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“Alex!” Hazel shouts. I turn to look at her in my half-asleep state. “Alex!” she yelled again.
I shook my head and was finally able to focus on her. “Are you okay?” I asked her.
“No, I think my water just broke,” she explained.
I stare at her for a few seconds. “What?” I ask, even though I heard her.
“My water broke. The baby is coming,” she almost yelled.
“Oh my gosh, okay, don't panic,” I replied as I hurried out of bed.
“I'm not, but I am in pain,” she told me in between breaths.
I rushed to throw some clothes on then hurried to pack a bag before I called Gibson and told him the news. Afterward, I helped Hazel out of bed.
“Gibson should be here. He will drive us,” I explained. I helped Hazel quickly dress and put on her shoes.
Gibson urgently pounded on our door. “The car is ready downstairs,” he shouted.
After making sure we had everything, I led Hazel down into the hall. We followed Gibson all the way out to the car. We strap Hazel into the front seat. I sit in the back while Gibson speeds away. We drive quickly to the hospital. I hold Hazel's hand and keep her calm as she does her breathing exercises she learned in class. We arrive at the hospital, and I help her inside.
“I'll be in the waiting room. Best of luck to you both,” Gibson tells us.
We go our separate ways as the nurse leads Hazel and me upstairs to the delivery room. Hazel is ready, and the baby is on his way out. I'm so filled with emotions as they prep us.
I stand beside Hazel as her coach. “You can do this,” I tell her with a kiss. She smiles at me.
The doctor comes in and announces, “It’s time.”
Hazel starts to push the baby out. My body fills with tension as I realize that in just a few moments, our child will be here.
A short while later, Hazel gives birth to a happy baby boy. They wrap him, then place him in her arms, and I wrap my arms around them both.
“I can't believe it,” I say in amazement. The moment is so emotionally overwhelming I'm at a loss for words.
“He’s so precious, isn't he?” Hazel asks. I can only nod in agreement.
“Have you decided on a name?” One of the nurses asks curiously.
I just stare blankly. Hazel answers for both of us. “Yes. We want to name him Gary,” she says happily.
I look at her with a smile. “That's perfect!” I reply.
She smiles up at me. “I thought you'd like it.”
We sit there happily in silence as Baby Gary coos. I didn't think my world could feel more perfect, but the birth of our son changed my opinion on that, in the best way.Epilogue - HazelA year laterIt has been a pretty eventful year for all of us. I spent every moment by baby Gary’s side. Alex noticed that and praised me by calling me a wonderful and devoted mother. I had beamed with pride at his compliment. We both took time off from promoting our books to be with the baby, but Alex started writing a new project. In between caring for the baby and sleeping, he would run his ideas by me.
Life continued in that fashion for a while. We adjusted to it pretty quickly that first year. We also had a surprise when Gibson came to visit us. We hadn't seen him since Gary was born. Alex was so excited. It warmed my heart to see the bond that those two shared.
I was in the living room feeding Gary as Alex opened the door for Gibson. “There's the happy family!” Gibson said as he walked in. He greeted us all with hugs.
Gary cooed happily and adjusted to Gibson right away. They adored each other. “You have to let me babysit him. He is adorable!” Gibson said cheerfully as he made Gary laugh.
Alex and I just looked at each other. “Hazel never goes anywhere without the baby,” Alex explained with a smile. I looked away in embarrassment.
Gibson looked at us both in shock. “Never? You mean you two haven't any time to yourselves?” he asked in disbelief.
“Not since before Gary was born,” Alex replied.
Gibson cradled Gary in his arms. They both looked very natural like that. “That's it. I'm babysitting tonight. You both need a night for yourselves,” he announced.
Alex and I just looked at each other and laughed.
“I'm serious,” Gibson insisted.
We stopped laughing and stood there talking about it. “Okay, we'll go, only if you are absolutely sure about this?” Alex asked his friend.
Gibson replied, “Of course I'm sure. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't. Now go and get ready.”
Alex and I looked at each other, then ran upstairs. Thirty minutes later we were by the front door ready for a date night.
