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“I heard,” Liam smiles, looking up the hill. “I think your ride is waiting.”
Looking in the same direction Liam is, I see my dad, standing next to the chief. “Come on son,” he hollers, waving me on. “I’m ready to meet my grandchild.”
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Amara
I am completely and utterly exhausted. I feel like I’ve gone to battle but I’ve never been happier. I can’t take my eyes off my boys, Tyler with our son in his arms. He’s holding him so close, his lips resting upon his forehead while he rocks him in his arms slowly. His eyes are closed, but I can see the shuddering of his breathing, and I don’t have to see his face completely to know that he is sharing an emotional moment with his son.
And I am in complete awe.
I’ve never been more in love with this man than I am at this very moment.
When I hear a knock on the door I look up just in time to see the crowd shuffle in. My family and his, they all gather around the bed, trying to get their first glimpse of the newest addition.
Tyler takes a deep breath, looking at me and the redness I find there makes my chest burn with my own emotions. He mouths athank you, I have to hold my breath to keep them from spilling over right then and there in front of everyone.
Then Ty turns his attention to the room and turns the baby so everyone can see him more clearly. “I’d like everyone to meet our son, Jacob Tyler Collins.”
Hearing him say the name we’d picked months ago out loud is my breaking point and I hang my head as the tears begin to fall.
My mother hurries in, hugging me close. “He’s beautiful,” she whispers and all I can do is nod my head.
Yesterday afternoon when I went into the doctor's office I never expected to be sitting where I am now and that our son would be here with us. But when the doctor examined me and found that I was in labor, he wanted to admit me for observation and attempt to slow down my active labor.
I was directed to the labor and delivery ward and as they were wheeling me down the hallway toward the elevator, I felt like I’d peed my pants. My water broke and then there was no turning back.
Tyler made it after my sister got on the phone and tracked him down. I could tell when he arrived that there was something he wasn't telling me but the pain I was in outweighed the curiosity.
But eventually after he was told everything was good and our son was here with us, he told me about Tucker’s accident. Quickly assuring me that my brother was fine, just some stitches and being placed on a watch due to his concussion.
Glancing around the room I find him sitting in a chair off to the side, watching Tyler with our son. There’s a softness to his features I haven’t seen before.
Tucker sees me watching him and grins, then looks back to Tyler, there is a difference between the two of them, almost a truce of some kind.
“Mr. Bennett,” we all look toward the door as a redheaded girl walks in, holding what appears to be medications. Holding them out to Tucker she offers him a smile. She can’t be but a child, only she’s not because she is wearing scrubs and they say RN right on the front of her tag. But wow, she seems so young. “Meds,” she arches her brow at him and refuses his dismissal. “You may want to act all tough and refuse them now, but later when you are crying and whining, waking up your momma you’ll be wishing you listened to me.”
She shakes the bottle at him and the sound of the pills shaking echo over the silent room as we all watch the scene play out. “I promise I won’t spread the news thattheTucker Bennett can’t handle the pain. Just take the pills already.”
My father chuckles, my mother grins from ear to ear and all I can think is,wow.
He takes the pills, she does a little clap, rolls her eyes as she spins around offering us a wave. “Gorgeous baby,” she says just before ducking out of the room.
“Oh, I like her,” the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and Tucker shakes his head and looks down at the bottle. “Nurse Hackett is a pain in the ass.” Even though he says these words I notice the smile on his face as he glances back toward the door.
“You don’t have time to play matchmaker,” Tyler leans in and kisses my cheek. “It’s time for you to rest.”
For now I’d let it go, but only for now.
* * *
It’s the middle of the night and I reach out feeling the bed beside me only to find it empty. The cold feeling lets me know that Tyler’s been gone for some time.
Sitting up, I look around the room and swing my legs over the side of the mattress.
Tiptoeing for fear of waking Jacob, I exit the bedroom and start down the hallway, only to pause when I see the nursery door open.
Peeking inside I swear my ovaries burst and my stomach flutters.
