Chapter 12 - THE BABY WHO CHANGED EVERYTHING
Gabriel Bennett Moretti was born at 6:18 in the morning.
Seven pounds.
Two ounces.
Dark hair.
Tiny hands.
And the loudest cry I had ever heard.
Vincent stood beside my hospital bed.
He held my hand throughout labor.
He looked terrified.
More terrified than I had ever seen him.
When the nurse placed Gabriel against my chest, I began crying.
“Hi, baby.”
Vincent stared.
Then covered his face.
I looked up.
“Vincent?”
He shook his head.
“I can't…”
His voice broke.
“I can't believe he's here.”
I smiled.
“Come closer.”
He approached.
Slowly.
As though he were afraid the moment would disappear.
I lifted Gabriel slightly.
“Meet your son.”
Vincent looked down.
Then whispered:
“Hello, Gabriel.”
The baby opened his eyes briefly.
Vincent laughed through tears.
“I'm your dad.”
I watched them.
And for the first time, I saw something in Vincent's face that I had never seen before.
Unconditional love.
Not power.
Not pride.
Not possession.
Just love.
He touched Gabriel's tiny hand.
Then looked at me.
“Thank you.”
I smiled sadly.
“For what?”
“For giving me the chance to know him.”
I looked down at our son.
Then whispered:
“Don't waste it.”
May you like
Vincent nodded.
“I won't.”
