Sierra

Cameron and I had just put the finishing touches on the nursery. A nursery that was decorated in cream and pink. A fairytale nursery that was fit for a princess.

“I can’t believe in a little over two weeks, she’ll be here,” Cameron spoke.

“Trust me, I’m counting down the days. I’ve never been so uncomfortable in my life.” I placed my hands on my lower back.

“Soon, babe. Very soon.”

“Easy for you to say. You can see your feet, sleep on your side, and you don’t have to pee every two minutes.”

Cameron wrapped his arms around my waist and planted his hands on my belly.

“That’s true. But you are the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” His lips pressed against my neck.

****

Today was the big day. James’ and Kirsty’s wedding had finally arrived. It was not my plan to look like a beached whale for my best friend’s wedding, but it happened, so I had no choice but to deal with it. The pressure on my bladder was unreal. I prayed to God that I didn’t have to use the bathroom during the ceremony.

The wedding was at the country club with an outdoor ceremony that would last approximately twenty minutes. I could get through that, right? At the rate I was using the bathroom these days, I wasn’t so sure.

After using the bathroom for the fifth time in an hour, I opened the door to the dressing room and Kirsty turned around and looked at me. Tears started to fill my eyes at how beautiful she looked.

“Sierra, don’t.” She fanned her eyes.

“It’s the hormones.” A tear fell down my cheek.

I walked over and fixed her veil.

“You are stunning. James will not be able to control the hard-on he’s going to get when he sees you.” I smiled to lighten the mood.

“You look beautiful too.” She grinned.

“I do not. I look like a whale. I could go into the ocean right now and they’d take me in as part of their family.”

She laughed.

“Are you ready, my love? You’ve been dreaming of this day since you were a little girl.”

“I’m nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. You’re marrying the man of your dreams. Not squeezing a pumpkin out of your vagina.” I placed my hands on my belly. “I love you, Kirsty.”

“I love you too, Sierra.” She tried to hug me, but my oversized belly got in the way.

“It’s time,” Claudia, the wedding planner, announced as she walked into the room.

All of us bridesmaids lined up and got ready to make our grand entrance down the aisle. As we were waiting for the music to start playing, I felt a jolt of pain. A pain so strong that it almost sent me to my knees.

“Oh hell no, kid. Not today,” I whispered.

The music started to play and I made my way down the aisle. As I glanced over at Cameron, he gave me a wink and a smile. The rest of the bridal party made their way down the aisle and now it was Kirsty’s turn. As she approached the altar, I looked over at James, who had tears in his eyes. Another jolt of pain hit me. Oh my god, I squeezed my legs together and tried to calm my breath. I looked over at Cam, who was staring at me with an odd look on his face. He knew something was wrong.

“You okay?” he mouthed.

There was no way I was ruining this day. This was nothing but Braxton Hicks. I had them a couple of weeks ago and the doctor told me that I’d experience them more frequently as my due date got closer.

“I’m fine,” I mouthed back.

It was time for Kirsty and James to exchange their vows. Vows they wrote themselves that made their guests cry. Under any normal circumstances, I would have been there crying with the rest of them, but the pain I felt at the moment was sending signals for me to scream instead of cry. I didn’t scream, of course. Instead, I clenched my teeth so hard, I was surprised I didn’t crack one.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, James,” The minister spoke.

Suddenly, a gush of warmth ran down my legs. I stood there, frozen, when I was supposed to be following Kirsty and James up the aisle. Cameron stood there with his arm held out, staring at me.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“I think my water broke.”

“WHAT?!” he shouted and everyone turned to look, including Kirsty and James.

Cameron ran over and grabbed hold of my arm. Kirsty and James ran back down the aisle.

“Your water broke?” Kirsty asked.

“Yes. I’m so sorry.”

“Omg! Don’t be sorry. This is so exciting. Our baby is coming!” she exclaimed.

“I’m taking her to the hospital now,” Cameron spoke.

“You two enjoy your wedding and send me videos,” I spoke.

I told Ava, Rosa, and Delia to stay and enjoy the wedding for a while before coming to the hospital. It was bad enough that their maid of honor and best man had to leave. I didn’t want anyone else leaving their wedding.

“Fine,” Delia said. “But if that baby starts to come soon, you better call me right away,” she told Cameron.

“I will keep in touch with you. I promise.” He smiled.

He led me outside and into the back of the limo. The only thing I knew about the driver was that his name was Gerald.

“Step on it, Gerald. We’re having a baby,” Cam spoke.

I had mild contractions, for now. Not like what I had during the ceremony.

“You aren’t due for another two weeks,” Cameron spoke as he brought my hand up to his lips.

“Tell that to your daughter!” My voice raised as another contraction that wasn’t so mild paralyzed me.

“I’m guessing she’s impatient like her mother.” He smirked.

“You do know my love for you is fading right now, right?” I asked him as my grip on his arm tightened.

“Okay. I’ll shut up.”

Gerald pulled up to the emergency room entrance and Cameron climbed out and grabbed a wheelchair. After wheeling me inside, we were immediately taken up to the third floor. After changing into one of those hideous hospital gowns, Lila, my nurse, hooked me up to the fetal monitor.

“I’m going to check to see how far you’re dilated,” she spoke. “You’re about two centimeters.” She smiled.

“Two?!” I exclaimed. “I still have eight more centimeters to go?”

“Yes. Dr. Hollis will be here shortly.”

“I want drugs, Lila. Lots and lots of drugs,” I begged.

“We have to wait until Dr. Hollis gets here.” She walked out of the room.

One by one, every five to six minutes, another contraction would peak and I’d scream out in pain. It was unbearable. What I wouldn’t give for a large bottle of tequila right now.

“Breathe, Sierra,” Cameron spoke as he was mere inches from my face with his hand on my forehead.

“I am breathing and it’s not helping!” I shouted.

I grabbed his shirt with my hands as tightly as I could.

“I hate you, Cole. I do. I really do. This is your fault. You and those damn little super sperms of yours. Don’t you ever come near me again. I swear to God if you do, I’ll cut it right off.”

Dr. Hollis walked into the room, laughing.

“Don’t worry, Cameron, she doesn’t mean anything she’s saying right now. Hello, Sierra.” He smiled.

“Why are you smiling? I need drugs, Dr. Hollis. Please. Pretty please with sugar on top.”

“You have about two more centimeters to go before I can give you an epidural.”

“NO! Listen, let’s negotiate. If you give me those drugs right now, I’ll give you free advertising for your practice for life. For life, Dr. Hollis.”

“Sierra, if I give you that epidural now, chances are it will wear off before you’re ready to push. Do you really want to take that chance?”

“Yes. Yes. I’ll take the chance.”

“Fine. I’ll go order it now. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I stayed in labor for another six hours, just long enough for everyone to enjoy the wedding and then head over to the hospital. Dr. Hollis walked in and kicked everyone but Cameron out of the room so he could check to see how far I was.

“It’s time, Sierra. Your baby is ready.”

“Oh my god, baby, this is really happening.” Cam smiled as he kissed my forehead.

“Where the hell have you been for the last six hours? Of course this is happening. But I’m not ready.” I grabbed Cam’s hand.

“Don’t you want to see our baby girl?” he asked.

“Yes. But I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You have no choice, Sierra. Now come on. Give me one big push,” Dr. Hollis spoke.

I pushed for thirty minutes, which seemed like an eternity, and on the last push, I heard her cry as I fell back on the bed.

“Congratulations, Sierra and Cameron. Your baby looks very healthy and has a great set of lungs.” Dr. Hollis smiled as he laid her on my chest.

Tears started to stream down my face as I looked at her. She was so tiny and the most beautiful baby I’d ever seen.

“She’s beautiful, Sierra.” Cameron smiled as he kissed me. “I’m so proud of you.”

Lila, the nurse, took her from me so she could weigh her and clean her up.

“Seven pounds exactly.” She smiled as she swaddled her in a blanket and placed her in my arms.

“Hello, Madison Renee Cole.” I kissed her tiny head. “Welcome to the world.”

“You are so loved, my sweet baby girl,” Cameron spoke as he lightly stroked her head.

“Do you want to hold your daughter?” I asked.

A tear fell from his eye as he took her from me and sat down in the chair next to my bed. Watching him with her filled me up with more love than I’d ever thought possible. Cameron looked at me and smiled as he reached over and held my hand.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Cam.”

****

Two Weeks Later

Our first two weeks home with Madison were probably the best but most exhausting weeks of my life. It was so hard to believe that my little designer princess had finally arrived. James and Kirsty jetted off to their honeymoon that Cam and I graciously gave them as a wedding gift. Ava and Delia spent a great deal of time at the house helping us out with Madison. Delia was on the mend and feeling a lot better from the effects of her chemo. Our relationship and bond was stronger than it had been in years. Between her illness and the baby, it made me realize that life was too short to not appreciate everyone in our lives. Cameron’s entire family flew in the day after the baby was born and stayed with us for the first week and a half. Rosa had her hands full, and believe me, I heard about it every day.

Finally, all was quiet at Casa Adams, but instead of enjoying the peace at home, Cameron suggested that we take Madison out on her first day trip. As much as I wanted to just take a nap, I hadn’t been out of the house in two weeks. Our first stop was a shopping trip down Santa Monica Boulevard. Cameron wanted a new pair of work boots and I wanted to shop for Madison, even though the child already had a closet full of clothes. As we both had our hands on the stroller, pushing it together, a feeling of peace and contentment flowed through me. We were a family. A legit family consisting of two parents and a child. Our child. Our baby that we created out of the love we had for each other. After we did some shopping and grabbed something to eat, we headed to the beach for a while. Cameron wore his cargo shorts and a shirt and I wore a long, flowing dress. A dress that hid some of the baby weight I still had to lose.

When we arrived back home around six o’clock, Rosa took Madison from me and Cameron grabbed hold of my hand.

“Come with me.” He smiled.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

He led me through the kitchen and out to the patio where a small white tent decorated with white lights, flowers, and a table for two sat in the middle.

“What’s all this?” I smiled.

“I thought it would be nice to have a quiet dinner out here.”

“Was it really necessary to do all this? I mean, the patio table would have been fine.” I smirked.

“It was necessary because I wanted it to be special for you. After all, you did give me a beautiful baby girl and the two of us haven’t really been able to celebrate because of our families over the past couple of weeks.”

He pulled out the white covered chair for me and I sat down. Suddenly, there was a man dressed in a waiter’s uniform standing at the table.

“Your dinner is served,” he spoke as he set our plates down in front of us.

“Thank you.” I smiled graciously.

Cameron and I enjoyed dinner, and after dessert, music started to play.

“May I have this dance?” He smiled as he stood up from his seat and held out his hand.

“Why, of course.” I placed my hand in his.

He led me to a small space in the tent where he held me and we danced.

“I can’t believe you did this.” I grinned.

“Why? Did you think I wasn’t capable?”

“No. Of course I didn’t think that. Thank you. I am loving every second of this and I don’t want it to end.”

“We have all night, babe.” His lips brushed against mine. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“Yes, and I love you too.”

The song came to an end, and before I knew it, Cameron was down on one knee in front of me. Holding both my hands, he looked up at me and smiled.

“Sierra Adams, I never imagined that I could love someone as much as I love you. You are my entire universe and life without you would be impossible.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small blue velvet box, and spoke, “Will you marry me and do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Sierra Adams Cole?”

I was already shaking because I knew once he got down on his knee what he was about to do. I looked at him as tears filled my eyes. Tears of happiness and joy.

“Yes! I will marry you. Oh my god, Cameron.” The tears started to fall.

He took the stunning and elegant diamond ring out of the box and slipped it on my finger.

“Thank God it fits.” He grinned as he stood up and swept me into his arms. “You have no idea how long I’ve had this ring. I’ve wanted to give it to you so many times while you were pregnant, but you couldn’t wear any jewelry because your fingers were so swollen.”

“This was the perfect time and so romantic. I was starting to think you didn’t want to marry me.”

“Nonsense. It’s all I’ve ever wanted from the first day I laid eyes on you.” He grinned as he kissed me. “And as soon as the doctor clears you for sex, I’m taking you on a weekend trip so we can celebrate properly.”

“I can’t wait. I love you, Cameron, and I’m so incredibly happy. I didn’t think it was possible to be this happy.”

“Me too, babe. Me too.”