“My baby,” Arie whispered as she crept closer. “My pretty little baby.” There were tears in her eyes as she reached for her and her heart breathed a soft sigh of relief when the baby released her grip on the nurse’s neck and leaned over to fall into her outstretched arms.
And it felt so good.
It was the most wonderful feeling in the world to have Maya in her arms, to feel the soft cheeks pressed against hers and the tiny hands patting her face, exploring her eyes then the bridge of her nose then her lips. Maya was no longer a memory she’d clung to in the stillness of the night. She was real.
Arie lowered her face to plant a gentle kiss on top of the little girl’s head and as she did she was rewarded with the softly sweet fragrance of baby. Her smile widening, she turned with the baby in her arms and looked over at Rome who still hovered in the shadow of the associate. “Do you want to hold her?” she asked.
Rome looked curious and made to step forward but then he hesitated. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I might scare her.”
The nurse shook her head and gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry,” she said. "She’s one of the most outgoing babies I know. Give it a try. Let’s see how she responds.”
She waved him over and he took a tentative step, his eyes never leaving the rosy-cheeked tot in Arie’s arms. When he saw that he hadn’t caused an explosion of tears he took another step and then he was right next to them, his face now soft and gentle, his eyes so full of wonder that Arie could not help but feel touched by the effect the baby was having on him.
“Here,” she said. “You can hold her.”
He began to shake his head but then the baby made all objections null and void. Taking the decision out of his hands she leaned over, fat little arms outstretched, leaving him with no alternative but to gather her into his arms.
And then he was snuggling her close to him, his eyes closed, looking for all the world like he’d found his heaven.
And that was when Arie knew it was going to be all right. Everything would work out just fine.
Because, if the look she’d seen in Rome’s eyes was anything to go by, he was already falling in love. And Arie wasn’t jealous at all.
***
“Maya Bella Milano.” As the words rolled off his tongue, Rome nodded. “Sounds good.”
He was talking to himself but it really didn’t matter. He was in a great mood. And who wouldn’t be, after meeting a cutie pie like little Maya?
He’d been surprised – no, shocked – when the baby came to him without so much as a second of hesitation. There was not an ounce of shyness in that little one. Just the opposite. She was the one who seemed to be dictating all the moves, her bubbly personality shining through as she alternated between Arie’s arms and his, keeping up a constant flow of baby babble.
Not that he understood a word of it, but where he’d started out apprehensive about meeting the child, he’d ended up actually enjoying the time he’d spent with her. He’d thought it would take some time to get used to her – it wasn’t like he was around babies all the time – but with Maya it almost felt like he’d known her all her little life.
It was weird but he’d had an immediate connection with her and when it was time to leave he almost couldn’t tear himself away.
And neither could Arie. She’d shed tears when it was time to go. “So when can I take her home?” she’d asked as she rocked Maya in her arms.
“It will be soon,” the agent said with a smile. “We have to move cautiously with this little one. We’ve already met with one hiccup in her processing and we want to make sure everything is clear before we move forward. You understand, don’t you?”
“Yes, I understand. We have to do what’s best for Maya.” But even as she nodded Arie was staring at the baby with eyes full of longing. “But how soon can I have her? Please make it soon.”
That got her a gentle laugh. “I know you’re anxious but give it some more time. Just a few more months. Promise.”
“Months.” Arie said the word like it was a lament.
That was when Rome stepped in. “The timing is reasonable, Arie. The agency needs to do its job. And besides,” he put an arm around her shoulder, “it will give you time to get yourself one hundred percent ready for the baby.”
Arie looked up at him, seeming to give his words some thought, and then she sighed. “I guess you’re right. I want to make sure everything’s perfect for Maya.”
And that was how he finally got to pry her away from the prize in her arms.
It was a pensive Arie who traveled back to New Orleans with him next day but when he took her home to Bayou House she gave him a brave smile. “I’ll be counting the days,” she said, “but at least I’ll be counting them with you.”
She couldn’t have known it but those words made him feel good. She was beginning to rely on him, drawing strength from his presence in her life, and that was exactly what he wanted. He would be there for Arie no matter what, and it seemed she was finally beginning to accept that. And he was glad.
When he drove out of the driveway Rome made the quick decision to swing by his office. It was almost five o’clock, pretty much the end of the workday, but he had a few loose ends to tie up and it wouldn’t hurt to get them out of the way so he could start fresh in the morning. He should be exhausted but instead he was feeling restless. He might as well burn up some of that extra energy clearing his desk.
By the time he navigated traffic and pulled up in front of the Belitalia office five o’clock was long gone. With the mood he was in, he didn’t mind at all.
Instead of taking the elevator he bounded up the stairs to the third floor then headed for the executive suite. When he saw Iyana standing in front of his office door he pulled up short. “Hey, you’re still here? I thought you’d be long gone.”
His assistant rolled her eyes. “When have you ever known me to leave office by five o’clock?”
He chuckled. “True. Anyway, get outta here. I’m sure there’s a couch at home calling out for you to sprawl off on top of it.”
“Yeah, I’m going,” she said, stepping away from his door so he could pass.
But then, just as he entered his office and was heading toward his desk she stopped him. “Uh, Rome, may I ask you a question?”
“Shoot,” he said as he turned to glance at her. “What’s up?”