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“We made it,” I cry in happiness and overwhelming relief, hugging onto Garrison.
“We made it.” He hugs gently back, and the next part suddenly seems less terrifying.
Quickly, Garrison wheels me into the emergency room and the second he sees a nurse and doctor, he says, “She wants an epidural.”
We’ve planned everything. Down to a science. Except for the fact that I didn’t plan on having her two weeks early. Definitely didn’t plan on going into labor during a Disney movie.
Definitely don’t have my emergency duffel bag with me (in case of a long labor).
But I half-panic and half-relax when the nurse says, “It’s too late for that.”
Don’t need that duffel bag then.
Once safely on the hospital bed, a thick layer of sweat clings to my skin and my hair sticks to my forehead. There’s not an ounce of me that cares. I don’t even care about my bowels. I just want her to be safe and healthy.
Please don’t let me mess this up.
My lashes are wet, most are tears from the raw emotion of today. Garrison’s the only one here besides the doctor and nurse. Lo went to the waiting room to speak to Lily. She’s on her way.
I don’t expect Daisy or Ryke to come.
Ever since Winona Meadows came into this world a couple months ago, they’ve been doting on her like they did Sulli. It’s hard for them to leave her side, which is why they passed on the movie theater outing.
I’m okay.
Tears continue to cloud my vision.
“WillowWillowWillow.” Garrison clutches my hand tighter as my name comes out in an urgent string. “Hey, look at me.”
I do look at him.
He rubs off the tears at the corners of my eyes. “You can do this,” he breathes.
“But what if…” I trail off, the worst thought popping into my head.
He waits patiently.
I wince from the pain but say, “What if I’ll have to write a eulogy for her before I even have one for myself?” That fear pulverizes me, drowns out the pain with a toxic anxiety.
His face breaks for a second. “Willow. Everything is going right so far. Right, Dr. Jones?” He glances over, and the doctor checks my vitals again—maybe for my peace of mind.
“Right on track,” she says cheerfully. “We’re just going to need you to push, Willow.”
Garrison’s eyes stay fixed on me. “I’m right here.” He squeezes my hand. “You’re my girls. Nothing bad is happening to either of you. I promise. Okay?”
“Okay.” Love surges inside me, along with a hearty dose of hope, more powerful than any drug, and after we share a warm, tender kiss—filling my lungs—I know I can do this. I know there is no one else I would want to do this with than him.
And he’s here.
We’re ready.
And I push. Pain envelops me, but I keep pushing and pushing. Teeth clenching as I try my hardest.
“That’s it, Willow,” Dr. Jones coaches.
Garrison wipes the sweaty hair off my forehead and adjusts my glasses as they slip awkwardly. I don’t stop. I push.
And push.
And push.
And scream.
And I lose time again, but there is an end. And the end is just the beginning for this one. Her little cries bring a wave of relief and joy. She might as well have arrived singing beautiful ballads because I react like she is a singing princess-superhero being.
She’s ours.
Our beautiful little squishy baby.
After they cut the umbilical cord and wipe her clean, they rest her on my chest for warmth. I cup her little head, tears welling up.
I know she will be my one and only.
I’m really happy with that.
“She’s perfect,” I whisper.
When I look up at Garrison, he’s wiping his tear-streaked face. He keeps nodding and nodding, unable to say much. His reddened eyes make mine mist even more.
He knows, too.
She’s it.
Our one and only.
We spend a good bit of time getting acquainted with Vada Abbey. She’s content, mostly. Her soft cries have turned into loving coos. Eyes closed and swaddled in a blanket, she relaxes in Garrison’s arms. “Is she supposed to be this good?” I wonder nervously. “Rose, Lily, and Daisy said that it’s okay if she cries a lot, but she’s not crying that much.”
“A miracle child,” Garrison grins.
I can’t help but smile, too. He’s not even playing into my anxious thoughts. I love him that way. I love him all ways.
My body is sore and tired, but I fight everything to watch them longer. I don’t think I can get over how sexy he is holding our baby. I mean, I’ve seen him holding babies before (my family now has a lot of them), but it’s different because this baby is ours. Because this is the one we created together.
Garrison catches me staring.
I blush.
“What?” he wonders, the corner of his lip slowly rising. Like he knows I’m checking him out.
“Nothing. Just…” I push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “You’re…hot.”
