Page 119 of Small Town Sizzle

Garrett squeezes my hands, his eyes searching mine. “Maya, if you need to stop—”

“I don’t,” I say quickly, though another contraction is already building. “I want to do this. With you.”

He nods, his jaw tightening as if he’s bracing himself for a fight he knows he can’t win. “Okay. But if it gets too much, we’re going.”

We continue, my dad’s voice steady once more as he guides us through the final part of the ceremony. I can feel the tension in the air, the way everyone is holding their breath, but I block it all out. This is our moment, and I’m not letting anything take it away from us.

Finally, my dad asks the question we’ve been waiting for.

“Do you, Garrett McAllister, take Maya Greene to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Garrett says without hesitation, his voice steady and sure.

Another contraction hits, and I grip his hands so tightly that my knuckles turn white.

“And do you, Maya Greene, take Garrett McAllister to be your husband, to love, honor, and cherish him, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I—” I gasp, the contraction peaking, and for a moment, I think I might not be able to do it. But then I look at Garrett, the worry and love in his eyes, and find the strength I need. “I do.”

My dad doesn’t waste another second. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Garrett, you may kiss your bride.”

Garrett pulls me into his arms, his lips capturing mine in a kiss full of relief, love, and everything we’ve fought for to get here. The world seems to spin, the pain is momentarilyforgotten, and when we finally pull apart, I’m laughing and crying all at once.

And then another contraction hits, and this time, there’s no mistaking it.

“The baby’s coming,” I manage to say, clutching my belly.

Laura springs into action, shouting orders to the rest of the group as Garrett scoops me into his arms. “We’re going to the hospital,” he says firmly, his voice steady despite the panic I can see in his eyes.

“No,” I protest weakly, though I’m not even sure what I’m arguing about anymore.

“Yes,” he counters, kissing my forehead. “We’ve got this, Maya. Just hold on.”

As the group scrambles to pack up, George trots behind us, still wearing his tiny tuxedo, and I can’t help but laugh through the pain. This isn’t how I imagined our wedding day ending, but as Garrett carries me to the car, his arms strong and sure around me, I know it couldn’t be more perfect.

I can’t even describe the feeling in my chest as I sit here, in the sterile hospital room, the soft hum of the machines blending with the rhythm of Garrett’s breathing beside me. It’s like I’m in some strange, surreal version of my life where every moment feels too perfect to be true, but somehow, it is. The world outside these walls feels like it’s on pause, and in here? It’s just me, Garrett, and our daughter, who—after nine months of anticipation—has finally decided it’s time to meet us.

She’s only a few hours old, and I can’t imagine life without her. The tiny, soft sounds she makes as she sleeps in the bassinet beside me are the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.

Except, as much as I wish I could sit here forever, reality is pulling at the edges of my mind. The nurse is going to come in soon to check on me again, and I can already hear Garrett making plans for us to head home—because that’s the kind of guy he is. He’s been amazing through all of this. He’s made me laugh when I thought I couldn’t, kept my nerves in check, and, most importantly, he’s been there, holding my hand, making sure I didn’t feel like I was going through any of it alone.

“I can’t believe she’s here,” Garrett says, his voice low and full of awe. He’s sitting in the chair beside my bed, one leg crossed over the other, his hands clasped in his lap, and his eyes locked on our daughter, who’s sleeping peacefully.

I smile, watching him. “I know. It feels like a dream.”

“You’re telling me,” he says, shaking his head in wonder. “I keep expecting someone to come in here and tell us it’s all a joke. That we didn’t just have a baby.”

“She’s real, Garrett,” I tease, gently running my fingers through my hair. “Look at her. She’s definitely real.”

He lets out a soft laugh, but there’s a touch of disbelief in it like he’s still trying to wrap his head around the whole thing. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know how we got so lucky.”

“Well, I’m sure it was all that manifesting I did over the years, begging for a good man,” I joke. “You know, I was pretty convincing. My guides were probably like, ‘Okay, okay, I’ll give her everything she wants. But I’m only doing this because she’s been so persistent.’”

Garrett looks at me with wide eyes, the kind that makes me burst out laughing. “I don’t think it works like that.”

“Maybe not,” I reply, my grin still in place. “But they sure know how to deliver when they want to.”

He laughs with me, and in that moment, I know that this—this life we’re building—is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

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