Chapter 7: The Birth

My daughter was born three weeks later.
Healthy. Strong. Beautiful.
Eleanor was in the delivery room with me, holding my hand the entire time.
When they placed my baby in my arms, I looked at my mother through tears.
“What should we name her?” I asked.
Eleanor smiled.
“Whatever you want. But if I may… her middle name could be Eleanor. After her grandmother.”
I nodded.
“Lily Eleanor Hale.”
Julian wasn’t there.
May you like
He wasn’t invited.
And he never would be again.