Page 82 of Revenge

“I planned it weeks ago, hoping you would come home and let me be with you when the time came.”

“Thank you.” She lays on the bed. “I’m happy you’re here. I can’t imagine going through this without you.”

“So am I.” I comb a few strands of hair from her face. “I love you, baby girl.” I softly kiss her lips.

Thirteen hours later…

Ava is in the middle of another contraction. She’s bent over the bed as I massage her back, trying to help her through. She has screamed at every nurse who has entered the room in the last few hours, demanding to be left alone. Finally, the contraction has passed, and she turns to sit on the bed.

“They’re getting stronger.” She leans her head on my chest.

“Pretty soon, you’ll be holding our little man.” I kiss the top of her head.

An hour later…

Even though we have been here for hours, it feels like time has passed quickly. Ava has been so strong. I feel useless since she’s doing all the work. All I have done is hold her hand, say comforting words and do the breathing exercises with her.

“Push, you’re almost there. The head is crowning,” her doctor orders. “You’re doing great.” She adds.

Ava collects herself and then pushes a number of times more and then I see the most beautiful sight known to man.

“Would you like to cut the cord, Dad?” the doctor asks. I look at Ava, all smiles and tears.

“Yes.” I step to the end of the bed and cut the cord. My son is perfect.

After I cut the cord they hand me my son and I walk over to Ava. She is waiting impatiently.

“Ready to meet your son, Mommy?” I ask placing our son on her chest for skin-to-skin contact.

“He’s perfect, Viktor,” Ava says as she holds our son.

“Yes, he is,” I tell her.

I stand next to her watching them bond. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. The woman I love holding our precious son.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ava

“Isn’t he adorable?” Lisa says, smiling.

I haven’t seen Lisa since I left for the cabin. When I came back to the apartment, she was back home spending time with her parents. I’ve missed her and am glad that she’s finally home.

“He is. Aren’t you, baby boy?” I kiss the top of my son’s head.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Exhausted but happy.”

“I can take him if you want, so you can rest,” she tells me. A nice gesture, but I can’t see myself handing him over to anyone.

“No, it’s okay.” I hold him tight, not wanting him to leave my side. He’s my world.

“Where is your baby daddy?” she asks in a whisper.

“Not sure. He needed to take a call. Don’t you have to be at work?” I look at her, smiling.

“I do, but I don’t want to go. I just want to stay here and watch him,” she laughs.

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