So much has happened over the last few months, it’s been hard to keep up. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been on my game since I’ve been pregnant. I never realized how tired it made you. You hear all the stories, but I always thought I’d be able to handle it better. All I want to do is sleep. Unfortunately, I’m overdue a week and feeling more miserable by the day.
My phone beeps and it takes all my effort to bend over and pick it up off the coffee table. I smile when I see who it is.
Jennifer: How ya feeling?
Me: Tired. Ready for this baby to come out.
Jennifer: LOL … it’ll happen. He/she’s just being stubborn like their momma.
Don’t I know it. Ever since the trial ended and Chad was put away for life, Jennifer turned into a completely different person. She even looks like a different person after all the surgeries, but she’s still the same Jennifer I grew up with. It’s because of her I had designer maternity clothes and a room full of baby furniture. I know she feels responsible for Chad attacking me and is trying to make it up any way she can. Her being alive is enough for me.
I text her back.
Me: HA-HA. Hopefully, the baby will come soon.
Jennifer: Hope so. Auntie Jen’s ready to meet him/her. I really wish I knew what you were having.
Me: We’ll find out soon!
And we will. I’m starting to regret not knowing what Hunter and I are having. I’m carrying high, which some say is how you are when you’re having a girl, but yet others say it’s a boy because of the slower heart rate. Who knows? We’re going to find out when I go into labor.
“Babe, you want some ice cream?” Hunter calls out from the kitchen.
Pursing my lips, I glare at him over my shoulder. I can barely get off the couch because my belly is so big. “Does it look like I need ice cream?”
His smile makes everything inside of me tighten. Even though my stomach is larger than two watermelons, he’s never failed on making me feel sexy.
Hunter grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator and then joins me on the couch. “You’re hot when you eat ice cream,” he teases. “I love the way you lick the spoon.”
I roll my eyes. “I swear, I think you’ve gotten even hornier with me being pregnant.”
He waggles his brows. “The doctor did say that sex will help you along.”
I laugh. “We’ve done it every day this week. It’s not working.” Not that I’m complaining, the sex is always amazing, but I’m ready to be done.
Taking my hand, Hunter places it on his groin. He’s hard and ready to go. “Maybe this time will be different.”
Shaking my head, I smile and unzip his jeans. “Hope you’re right.”
He starts to lower my sweat pants when something pops. We both freeze and I hold my breath. “What was that?” he asks.
As soon as I move my legs, that’s when I get my answer. “I think my water just broke.”
Eyes wide, he jumps to his feet and zips his pants. “Seriously?” He glances down at my soaked pants and sucks in a breath. “Holy shit, you’re right.”
He helps me to our room and I change my pants while he grabs my suitcase with all my toiletries and clothes along with boys and girls’ clothes for the baby. I’ve had the bag packed and ready to go for the past month.
Once we get to the hospital, that’s when the contractions start. By the time I’m registered and into a birthing room, the pain gets worse. It’s all happening so fast, I can’t believe the time has actually come. Tears stream down my cheeks and it takes all I have to get in a good breath. It feels like my whole body is being torn apart.
Hunter stays by my bed, rubbing my head as I suffer through the contractions. “I’m right here, Kennedy,” he murmurs.
“I know.” For the past seven months, he’s never left my side like he promised. I look down at my engagement ring, twinkling under the lights. I still haven’t given him an answer and never once has he asked since that night on the side of the road. “Hunter, I—”
Another contraction rips through my body and I clench my teeth, trying my best not to scream. Nurses come in and out of the room to check my vitals and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Doctor Sells walk through the door. She’s my age with really short, blonde hair and has been my doctor ever since I turned eighteen.
“Are you ready yet?” she asks, sliding on a pair of gloves.
The contraction subsides and I can breathe. “More than ready.”
She checks to see how much I’ve dilated and looks at me with a smile. “I do believe it’s time.”
While she gets prepared, more nurses file into the room. I can’t believe I’m about to see my child for the first time. I glance over at Hunter and he has tears in his eyes. I regret not giving him the answer he wanted all those months ago. I know never to make that mistake again.
“I love you,” I whisper.
He kisses me gently. “I love you, too.”
I bring my hand up to his face. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it, baby?”
Another contraction tears through me and I cry out. The doctor gets into place and it’s like everything moves in slow motion. The pain is excruciating and I’m ready for it to end, but I keep pushing through. I squeeze Hunter’s hand and even though I know I’m doing it as hard as I can, it doesn’t seem to faze him. His eyes are on the little bundle of joy in the doctor’s arms.
Doctor Sells holds the baby up and I burst into tears; it’s a beautiful, baby girl with a wisp of red hair. “Congratulations,” she says happily, gently lying the precious bundle onto my chest. “Would you like to cut the cord?” She looks straight at Hunter, and his hand slightly shakes when he takes the scissors from the nurse. He carefully cuts the cord and breathes a sigh of relief when he’s done. By the expression on his face, I can tell he was worried he would hurt the baby.
Her fingers and toes are so tiny, but they’re all there. Hunter touches her little hand and wipes away his tears. “She’s perfect. Another girl to get me wrapped around her finger.” I laugh and cry at the same time.
“What are you going to name her?” the doctor asks.
Hunter and I hadn’t agreed to any specific names, but I say the first thing that leaves my lips. “Madelyn Louise.”
His mouth gapes and he stares at me. “You want to name her after my mother?”
I nod. “It’s a beautiful name.”
He looks down at our little girl with so much love it makes my heart swell. “Yes, it is. We can call her Maddy.” His hand brushes my cheek and he leans over to kiss me.
“There’s something else I want to tell you.” When his eyes meet mine, I can see my future. I’ve seen it all along, I was just too scared to grasp it.
“What is it?” he asks softly.
I glance down at the ring on my finger and he takes my hand. “My answer’s yes.”
His head jerks up. “Are we thinking about the same thing?”
I can’t help but laugh. “I hope so.”
Grabbing my face, he kisses me again and then rests his forehead to mine. “Then tell me. I want to hear you say it.”
“I want to be your wife, Hunter,” I murmur. “I’ve wanted it for so long, but I was afraid. I don’t feel that way anymore. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, with Madelyn, and however many kids we decide to have. I love you so much.”
He breathes a sigh of relief. “And I love you. You’ve honest to God made me the happiest man on Earth today. You’ve given me a daughter and said you’d be my wife. There’s nothing more in this world I want.”
The nurses clean up Maddy and bundle her up in a blanket before handing her over to Hunter. I can’t take my eyes off of them as he holds her close, whispering sweet words to her. “There’s nothing more I want either.”
