SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 249
(Jayden)
I can't explain the feeling of holding Henry against my bare chest. It's more than just warmth, more than the soft rise and fall of his tiny body.
It's like every fear, every worry I've had about him since the day he was born melts away.
My protective drive for him is consolidated as I cradle him in the crook of one arm and keep him against me. I love him so much.
We love him so much. Ashlyn would be proud. But then again, Ashlyn didn't want to be his mother.
Ashlyn chose to give up her rights as his parent. That makes me wonder, if we'd stayed married and she'd had the baby and we'd played happy families, how would it have all ended up?
She never wanted motherhood but she would have forced herself to keep me. It brings me back to just how broken Ashlyn was. It was never meant to be with her.
I could never have loved her like I love Winona now.
I know how rejection on that parental level feels. I'm so glad Henry will never feel that. Winona is and always will be his mother, in every way.
I glance over at her sitting beside me, her eyes glued to Henry as her fingers gently stroke his little arm. She smiles softly, and for a moment, everything feels right in the world.
It's amazing how much peace one tiny baby can bring, even with all the chaos. This is the true meaning of
life.
The nurse checks Henry's breathing again, nodding in approval. "He's doing great. His body temperature has been holding steady for thirty minutes."
That news alone is enough to make me so grateful.
Henry is strong. He's a fighter. He's proven that time and time again, and now... now he's about to take another big step forward.
The nurse glances at me, giving me the signal. "It's time to try the bottle feed. You ready?"
I nod, but inside, I'm a mess of nerves. I can't help but worry. What if it doesn't go well? What if he chokes again like last time?
I try to p
push those thoughts aside, focusing on Henry and keeping my heartbeat and breathing steady for him.
I inhale and exhale evenly. Willing relaxation and calmness through my body and into his.
Then his little hand grips Winona's pinky finger. His fingers are so small, so delicate, but there's strength in them. Winona has tears in her eyes but I know she's also trying to generate a calm energy. Not easy seeing as we are so damn excited for this moment.
Winona places her free hand on mine, squeezing gently. "It's going to be okay," she whispers, her voice filled with confidence. I nod.
249 Skin to Skin
+25 BONUS
The nurse carefully teases Henry with the bottle, brushing the small teat against his lips and near his cheek trying to stimulate him searching for the nipple.
For a second, nothing happens. I focus on staying calm, breathing deep and steady.
Then, slowly, his head turns toward the bottle, his mouth opening just enough to latch onto the teat. The nurse encourages him to take it in a little more.
"Come on, Henry," I murmur, willing myself to stay calm like the nurses have been telling me to do. But it's hard. Every fiber of my being is on edge, waiting for something to go wrong. "Take a drink, son." Winona starts humming softly beside me, a quiet lullaby, and I can see Henry's tiny body relax as she does. It's like magic. She's always had that effect on him, calming him in ways I can't explain.
If I'd ordered her straight from God, I know I couldn't have chosen a better mother for our children.
And then... he starts to suck. Slowly at first, but then stronger. He's doing it. He's sucking, swallowing, and breathing all at once, and for a moment, I can't believe what I'm seeing.
The nurse smiles and nods. "There you go little man. You got it!" she says quietly.
"He's doing it!" Winona gasps, her eyes lighting up with joy. "Jayden, look! He's really doing it!"
I can barely breathe. I'm so overwhelmed with relief, with pride, with pure, unadulterated love for this little fighter.
"You're doing great, Henry," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "You're doing amazing, buddy."
I'm trying to keep calm so as not to interrupt him, Not easy when all I want to do is dance on the rooftops and yell to the world how clever Henry is.
The nurse smiles, watching closely. "That's perfect. Hey, he's really hungry, huh?"
"T'll say. His father's appetite." I say with a wide smile.
"You hold the bottle now. I'll go out and write up his chart and let the doctor know."
"Okay."
Keeping my excitement in check isn't easy. It's impossible not to feel like this is the moment we've been waiting for. The moment that proves Henry is going to be okay.
That he's going to make it.
Winona's hand stays on my arm the entire time. I don't know what I'd do without her.
She's been my rock through all of this and seeing her so happy right now fills me with a warmth I can't describe.
Thank you," I whisper to her, my voice barely audible.
She looks at me, confused. "For what?"
"For being here. For everything."
She smiles, leaning her head against my shoulder. "Always."
249 Skin to Skin
+25 BONUS
"I absolutely can't wait to marry you in one week."
"One week. I can't believe it's only seven days away now." Winona kisses my cheek.
"Everything is ready."
"You and Henry should start working from home as wedding planners."
"I can't wait to have him at home." It will be an amazing day. "I wonder if we can bring Abby, Sarah and Bobby to meet him soon?"
"Depends on his immune system, I guess. I think I'd rather leave it until we can bring him home."
"Great idea. We can have a welcome home party. Just us."-
"I love that idea."
The bottle is done, it wasn't much milk but it was everything in the world.
The nurse is back and she takes the empty bottle.
Then she moves him a little in the crook of my arm to angle up into more of a sitting position. "For wind. Have to watch for reflux as well. It's important he has small amounts to help keep it down." I nod and watch him settle into sleep.
Then he wriggles and his face screws up. I tense a little, Is he about to be sick?
Then a strong burp happens and I'm shocked.
Winona laughs. "There's another thing he has in common with his father,"