Free A Leap of Faith by T. Gephart Page A

Troy, Jason and Dan - each one of them truly unique. Dan wheeled in a small drum kit, complete with tiny stool and cymbals. He had had the base drumhead painted with the bands name. Jason’s gift bag housed a small leather jacket with the words My Daddy is a Rock Star emblazoned across the back and a collection of miniature retro band t-shirts such as the Ramones, the Clash and Nirvana. Dan’s gift was, well what I’d expected from Dan. A motorized Mercedes convertible, complete with 12 volt rechargeable battery, twin leather seats and custom rims very similar to his own car but a fraction of the size.
    “Dan, you know we are having a baby right... he or she won’t be able to use this for months probably even a year or more.” Hannah laughed nervously not wanting to offend Dan. 
    Dan slapped James on the back, “I figured with this loser as the father he or she was going to need help on the cool factor.”
    James just shook his head but didn’t seem the slightest bit offended.
    Finally she came to my box. Taylah had helped me wrap it, so the box itself was a visual masterpiece. Hannah read the card, dabbing her eyes when she got to the part where I signed it Uncle Alex and Aunt Lexi.
    I was hesitant about that initially, what it implied and whether it was presumptuous of me to assume that Alex and I would be together forever. I knew in my heart that it was where I wanted to be but hearing it aloud seemed almost surreal. Either way I knew we were both going to be part of this little person’s life.
    Alex came up behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist.
    “I like that... Uncle Alex and Aunt Lexi.”
    “I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t really think about it, I just signed the card.”
    “Are you kidding? I love it.” Alex kissed my neck. “By the way, what did we get them?” he whispered into my ear.
    “Wait and see.” I smiled as Hannah struggled with the ridiculously large bow Taylah had tied.
    Out of the box Hannah pulled out a customized baby journal I had made for her and James. It allowed them to write in all their milestones and add pictures for the first five years.
    Buying traditional baby gifts wasn’t my thing. Firstly, baby bottles and wraps while necessary, bored the hell out of me and secondly I’m sure Hannah’s type A personality guaranteed that stuff had been purchased, sterilized and ready to go. I wanted something personal, something they could keep and something that hopefully they would love.
    Hannah examined the thick embossed pages. I had already added a photo of her and James the night little “Jelly Bean” was conceived. Slowly she turned through to where she would write about his/her arrival, first words, first tooth, first step, first Birthday.
    Hannah looked up at me, her eyes brimmed with tears “Lexi, Alex... this is beautiful”
    I smiled, “There is something else in the box, which is a little more Lexi.”
    Puzzled, Hannah pulled out a small rectangular velvet box. I could see by the look on her face she knew it was some form of jewellery. Almost as if the box had fangs and would strike at any moment she tentatively opened it. The surrounding crowd of friends and family were all hushed by the curiosity of what was housed in the box.
    “OH MY GOD !” Hannah looked at the open box that she clasped tightly between her hands.
    “Lexi, this is beautiful, it’s...” she paused, trying to gain composure as a tear fell down her check. “... It’s stunning.”
    She held up the tiny, platinum ID bracelet, the smooth flat panel in front was blank awaiting a name to be engraved and on the back I had added a small inscription - You were loved from before your first breath.
    Hannah leapt from her chair and hugged me, her belly hindering her efforts for a full frontal hug before turning her attention to Alex.  He tenderly wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye and gave her a kiss on the cheek before she whispered something in his ear that I couldn’t hear. Alex