Page 116 of Shattered Hearts

“What is it?” I ask.

The expression on her face isn’t concerning per say, but it makes my smile falter.

“Umm, it’s from Fiona.” She pauses, reading through the email before passing me the phone. I hum as I read. Laynie’s foot taps on the floor anxiously.

“You’re booked in for a C-section,” is all I can get out, reading through the information once more.

She nods hurriedly. “It’ll be at thirty-eight weeks.”

I check the date again and my throat works before switching off the phone. “It’ll be okay. They know what they’re doing, and what is right for our baby.”

The tops of her cheeks pink, and Laynie tries hiding a smile. “I like it when you say ours.”

“Me too.” My insides squeeze as I pull her into an embrace. “I promise you that we’ll get through this, no matter what happens, okay?”

I feel her nod against my neck as I breathe her in. Strawberries, flour and something buttery. I still can’t believe I get to hold Laynie in my arms like this and call her mine. She is mine. Always has been and always will be.

And our baby will always have my heart. My heart beats for both of them.

Chapter Forty One

Laynie

FOURTEEN WEEKS LATER

“All right, we’re almost there, Laynie. You’re doing amazing,” the doctor says behind the blue curtain.

Grayson’s strong hand grips mine tighter, his eyes full of anticipation as mine flare with trepidation. The blue colour of his scrubs enhances his irises that stare at me in adoration. I can’t see anything but him, and it’s kind of killing me because I want to know what’s going on.

“You can’t feel anything, can you?” he asks for the fourth time in a hushed tone.

My heart stutters. I shake my head, my throat burning as I cling to him. My lifeline.

“No, but I think my heart might implode. I just want to see it already,” I squeeze out.

“And you will,” he promises me, kissing my fingers like he always does when I’m feeling anxious. It’s so soft and buttery, but it does something to my chest.

“I can’t wait,” My head hurts, my toes wriggling as the curtain obstructs my view. I can hear the clanging of metal, machines beeping, and the medical staff talking among themselves, but my eyes don’t move from his.

Another loud command comes through, “Almost there. Only a few more minutes.”

My teeth bite down on my lip harshly. Grayson leans over, kissing my sweaty forehead when the ear splitting cry of an infant bursts through the room.

I gasp, and Grayson almost falls out of his chair when he peeks around the curtain. My throat works as I gulp down air, needing to see my baby when I hear the snipping and crying. My eyes flood with tears when the midwife comes around with my little baby in her hands. I almost combust on the spot.

“Congratulations,” she says through her mask, placing the little human being on my bare chest. As soon as our skin touches, I feel the connection coursing through us. This is my baby. My child. And I will die for it. “It’s a baby boy.”

My face lights up as Grayson moves closer, kissing my head once more before stroking his tiny red cheeks as he coos.

“Crap, he’s cute,” Grayson murmurs. I snort and sniffle so loud that I hear one of the midwives laugh.

“He’s beautiful,” I let out, not holding back my tears. “He’s perfect.”

He whimpers against me, my hand holding him still while the other pokes at his tiny fingers. They wrap around mine, and my life feels whole.

“I love him,” I choke out.

“Me too,” Grayson whispers.