did not answer as he looked upon the child's face. He tried to find the words, but he was completely tongue-tied. Silently, he walked over and placed the baby in Olivia's arms.

"She's beautiful," Olivia said as she looked upon her daughter. "She's everything I imagined... and more."

"She is," stated Caleb when he finally spoke. "Olivia, there is something about this child..."

"What- what is it?" Olivia asked with a fearful frown as she looked from the baby to Caleb in deep concern. "Is my baby... is my little girl alright?"

"She is," he replied. "She's healthy and strong... but there's something more."

"What is it?" Olivia asked urgently. "What's wrong with my baby girl?"

Olivia tenderly kissed the dark hair of her little girl, cuddling the infant against her chest. She had waited so long for this baby... and she loved her so much. It didn't matter who her father was. She just loved her.

"Olivia, you know I had a special bond with my son before his birth," Caleb explained. "When Anthony was born, that bond became even stronger..."

"Yes, I know," answered Olivia as once again she frowned. She had no clue where Caleb was going with this.

"When this baby was born... when I held her in my arms. I 'knew.' I knew she was mine. She doesn't belong to Jack. She's yours and mine, Olivia."

"How can that be possible?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said with a smile as he moved closer and placed a loving kiss on the infant's forehead. "But I know she's mine. I know I love her, just as much as I love you... and my son."

"Anthony has a little sister," Olivia said with tears in her eyes.

"He does," he said as his smile widened. "What shall we name her?"

"I was thinking of Alexandria," Olivia replied.

"I like it. Alexandria and Anthony Morley," Caleb said as he tested their children's names on his tongue.

"We're a family now," Olivia said with happiness.

"We are... and now we can have our happily ever after."

"I really like the sound of that," she said as she reached out for his hand.

*~Caleb Morley's Journal~*

Entry Ten:

Today our daughter was born, our sweet, precious Alexandria. She's everything I ever wanted and more. We brought Anthony in to meet her, and he was ecstatic to have a little sister, just as I knew he would be. Olivia loves him so much, just like her own... and together the four of us have more than I could have ever imagined. Olivia no longer doubts my love. In fact, she no longer doubts anything. We have everything we ever wanted. I have made her fondest wishes come true... and my own. Happiness awaits us. My heart is full.

Caleb Morley.

The End