Once I was hooked up to the monitors and given some medication for the pain, Logan was able to relax and play the role of expectant father, for the most part. He still watched the monitors like a hawk and checked my vitals more than necessary. When our son was delivered, all notions of being a doctor were dropped and Logan became a father to our child instantly. Seeing him cut the cord and running his hand down the baby’s tiny cheek made me proud to call him my husband.
There was a knock at the door, and Maddie entered, proudly displaying the “Big Sister” shirt Grandma Cece had bought her. My parents hung back in the hallway, giving Maddie a few minutes with us before entering. I knew the wait must be killing them. Seeing the blue bundle in Logan’s arms, she stopped short and frowned.
“It’s a boy?”
I winced, knowing she had really been hoping for a girl. Well, there’s always next time I guess.
“Yes, you have a brother. Is that okay?” I asked
She was silent for second, before she said “Yeah, I guess so. Boys can dance, right Daddy?”
As soon as we told Maddie we were getting married, her first question was whether she could call Logan “Daddy.” He’d broken down in tears, pulling her into his arms. It brought a smile to his face to this day to hear her say it.
“Uh. Sure, princess. But he might want to do something else. Like play guitar like me. Or football like Uncle Colin,” Logan suggested.
“Hmmm, well I don’t know about football, but he could play the guitar! He can play music, and I can dance!” she exclaimed with excitement.
Problem solved. No problem was ever too great for a child.
“Hey, does my baby brother have a name?” she asked.
Logan and I smiled, looking at each other. It was a name we both decided on a long time ago.
“We thought we’d name him Ethan. Ethan Oliver Matthews.”
“I like that name. Daddy would like that name.”
“We think so, too.”
Ethan knew me better than I knew myself. He gave me the push I needed when I was scared to take a risk. But with love, the risk is always worth it.