by Len Webster
“And here she is,” the delivery nurse said as she stood by AJ’s side. “Would you like to meet your mama, Little Gilmore?” AJ whipped her head around and sat herself up at little more. “I think your parents really want to meet you.” Then she lowered the baby girl into AJ’s arms.
He heard a flash and knew that the other nurse had taken photos. One of the nurses had taken over for Evan when he abandoned photography duty.
“Oh my, God,” AJ breathed as tears ran down her face once she finally held their daughter.
Reaching into his pocket, Evan pulled out his phone and turned on the camera. He snapped a picture of his girlfriend holding their daughter for the very first time, wanting to keep this moment forever. Then he set his phone down on the table next to the bed and gazed over at the two most important loves of his life.
His girlfriend.
And his daughter.
Evan had everything he had ever wanted right in front of him.
He heard more shutter sounds capturing their moments, and he was thankful for the nurse who took their photos.
“Does she have a name?” Dr. Livingston asked once she returned to the end of the bed.
His girlfriend glanced up from their sleeping daughter and up at him. A silent question burned bright in her eyes. She had asked him about names months ago. She had suggested one name, and it was perfect the moment she said it. AJ had told him that they could always change it if he wasn’t comfortable with it, but it was their daughter’s name the moment it left AJ’s lips.
He nodded at her, giving her the permission she did not need. The wide smile on her face was priceless. Evan gently caressed his daughter’s soft cheek with his index finger. He had never been so overwhelmed with love before.
Never fell in love with anyone as fast as he had for his daughter.
He watched Alexandra’s eyes fall to the baby in her arms. “She does.” She looked up at Evan and smiled. “Her name is Miller Clara Louise Gilmore.”
“That’s beautiful,” Dr. Livingston said.
Evan couldn’t agree more.
“Do you want to hold her?” the love of his life asked.
“Yes,” he breathed.
It was a careful exchange, but when he had his daughter in his arms, he broke into tears. Miller had the smallest nose and the chubbiest cheeks. Her hair was on the darker side, so she definitely got it from her mother. He wondered what color eyes she had. He prayed she had her mother’s eyes. Those beautiful emerald eyes he was hopeless for.
“Miller, you are so beautiful. The everything in my life I needed.” Then he looked over at AJ to find her crying. “Thank you,” he whispered as he bent his knees and kissed his girlfriend. “Thank you for the most precious gift you could have ever given me. I love her. I love her so much. And I love you so, so much, Alexandra.”
“I love you so much, Evan,” she said wholeheartedly. He lowered his arms a little more so that she could see their daughter. “Miller, you’re perfect.”
Miller.
Miller Gilmore.
Miller Clara Louise Gilmore.
His heart clenched at his daughter’s name from his daughter’s mother’s lips.
It was perfection.
“Alexandra,” he said, getting her attention.
“Yes?” Her large emerald eyes gleamed at him.
He smiled. “I love her name.”
“I do, too. Thank you for agreeing.”
Evan laughed. “Her name was Miller the moment you told me you wanted to name her after the most influential academic you’ve ever met. I know he will love it.”
“Evan,” Dr. Livingston said. He craned his neck in her direction. “We’d like to check on Alex for a little bit.”
“Of course,” he said, handing Miller back to her mother. “Keep your mum company, Miller.”
AJ laughed. “You said mum.”
“Yeah. She’s half Australian, after all. I’ll go let our families know. I’ll come back soon.” Then he kissed her lips and pressed his forehead to hers. “Eight protons …”
“Eight neutrons,” AJ whispered back.
After Evan left the delivery room, he walked down the hall and found his parents, his brother, his brother’s girlfriend, and AJ’s parents and brother in the waiting room. Once Evan stepped through the doors, they all rose from their chairs, staring at him.
Mr. Parker was the first to rush over to him. “Is she okay? Are they both okay?”
Evan took in the very man who had raised him. The man who took him in and made him feel worthy as a man and a son. Evan owed this man everything. He owed his daughter’s grandfather everything.
Evan blinked back his tears just as Mrs. Parker approached them, carrying nine-month-old Sebastian in her arms. He stared at them both, in awe that his daughter would have the very best grandparents. In awe of the family that would love her. Because of how early Alexandra had given birth, the rest of her family would be arriving from Australia later in the day. AJ’s best friend, Savannah, was on her way from Vermont to visit.
“How are Alexandra and the baby?” Mrs. Parker asked.
He nodded at them both and brushed his tears away. “Alexandra is getting looked at by Dr. Livingston. The baby …” He paused, getting emotional as he thought about how perfect she was. “She’s beautiful. She’s so perfect.”
Mrs. Parker cried as she rocked Sebastian. “You’re an uncle, Sebastian.”
“Evan,” his older brother, Kyle, said as he approached him along with their parents and Angie. “How are they?”
His eyes scanned his and AJ’s family. He knew their daughter would have a lot of love surrounding her, and the thought had Evan smiling. “Alexandra and the baby are both fine. I know it’s late, but thank you all for being here. I appreciate it, and I know Alexandra does, too.”
“What did you name her?” Angie asked. It had been a rough few months for Kyle and Angie. Evan knew that his brother had kept a lot from him because Kyle didn’t wanted to make his problems Evan’s with the pregnancy. Once everything settled, Evan was determined to spend time with his brother and see if he was okay.
Evan let out a breath. “Her name is Miller,” he said and received many awws from their families. Then he glanced at Mrs. Parker, and continued, “Miller Clara Louise Gilmore.”
“Clara Louise?” AJ’s mother asked, her voice cracked with emotion.
He nodded. “Alexandra wanted to name her after the most important people in her life. Miller’s middle name is a testament to you, and to Mr. Parker since Louise is his mother’s name.”
“And Miller?” his mother, Susan, asked.
Evan had called his parents and AJ’s parents after she had been admitted into the hospital. Then he called Kyle, Angie, and Savannah. Unfortunately, with how early AJ was giving birth, Savannah wasn’t able to reschedule her important meeting with some of her clients. Though she had missed the birth, she was still on her way. His parents had taken the first flight out of Chicago to Boston.
When he called Mrs. Parker to tell her that her daughter’s water broke, she asked where her water broke, and Evan replied in their kitchen. Later in the hospital, she told Evan that she used her key to the house and cleaned up their kitchen floor so they wouldn’t have to worry about it when they returned home. Evan hadn’t even thought to clean it up. He had just wanted to get his girlfriend to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“Named after the very man who taught her to appreciate her love for science,” Evan revealed. Then he turned and smiled at Kyle. “I know we’ve had years when we couldn’t stand each other, but since college, you’ve been there for me. And I’m so proud Miller has you for an uncle.”
Kyle’s brown eyes widened, tears streaming down his face as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Evan. “I’m so proud of you,” Kyle whispered as they embraced. Then he
pulled back and smiled.
“Be proud of Alexandra. You should have seen her.”
“I’m so proud of both of you,” Kyle said. “You’re a father now, Ev.”
Father.
I’m a father.
He nodded. “I am. And my daughter has the most wonderful mother.”
“Evan?”
He spun around to find Dr. Livingston standing by the waiting room doors. “Dr. Livingston. Is Alexandra okay? Is Miller all right?”
The doctor didn’t say anything for a moment, and his heart kicked into overdrive, consumed with fear and concern.
AJ has to be okay.
Miller has to be okay.
My family has to be okay.
She smiled as she nodded. “You’ll make a great father, Evan. They’re both healthy. Alex is asking for you.”
He sighed in relief. Evan spun around and faced their families. “I’ll go check on her. Once she says she’s ready, I’ll come get you all, and you can meet our daughter.”
“Okay,” Mr. Parker said before Evan spun around and followed the doctor back to the delivery room.
When they reached the room, Dr. Livingston faced him. The serious expression on her face had him tensing. “It’s not uncommon for a new mother to cry excessively after birth. It was tough on Alex, but she was amazing. Just comfort her like you have been and she’ll be fine. Miller is healthy, but Alex will need a lot of rest. The nurse will be by later, but for now, Evan, just be with your beautiful family.”
“Thank you, Dr. Livingston,” he said before he entered the room to AJ holding Miller in her arms. Upon reaching her, he bent down and kissed the top of his girlfriend’s head.
She gazed up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Can you sit with us?”
He nodded and sat on the tiny remaining space on her bed. “Are you okay?” Evan asked as he slung an arm around her, AJ resting her head against his shoulder.
“Yes,” she said, eyes falling back to their daughter. “I’m happy. She’s so tiny.”
“What did the nurse say about you and Miller?”
AJ tilted her head back. “We’re both good. There was some concern about my blood pressure, but I’m sure it’s nothing. She’s going to come back later and show us how to change her diaper and everything we need to know.” Then her smile deepened. “You said Miller.”
“That’s her name.”
“I know,” AJ said as she glanced down at their daughter. “But she’ll still always be Little Atom, too.”
Evan reached up and brushed his daughter’s soft cheek. “I haven’t messaged Sav yet since she’s probably still driving. I’ll message her soon. I told our parents, Kyle, and Angie of Miller’s birth. They’re all waiting. Your grandparents should be here in the morning, and so should Alex and Keira with the girls before Lori goes to college.”
“Seriously? I can’t believe they’re coming. Lori is starting her freshman year at LSU. They should concentrate on traveling to Louisiana and moving her into her dorm.”
“They all want to meet our daughter.”
Alexandra let out a soft contented sigh. “We have a daughter.”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“You don’t mind if we just sit like this for a little while longer? I don’t want to let her go just yet.” A small laugh escaped him as his girlfriend moved closer to him, and asked, “Do you want to hold her?”
“Can I?”
AJ laughed. “You’re her father, Evan.” Carefully, his girlfriend handed him their daughter and shifted across the bed, giving him more room.
He adjusted his position on AJ’s bed for comfort and took in their sleeping daughter. She hadn’t opened her eyes around him just yet. “Do you know what color eyes she has?”
“The nurse said they’re gray, but we’ll know what color when she’s about nine months. Dr. Livingston said it’s hard to tell,” AJ answered as she leaned her head back against his shoulder. “I think she might have green eyes.”
Evan tilted his chin to look down at her. “I desperately want her to have your eyes.”
His girlfriend wrapped her arms around his, staring at their little girl. “Thank you.”
He flinched, careful not to harm Miller. “You’re saying thank you to me? AJ, you were in labor for twelve hours. I should be thanking you profusely.”
“Thank you …” she said, unwrapping an arm from around him and gently brushing Miller’s soft hair. “For being her father.” Then she kissed their baby’s forehead and glanced up at him. “And for loving her the moment you saw her.”
“I loved her the moment you told me you were pregnant, AJ.”
She sat upright and nodded. “I know you did. You just fell deeper in love with her with every ultrasound and kick. But you loved her unconditionally as her father the moment you saw her after she was born.”
“I love her,” Evan said, staring at his daughter. “I didn’t think I could ever love anyone like this.” He glanced up at his girlfriend. “But you, AJ, I love you entirely. You gave me the most beautiful daughter. I love you so much.”
Tears skimmed her cheeks as they fell. “And I love you, Evan Gilmore.” Her focus dropped to the baby in his arms as she let out a soft sound. “And I love you, Miller Gilmore. Mummy and Daddy love you so much.”
Evan lifted his daughter a fraction higher and pressed his lips softly to her forehead. “We love you so much, Miller. Are you ready to meet your grandparents, uncles, and aunt?”
Miller moved her head as her lips parted.
AJ laughed. “I think she’ll be ready.”
“Would you like me to get your parents first?”
She nodded. “If that’s okay.”
“All right. But let’s just stay like this for a little longer.”
Evan and AJ had spent the past twenty minutes staring at their daughter. He had handed Miller over to her mother before he got off the bed and fetched AJ’s parents and little brother. She had wanted to see her parents first before Evan’s, which was understandable. His parents had made the effort to be there for them, and they would always be his daughter’s grandparents, but Noel and Clara Parker had a bigger role in Evan’s life.
“Just in this room,” he said to her parents once they reached AJ’s room.
Clara held Sebastian to her body as she and Noel entered the room.
“Hey,” AJ whispered to her parents as Evan followed them inside.
“Alexandra,” her mother said in awe.
Evan rounded the bed until he was on the other side of his girlfriend’s hospital bed.
Her father bent down and kissed the top of her head. “She’s beautiful, Alexandra.”
She smiled, proud of the little girl in her arms. “Do you want to hold your granddaughter, Dad?”
Tears gleamed Noel’s eyes. “Can I?”
Evan grinned. He had never seen AJ’s father this emotional in his entire life.
“Miller,” AJ whispered, “are you ready to meet your grandfather?”
Noel bent down and held his arms open, taking his granddaughter from his daughter. “Hello, Miller,” Noel said in awe as he stood straight. He gently rocked Miller, his eyes focused on the newborn.
Reaching into his pocket, Evan took out his phone and snapped pictures of AJ’s father with Miller. It was such a sweet moment, and he knew Noel would want a picture of it. Then he set his phone on the table next to AJ’s bed and sat down next to her.
AJ turned her head away from her father with her daughter and smiled at him. “Hi.”
“Hi,” he whispered before his hands settled on the nape of her neck. “I love you, and I don’t think I can say it enough.” Then he pressed his lips to hers, not caring that her parents were right there.
She kissed him back.
Softly.
But full of
love.
A kiss that only she could make.
And when she pulled back, only two words wanted to escape him as he stared into those beautiful green eyes of hers.
Marry me.
God, it was all he wanted to say.
But he bit his lip, not wanting her to think his proposal was a spur-of-the-moment decision. That her giving birth was the reason he wanted to marry her. He’d wanted to ask her for years.
But he had to remain silent.
Soon, he would ask her.
And as he stared into those eyes he saw forever in, he knew that when he finally did ask her to marry him, her answer would be yes.
Official statement from the Boston Red Sox:
The Boston Red Sox would like to congratulate Fenway Park operations associate Evan Gilmore and his girlfriend, Alexandra Parker, on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Miller Clara Louise Gilmore.
We would also like to congratulate our captain, Kyle Gilmore, on becoming an uncle to baby Miller.
With warm arms, we welcome baby Miller to the Red Sox family.
Official statement from Kyle Gilmore:
I would like to congratulate my brother, Evan, and his girlfriend, Alexandra, on the birth of the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Thank you both for bringing my perfect, beautiful niece whom I already love so greatly into the world.
Miller, thank you for coming into my life.
You are a light I love and will always love you.
Love,
Uncle Kyle
[Image of Kyle Gilmore holding Miller Gilmore]
Official statement from
Evan Gilmore and Alexandra Parker:
On behalf of my girlfriend, Alexandra, and I, we would like to express our gratitude to the Red Sox fans and the people of Massachusetts for congratulating us on the birth of our daughter, Miller. We are truly in awe of how amazing this state has been to us.
We would also like to say that we are not in need of diapers, toys, or any other essential items. Thank you so much for your generosity, but we have more than we need. If you have bought gifts, we please ask that you donate them to children’s charities, your local hospitals, and women’s shelters. Please find below links of approved charities that we support.
