Baby Bella

It was about mid-April and warm out. The flowers were all in bloom, the trees full and fresh, and the sky a whimsical shade of baby blue with wisps of fluffy, white clouds flirting playfully among what looked like an endless sea above them. The breeze was soft and gentle, and rose and fell in tune with Ellie’s heart. Thu-thump. Thu-thump. Distinct, strong, constant like the love she felt for her newly born daughter. She was perfect. An angel, if ever she knew one. In every way.

Walking over to the window, Ellie let the warm, spring air play among her skirt and dance upon her skin. She wanted to take it all in, every second, every moment, every breath to be savored as if it were a gift. Each day, each gift far surpassing the last.

She had decided on Bella almost the moment she had discovered she was pregnant and never questioned its notability for a second there after. Bella was a good name, a strong name, a beautiful name, and Bella…well, it just fit. Moving slightly in her mother’s arms, Bella let out a tiny squeak of a yawn, blinked her beautiful brown eyes, and nestled her tiny head of tight, dark curls deep along the side of her mother’s long, elegant neck, and continued to sleep the long, hard sleep of a newborn that could be broken by nothing more than feeding.

Ellie stroked the sweet head of curls swaddled securely against her chest, and kissed her softly on her tiny forehead, her skin a soft, smooth brown reflecting her own. Reaching down, Ellie passed her index finger along her baby’s clenched fists, so small and fragile, let out a deep sigh of admiration, and swayed her body rhythmically to the rise and fall of Bella’s chest until she was sure that she was fast asleep.

Not wanting to let her go, even for a second, Ellie hesitated before placing Bella carefully in the basinet set up beside the table. Once more Ellie leaned over and kissed her small daughter on the head. She let out a short, momentary squeak, tightened her body, squinched up her tiny nose, and then relaxed.

Walking back over to the window, Ellie thought, “She’s perfect.” “She’s an angel.” And after gazing out at the clear blue sky, warm sun, and bursting colors of the day she closed her eyes. She wanted to take it all in. Every second. Every moment. Every breath. She was a mother…at last.