The contraction hit me hard. “Geri!”
She rushed back to my side. “Just keep breathing, Cay-Cay.”
“You’re supposed to be my nurse! Where’s my damn epidural?”
“Cadence.” She grabbed my arm and squeezed my hand until the contraction passed.
“Why is this one so much bigger?” I sobbed as I tried to relax.
She chuckled. “The anesthesiologist won’t be long.”
I lay back and stared up at the ceiling while she checked my progress again. She sighed and shifted her scrubs around her own pregnant belly.
Mum dashed back into the room with a wide smile. “The kids are all with your father and Dusty, and Harper’s on her way.”
“Thanks,” Geri and I said in unison.
James burst into the room, looking frantic. “What’s going on? Is it coming out?”
Geri rolled her eyes. “You’re so dramatic. She’s only five centimeters dilated.”
“This is your fault!” I said fiercely to him. “The other two weren’t anywhere near this big. Your stupid genetics made a monster.”
“Wow, you get mean when you’re in labor.” He shuffled up beside me and grabbed my hand. “But I’ll forgive you, since you’re giving me a baby and all.”
I groaned as another contraction hit.
Finally, the anesthesiologist arrived, and James held me still while she inserted my epidural. Within seconds, the pain subsided and I relaxed. James stood beside me and stroked my hair back from my face. “Feel better now?”
I nodded.
He leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss. His hand rested on my belly, and he raised an eyebrow. “I can feel it tightening.”
“Yeah, I’m glad I can’t.” I rested my head back and shut my eyes.
Harper came into the room and rushed to my side. “Cadence! Oh, look at you. Melody and Austin want to see you. Are you up to them coming in?”
I nodded.
She grinned and dashed back out the door.
James grabbed a chair and pulled it up beside me. “Everyone’s out there, so expect a mad rush.”
Melody and Austin came running in, and James lifted them up one by one beside me on the bed.
“Mummy, is the baby coming?” Melody asked, her dark eyes wide and excited.
“Yes, sweetie, the baby will be here in a few hours.”
She grinned and nuzzled into my shoulder. “Can I hold it first?”
I laughed. “Maybe after me and Daddy.”
Austin’s little dark head of hair launched up into my face. “Mummy?”
“Yes, son?”
“Baby?”
I chuckled. “Soon.”
James reached out and threw Melody and Austin over his shoulders. “All right, you two! Who wants an ice cream?”
“Me!” Melody replied loudly, and Austin followed suit.
Linda and George came to the door with smiles across their faces.
“Do you need us to take them?” she asked.
“Yes, please.” James set them both down, and they charged at their grandparents. He took them out to the hallway, and while he was gone, I glanced down and saw my ring on the chain around my neck. I still couldn’t believe he’d kept it for all that time.
James returned to the hospital room with his parents and Melanie right behind him. Melanie pulled a face at me and Geri. “Look at you two!” she groaned. “Seriously, this breeding thing is so overrated.”
“Melanie!” Geri scowled. “You’re just jealous because your husband doesn’t want any yet.”
“Actually . . .” She smirked. “I’m the one who doesn’t want any yet.” She ran her hands over her slim waist. “I like to keep this body to flaunt in front of you two stretched out―”
“Good heavens, Melanie!” Karen said sharply.
Melanie laughed.
James brushed by her and punched her shoulder. “You’re such a loser.”
“How mature, Jimmy,” she sneered.
He rolled his eyes. “How did you get so obnoxious?”
John stepped forward and stared at my monitors. “So, how far away is my grandbaby?”
Geri rushed forward, glad for the diversion. “A few hours yet. These lines show her contractions, and this here is the baby’s heart rate.”
John leaned closer. “That’s a little high, isn’t it?”
Geri smiled. “Not at all. Babies have faster heart rates than adults. That’s actually a perfect figure.”
“I’m bored,” Melanie groaned. “Where’s Melody and Austin?”
“With their grandparents,” James answered.
She rolled her eyes. “Which ones, genius?”
“Linda and George.”
“Sweet. I’m gonna go kidnap them.”
She left, and Karen and John followed.
Finally, Geri told me to push. With James grasping my hand tightly, watching the whole event with great interest, and my best friend assisting the doctor, I pushed with all my might.
What a big sucker! Melody and Austin had been much smaller, and came out after only a few pushes, but this one was almost ten pounds. Mum rushed into the room as I pushed to help give me encouragement and an extra pair of hands to crush.
Then, I heard the cries.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It’s a girl!” James’s whole face lit up.
He rushed around to Geri so he could cut the cord. She rested our daughter in his arms, and he rushed over to me, tears streaming down his face.
Harper burst in. “What is it?”
“It’s a girl.” Mum smiled with tears rolling down her face.
“Don’t you dare give her another musical name,” Harper groaned.
James ignored her and met my gaze. “Are we still going with Belle?”
I nodded as he rested her on my chest. “I’m so glad I couldn’t predict this!”
He chuckled and kissed my head.
“James?”
“Yes, beautiful?”
“Thank you for giving me a second chance. This is so wonderful.”
He smiled. “We all deserve second chances.”