Chapter 11 - THE DAUGHTER WHO ARRIVED EARLY
My daughter was born at thirty-five weeks and four days.
Her name was Eliza Caroline Dre.
She weighed five pounds, six ounces.
She had dark hair.
A tiny nose.
And the loudest cry I had ever heard from someone so small.
When the nurse placed her against my chest, I began crying.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
Eliza opened her eyes.
I laughed through tears.
“I'm your mommy.”
She made a small sound.
I kissed her forehead.
“And I promise you something.”
My voice trembled.
“You will never have to earn my love.”
Eliza needed extra monitoring because she was born early.
But she grew stronger each day.
Aunt Caroline visited.
Evelyn brought flowers.
My coworkers sent cards.
And Matthias asked to see his daughter.
I agreed to a supervised visit in the hospital.
He entered quietly.
When he saw Eliza, his expression changed.
He looked younger.
More vulnerable.
He stood beside the bassinet.
“She's beautiful.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“Can I hold her?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
A nurse helped him.
Matthias held Eliza carefully.
His eyes filled.
“Hi, baby girl.”
For a moment, I remembered the man I had married.
The man who once brought me soup when I worked late.
The man who cried when we learned I was pregnant.
But memories weren't enough to rebuild trust.
When he handed Eliza back, he looked at me.
“Serena.”
I shook my head gently.
“Not today.”
May you like
He nodded.
And left.
