She nodded and smiled. “Did you call her doctor?”
I stopped walking. Fuck.
“Keep walking and wipe that look of horror from your face, son,” she said as the door opened and she headed outside. “Well hello there darling,” she said to Liza. “My name is Nancy. I’m going to help you get to labor and delivery.”
Liza gave the woman a weak smile. “Hello, Nancy.”
Sitting in the wheelchair, Liza reached for my hand. I quickly gave it to her, just in time for another contraction. This time she almost brought me to my knees with how hard she squeezed. I looked at my father who was laughing his ass off. I narrowed my eyes at him and whispered, “She’s gonna break my hand!”
“She probably will!” He started laughing again.
Nancy began to head over to the elevator. “Sweetheart what’s your name?” Nancy asked Liza as we waited for the elevator.
“L—Liza,”
“Liza, did you call your doctor?” Nancy asked as she looked at me and winked.
Liza nodded and Whitley said, “Yes. As soon as her water broke, she called.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding.
The elevator ride to the labor and delivery floor felt like an eternity. When the doors opened, we all stepped out. Nancy pushed Liza to the nurse’s desk and gave them her name. They asked all kinds of questions. Insurance, how far apart the contractions were, how far along she was—my head was spinning. Before long, we were in a delivery room that would also serve as Liza and the baby’s room afterward.
I’d forgotten how beautiful their rooms were. Liza and I had toured the hospital’s labor and delivery floor a few months back. The walls were a soft green and the dark walnut cabinets flanking the hospital bed looked brand new. I knew they’d remodeled a lot of the rooms, but this was like a five-star hotel. There was a sofa up against the windows with a dark, walnut rocking chair next to it. The wall of windows looked out over the hill country and the view was amazing. To the left of the bed was a Jacuzzi tub.
“Damn,” I whispered as walked toward the bed. They were getting Liza out of her clothes and into a hospital gown when a contraction hit her.
“Walker!” she cried as I quickly moved to the side of the bed, out of the nurse’s way.
“I’m right here, baby. I’m right here.” I took her hand and talked her through the contraction.
We got Liza settled and into the bed as the nurses hooked her up to a bunch of machines. She was so strong, breathing through each contraction. I was so proud of her. Leaning over I gave her a gentle kiss. She opened her eyes and smiled.
“I love you so much and I’m so proud of you, Liza. I’ll never be able to put into words how much I love you. How happy you’ve made me.” My eyes searched her face before our blue eyes locked. “You’re so beautiful. I’ve never seen you more beautiful.”
The tear that rolled down her face caused a lump in my throat. “Breathtakingly beautiful,” I whispered as I captured her lips with mine.
She pulled me in closer as we deepened the kiss. Eventually, the nurse cleared her throat. I pulled back and whispered against her lips. “I love you, baby.”
She smiled and wiped away her tear. “I love you, too.”
IT WASN’T LONG before the sounds of our baby boy’s cries filled the air. Liza had been amazing and only had to push for thirty minutes before Michael made his appearance. I sat next to her as she held Michael in her arms. She looked at me and smiled.
“I’ve never been so happy in my entire life,” she said, her eyes bright with love.
I caressed our son’s cheek with my finger. “The two most important people in my life,” I whispered as I kissed Michael’s head and then Liza’s lips.
Michael whimpered and Liza laughed. I pulled back and looked down at my little guy. “All from a promise,” I said.
Liza and I looked into each other’s eyes. A tear rolled down Liza’s face as she said, “A promise of love.”
Two Months Later.
SITTING IN THE living room I tried to concentrate on work and I couldn’t. I stood up and stretched, looking at all the boxes everywhere. I rolled my eyes and went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. I leaned back against the counter and smiled. I could hear Walker talking to Michael over the baby monitor. I loved listening to him talk to Michael. Pushing off the counter, I headed upstairs to Michael’s room.
Walker hummed as he walked around the room, holding Michael close to his bare chest, lulling him to sleep. I leaned against the wall, watching my two favorite men. Seeing the two of them together made my heart burst with happiness. I loved them both so much. Walker was an amazing dad. From the time we brought Michael home, he was hands-on. My favorite time was bath time, all three of us together. Walker would wrap Michael up in a towel and bring him to our room. He’d place the baby between us and we’d lie there, talking. Michael seemed to take it all in. It was our time. I imagined doing it as the years went by. The older Michael got, the more the conversations would grow.
“Are you ready to move into your new home, little man?” Walker said. “I can’t wait for you to see your new room. If you think this is nice, you haven’t seen anything yet!”
I giggled and shook my head. Our moms had done an amazing job on Michael’s room at the new house. It was everything Winnie the Pooh, and I loved it. We’d planned on staying here longer, but I wanted to get back to work and I hated being in town, away from our families. I’d talked to Walker a few weeks ago about moving into our new home. It was ready to go, and it made sense to move in and get settled. Michael was two months old, and I thought the transition would be easier now than when he got older.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. It was a text from Jase. He was heading home in a few days. He’d stayed in Europe longer then he’d originally planned. Of course the girl he’d met had played a hand in that, I’m sure. I loved that her name was Taylor, too.
Jase: How is my nephew doing?
Me: Wonderfully. He’s in one of his favorite places—Daddy’s arms.
Jase: I can’t wait to see him. I miss home. Miss the ranch
Jase had been struggling with something and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
Me: Home has missed you. How’s Ava?
Jase: Ava’s good. Liza, I really need to talk when I get home.
Me: Is everything okay?
Jase: Yeah, just feeling confused. Gotta run. Love you.