Page 119 of The Last Thing
“I need a distraction. Something to take my mind off being cooped in this hospital room.”
“Come sit on the couch with me.”
She waddles over, looking extra adorable as she cradles her bump.
I help her onto the couch, and she rests her head on my shoulder.
“There’s going to be another contraction soon. I want to be done with this part. I just want to push her out. I want to meet our little girl.”
I kiss the side of her head. “So do I, but speaking ofpush. I have a little present for you.”
She sits up and looks at me. “You got me a push present?”
“It’s not exactly a push present. More something special that I wanted to do for you anyway and the timing seems right.”
Her fingers twist into my shirt. “Hold that thought.”
She groans loudly, then forces herself to take deep breaths as the contraction drags on. They’re definitely getting longer now with less space between them.
Everything’s okay, I remind myself.
I hope it stays that way.
Hope.
Our little girl has a heck of a guardian angel watching over her.
It’ll be okay.
“All right. Give me the present. Who knows how much time I have before the next one.”
I chuckle at that, then kiss her nose. “This is why I was planning to wait, but here you go.” I hand her the flat, black velvet jewelry box and watch her open it.
“Wilson,” she breathes. “This is beautiful.”
In the box is a gold chain with a simple, flat gold heart, engraved with the wordstrue love.
“I thought you deserved a better quality necklace.”
“I love it. But where’s your half?”
“Well, I’m not much of a jewelry guy, and a keychain wasn’t good enough. So…” I pull my arm out of my sleeve and show her my upper forearm.
Keeping it a surprise from her has been a challenge, but thankfully she was focused enough on the baby coming that she didn’t notice me insisting on wearing long sleeves for the last few days.
She traces the words that match her necklace.
“You told me that night that the half heart meant I’d always remember the night I met my true love—not that I could ever forget—but I want those words right there where I can see them anytime. So I can take myself back to that night and remember when I started falling for you. So I never take a second of this life we have for granted. I love you.”
She meets my lips in a soft kiss. “I love you too—oh, fuck.”
She grabs my arm and holds tight as another contraction hits. One contraction closer to meeting our little girl.
Hallie is a warrior.She’s had a long labor, but she never lost her resolve. And now, every push fuels her.
“Just a few more pushes. Are you ready?” the doctor asks.
“Yes,” Hallie says, fiercely determined.
