18
2 days later…
It’s been two days since Destiny delivered, Jackson. When I got the text from Dalton, letting me know that he knew deep down, it was his son. I was happy for him but at the same time I was a little envious, that she gave him a son and I didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy we’re having a baby girl. My dreams have come true, knowing that I’ll have my daughter in my arms soon enough, but Dalton gets his son and from another woman to boot.
We just got the results this morning and Jackson is indeed Dalton’s son. Dalton was happy to know about the results, but he said that he already knew what the results would say. If Jackson turned out not to be Dalton’s, it would’ve broken his heart. The past two days Dalton has been working on another baby room in the house for Jackson. He wanted to make sure that it was ready for when he got out, but I reminded him that at first, Jackson needs to be with Destiny, especially if she’s breastfeeding him.
When Dalton answered the phone and the doctor told him that he’s Jackson’s father, he broke down crying, he wasn’t able to form any words. So, I took the phone and spoke with the doctor. I was relieved that Dalton got the good news. It would’ve crushed him if the results came back and he wasn’t the father, in the past two days he’s been so attached to that little boy.
6 weeks Later…
I groan and turn in bed, my stomach making it hard to get comfortable. My eyes slowly open and I see that I’m alone in our bedroom. Last night Dalton mentioned that he had to go to work early this morning. I check the time and it’s only nine, I groan.
I might as well get up, I need to move my ass to the bathroom to take a shower. Can you believe it, I wobble when I walk? I look like a damn penguin. I’m due in two weeks. I can’t believe it, it seems like time is slowing, the closer I get to my due date, it’s so close but, yet so far away.
I get up and stretch, I groan when my back muscles tighten then loosen. God, this belly is huge. I can’t see my feet and I can’t even shave down there. Dalton had to shave me the last time I was in the shower. God, I was so embarrassed.
I make my way to the bathroom and look in the mirror, dear God, I look like hell. Shit, how in the hell can Dalton still love me after seeing me like this in the morning. I’m lucky, he’s still around. I look down at the ring on my left hand, I get butterflies. The ring is truly beautiful, it sparkles in the sunlight. We went out last week to pick it out and he told me the price wasn’t an option and when I was looking he told the sales clerk at the jewelry store to hide the prices, bastard. But I found out how much this ring was after. I found the receipt six hundred thousand dollars, I almost fainted when I saw the price he paid. He told me the price wasn’t an issue but still, I felt bad for him paying for something I liked, that was pricey. He told me to drop it, that he loved me and wanted me to have it.
I turn on the shower and let it warm up a little before stepping in. I groan when the warm water sprays over my body. God, my muscles are a little sore today. Last night’s romp in the sac was a little much on me but hell, I wouldn’t change what happened. It felt so fucking good. I swear I saw stars after my third climax.
I grab my shampoo and pour a good amount into my hand and massage it into my hair. I lather it and then I rinse it out. I grab my scrub brush because with my belly, there’s no way I can get down there washed with just a little sponge. Dalton picked me up a scrub brush that’s long enough so, I don’t have to stretch and pull a muscle trying to wash myself. I pour some body wash on the scrubber, wetting it a little under the spray of the shower then I start washing myself.
After I’m all washed, I get out and get dry. My stomach growls lightly and the baby kicks, I giggle. I guess the little one is hungry too. I walk back into the bedroom and throw a pair of shorts on with a t-shirt.
Now, time to find something to eat. Maybe some eggs and bacon with some orange juice?
God, breakfast was delicious. I had two eggs and four pieces of bacon with two toasts and a huge glass of orange juice. I put my plate in the sink, rinsing it. I’ll wash it later. After all the food, I just ate, I need to sit down and relax. I move to the living room and turn on the TV. I see my phone on the coffee table in front of me. I should text Alison to see what she’s up too. I grab my phone and lean back into the couch getting comfortable. It’s short lived when a sharp pain hits and I feel like I’m going to be sick. I breathe in and out slowly trying to swallow the pain and after a minute or so the pain goes away. Thank God, that really hurt, she must have kicked me hard.
Geri-Ann is a handful for my sister. She loves kids, but when it comes to your own it’s different. You can’t pawn them off to their parents because you are their parents. Geri-Ann has been having troubles sleeping at night. Hopefully, it gets better for Alison. I don’t want my sister to run herself into the ground, trying to do everything. I know Ace does what he can, when he can.
I dial my mother and it rings twice before she picks up.
“Hello,”
“Hi, mom. Just calling to see if lunch is still on today?” I ask, playing with the remote.
“Yes, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“Oh, well your grand baby is kicking up a storm today. I feel a little drained today.”
My mother hums on the phone. “Well, I can pick up something and bring it over. We can eat in,” my mother says softly.
“Oh, that would be great, mom.”
“Did you talk to you sister this morning? See if she wanted to join us?”
I flip through the channels and there’s nothing good on, ugh, I turn the TV off. What’s the point of paying for TV channels, when there is never anything good on them playing?
“Yeah, I text her before calling you. She said she would love too. I just had to text her the details.”
“Alright, sweetheart. I got to get off the phone. Your father won’t stop bugging me.”
“Eww, gross mom. I really didn’t want to know that,” I quiver and my face scrunches up.
“Bye,” my mother chuckles hanging up the phone.
I grab my phone and text Alison to let her know what’s happening. After I shoot off the text. I lay down on the couch, closing my eyes. Hopefully, I can get a little nap in before they get here after.
I’m woken up by a knock on the door. I lean forward on my side and grab my phone to check the time, it reads eleven forty-five. That must be my mother and sister. I see there’s a text message I click it open.
I chuckle, he’s always so worried about me.
I don’t wait for him to right back, I put my phone down and head to the front door. Just as I’m about to open the door. I get another sharp pain. I knew, I shouldn’t have eaten that spicy taco last night for supper. I’m paying for it now, damn it. The pain passes quickly and I open the door with a smile on my face.
“Hi mom,” I say but then I squeal when I see Geri-Ann in my sisters’ arms. God, she’s adorable. “Hi, Geri. Auntie Tammy, loves you,” I talk in my baby voice and my sister clears her throat.
“What am I, chop liver?” she asks and I laugh.
“I’ve had you around for how many years. Geri-Ann needs me know,” my sister chuckles, shaking her head at me.
I open the door wider and they come in. My mother has lunch in a bag in her arms and it smells so good. “Oh, that smells good mom, is that chicken?” I ask and she grins.
“Of course, I ordered from that chicken place in town that you love,” she says and I beam.
“Thanks, mom.”
We all move to the kitchen and I grab some plates out of the cupboard and wince when I feel the baby kick. I almost drop the plates in my hands, my mother rushes over and grabs them before they can fall from my fingers. “You okay, sweetheart?” she asks softly with her hand on my shoulder.
I nod my head. “Yeah, she’s just kicking up a storm. Probably doesn’t help that last night, I made spicy tacos for supper.” My mother nods.
“Yeah, spicy food, especially how far along you are, will bother you and the baby.”
We began filling our plates with the yummy food and we dig in. Geri-Ann is now sleeping soundly in the tiny bassinet I got about a month ago, she is the first baby to use it. She seems to be fine sleeping during the day. I don’t have any more pain, which is great because man, does it hurt. It’s like my whole stomach contracts from it.
After we finish eating, we chat for a bit about how Geri-Ann is doing. My mother gives Alison some tips. I guess when Alison was a baby, my mother had the same problem with her at night about the not sleeping. Hopefully, my mother’s advice helps.
“Well, we better head out. I need to get back to your father. He’s taking me out tonight for a romantic supper,” she says with a twinkle in her eyes. Blah, I didn’t want to know.
“That’s nice,” Alison and I mumble at the same time. Which causes my mother to break out laughing at both of us.
“You do know, I’m not dead. Sex is perfectly natural between adults, right? You both should know, Alison has Geri-Ann and your ready to pop any day now, Tammy,” my mother mentions and I wave her off.
“Still, it’s not something I want to hear or see, thank you very much.”
Alison get’s Geri-Ann placed in the car seat and my mother grabs the diaper bag. I walk them to the door. Alison gives me a one arm hug and kisses my cheek. My mother hugs me. “If you need anything, just call me,” she whispers and I nod my head.
“Thanks, mom. I will,”
My mother and sister leave and head towards their cars.
I look in the kitchen and see my mother forgot her sunglasses on the table. Oh, well. I’m sure she’ll stop by later for them.
It’s time for another nap. I lock the front door and head for the couch.
I smile and close my eyes and sleep comes quickly.
Around an hour later….
I’m woken up by a knock on the door, again. Must be my mom coming to get her sunglasses.
I get up and the pain hits again and I grit my teeth. Shit, it’s getting worse each time. What the hell is going on? I open the door and my mother frowns when she sees my face. “Tammy, what’s wrong?” she asks coming closer.
“Just getting pains but they seem to be getting worse.” I grit out as another pain hits and I almost double over.
“Oh, my God, Tammy,” my mother rushes to me. Holding me up, she shuts the door and brings me over to the couch and I whine the pain hasn’t gone away yet.
“Tammy, have you been having pain all morning?” she asks in a motherly tone. I nod my head and she sighs.
“Tammy, how many have you had?” she asks and I look at her puzzled. What the hell does she mean how many?
“Mom, what are you talking about, how many what?” I ask, not knowing what the hell she’s asking.
She sighs. “How many contractions have you had?” my eyes widen and my face drops. No, these aren’t contractions. My water didn’t break. I would know.
“Umm… My water didn’t break mom. I don’t think these are contractions,” I stutter out and she laughs, shaking her head.
“Tammy, sweetheart. Your water doesn’t have to be broken for you to start having contraction pains,” she mentions. Oh, my God! Am I really having contractions? Shit, I’m not due for another two weeks.
“Holy shit, mom. I can’t be having contractions now. I’m not due for another two weeks.” I shoot out, worried.
“Darling, it’s normal. Believe me, Alison was two weeks late and you were two weeks early.”
Oh crap. This is really happening today. I get up from the couch and I feel something running down my legs and my eyes go wide with horror as I stare at my mother who is looking down at my legs. “Mom, I think my water just broke,” I shoot out, scared.
“Don’t worry calm down. I’m going to call the hospital,” she says running from the room. My phone is still on the coffee table. I need to call Dalton. I grab it and dial his number, after three rings he answers.
“Hey baby, I was about to call you, I’m...”
I cut him off. “Dalton, you have to get home. My water broke,” I say quickly, my nerves all over the place, making my voice waver.
“What?” he shouts into the phone.
“I’m going to have a baby,” I say in wonder.
“But you’re not due for another two weeks,” his voice strained with worry. I explain to him what my mother said and he seems to calm down a bit. He tells me he’s on his way and hangs up the phone.
My mother comes back in the living room. “Do you have a bag packed for the hospital or you haven’t had a chance yet?” she asks.
“Yes, it’s in the closet in my room,” I say. I’m glad that I packed one about a week ago, I didn’t want to wait last minute and I’m happy I didn’t.
She nods her head. “Good, that is one thing down. Did you get a hold of Dalton?”
“Yeah, he’s on his way.”
Five minutes later…
A very anxious looking Dalton comes through the door, his eyes wild with concern. He takes one look at me and jumps into action. He runs around getting everything ready. I’m on the couch freaking out a little. He seems to be calm. I on the other hand, I’m scared about what’s going to happen, if something goes wrong during delivery.
Dalton has all the bags and runs to the front door and runs out to the car. He comes back and looks down at me on the couch. “Baby, you ready?” he asks and I nod my head. I’m ready for this. Well, I hope I am!
I’ve been at the hospital for what it seems like forever. Six hours of labor. Right now, I’m staring at Dalton, who’s holding our little girl in his arms. I’m happy to say that the delivery went well. She’s healthy and her weight is good. I was worried that something could be wrong with her, seeing as she’s two weeks early, but Max told me that there’s nothing to worry about.
“Hey baby girl. I’m your daddy, yes I am. You're going to be my baby girl, forever,” Dalton says in a baby voice and I try to hide my smirk, but it stretches across my face as I stare at them both.
I’m glad that Dalton was here with me while I was in labor. He was whispering encouraging things in my ear, pushing me not to give up. I wonder if he did that for Destiny? I frown a little and Dalton seems to notice. It’s like he can read my mind.
“No, I wasn’t that close to Destiny while she was in labor. I might have held her hand for a little bit while she pushed but that was it.” He mentions, placing our daughter in the hospital bed beside mine.
He comes over and kisses me. “I love you baby. Thank you so much for giving me a baby girl,” he whispers in my ear, his voice cracking a little with all the emotion running through him. In the last month, he’s gotten a baby boy and a baby girl. The baby boy might not have come from me but he’s happy that he has a son, as well. I’m happy for him too. If he’s happy, I’m happy.
“I love you too,” I whisper back. My eyes feel heavy, I didn’t get much rest earlier. I did have two naps but it’s impossible to sleep while having labor pains. It’s a shock to your body every couple of minutes.
“Do you need anything? Maybe some water?” he asks. I could go for something cold to drink. My mouth feels dry.
“Yeah, some water would be nice. Thank you,” I say with a lazy smile.
Dalton grabs my hand. “Tammy, you should try and get some rest. I’ll go get your water. Why don’t you close your eyes for a while,” he says and I can’t argue with him, I’m drained.
Dalton checks on Mia and then kisses my forehead before leaving the room. I look over at the hospital baby bed and I smile. I can’t believe she’s finally here. She’s a miracle, my little miracle. I relax on the bed and I’m about to close my eyes and get some sleep when the door opens again and Dalton comes in with a glass of water. He hands me the glass and I give him a smile in return. “Thank you,” I say softly. I don’t want to wake the baby. She’s sleeping soundly right now.
“You're welcome, baby.”
“Now rest, you need it,” he gives me a stern look.
“Okay, I’ll rest. If anything happens, if she wakes up and needs to be fed. Wake me,” I ask and he nods his head.
“Of course,”
30 minutes later…
I’m poked awake by a distressed Dalton, looking down at me with Mia in his arms. Mia is fussing, her little cry, makes my eyes open fully and I’m wide awake. “How long has she been like this?” I ask and Dalton looks torn about it.
“Well, she’s been like this for about ten minutes or so. She woke up fine but then she started crying and wouldn’t stop. I wanted to give you time to rest, so I took her for a walk and rocked her and nothing. I think she’s hungry,” he says, clearly he’s exhausted.
I put my arms out to take Mia and he places her in my arms. “Dalton, why don’t you go home and rest. I know you can’t rest here on that chair in the corner. You’ll wake up with a sore back. Please, I’m fine here. My mother should be here soon,” I mention and Dalton looks warily at me.
“I don’t know if I like the idea of leaving you here alone. I want to help,” he presses. I shake my head. He’s done so much already. He let me rest as much as he could before Mia became so fussy.
“I’m telling you, go home and sleep. I’m fine here on my own. You’ve done so much,” I say softly and Dalton's eyes soften as he looks down at me.
“Baby, I’ll do anything for you. You know that.”
I do know that, and I love him dearly for that, but if he runs himself into the ground trying so hard, he’ll be no use to me. He won’t be able to help with Mia and with working at the club. He’ll be overdoing it. I don’t want him to have a burnout.
“Now, shoo,” I say, waving my free hand. He smirks then leans forward.
“I love you,” he whispers before placing a kiss to my lips. I return his kiss and then Mia cries lightly against me.
“I love you too. I better feed our darling daughter,” I say with a giggle. It feels amazing saying ‘daughter’.
“I’ll be back later after I rest a bit. Do you need anything from home?” he asks and I shake my head no.
He leaves and I feed our daughter. She latches on quickly without problems. I lightly run my finger over her face and tears come to my eyes. I’m so happy that she’s here. So, many things could have happened because with my first miscarriage and what the doctor said. I close my eyes and say a prayer of thanks. I lean down and place a kiss on Mia’s forehead and she smiles against my breast. I grin while a happy tear runs down my face.
Once I’m done feeding Mia. I softly rub circles on her back and she burps. I rock her in my arms for a few minutes and she falls fast asleep. I place her back in the bed beside mine. I get back in bed slowly and I close my eyes for a few minutes.
There’s a knock on the door and I smile when I see my mother walk through. “Oh, my God, Tammy,” my mother says rushing over. My father walking in behind her with a smile on his face. My mother stands right beside Mia’s bed and gasps as she looks between the both of us. She then tilts her head up and looks at my father. “Oh Garrett, she looks just like Tammy, when she was born,” my mother says in awe.
My father walks over and puts his hands on my mother’s shoulders and look past her at Mia. “She does. Dalton’s going to have one hell of a time,” my father says chuckling.
My mother swats his arm. “Garrett, don’t let Dalton hear you. You know he’ll have gray hair in no time,” my mother snickers.
We hear a throat clearing and I know who it is before I even turn my head. Standing there staring at us in horror is Dalton. I can’t help it, I break out laughing at the fact that he’s thinking about something that won’t even happen till she’s much older. One word, the enemy of any father who has a little girl, boys.
“Garrett, you better not wish that on me. I’m going to tie up each little fucker that comes around my baby girl,” Dalton bellows. My father chuckles and shakes his head.
“Son, you're going to learn. Whatever a woman wants, no matter what her age is. Don’t make a huge scene about it.” My father wills Dalton to understand. Dalton just nods to my father his understanding. I blow out a breath. I look at Mia over in her bed and I bite my lip. She’s going to have some very protective family members, her father being top of the list, especially around boys. I feel sorry for any guy that’s willing to come around Mia when she’s older. He’ll have to have some balls, that’s for sure.