I Just Want You(80)

"Sit, babe. Those are close together."

I don't answer him as I focus on breathing through the pain. He gets me in the wheelchair and takes me inside. The nurses see him and laugh-until another contraction hits me and I scream out in pain. They all jump into action and I'm whisked off to a room, my husband hot on our heels, refusing to leave my side. They give him a gown to help me change. As soon as my pants are off, another one hits.

"Can we get a doctor in here?" Crew yells. "You got this, babe. I wish I could take the pain from you. I love you. Thank you for my son, my daughter. I love you," he says again.

The doctor comes in as another contraction hits. "Let's take a look," he says.

"Wait a minute. Are there not any female doctors on tonight?" Crew asks.

"Crew! Get out of the damn way. This baby is coming, so unless you plan on delivering our son into the world, move your ass!"




 

 

That snaps him into action and he moves out of the way, never taking his eyes off the doctor.

"How long have you been having pains?" the doctor asks.

"Just minor aching. I know that's normal."

"How long?" he asks again.

"Since yesterday," I say through gritted teeth.

"What?" Crew turns to face me. "You didn't tell me."

"I just thought it was-" Deep breath. "-common. It wasn't-" Deep breath. "-unbearable. Just a slight dull ache, and it wasn't constant."

"Well, this baby is ready to meet his parents. Dad, hold her legs." He nods to the nurse to do that same. "No time for an epidural, I'm afraid. It's time to push."





"ON THE COUNT of three. One, two, three," the doctor says. Berklee bears down and a scream rips from her throat. I feel helpless and I'm ready to lose my shit seeing her in this much pain. When she delivered Corrine, she had pain meds, an epidural and something else. She didn't scream like this, like a monster has taken over my sweet wife.

She reaches out and I offer her my hand. She crushes it as the doctor counts her to another round of pushing.

"You're doing so good, babe."

"Shut up," she growls as she tucks her chin into her chest and pushes. I'm just about to apologize because that's the only thing I can think of when I hear a loud cry and Berklee falls back against the bed.

"It's a boy. Dad, you want to do the honors?"

I nod, tears flowing as I lean down and kiss my wife. "I fucking love you, Berklee Ledger." With shaking hands, I cut the cord that separates my son from his momma. They check him over, and then he's being placed on her chest.

"Look at him. He's a mini you," she croons. "His dark hair and those eyes."

"I thought all babies were born with blue eyes?" I learned that little tidbit when Corrine was born. I was stoked that she had her momma's eyes until they told me they were all born with blue and they could change.

"Not this time," she says softly. "Hi, Caden. I'm your mommy. You look just like your dad, my sweet boy." She looks at me with a watery smile. "You want to hold your son?"

I nod; speaking really isn't an option for me right now. Life is full of defining moments, ones that can bring a man to his knees and tears to his eyes. I've had three. The first was the day Berklee became my wife. The second when she made me a father for the first time and I got to see my daughter brought into the world. Then there's today. I thought the second time around, knowing what to expect, I would keep my cool, not cry. Not going to happen. 

All too soon the nurses are taking him away to clean him up. I look down at Berklee. She's more beautiful than I've ever seen her. I said that on our wedding day and the day Corrine was born, and I didn't think anything could ever top that. I was wrong.

"I love you," I say, kissing her softly.

"I love you too." She closes her eyes and leans back against the bed.

"Can I get you anything?" She's given me the world, after all.

Slowly, she opens her eyes. "I just want you."