Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“I—ow!” I grit my teeth and tighten my mouth. Angling away from the pain, I finally breathe through it. “I think I need to go to the hospital.”
“Is something wrong?” he asks, helping me to my feet.
“No.” I look at him. The comfort I need is found in his eyes as we take the next step into the unknown. “We’re having the babies.”
Shane
“I can’t, Shane. I’m so tired.”
Her hair is stuck to her forehead, her makeup worn off hours ago. Her cheeks are rosy from the hard labor she’s been doing for the past five hours.
Holding her hand, I lean in and kiss her forehead, lingering to hide the tears threatening my eyes from seeing my love, my soul, my whole fucking heart breaking apart from the pain and exhaustion. “I know you’re tired, but you can do this. Clara will join her big brother in this great world with two more pushes.” I look back to see our son. An overwhelming need to take care of him keeps me determined to help Cat get through this.
Turning to see Luna holding Kick in her arms, Cat takes a breath, and says, “Okay.” When they tell her to push, she squeezes my hand so tight and pushes with all her might while staring into my eyes. Two pushes, and our baby girl is new to the world.
Cat breaks down crying when she hears Clara’s little cries. I tuck my head into the crook of her neck and kiss her. Again, and higher. Whispering in her ear, I say, “You did good, little Mama.” I kiss her again. “You are so amazing.”
Her hand comes around my neck, holding me to her. She turns, her lips brushing across mine, and through quiet sobs, she says, “You’re a dad, babe.”
The staff bustles around, and after they work with Cat on the next stage, I take a seat in the bedside recliner to hold my babies for the first time. One in each arm just feels natural, and it feels right.
“They’re so perfect and so small.” I kiss my daughter on the head and then my son. I don’t think I can fully comprehend that those tiny humans are mine and Cat’s to care for. Scary and exciting, like the first time you get back on the stage in front of a live audience after being away for some time. The fear subsides, and I find my rhythm in the situation.
Cat looks over and smiles. It’s weary but no less beautiful than she always is. “Luna, will you take a photo of them? I never want to forget this moment.”
Luna steps in as her best friend and support. She was all these before I took the job from her. “Say cheesy,” she says, snapping the photo before I can.
Carefully, I get up and move to the bed. “You ready, babe?”
“Yes,” she says, reaching up with tears already slipping down her face. I settle Clara into one of her arms and her brother, Kick, into the other.
A nurse comes after me and fixes my errors. “How did you come up with the names?” she asks Cat. Cat glances at me and smiles. “I was named after Catalina Island, so I looked up something similar. Santa Clara popped up, and I fell in love with the name.”
“It’s pretty. And Kick? That’s more unusual.”
“A kick drum is part of the kit.” I stroke Kick’s head over his little cap. “I’m a professional drummer.”
“That’s exciting. Would I have heard of you?”
“No,” I lie, not sure if she would have, but not wanting to get into it. Cat’s the star of this show.
Cat says, “He was in the Sexiest Man Alive issue the past two years.” She laughs, knowing I’m cringing inside.
“Oh.” The nurse perks up. “I can see why.” Touching Cat’s hand, she says, “I need to check on other patients. Congrats on the babies.” Looking at me, she adds, “And the sexiest man title.” I level a look at Cat, but she knows I can’t stay mad at her.
When the nurse leaves, I look at my wife. Fiancée just doesn’t fit despite being the correct terminology. “She’s going to think that’s all I’m known for.”
“I’m okay with that.” She starts swaying her arms gently. A natural.
“We won Band of the Year, and you’re prouder of something I technically had no part in creating—my looks.”
“Your looks are really impressive.” She laughs but then rests her hand on my chest. “So is your heart, and how you work so hard, how big you love, how great you kiss, how you’d do anything for me to see me smile.”
My heart swells like a balloon in my chest. She says, “I’m not prouder that you’re sexy. I’m proud of all your accomplishments. But the sexy part is a perk of the job.”
“That job being your husband?” I’m so ready to be married again.