Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
‘You keep saying he.’ Ava looks down at the back of his head. ‘Is it confirmed?’
I frown. No, it’s not. I was so enthralled, I didn’t look for his bits, or lack thereof. ‘Wait.’ I reach for the towel covering them, pulling it up before lifting a little leg a tad so I can see.
‘What is it, Dad?’ Jacob hurries around to my side, as well as Maddie. ‘A boy or a girl?’
I smile, looking at each of their impatient faces before cocking my head for them to look themselves. Both their heads dive down to inspect the area.
‘Well?’ Ava asks, impatient. ‘Tell me.’
Maddie coughs. ‘It’s definitely a he.’ Looking up to Ava, she smirks. ‘And he’s got a bigger penis than Jacob has now!’
I let out a bark of laughter, roughing my boy’s hair when he throws an indignant look Maddie’s way. ‘Get lost, Maddie.’
I crawl up and lie down beside Ava, my body stretched the length of hers and then some. I kiss my baby boy’s sweet little head, inhaling as I do. Lord, I’ve missed that smell so much. ‘You did so well.’ I turn my lips to my wife and kiss her sweaty forehead, taking the opportunity to breathe her in, too. ‘So, so well.’
Sighing deeply, she closes her eyes and nuzzles into me. ‘You’re my superstar.’
‘That’s one I’ve never been called before,’ I quip lightly. ‘What happened to god?’
A tired chuckle melts into my ears as I snuggle in close, the side of one finger stroking down his little cheek. ‘He’s a good-looking little fucker,’ I whisper. ‘Clearly he takes after his dad.’
‘Your ego knows no bounds.’
‘Hey, what are we calling him?’ Maddie is already besotted, her attention on the baby and the baby alone.
I stall voicing my preference, like I have for some time. I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, or what Ava would think. ‘I don’t know.’ I shrug mildly. ‘What do you guys think? What does he look like?’
Both of them crowd him, their heads cocked in contemplation. ‘He doesn’t look like anything.’ Jacob reaches forward and touches the end of his nose. ‘He’s so tiny.’
‘I think he looks like a Joseph,’ Maddie declares. ‘He’s got the same amount of hair as Pap.’
I grin when Ava snorts. ‘What do you think, Mummy?’
Ava breathes in, her chin lowering to her chest to look at his peaceful form. She thinks for a while, and then she looks to the twins. ‘Maddie, Jacob, meet your new brother.’ Glancing back at me, my wife smiles faintly. ‘Baby John-Boy.’
Oh, fucking hell. My heart bursts. ‘Really?’ I ask, pushing down the lump working its way into my throat.
She shrugs, as if it’s nothing, when it is absolutely everything. ‘He looks like a John to me.’ Peeking back down at him, she nods to herself decisively. ‘Yes, he’s definitely a John. And if we’re lucky, he’ll be as loyal, brave and loving as the original.’
Fuck, I’m a goner. I bury my face into her neck and let my stinging eyes release the tears. My emotions are shot, a huge concoction of overwhelming happiness and unrelenting sadness.
I’ll make sure baby John-Boy is all of those things. If it’s the last thing I do, he’ll be everything his uncle John was. I feel Ava’s hand in my hair, comforting me. I’ve held it together for long enough. It’s all coming out now.
But then baby John-Boy decides it’s his turn to have a wail, putting the stoppers on my intended release time. I peek up, my face wet, and find his fist rammed in his mouth. ‘Someone’s hungry.’ I look across to the kids and cock my head. ‘Mum’s about to get her boobs out.’
‘I’ll go see if the ambulance is here!’ Jacob bombs from the lounge like a spitfire, leaving smoke in his wake. I laugh. He’s just witnessed his mum giving birth, not that he saw the graphic stuff, but still. It was an experience. And he’s scared of a bit of boob?
‘Can I stay?’ Maddie asks, a little tentatively. She’s so curious, completely bewitched by her new brother.
‘Sure you can, darling.’ Ava reaches for her hand. ‘But first would you mind getting me some water?’
‘Ice?’
‘Lovely.’
Maddie shoots off, eager to help. It’s a great start to the new dynamics of our family. ‘Shall we?’ I ask, helping her lift him to her breast. He latches onto Ava’s nipple like a suction pad, his cheeks hollowing and pulling long sucks. ‘Fuck me, he’s definitely a breast man.’
‘Stop.’ Ava laughs, smacking my hand playfully before settling her head back down. If there is a more beautiful sight than this, then I’m yet to see it.
‘You’re a lucky man, John-Boy,’ I whisper, taking my face down close to his. His eyes are open just a fraction, but they’re on me. ‘I’m willing to share for now,’ I tell him, dropping a kiss on his forehead as Ava giggles softly. ‘But be warned, I’m only loaning them to you. I want them back. Understand?’ I stroke over his smooth head, smiling down at my new baby boy.