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My angel nods, and somehow, with Claudette’s calm presence, I believe it too. The panic is settling and is slowly being replaced with anticipation.
I’m going to be a father today. The realization hits me like a lightning bolt.
Taking Ella’s face in my hands, I kiss her deeply, before bending down to kiss her belly.
“I can’t wait to meet you.”
I won’t lie. I underestimated how much seeing Ella in pain would affect me. Every one of her cries is like a stab in my soul. I’ve never felt more helpless.
It makes me reconsider wanting to keep her pregnant for the rest of her life.
“Aaaahhhhh,” Ella groans, her face turning beet red as she pushes with yet another contraction. Her grip on my arm is merciless.
Her skin is glistening with perspiration, and I reach for the face washer to dab her forehead and neck. She doesn’t seem to notice, too focused on birthing our child, but doing something helps me stay centered.
I’m in awe of her… of her strength and resilience.
She endured many trials to get us to this point… to our happily ever after.
After the attempts on her life, the baby’s and mine, we’ve finally arrived here. Her determination, her unwavering love, it’s climaxing in this moment.
An overwhelming sense of pride and admiration fills me. She truly is a queen… my queen.
“I can see the head.” Claudette beams at us.
“Only a few more pushes and your beautiful girl will be here,” Barbara says, readying a blanket to wrap up our baby. After a reading with Claudette, she believes whatever Ella’s psychic friend says as gospel.
“Or beautiful boy,” I correct for the umpteenth time today.
It doesn’t actually matter to me if our baby is a boy or a girl. Any child of ours will be loved and cherished. It’s just become an automatic reaction.
In the beginning, I admit I was attached… wanting to pass on my legacy and all. But my life is so different now.
Living without constant danger has relaxed me. Ella and I have grown so close—it’s better than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams.
I keep an eye on my brother from afar and try to smooth his path as best I can, hidden in the background. It pains me not being able to tell him I’m not dead, but at the same time, I’m not willing to jeopardize my life with Ella. I hope he’ll forgive me.
My new online venture is booming, giving me purpose outside my relationship with Ella. But it will take a backseat for the foreseeable future. My angel and our child are the priority.
“That’s it, honey. You’re so close,” Barb’s voice brings me back to the here and now. “Take a deep breath and push again.”
Summoning every last ounce of strength, Ella pushes with all her might. Her fingernails dig into my arm, but I don’t care.
“Papa-to-be,” Claudette calls out softly to get my attention. “Come here and catch your baby. Yours should be the first touch she experiences outside the safety of her mother’s womb.”
Unexpectedly, tears well up in my eyes, and my heart tumbles into an irrational beat. My gaze connects with Ella’s, and she smiles. “Please. Welcome her into the world,” she agrees softly.
I lower myself to the ground and stretch out my arms, taking in the crowning head full of dark hair.
My heart stops. Literally.
Our child—a piece of the love Ella and I share made manifest.
My throat closes over, and I swallow hard, trying to dislodge the giant lump.
“You’re doing incredible. One last push. Give it your all,” Barb instructs.
Ella takes a deep breath and bears down, her body straining.
