SOPHIA MARIE CAMPBELL-ANDERSON came into the world on the fall equinox, September 21. She was born at home, at the White Sulphur Springs Ranch, where all children of the Campbell family lineage had been born. Dr. Foster, accompanied by two midwives, guided the baby’s father, Kyle, to welcome Sophia as she slipped into his large, awaiting hands. She had her mother’s ginger hair and her father’s gray eyes.
As Kyle marveled at the red, wrinkled little being squirming and vocal in his hands, he thought back to his wife’s baby pictures. Damned if Sophia wasn’t nearly identical to her mother’s photo at that same age. She was going to grow up strong, confident and beautiful, just like her weary mother, who gave him a trembling smile of relief and love. Sophia was born weighing eight pounds five ounces, and Dr. Foster checked her out with quick professionalism and declared her healthy and normal.
The midwives took care and fussed over exhausted Anna. Twenty hours of labor had made her weary but happy. Tears slid down her cheeks as Dr. Foster placed Sophia, all wrapped in her new pink knitted blanket, into Kyle’s awaiting arms.
Her heart burst open with such love for the two of them as Kyle awkwardly held his now-quiet daughter with such carefulness. They had taken parenting and hospital courses on learning to work with a newborn. But to see Kyle’s face, the tenderness and love burning in his eyes for his daughter, made Anna melt with joy. There was no question that Kyle would be an involved father. She would be a good mother. Anna knew neither of them would be perfect parents, but they would try their best because, after all, love underwrote their marriage. Love could heal any wound, small or large. Anna knew that from the way Kyle’s love continued to heal her.
When her husband turned, the proudest smile she’d ever seen on his face as he held his daughter, Anna felt all the unhappy years slip away. At twenty-nine years old, Kyle Anderson held her heart, had helped salve her soul, and was there every step of the way so that Sophia could become a full-term baby. He had been her coach, her lover, her best friend and confidant. She had to spend the last three months in bed, but it had been worth it.
Anna closed her eyes, glad to have a sponge bath and a clean, white cotton gown to replace the sweaty, badly wrinkled one. She heard Kyle approach their bed, felt him place weight upon the mattress. Opening her eyes, she held out her hands to receive Sophia. The baby gurgled and waved her tiny arms as Kyle gently eased Anna up into a semisitting position, tucking pillows between her back and the wooden headboard. He moved slowly, like a cougar, turning and sitting near her hip, helping her to adjust Sophie close to her breast. Kyle moved closer, sliding his arm beneath hers.
“You’re tired,” he murmured, watching as Sophia’s tiny mouth latched on to her mother’s nipple and she noisily began to suckle. Her arm waving intensified and Kyle grinned, looking deep into Anna’s dark green eyes.
“But happy. Relieved,” she said, smiling sweetly down at her daughter, brushing the thick hair across her tiny head. “How are you doing?”
Kyle shrugged, his gaze never leaving his daughter. “Happy but relieved.”
Reaching out, she touched his cheek. “I love you, Kyle Anderson. You’ve made me the happiest person in the world….”
He caught her hand, kissing it. “We’ll have another decoration to add to this coming year’s Christmas tree.”
Rallying, Anna laughed softly. “Oh, yes.”
“I’m going to let you draw it,” Kyle said. “You’ll do Sophie justice. You’re the artist in our family.”
“I’m making two this year. One for Sophie. The other—” her voice became emotional “—is you returning home with your seabag over your shoulder. You came home wearing your Stetson, your jeans and cowboy boots.” Tears streamed down her face. “I never thought it would happen, Kyle.”
He leaned over, kissing his wife’s wet, salty lips with all the tenderness he held for her. “Because that tattered angel of yours brought me home, Anna.”
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