doubts you’re going to kick this motherhood gig in the ass.”
“Promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“Promise me we won’t become those cliché parents who wear cheesy matching outfits for family portraits.”
“Those people make me sick, you know that.”
“One more thing,” I say as I stand in front of him with only a pair of panties on and my belly nudging up against his toned abs. “Promise me you won’t change the way you look at me.”
“I’ll never look at you and not be reminded of how lucky I am to have you. You’re so damn sexy, and your being a mom isn’t going to change that. I love you most and more,” he tells me intently. “Now come on and get dressed.”
Our sweet moment quickly evaporates as Landon tosses clothes at me to put on. I move as quickly as I can, but not quick enough for my husband as he runs circles around me and texts family that the baby is on its way.
By the time he fastens my seatbelt, the pain wrapping around my back begins to intensify. My hand flies to Landon’s, and I squeeze tightly.
“You okay?”
“Mmm mmm,” I sound through my lips as I try to hold my breath.
“Don’t hold your breath; it’ll only make the pain worse.”
I trust him and take in a deep breath through my nose and release it through my mouth. I do this three or four times before I tell him, “Call Brooke.”
“I already did. She’s meeting us at the hospital.”
Landon keeps his hand locked to mine as he weaves through traffic. I close my eyes and try to focus on anything besides my back pain. Soon enough, we arrive at the hospital and are placed in a delivery room. The nurses hook me up to the monitors, and as much as I don’t want to be pregnant anymore, the fear of how this baby is going to change our world scares me. It’s only ever been me and Landon. I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like with three of us.
“I got here as soon as I could,” Brooke announces when she barges into the room, but I’m in too much pain to talk.
She goes to Landon, allowing me time to breathe through the contraction that just hit me.
“How are you doing?” she asks him after giving him a hug.
“Anxious. The nurses just checked her and she’s dilated to five already.”
“Do you need anything? I can grab you a coffee or something.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine,” he tells her. “Where’s Chris?”
“He’s stuck in a meeting. He said he’ll call as soon as he’s free.”
A wave of nausea hits hard. “Landon, something doesn’t feel right.”
I grab my belly and tears spring from my eyes as a blast of pain shoots through my stomach. I’m loud when I scream out, and he takes my hand in his.
“It’s okay,” Brooke soothes as she stands on my other side and places a cold washcloth on my forehead.
Landon calls the nurse, and when she comes into the room, I cry out, “Please, stop the pain.”
She quickly checks me, and when I look down at her from between my legs, she gives me the worst news ever. “Too late for an epidural, dear. You’re ready to start pushing.”
Fear ignites like a wild fire in my chest, and I panic. “Landon, I can’t do this without an epidural. Please, do something.”
His face mirrors mine when he looks up, and then I hear Brooke hollering at one of the nurses that is now in my room.
“You need to call the anesthesiologist now. There is no way she’s having that baby without drugs.”
“Your friend doesn’t have a choice.”
“Oh, God! I need to push,” I cry.
Everything moves in hypervelocity as I grab on to my husband. He’s right by my side, kissing my head and repeating over and over how much he loves me. In a whirlwind, the doctor rushes in. Brooke holds my one leg as a nurse holds the other, and with Landon’s forehead pressed against mine, I bear down and push through the scorching pain, screaming with tears falling down my face.
It all happens so fast, and now, as I lie in the hospital bed, I look over to Landon who’s holding our baby girl. He looks familiar and different at the same time, and it’s astounding. Before my eyes, I watch my loving husband change into an adoring daddy. She’s wrapped in a soft pink blanket, bundled up and snug in Landon’s strong arms. I see him soften