Epilogue
January 1—two years later
Unlike the past few years, I won’t take time to be poetic and inspired. I’m a married woman now, and much too tired and happy. Steve is thrilled that Travis decided to make his debut a week early—for the simple reason that we can deduct him on our income tax! For my part, I could have used an extra week’s sleep.
Our baby is so beautiful. Steve made me promise I wouldn’t say that. Baby boys aren’t supposed to be beautiful, but the only other word that suits him is perfect. Steve’s delighted to have another son to share guy things with. He’s such a wonderful, natural father, but, of course, I knew that!
Every time I remember the afternoon I went into labor, I start to laugh. Steve was so calm about everything. He’d assured me again and again that he knew what to do, that I didn’t have a thing to worry about. He got so involved in the breathing techniques, he had everyone in his bowling league trained. He must have read ten books and quoted them so often, it was all I could do to listen.
Finally it happened. D-day (D for delivery). I’d been to the doctor the day before and he’d assured me labor could start at any time. Steve had his beeper with him. Meagan and Kenny had theirs, too. I think everyone was thoroughly disappointed that they were all at the house when my water broke. They’d been looking forward to getting beeped!
Then my levelheaded, oh-so-prepared husband lost it. When he saw me in pain, when he realized his new child was about to be born, he couldn’t remember a thing. I wasn’t much help. What surprised me was the intensity of the labor pains. I’d read and heard a lot about labor, but this wasn’t like anything I’d anticipated. It hurt, right away. No gradual increase for me. Travis wanted to make his debut as quickly as possible.
With the first contraction—which was like a kick in the stomach—I doubled over and groaned. Steve immediately started barking orders like a drill sergeant. He had Meagan, Kenny and my suitcase in the car and was halfway down the driveway before he realized he’d forgotten something. Me. That flustered him even more, and he ran a stop sign. Meagan was shouting at him and Kenny, whose job it was to time the contractions, miscounted and said they were only thirty seconds apart. Convinced he’d never make it to the hospital in time, Steve pulled over to the side of the road and announced he’d have to deliver the baby himself. Before I could persuade him otherwise, he’d slapped on a pair of latex gloves and donned a surgical gown. Where he got it I’ll never know.
Meagan took one look at me and rolled her eyes. Thank heaven she remained sane during all of this! By the time we arrived at the hospital, I was at the wheel. Kenny was in the back seat with his father, fanning him with the instructions for an emergency delivery. Meagan was in the front with me, and the two of us panted together.
All’s well that ends well, as they say. Things moved quickly once we got to the hospital, and the birth was textbook perfect. Travis was born five hours later, and it was a contest to see who cried loudest, father or son.
Meagan and Kenny are thrilled with their little brother. Kenny’s so pleased to have another boy in the family, and Meagan has to fight her father for the privilege of changing the baby’s diaper!
I love being a mother. The other morning as I held Travis to my breast I felt tears in my eyes at the sheer wonder and joy of this little one in my arms. To think he’s actually a part of me and Steve, that he came from my body. I thought about Dad, too. I’m sorry he wasn’t here to welcome his first grandson. He’d be so proud to know we named Travis after him. Travis Douglas is a pretty big name for such a little boy.
I feel whole now, complete. The emotional void that opened up in me after Dad died doesn’t seem as deep anymore. I have Steve now, and our family.
Two years ago when I first decided I wanted a husband and family, I had no idea how far this adventure would take me. But I’m actually glad I delayed it, because otherwise I wouldn’t be married to Steve and I wouldn’t be a stepmom to Meagan and Kenny—and we wouldn’t have Travis. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without them.
I sat down this morning with a cup of Seattle’s finest coffee—brought to me by my husband—and my goal planner. Just as I do every January 1. It didn’t take me long to realize that my goals have shifted from my business to my home life. For now, anyway.
And that’s just fine. This matter of marriage—and motherhood—couldn’t have worked out better!