Epilogue 3: “Caroline” Kill It Kid
Ky:
Lexi’s contractions start in the evening and keep her pretty much awake all night. She’s two weeks early and we can’t get her to the club. Because it’s been raining all night and the roads are flooded. Pinky is on the phone with Mercy’s wife when Lexi screams, her water breaking while standing in the bathroom she had lovingly recreated after the move and put the house back together. We didn’t plan on a home birth. We planned on meeting Mercy’s wife, an obstetrician, in the clubs clinic. Medical training and instinct kick in as I take in the scene before me.
“KYYYYYY!, TREVVVOR!” Lexi screams. I run to her from across the room trying to get everything ready for the impending delivery. Her water is running down her legs as she stands at the bathroom sink, clutching it so hard it seems like she may break the porcelain lip. “I can’t walk! I can’t even move and I feel like I need to push!” She cries. I sweep her off her feet and she wraps her arms around my neck her fingernails digging into any available flesh she can find. I enter the room as pinky stands looking frozen and terrified all at once.
“Pinky towel on the bed now and get behind her so I can see what’s going on.” I lay her back into his arms, leaving her legs hanging over the edge so I can look.
I see the baby's head starting to crown. “Lexi put your feet on the floor and hold on to Pinky.” She moves the best she can with our assistance. Pinky supporting her weight and taking her crushing grip on his knees as she moans her way into her new position still sitting on the bed but able to let gravity aid in labor. Another contraction rocks her body and I feel like she may break my ear drums as she screams. The baby’s head is out.
“Lexi breathe and Do. Not. Push. I’m going to suction out the nose and mouth before the next contraction comes.” I say using my Dominate voice. She nods focused on me breathing through the pain. I’m so proud of her. She’s handled this pregnancy well. Her growing belly taking over her small frame. All her interests and aversions became ours oddly enough through it all. As the next contraction begins, I brace myself to catch the baby. Lexi is moaning through this one staying focused on her breathing. Her head leaned back on Pinky’s shoulder. His gaze down on the babe about to make its entrance into the world. The baby slips free all in one push. I catch it just in time, and the baby wails with all the strength it has. “Lay back on the bed and I’ll put her on your chest.”
“It’s a her?!” She pants as Pinky moves to help her move further up the bed. “We have a girl! Oh, my God, we have a baby girl you have a daughter! You're a daddy!” She beams at the child who beams back at her. Pinky and I both catching our breaths as we look on them both.
A truck finally arrives outside of the house. Bree and Mercy’s wife Olivia both jumping out at once and rushing to the house. “The baby is here?! You did it!” Bree yells. “Boy or girl?”
Lexi looks at me and Pinky and says “GIRL!” The ladies squeal over the news and begin to chat as the doctor checks Lexi out and confirms she’s alright.
“You did a great job on the delivery Sadist. Both of your girls are perfect. Mercy had said you were a medic in the army. Have you ever delivered a baby before?” I grin.
“Nope. First time.” she pats me on the back unafraid.
“Well it’s good you were and had that training. I know we were worried with Lexi’s size there would be issues. But I think she did great! She wasn’t kidding when she said freakishly fast deliveries run in her family. You will be living at the club for the next one.” She laugh and goes turns to go back to lexi before turning back around.
“And one more thing before I forget.” She looks at me and over at Pinky standing to the side of the room looking over our girls with a solemn look on his face. “No sex for at least six weeks.” She winks and heads back to Lexi to coo over the baby. Bree has helped Lexi shower and cleaned up the baby a bit. The baby now at Lexi’s breast getting her first meal. I leave the room but keep both my girls in view as I talk with Pinky.
“Congrats man! I mean it! You're a dad! That’s going to take some getting used to.” We embrace for a moment.
“Uncle Pinky has a nice ring to it don’t you think?” I say.
“I’m the uncle!” he yells and the girls all grin and applaud. “A girl huh? How you feel about that one?” I look at him.
“Like a part of me I didn’t know was missing is now in place. I didn’t know if I would love a child as much as I love Lexi and I do love her. But that love or maybe shock just extended to that child.” I say as I look at the both of them. “Plus the whole if anyone touches my daughter I’ll kill them thing. She’s the spitting image of her mother...with my eyes.” Pinky laughs at the remark. We sit around talking about the experience while the girls all catch up. “What’s up Trev? You’re quieter than usual.” I used his actual name to make sure I have his attention. In a rare, serious voice he responds.
“I love those girls like they’re my own man, I’d do anything them for all of y’all. But I get to put the next one in her belly right?” That one hits a nerve but I’ve expected it was coming.
“Well no sex for six weeks at least may put a wrench in that plan. And you are going to have to ask Lexi too but maybe. You have a boy before me though and I’m castrating you myself.” He relaxes genuinely laughing.
“Yes, Sir.”
“What are y'all going to call her?” Bree asks. We all look at each other. We had discussed names but nothing was put into stone yet.
“Caroline Autumn James,” I say as it pops into my head.
“I think that's perfect.” Lexi says. Her smile warming a part of heart I didn’t know I had. Looking at them both I feel I am finally whole as a person.
“But Minnie for a nickname.” Lexi looks at me and we all look back at her “Because she’s a Minnie version of you.” I say and she laughs
“As long as you're not saying she’s gonna be short and so what if she is, her Mama rocks it!” Lexi says kissing Minnie’s head.
The End.