Epilogue
Brooke sat in her favorite chair in the living room watching Calvin pace. “I wish you’d sit down and relax, he said he’d be back in plenty of time, he promised.”
Calvin turned to look at her. “I know, but what if he doesn’t beat this storm? He’ll never make it up the road.”
Brooke looked out the window to see that the snow had already begun to fall. “Stop worrying, the baby isn’t due for two more weeks. Carter will be here, he’s not going to miss this. Even you know how important this baby has become to him,” she said, rubbing her belly which was feeling especially tight that day.
Calvin crossed the room and knelt down next to her. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not helping, but I feel useless and all this waiting is driving me crazy,” he said, putting his head on her belly, then looking up at her when he felt a tremor go through her. “What was that?”
Brooke laughed. “Nothing but a little contraction.” Then when she saw the look on his face, she added, “It’s perfectly normal. I only have them every once in a while.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, but she seemed peaceful enough although he had no idea what she might look like if she was in labor. Silently cursing his brother who still hadn’t appeared, he went back to the window, relieved to see his brother’s truck coming up the drive. He met him at the door ready to give him a talking to for having them worried when Brooke let out a little cry.
They both rushed to her side, concern clear on both their faces. “Hey, what’s going on over here?” Carter said, kneeling down to look at Brooke, who had a pinched look on her face.
“Just a little contraction,” she said, smiling at Carter.
“Oh, yeah? And how many of these little contractions have you had?” he asked, gently.
“Enough that I’m glad you’re here,” she said, her body relaxing. She’d known for a few hours that she was in labor but hadn’t wanted to send Calvin into a full panic.
“How about we go upstairs and take a look?” Carter asked, helping her to her feet.
Calvin was staring at them, his mouth hanging open. “What’s going on?” he asked, then rushed to Brooke’s side to help her up the stairs.
“We’re just going to take a look and make sure everything is okay,” Calvin said, winking at Brooke, who was amazingly composed.
A few minutes later, Carter announced, “It looks like this baby isn’t going to wait for Christmas, I guess I was wrong.”
Calvin looked at Brooke, who only nodded her head then grimaced as another contraction hit her, this one stronger than any before. “I need to get a few things ready,” he said, leaving the room.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Calvin asked, smoothing the hair off her forehead when the contraction was over.
“I didn’t want you to panic,” she said, panting a little. “And you would have, don’t deny it.”
“I love you, Brooke, don’t forget that,” he said, taking her hand as the next contraction overwhelmed her.
Carter was more than prepared for this birth. He’d spend hours in the maternity ward and was prepared for anything, including a home birth which this had quickly turned into. Brooke was obviously going to be one of those women who gave birth quickly. When he came back into the room, it was clear that the contractions had progressed and after one more check he was sure that they weren’t moving her.
“Looks like we’re going to have this baby right here,” Carter said, smiling at both of them.
“Well, that’s fitting for the first baby born in Coldwater Canyon,” Marissa said, sweeping into the room.
“Now that my assistant is here, we’re all ready for our new arrival,” Carter said. “And just in time I think.”
Brooke bared down when Carter told her too, her body feeling like it was being split in two, Calvin holding her hand wishing he could be the one in pain. But then she felt the pressure ease and the baby slide out of her in a big gush. Panting, she immediately closed her eyes and said a quick thank you when she heard the lusty cry of an unhappy baby. Carter, tears in his eyes, laid the baby on her chest, as tears streamed down her face.
“You have a beautiful little girl,” Carter said. “And she’s perfect. Come over here, Dad, and cut the cord.”
With shaking hands, Calvin cut the cord to separate his daughter from her mother, who was exhausted but brimming with happiness. Marissa took the baby, quickly and efficiently cleaned her up, and wrapped her in a blanket and gave her to Brooke. “Looks like we’ve got a girl like Paige wanted. I can’t wait to tell her. She’s beautiful. Congratulations, you guys,” she said, tears in her eyes.
Later alone with their new daughter, Calvin couldn’t believe how lucky he was. They were all three in bed, the baby cradled in Brooke’s arms and Brooke cradled in his. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?” Calvin asked, pushing the hair back from her face.
“I love you too, Calvin. When I came here I was broken, but thanks to you I’m whole again. No better than that.” She laughed, her emotions too big to put into words.
“And to think that this all started because you took a stranger into you home and saved his life. It just shows that when you least expect it, life gives you everything you wanted and you are everything I’ve ever wanted,” Calvin said, kissing her.
Brooke looked up at the man she loved, her heart filled with happiness and love for her new little family. “Once I thought I’d lost everything, but you’ve given me more than I ever could have hoped for.”
Before she could finish the sentence, the baby began to cry noisily. “Hope it was peace and quiet you were looking for because this one’s not going to let that be a part of our lives,” Calvin said, helping Brooke put the baby to her breast, where she began to suckle loudly.
“That’s okay, I think I’ve had enough peace and quiet to last me a lifetime,” Brooke said, kissing Calvin and thinking of the house full of children they wanted.
“Good, because I promise you that you’re going to get very little of that around here,” he said, laughing when what sounded like the whole canyon came through the front door, clearly in a celebratory mood.
“I guess it’s time for the first baby of Coldwater Canyon to meet her adoring fans,” Calvin said, taking the baby from Brooke and expertly burping her. “Are you coming, princess?” He turned back and offered her his hand.
“Anywhere you want me to,” she said, taking his hand, then smiled up at him and added, “For the rest of our lives.”
The end.
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