But it was worth it.
Epilogue
A year and a half later, Simon urged, "Push, Tula! Don't stop now, you're almost there!"
"You push for awhile, okay?" she asked, letting her head drop to the pillow. "I'm taking a break."
"Hey," the doctor called out from the foot of the bed, "nobody gets a coffee break yet!"
Simon laughed, planted a hard, fast kiss on Tula's forehead and said, "As soon as this is over, we're both taking a break. And, I swear, we'll never do this again."
"Oh, yes, we will," she told him with a sudden gasp. "I want at least six kids."
"You're killin' me," Simon said with a groan. He added, "Come on, honey, one more push."
Tula grinned up at him despite the pain he could see shining in her eyes. "Nag, nag, nag … " Then her features stiffened and she took a breath. "Here it comes again."
Simon had never been so terrified and so excited at once in his life. His gorgeous wife was the bravest, strongest, most miraculous human being in the world. He was humbled by her and so damn grateful to have her in his life.
"You're a warrior, Tula. You can do this. I'm right here, honey, just get it done." And please do it fast, he added in a silent prayer.
Mick had warned him that labor was hard on a husband. But Simon had had no idea what it would be like to stand beside the woman he loved and watch her suffer. But typically Tula, she had insisted on going through with this naturally.
Silently, Simon promised that if they ever did this again, God help him, he was going to demand that she take drugs. Or he would.
"Here we go," Doctor Liz Haney called out in encouragement. "Just a little more, Tula!"
She bore down, gritted her teeth and took Simon's hand in a crushing grip that he swore later had pulverized his bones. But then a thin, wailing cry split the air. Tula laughed, delighted, and Simon took his first relieved breath in what felt like months.
"It's a boy!" Doctor Liz reached out and laid the red-faced, squalling, beautiful child across Tula's chest.
"He's amazing," Simon said, "just like his mother."
"Hello, little Gavin," Tula said with a tired sigh as she stroked her newborn son's back. "We've been waiting for you. Your big brother is going to be so excited to meet you."
Simon's heart was so full it was a wonder he could draw a breath. His world was perfect. Tula was safe and they had another beautiful son.
His exhausted wife looked up at him. "You should call Mick and Katie to check on Nathan-and to tell them our little Gavin is here."
"I will," Simon said, bending down to kiss her reverently. "Have I mentioned lately that I love you?"
"Only every day," she whispered back, her eyes tired but bright with happiness and satisfaction at a job well done.
"We'll just take the baby and clean him up," one of the nurses said, scooping Gavin into her arms.
Tula watched them go, then smiled at Simon when his cell phone chirped, alerting him to an incoming email. "I thought you were turning that off," she said.
"I meant to but I got distracted," he said, grinning as he read the email. "Hey, this isn't about me," he told her. "Your agent emailed to say your latest book just hit the New York Times list! Congratulations, honey."
Tula grinned. As exciting as that news was, it couldn't compare to what she felt every day of her life. Taking Simon's hand, she said, "I knew this book would do well. How could it miss with that title?"
He grinned and leaned over her for another kiss. "Lonely Bunny Finds a Family," he whispered, then added, "I hope he's as happy as I am with mine."