Nyara pov
I woke to the insistent beeping of a machine, my head throbbing, my body heavy with exhaustion. For a moment, I was disoriented, unsure of where I was or what had happened. The darkness of the room offered no clues, the silence broken only by the rhythmic beeping that echoed in my ears.
Then, I shifted, and a wave of warmth washed over me, a soft, comforting weight pressed against my chest. I looked down, and my heart skipped a beat.
It wasn't a dream. It was real. Lying there, nestled against me, was Iyla, her small body curled into a fetal position, her face serene in sleep. Her little hands where holding on tight to my shirt.
"I have a daughter," I whispered, the words barely audible, a mix of disbelief and awe washing over me. "My child. My daughter." The shock of it all came crashing down once again. How have I never known.
I sat there for a long time, watching her sleep, studying her features, tracing the delicate curve of her nose, the soft fullness of her lips. Her skin was smooth and flawless, her eyelashes long and dark, her cheeks flushed with a healthy glow.
Her hair, black and curly, just like mine. It was a shock when I realized that these are the same curls like mine that I am still in shock because of how similar. Does she look like me? Does she feel like me? Does she have my mannerisms?
A gentle knock on the door broke through my reverie. I looked up to see Dr. Mira standing in the doorway, her expression warm and reassuring.
"Good morning, Miss Alistair," she said, her gaze softening as she looked at Iyla sleeping soundly on my chest. "I just came to check on your daughter. Everything looks to be fine now. Her fever has broken, and she's responding well. You should be good to check her out later on today."
I nodded, my mind still struggling to process everything that had happened. "Thank you, Dr. Mira," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "How long will she be needing to keep these IV in her arm?"
Dr. Mira smiled. "She's done with the IV. I'll send a nurse in to take it out. Just please do not to touch her for right now with I'm back."
With those, she said she was off.
My mind was racing, filled with a million thoughts and questions. I didn't have anything for her, no clothes, no shoes, no car seat. I needed to get her some paperwork, like a birth certificate. My apartment wasn't even childproof. There were so many things I needed to do, so many things I needed to buy.
Grabbing my phone, I quickly started ordering her some clothes, shoes, a bed, and toys online. Thank the stars. Thank god there was good delivery. I'm going to have to go to the store and buy her a car seat, because I don't know which one to get.
Just then, a nurse walked into the room, her expression kind and gentle. "Hi, I'm here to take the IV out," she said, smiling softly.
Nodding my head, I carefully shifted Iyla, trying to wake her up as gently as possible. "Iyla, baby, wake up," I whispered, stroking her cheek. "The doctor is here to take out the IV in your arm."
But she wasn't having it. She snuggled closer to me, burying her face in my chest, and whined, "No, Mommy. I swleppy," and promptly went back to sleep.
Sighing, I turned to the nurse, my expression apologetic. "I guess she went back to sleep," I said, smiling wryly. "Go ahead and do it."
I gently turned Iyla, positioning her so that the nurse could access her arm. I watched as the nurse carefully removed the tape, her movements precise and efficient. The touch cause the IV line. It did cause Iyla to move a little, and grunt.
Than the nurse pulling out two long needles. I was in shock how long the needles were.
Iyla woke up out her sleep saying "Ochie mommy that huerts" with tears in her little eyes. I told her "Its ok baby its all done done now."
The nurse put a band aid on her little arm "All done no more Iv in your arm" the nurse said smiling at Iyla and me than leaving out of the room.
"Iyla baby look the Iv is all gone now no more. ohie in your arm." I said kissing it trying to make her feel better. I wiped her little tears off her face and she started smiling.
Then she said "I all beetter now I can go home with mommy."
I smiled, "Yes you can go back home with mommy. "
I had to buy her a little outfit because the clothes she had were all covered in blood.
A nurse kindly brought the bag of clothes into the room. "Thank You" I told the nurse, offering a grateful smile. The weight of the bag felt significant, a symbol of the new responsibility I was embracing, the new life I was building.
I sat up on the bed with Iyla still snuggled on my lap. Iyla was looking all curious at me, her eyes darting back and forth between my face and the bag, her anticipation palpable.
"I had to get us some clothes and you some shoes. Your old clothes and shoes got very dirty," I explained to her, hoping she would understand.
She nodded her little head, her expression thoughtful, then said "Otay".
I carefully reached into the bag, pulling out the items I had chosen for her, each one selected with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
I took out a pink jacket with cute little white hearts on it, a white shirt with pink flowers, a pair of jeans that were a little bit too long. Then a pair of white shoes with pink hearts and stars on it. Showing it to her.
Her face lit up, her eyes shining with delight. "I wlove it mommy tank you!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.
My heart melted at her simple expression of joy. "You're welcome, baby," I said, kissing her forehead. "We need to get changed so that we can go," I told her, gently disentangling myself from her embrace.
Getting out of the bed, I decided to get her dressed first, wanting to focus all my attention on her, wanting to make her feel safe and loved. I laid the clothes out on the bed, carefully unfolding each item.
First the shirt with her little tummt showing a little then some a jacket and a long jean that covered her shoe.
Looking over, I saw Iyla watching me, her eyes following my every move. I couldn't help but smile at her innocent curiosity.
"Iyla baby, let me do your hair," I said, walking over to the bed. I picked up a brush, gently smoothing her curly hair.
"All done," I said, stepping back to admire my work. Two adorable pigtails.
I could tell that she wanted to see, her little hands reaching out to touch her hair. So, I took out my phone, turning the camera on to show her reflection.
"WOW! I wook sho pretty mommy!" she exclaimed, smiling hard at the camera, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Yes, you do my little star," I said to her, my heart overflowing with love.
I got up, picking her up from the bed and standing her up on the floor. I grabbed the shopping bag and her little hand, and we walked out the room to the checkout desk.