They race around the pasture, both vying for the lead. “This is the best,” Charli says through her laughter as the four-wheelers start to get closer, and all I can do is hold my breath.
Cade’s in the lead as they start to approach the bit of grass where we stand near the barn. “Boy,” she whispers.
But then they do some maneuvers and race around each other one last time, and the four-wheeler that races across the finish line and stops in front of us is Camden.
“It’s a girl!” Charli declares as the bucket above our head moves and rains down its contents on our bright white clothes.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her soundly as we’re coated in pink powder. Her laughter is the sweetest sound. “I love you.”
She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her bump against me. “Love you too.”
Brushing my lips across hers. “You’re gonna be a girl mama.”
She giggles, grinning widely. “Girl Dad does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
I nod.
A girl dad.
I can’t wait.
Even though everyone is just itching to congratulate us, they give us the time we need to process this moment together. Charlislides her palm across my scruffy cheek and whispers, “Best. Day. Ever.”
We’re surrounded and pulled into hugs of congratulations.
“Guess who is dubbed favorite uncle?” Camden states proudly.
“You can’t be the favorite uncle when you’re wearing that damn bonnet!” Cade argues, making everyone laugh.
“I think that just cements it, big guy,” Camden boasts with a cocky grin.
“They’re impossible,” Charli murmurs, shaking her head.
“Our baby girl will have the best uncles ever.”
She grins and nods. “She definitely will.”
After everyone starts moving to the four-wheeler so we can pose for pictures, Charli stops and says, “Best mistake I ever made was getting naked with you.”
I snort a laugh and shake my head. “Not a mistake, sweetheart.”
Smiling, she replies, “Nope. It was fate.”
EPILOGUE
Charli
“You ready?” he asks.
I offer a sharp nod, a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and fear all competing for the front-runner in this race. I’m on the gurney, ready to be taken to the operating room for a scheduled C-section.
Baby girl was discovered to be in the breech position at thirty-seven weeks and showing no sign of wanting to flip. We tried several different things, trying to help her turn, but it appears baby girl is a bit stubborn like her mom. She didn’t want to turn, and thanks to her bigger size, my OB decided it was safer to schedule a C-section than to risk labor and find out she won’t turn on her own.
So, here we are.
Delivery day.
I’m at North Ridge Medical Center, all gowned up, IV’d, and ready for surgery. My mom is in the waiting room, along with half my family, and Quinn is sitting beside me in a chair, tapping his foot nonstop.
