Page 76 of Cinnamon Strudel
“Can you believe that just a year ago, we hardly knew each other? Now we share a home, friends, family… a whole new life.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
He leaned down and demanded a kiss. “I love you, darlin’, with all my heart and soul.”
The End
Before you head to the epilogue and bonus scene would you like to see some NSFW (explicit) artwork of Ruby and Morgan?
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Epilogue
Ruby
Two Years Later
She gripped the railing, bending with the pain that rippled through her stomach. Morgan had his hand on her lower back, coaching her through the contraction with the breathing techniques their midwife had shown them.
“We should have taken the elevator,” he scolded, walking by her side up the stairs.
“And risk getting stuck? No thanks.”
Morgan shook his head and held the door the moment she led him to it. “That possibility was tiny.”
“Pregnancy brain has blown that way out of proportion and I’m not about to fight it.”
Since they’d called ahead, they were immediately shown to a room. She was hooked up to monitoring and given the paperwork for the epidural.
“Morgan, is there anything we can do that would help you through the process?” Elaina, their assigned nurse, asked.
“It would help knowing who’s in the room when they come in and verbalising requests. It’s hard to tell if I’m in the way if only gestures are used.”
“I’ll make sure to pass that along.”
And just as he’d asked, when the doctor came to give the epidural, he introduced himself and made it known that Elaina was in the room as well. As soon as the epidural kicked in, Morgan helped her settle comfortably. He texted their families to keep them updated, while Manuel sent them pictures of a happy Blue on his way to the park.
She closed her eyes, happy for a break from the intense contractions. Her pain tolerance had always been horrendous,so the contractions had been hell. She’d been so grateful for Manuel’s haste in driving them to the hospital.
Rubbing her back, Morgan leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You are doing amazing.”
“Thank you. But it’s all just for show. I’m so nervous.”
“I am too, but we’re not alone.”
The hours dragged by, with the epidural thankfully making the contractions more than bearable. When Elaina announced that she was fully dilated, nerves flared up and she sought out Morgan’s reassurance. He softly praised her for her strength as the bed was modified for the birth.
With her legs in the stirrups, Morgan took her hand and softly kissed her knuckles, pushing back a strand of hair behind her ear. “Good, that was great,” he praised after her first push. “Now breathe and focus on what Elaina tells you.”
Even with the epidural, she could feel the ghost of her contraction and pushed once more, bearing down with all her might.
“Well done, darlin’,” Morgan cheered, kissing her cheek.
Words blurred, as people filled the room and it wasn’t only helpful for Morgan to hear them introduce themselves but Ruby as well.
“They can see the head,” Morgan whispered into her ear as he gripped her leg. “You’re doing so well. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
