3 Years Later
“MATTHEW, SHE’S NOT going to hold out. This baby is coming right now. They paged OB but I doubt one of the doctors will make it down here in time. There’s no one else, you’re going to have to do it,” Nurse Joanne whispers to me calmly. An overturned truck and a motorcycle collision had the doctors of the ER pulled into the operating rooms. That leaves me on deck.
I’ve never delivered a baby on my own, but I put on a brave face, confident and ready.
“Oh, God, I can’t do this.” The blonde woman grabs her pillow and screams, writhing on the bed in front of us.
“Yes, you can, Monica,” I say with conviction.
“Why is this happening so fast?”
“You don’t need to worry, everything is going to be okay.”
A fetal monitor is positioned and the baby’s vitals look good. I’m thankful for the nurses who know what to do and are there to assist with the delivery. They have the necessary instruments ready and waiting.
“Start pushing.”
“I can’t.”
“Monica!” A disheveled man is led into the room. “They said they brought you to the ER. What’s going on?”
“Jackson, thank God.” Monica weeps, taking her husband’s hand and squeezing it tightly. “I’m so scared. They say I won’t make it to the delivery room.”
“Everything is fine, the baby’s just in a rush to meet her parents is all. You don’t need to be scared. You’re in capable hands, and you’re doing great.” Nurse Joanne talks to Monica in a soothing voice, holding her other hand, encouraging her and me as well.
The head crowns and I instruct Monica to push.
“Almost there, keep pushing,” I say, holding the baby gently as she is pushed from her mother. I clamp the cord and Joanne makes the cut. A sweep of the mouth, and her little lungs bellow a hello to the world. I look the tiny baby over before handing her to her tearful mother.
I return to a stool, finishing up the delivery. My heart pounds from the exhilaration coursing through me. I delivered a baby. I brought another human being into the world. The love that the new parents feel toward their new baby spreads over to me. The feeling is so tender and beautiful, I can almost touch it. I finish up with the nurses checking over my shoulder, nodding their approval.
Dr. Powers enters and commends me on a job well done. The new mommy and daddy, along with baby Tonya, are wheeled up to Obstetrics, and a few hours later I’m home, climbing into bed with Holly.
“Are you awake?” I move away her hair and kiss her shoulder.
“Mmm, what’s up?” she asks sleepily.
“I delivered a baby tonight. A girl.”
“You did? That’s amazing.” She sits up and clicks on the light next to our bed. “How did it go?”
“It was unreal. The delivery was fast, but everything went smoothly. No complications. I feel… euphoric.”
“I’m so proud of you.” Holly places her hands on my cheeks and kisses me.
“Holly, I think it’s time. I want to start trying.” I’ve been starting to feel that way for a while now. Tonight just confirmed it. I want our family to grow. We’re ready.
“Oh, Matthew.” Holly presses her forehead against mine, our wide toothy smiles lined up. “You have no idea, you just made me so happy.” Her voice trembles in an unsteady waver.
She turns off the light and cuddles into me under the comforter. In the dark her lips find mine. My fingers run through her hair. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I love her more and more each day. My fingertips lower to her thighs and slowly start to raise her nightgown.
“Should we start trying right now?” Her skin puckers under my touch, her breath already getting that halted hitch to it.
“We can try.” Her lips rub against my ear and she breathes, “But we don’t have to.”
4 Months Later
A large chocolate-frosted cake sits in the center of Grace and Marty’s large dining room table. Every Daniels family member is there, ready for us to make that first slice and reveal either a pink or blue cake.
Only Matthew and I know.
Ashley cranes her neck, waiting to see. Bets have been made and she is betting on pink. If it’s anything else, I’ve been warned that there may be a dab of jealousy to deal with. Nothing that this family haven’t seen before. I’ve learned in a family this size that there is always something going on. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
“Cut it already,” Robin encourages. She’s team blue, and I think it’s partly so she can watch Ashley turn green with envy. The fun-loving dynamic between them, I’m part of it now. I love them both dearly—they’re my sisters.
This family around us is a gift, one I am thrilled to be adding to. I married the man, I married the family. And I couldn’t be happier.
Matthew grabs the knife and we stand before the cake. I rub my protruding belly and grasp the knife with him to make the first cut. Together we cut a triangular slice, and I pull it out, placing it on a plate.
“It’s… it’s… yellow?” Ella frowns.
“Vanilla?” Stacy questions. “What the heck baby is that?”
Matthew and I look at each other and he winks. In a family where nothing is ever private, we decided to keep this our own little secret for just a little bit longer.
The faces around us drop. They’re disappointed, but they’ll all find out soon enough.
4 Months Later
THIS TIME I’M the one who needs the encouragement as I grip Holly’s hand in my own and she bears down.
“Matthew, she’s doing just fine.” The nurse pats my shoulder. It’s unbelievable how much scarier it is being on this end of a delivery. I’m about to become a dad. A dad. I’m a dad.
“Here we go.” Dr. Seymour motions me to move forward. This is it. “Give me a big push, Holly. You’re doing amazing.”
Holly bites her lip and pushes. She’s beautiful, glistening, and I slowly take my eyes away from her and watch as my little girl enters the world. Alyssa Rose, she’s here.
“She’s beautiful,” I say through quivering lips, and step over to kiss Holly. “You’re almost there. I love you.” She nods, and I see the pain as she fights to push again.
“Go ahead, Holly. Push,” Dr. Seymour instructs.
I don’t know where to look; it’s as if I’m floating. Life is amazing. My eyes go to my remarkable wife, to my beautiful daughter, and fifty-three seconds later, they land on my son as he enters the world and takes his very first breath. William Matthew.
Alyssa and William.
Two babies in one night.