Chapter Forty-Two

 

Melissa settled into the armchair like a cow being lowered in front of a trough. Her stomach couldn’t grow another inch; there was no more room in her. Every position she maneuvered her body into was only comfortable for a few minutes.

“Darius, am I as big as I feel?”

His eyes rolled over her and rested on her belly. “You’re carrying my son. If you had to get ten times bigger, that would be fine. You’ve never been prettier to me.” He bent to kiss her. His tongue lingered on her lips before finding her tongue.

“Let me play some music for you.” Darius shuffled through his album collection. “Somewhere in here is the right music to coax the baby out of you.”

“I’m a week late. I would have bet I was going to be early. I’ve never been late for anything.” She pulled up her shirt and glared at her stomach. The skin was taut and hard.

“Instead of having someone else sing to me, why don’t you sing for me?”

He helped her out of the chair. “I’ll sing if you’ll dance with me.”

“You can’t even hold me tight. I’m a mile away.” She protested when he tried to pull her close.

“I can always find a way to hold on to you.” He pulled her closer

She dropped her head against his chest. “You’ve been so patient with me. And every day, I think I get crankier.”

“You’re fine. Now, son, come on out of there and give your mommy a break.” He placed his mouth near her ear and started to sing.

Nothing feels as good as this

Never knew this kind of bliss

You’re the life I dreamed

You’re everything; you’re everything to me.

And all I’ll ever need.

 

A sharp pain stopped her. She clutched her stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Darius held her up just as another pain gripped her and buckled her knees.

“I think I just had a contraction. But it was too painful. If contractions are this painful, I can’t take labor.” She almost didn’t feel the gush of water soaking her bare feet. Darius moved before she realized what was happening. He lifted her up and placed her on the kitchen stool.

“Baby, stay right there. I’ll get your bag. Don’t move.” He reached in the closet and grabbed her bag. “I can carry you and the bag.”

“Don’t be silly. I can walk. I think walking will help with my labor. I know everybody says this, but you know when we come back, our lives won’t be the same.”

“It’s going to be better. So much fuller.”

****

Darius stood at the head of the bed next to her. Melissa was tough. Watching what she had to go through showed him she was strong. Unable to find the words to express what he felt, all he could do was brush away the hair plastered to her temple.

Her labor lasted too long. The pushing, the breathing, and the panting were endless. Two hours should have been enough, but she endured seven. Her resilience had no limits.

She managed a smile. Finally, the pain in her face had vanished, but she continued to cry.

“Honey, please stop crying,” he whispered in her ear as he stroked her forehead.

“I can’t help it, Darius. Every time I think I’m done, they start again.” She shifted the baby in her arms and cooed to him. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”

“Yes. And I have something special for his mother.” He lifted the baby out of her arms and placed him in the bassinet. Melissa glanced at him through her long, wet lashes. “This is for you.” He placed the big box in her lap.

“What is this?” she asked as she tore the wrapping away from the big box.

He rocked the baby’s bed without answering her. She pulled the box free and raised the lid.

“The boots.” She gushed. “Darius, you bought them for me. How could you even remember what they looked like?”

“I should never have forgotten.” He kissed her forehead.

“I love you so much,” she whispered.

Not trusting his voice, he nodded. Coming so close to losing everything was hard to admit. Watching Melissa hold their son was better than anything he’d thought he wanted. In the sterile, white hospital room, his life was happier than he thought possible.