Page 95 of You're All I Need

By the time midnight rolls around, my labor is in full swing, the contractions hitting every minute and a half. Dr. Halloway comes in with a knock. “How are you feeling?” she asks, giving me a sympathetic smile.

“Ready for it to be over,” I grumble and groan as another contraction starts almost as soon as the previous ended.

“I’ve been told you’re there,” she informs me, walking over to wash her hands and put on gloves. The nursing staff preps the room, but I pay them no attention. All I can think about is the pain, and my God, does it hurt.

“Hey,” Caden says, getting right up next to my face as I pant. “You’ve got this, baby.”

“I don’t know if I can,” I say, starting to cry as the emotions grip. I feel so overwhelmed right now.

He takes me in his arms and runs his hands through my curls. His smile is full of awe and pride, and I don’t miss the tears in his own eyes. “It’s almost over, Adrienne. In just a few minutes, we’re going to meet our son.”

“Ready to push, Adrienne?” the doctor asks, taking her position between my legs.

I glance at Caden and grab on to his strength. “I’m ready.”

He smiles as we begin the process of pushing. I listen to the nurse and do as instructed, keeping my eyes focused on Caden’s face. He counts along, telling me how amazing I’mdoing. I almost call him a liar. I’m not doing well. I want to quit. I want the pain to stop. I want to hold my baby.

Suddenly, I hear a cry.

“Don’t push, Adrienne. I’m adjusting the baby and clearing his airway,” Dr. Halloway instructs gently, working quickly. “All right, girl. One big push and he’ll be out.”

I push with everything I have until the moment I feel…relief.

The room is filled with the cries of our baby.

Our son.

“Look at him, Adrienne. Look at our baby,” Caden says softly.

I shift my eyesight down and between my legs, taking in the small baby the doctor is holding. He’s screaming his head off and covered in grossness, but my God, he’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.

“Meet your son, Mommy,” Dr. Halloway says, gently placing the baby on my chest. I didn’t even realize the nurse had covered me with a paper sheet as she goes about wiping him down.

I wrap my arms around the crying newborn, tears of joy and happiness pouring from my eyes. “Hi, baby. I’m your mama.”

I take my eyes off him to look at Caden. He’s crying. Openly crying as he watches. He must feel my eyes on him, and he turns his gaze of wonder my way. “You did it,” he whispers, leaning over and kissing my lips. “You are the strongest, most amazing woman I know. Thank you so much for this gift.”

I lean my head against him, the exhaustion taking hold. “I’m so tired. I want to sleep. And a huge cheeseburger.”

He snorts a laugh. “I can arrange that, sugar.”

“Text Jasper. Tell him I want an I’d Smash That burger. And fries. Lots of fries. Stat.”

He laughs. “I’ll get right on that, but maybe we’ll shoot for lunch. It’s almost one in the morning.”

I close my eyes. “Okay.” Then, I ask, “Is he okay?”

“He seems perfect,” Dr. Halloway answers. “Ten little fingers and ten little toes. And obviously a healthy set of lungs.”

The nurse reaches for my son, saying, “I need to take him over and run a few tests. I promise I’ll bring him back to you in just a few minutes.”

“’Kay.”

The next several minutes are a blur. The doctor finishes doing what she has to do, and I do the same. The whole time, I keep looking over to the side of the room, where Caden hovers over our son. He watches the nurse’s every move, listening to her explain what she’s doing and even helping from time to time.

Finally, after the doctor has finished up, Caden’s handed our son and makes his way over to my bed. “I think he’s hungry already.”

“You think?” I ask, barely able to take my eyes off the baby wrapped in a blanket and wearing a blue, pink, and white striped hat.

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