Chapter 20
Claire gave birth on a rainy Tuesday in April.
It was easier this time. Faster. One baby instead of three.
At 2:17 in the afternoon, their daughter was born.
Perfect. Healthy. Loud.
She had Claire's eyes. Claire's nose. Claire's stubborn chin.
But she had Ethan's hair. Dark and curly.
Ethan held her first.
Tiny. Warm. Alive.
His daughter.
He had thought his heart was full with three sons. But now he realized there had been space. Space he hadn't known existed.
This little girl filled it.
“What should we name her?” Claire asked, exhausted but radiant.
Ethan thought about it.
He thought about the women who had shaped his life.
Margaret, who had given him life but nothing else.
Rosa, who had stood by Claire when no one else would.
And Claire.
Strong. Loving. Unbreakable.
“Olivia,” he said. “Olivia Rose. Olivia means 'olive tree'—a symbol of peace. And Rose... for you. Because you're the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“Olivia Rose Parker. I love it.”
James, William, and Michael came to meet their sister a few hours later.
They filed into the hospital room, each holding a stuffed animal they had picked out themselves.
James went first. He approached the bed carefully, as if afraid he might break something. He looked at Olivia for a long moment. Then he reached out and gently touched her tiny hand.
“Hi, baby sister,” he whispered.
Olivia wrapped her fingers around his.
James's face lit up.
William went next. He kissed Olivia's forehead. Then he looked up at Ethan and Claire.
“She's pretty,” he announced. “Can we keep her?”
Claire laughed. “Yes, sweetheart. We can keep her.”
Michael went last. He stared at Olivia. Poked her gently. She didn't even flinch.
Then he did something that surprised everyone.
He leaned down and kissed her.
Softly.
On the cheek.
“Mine,” he declared.
Ethan and Claire looked at each other and smiled.
Olivia Rose Parker had three very protective older brothers.
She would never want for anything.
May you like
Never be alone.
Never know what it was like to be unloved.
