Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
We lock up and make our way to our third-floor suite for the perfect ending to another perfect day.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
CASSIDY
“I know you said you wanted a lot of kids, but this has got to be it. If we bring any more kids into this world, we’re going to need a bigger house,” I tell Chris as he pats my full belly.
“When you hit five, what’s six or seven or eight?” he teases me.
“Look at me. I’m a big, fat mess,” I whine and point at my reflection in the mirror.
“No, you’re the sexiest fucking woman alive. You have no idea how hot it is to know that you’re growing my baby inside you.”
“Still, this is the last one. I mean it.” I stomp my foot and pout at him, but we both know it’s just a game. I love my kids and I actually enjoy being pregnant.
“We’ll see, little girl. Maybe.”
I lay my head on his chest and laugh with him.
“It won’t be long now,” I sigh as another contraction builds inside me.
“No, it won’t but if we don’t put your shoes on, you’re going to have this baby in the living room,” he says, still holding my shoes up in the air.
Camille, Connor, and Carrie are waiting anxiously by the door to say goodbye when Chris brings me downstairs. The nanny has Christian in her arms, and he smiles and coos when he sees us.
“You guys need to be good while we’re gone. Daddy will come home later and let you know when your baby brother arrives.”
“We love you, Mommy. We can’t wait to meet him!” Connor cheers.
I kiss my sweet babies goodbye and try to hold back the tears. It must be the hormones, but lately, I can’t seem to stop crying. I cry when I’m happy. I cry when I’m sad.
It’s hard to know what’s going on with me and the kids are always confused, but Chris has been through this four times before. He knows what I’m going through and knows exactly what to do to keep me calm and relaxed.
“I always wanted to have a brother or sister when I was growing up. I guess I thought things would be easier if I had someone to talk to.”
“Yeah, me too,” Chris tells me.
“I’m so glad you wanted a big family so our kids never have to feel that way.”
“They’re never going to want for a thing and neither are you. That’s what I’m here for. It’s my job to keep you all protected, safe, and loved.”
“And you do, Daddy. You do it every day.” Here come the tears again. Jesus, I’m a mess, but in just a few hours, things will start going back to normal in my body and we’ll have another little bundle to love.
We arrive at the hospital, and I change into the blue gown. Chris helps me onto the bed and sits down beside me, holding my hand and wiping my forehead. A few moments later, a hospital staff appears in the doorway with a huge bouquet of flowers and a tiny, blue teddy bear.
“Did you do this?” I ask Chris but I already know the answer. He’s done something similar with each one of our children’s births.
“I have something else for you too.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and hands me a long box with a card attached. I open it and read, “For the love of my life, the mother of my children, my sweet little girl.”
I open the box to find a gold bracelet adorned with the birthstones of each of the children flanked on each side by a row of diamonds.
“Daddy, it’s beautiful. Thank you.” I begin to cry again.
“You’re welcome, baby girl. I’d put it on you but I think it’s best to wait until after.”
It takes just a little more than an hour for the doctor to come in and tell us that it’s time. Twenty minutes later, our son Caleb is born. He’s our biggest baby yet with a round, pink face and chubby little arms and legs.
Chris, who held my hand throughout the delivery, looks almost as exhausted as I feel. He pretends not to worry during the delivery. but I know he hates to see me endure any kind of pain.
I don’t know when I fell asleep but I wake up to find Chris seated in the rocking chair, holding our son in his arms. He looks up at me and smiles. “Excellent job again, little girl. He’s perfect.”
“I believe you had something to do with that, Daddy.”
He rises and comes over to the bed, setting Caleb down in my arms.
“He looks just like his father,” I say as I examine his face.
“He’s had a hard day. He’s been sleeping for a while, but the nurse says it’s almost time to feed him.”