Page 104 of One Pucking Surprise
“A wedding?” she guesses.
Hints fly from every direction. “Think bigger, Lainey!” Anna yells.
Her eyes widen, and she gasps. “Oh my God.”
Dropping the marker, I turn to Lainey and sink to one knee. The room falls silent, anticipation thick in the air.
“Lainey,” I begin, my voice steady despite the hammering of my heart. “From the moment you barged into my life with your color-coded schedules and impossible expectations, you turned everything upside down—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ve given me love, a home, and soon, our son. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Her hands fly to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears as I reach for her hand. Just then, her face contorts, and she grips her belly with a sharp gasp.
“Lainey?” My heart pounds. “You okay?”
She nods weakly, a mix of laughter and panic in her eyes. “Zach, you’re proposing now? While I’m like this?”
“You’re stunning,” I say, but her expression shifts again, and her grip on my hand tightens—so tight that I drop to my knees beside her.
“Zach…” she says through gritted teeth. “I think my water just broke.”
For a second, no one moves. Then chaos erupts.
“Hospital! Now!” Chloe shouts.
“Don’t panic!” Anna yells, even though she’s clearly panicking herself.
I wrap an arm around Lainey and guide her to the car. “Breathe, baby. I’ve got you.”
Anhourlater,Laineyis in the delivery room, clutching my hand with a death grip.
“This is all your fault, Zach,” she growls.
“I know, baby. I know,” I soothe, brushing her hair back.
Moments later, our son enters the world. The doctor hands him to Lainey, and I swear I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.
“Elijah,” she whispers, her voice filled with awe.
“Elijah Darling,” I say, tears in my eyes. “He’s perfect.”
Our family trickles in to meet him. Anna cries as she cradles her nephew, her hands gentle but trembling with emotion. Ron stands nearby, snapping pictures while Joshua beams, bouncing on his toes. “He’s so tiny!” Joshua exclaims, staring at Elijah’s little hands.
Wyatt and Chloe are next, Jasper peeking over their shoulders as they lean in to admire the baby. “He’s got your nose, Lainey,” Chloe says, her voice warm.
Wyatt grins, ruffling Jasper’s hair. “Look at those little toes. What do you think, buddy?”
Jasper gasps. “They’re so small!” His awe earns a round of laughter from the room.
My sisters crowd around Lainey, each taking turns gushing over Elijah. “You’re amazing, Lainey,” Whitney says, her voice soft. “And he’s absolutely perfect.”
Blair leans in, brushing a strand of Lainey’s hair back. “You should’ve told me pregnancy looks this good on you. I’d have been jealous months ago.”
“Stop,” Lainey protests, her cheeks pink but smiling. “I’ve been ready to pop for weeks. I’m just glad it’s over.”
Cora laughs. “And now you’ve got this little miracle. We’re so proud of you.”
Janelle and Alice hover near the bed. They exchange whispers as Alice lightly brushes Elijah’s tiny fingers, her expression full of wonder. “He’s so cute,” Alice whispers. “Like, unreal cute.”
“Careful, you’ll make me cry again,” Lainey says with a soft laugh, her exhaustion clear but overshadowed by her joy.
