The curly-haired girl beside me was unable to stay awake for another second. Her eyes were fluttering, trying their hardest to stay open. In the chair beside her, I sat with the baby in my arms. I rocked back and forth, keeping Collins asleep so Bo could get rest. My wife refused to close her eyes without the reassurance that everything would be okay when she did.

I laced my fingers with hers as I stared down at Collins. When parents say their newborn takes features after them, I never see it. I guess that changes when you spend three years with the person you love most in this world, and they have a baby because as I stare down at mine, all I see is Bo.

From the curls on her head to her button nose. The light brown tint to her skin, giving her a golden glow I loved most. Then her eyes, I saw a mini Bo. They were wide, pecan brown, and full of light.

I told myself I would never love anyone in this world as much as I loved the girl sleeping next to me, but I lied. The moment my eyes fell on our baby, I fell victim. The love I felt for Bo and the love I felt for Collins were two of different kinds. Nonetheless, this love has pushed limits I didn't know was possible. In a way, I feel as if it is inhumanly impossible to love someone as much as I love the three that make up my family.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, catching me off guard. I grabbed the device, noticing Chase was texting me, informing me John was causing a commotion in the waiting room. My fingers fanned over the baby as I laid her to rest in the small plastic bed the doctor brought in for her to lay.

Happiness has been coursing through my body at ungodly speeds. Having my first child gave me a high all of the toxins I used to put in my stream never could. As I walked away, I found myself aching to go back.

I kept shaking my hands, attempting to rid some of the adrenaline pumping through my veins. December twenty-third, my wife gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Marti, our doctor, said we were free to go home after a night spent with her. There were things they needed to monitor, and I wasn't going to protest. I wanted my child to have the best care.

Chase shot up from his seat the second I came through the lobby. He mumbled, thank goodness the moment he saw me. Everyone looked at me, waiting for me to say something. Yet, I looked right at John. His eyes widened as he stared with worry.

"What happened?"

"You said the baby was a boy."

"I did?" His eyebrows furrowed. "Honestly, I was a little drunk. I don't remember."

"You bought blue pellets to throw in the fire."

His face went blank. "I got them the same night. I was a little drunk then too."

"John," I ran my fingers through my hair with a smile on my face. "It is a girl. We had a girl."

His face fell with shock. Chase threw his arms around my waist with happiness as he cheered below me, unable to sit still as he jumped up and down. I wrapped my arms around him as everyone cheered around us.

After months of shopping for a boy, we had a girl. Thankfully, we didn't spend a lot of money buying the baby clothes. I don't know why Bo wanted to wait, but she did, and I wasn't going to question her. It was as if she knew but had no idea at the same time.

Collins came out as a seven-pound, nine-ounce little bundle of joy. The outfit we had in the baby bag was a little big on her. Rosie and Marcy said they were already at Target, buying clothes for her. So, she won't have to sit in a onesie that says "Welcome To The World Maverick." Oh boy, I cannot wait to tell stories about this at her future birthday parties.

"How is she feeling?" Chase asked. "When can I see her?"

"They are both sleeping right now," I tell him. "So, if I am going to bring you back, you have to be quiet. Okay?"

He promised with a nod. "I have a baby sister, though!"

A smile pulled across my lips as I hugged him. After visiting, John promised to take Chase back home for rest. The kid followed me toward the room. His mouth fell open at the sight of the baby with bright eyes. She stared up at us. Her pecan brows tried their best to focus on us as she became aware of her surroundings, but they were too busy looking at everything for the time.

"Hi," he whispered. "I'm your big brother."

While he sat in the chair, I watched over Bo. Her chest raised in a way I have never seen. There was a relaxed look on her face. It was as if she was sleeping with the idea that nothing bad will ever happen to her. It made me feel like nothing bad would ever happen again.

An alarm started to go off. I searched for the phone until I realized it was Bo's. My hands reached for her phone, hoping to turn it off before Bo woke up. Yet, her eyes were opening. I swore to myself as she looked up at me.

"What do you have an alarm set at midnight for?"

A lazy smile stole her features. "We were supposed to be taking Chase's presents down to the tree right now."

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Merry Christmas Eve."

"Is this a bad time to ask if Santa is real or not?" Chase piped up.

We looked over at him. "Do you think he is real?"

He chuckles. "He never put presents under any tree of mine before."

Bo let out a puff of air. As much as I found the humor in Chase's jokes, she couldn't. They were sad. I felt the pang in my heart, but I joked about my past the same way. It was the way I moved on. I can only understand that it is the same for him.

After visitors came in and left, Chase was hugging us, placing kisses on the girl's foreheads before he left. John promised to stay at the house with him. Thankfully, Bo was able to fall asleep again. I knew she was exhausted.

I laid on the couch, covered with a thin white blanket. For the first time in a few years, I wasn't sleeping next to Bo. On my side, I tried to get comfortable. Except, I couldn't let my eyes close to the sight of Bo on a different bed than me. My hand rested over Collins as I soothed her through the jolts she had.

When Collins started to cry, I shot up from the couch. I brought her to my chest, attempting to calm her. Her cries woke Bo from her sleep. She reached out, telling me she could handle it. I know she could, but I didn't want her to stay up any later than what she had to. The moment Collins settled into my girl's arm, she quieted down.

Bo yawned as she looked down at our baby. "She doesn't like to be alone."

"It is how I feel, even though I have both of you."

She looked up at me. "Then come lay down with us."

"Bo, we wouldn't be able to fit."

"We can try," she shrugged.

Her body adjusted as I slipped in next to her. As I laid on my side, she curled under my arm. My head rested on my forearm while I stared down at both of them. During Christmas or even Christmas Eve, I never had anything to look forward to. Now I do. Every year, I look forward to Collins's birthday. Then I get to see her next to her brother, opening presents together the day after.

"I love you," my lips touched the top of her head. "I love you so much."

Her head rested against me. "I love you so much more."

"Cheesy."

Her shoulder's tipped. "What can I say? I love cheese."