*Ireland was AMAZING! It's been forever since we last visited and I had forgotten just how wonderful it is. We stayed with my uncle and aunt and my two cousins for the first two weeks in their little farm in Youghal, county Cork so we were able to see a lot of gorgeous southern Ireland during our stay there - a perfect way to celebrate my 17th birthday! Then we drove to my gran's house which is right on the coast in county Louth in a gorgeous little town. I read all of the stories that I missed and am keeping up... I am also feeling a lot more inspired to write now and hopefully add something to the story? Anyways, here goes...*
The waiting had finally ended and Jakob and I were permitted to take our tiny son home after the doctors proclaimed him "perfectly healthy in every way".
I have never felt such absolute joy and empowerment before. My mother used to say that "giving life is a beautiful experience" and at the time I had sighed and dismissed her comments as lingering thoughts from her days as a hippy. Now, I believed it. Jakob's elation was just as great. He loved this tiny baby and the expression on his face when he first held him said everything. I only wished Jakob could actually see him.
I whispered to Jakob as I fed our tiny son, "He is so beautiful. He has a little curl of dark hair, and bright green eyes."
"I could tell," Jakob replied earnestly. "What's his name?"
"I had considered a few," I told him, looking down at my son. "I like Kyle. I think he's a Kyle."
Jakob kissed my cheek. "I think so too."
Toby and Loranna picked us up from the hospital and showered us with praise over the new baby.
I laughed at their excitement. "Speaking of wonderful children, where are yours?"
"Ah," Loranna said. "We hired a nanny. She's absolutely lovely, adores children, has excellent references, and it turns out that she rides."
"It's actually something we need to discuss with you. We told her it would probably be fine if she boarded her horse here while she's working for us... we thought we'd let you rest though," Toby explained.
"I can handle it," Jakob told me, smiling.
Evergreen was almost entirely void of people when we arrived. I figured I would learn about everything that was going on in good time. For the moment I would take Kyle inside to his new crib. Millicent trotted over to the edge of the fence as I walked past. I approached the fence and turned so Millicent could see my baby.
"This is my son, Kyle," I whispered. Millicent nickered. I was sure she understood - her maternal instincts were certainly kicking in with her care of Noel. Suddenly I could wait to introduce Kyle to horses, perhaps one of his very own someday... then I remembered what my mother used to say: that one should never look forward to anything, only enjoy the moment. So I said goodbye to Millicent and took Kyle inside. I kissed his little warm head and laid him gently into his crib - which I found immensely difficult as I could not let go of him. I stroked his cheek gently and sighed. I loved him so much already! More than anything. How was it possible?
-Scarlet
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