James felt the bed dip as Rose crawled back in, and he rolled over to spoon against her. She opened her arms for him and cradled his head against her chest as he idly traced his fingers across her bulging belly.
"All right last night?" he asked, brushing his lips across the top of her breast. Rose had been restless for most of the night, tossing and turning and getting up to use the loo half a dozen times.
"Ainsley was quite active," Rose admitted, grimacing as she felt her kick. "And I dunno… I'm exhausted, but I feel like I need to get up and move around and… and do something."
"Sorry, love," he said, rubbing his hand across her lower belly. "Perhaps it's that nesting instinct we read about?"
"Maybe," Rose sighed, idly stroking her fingers through his hair. "Whatever it is, it's annoying. I hope the next month doesn't pass like this."
James hummed in sympathy and nuzzled closer to Rose, massaging her belly and enjoying the feel of his daughter moving strongly beneath his palm.
"Fancy breakfast in bed?" James asked, tilting his head up to look at Rose. "Before too long, those will have to be put on hold."
"Yeah, that sounds nice," Rose said. "You make the food while I shower?"
"It's a deal," James said, rolling out of bed to help Rose out too.
Twenty minutes later, James walked into their bedroom as Rose was rubbing a towel through her hair. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. Her top was pulled tight over her stomach, showing just how pregnant she was, and he thought—not for the first time—that he was the luckiest man in the universe to be able to call this gorgeous woman his.
"I can't say I'll miss being pregnant," Rose said, tossing her towel into the hamper as she eased her way back into bed. She arranged the pillows behind her and leaned back against them, sighing in relief as she found a reasonably comfortable position.
"While you look stunning, I'll have to agree," James said, walking up to her to set their tray at the foot of their bed. "I am so eager to meet our little girl."
He slid into bed beside her and pressed a kiss to his fingertips, which he rested on her stomach.
"Me too," Rose said wistfully.
As they ate, they chatted idly about all of the baby stuff they'd accumulated over the last few months, trying to make sure they had everything they could possibly need for Ainsley.
"Up to doing anything today?" James asked, collecting their empty dishes. "Bit of shopping? Out for a walk? Visiting Dad or your mum?"
"I think I just want to stay in," Rose said, wincing as she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
"Everything all right?" he asked nervously.
"Just have to pee." Rose sighed. "Again. And my back is killing me."
James helped pull her to her feet and watched her shuffle off to the toilet.
He brought their dishes to the kitchen and filled the sink with hot, soapy water as he tried to think of something he and Rose could do today. Truthfully, Rose wasn't the only one experiencing the nesting instinct; he, too, was getting anxious for their baby to arrive. He felt like they weren't ready and that he needed to double check everything they had for Ainsley and make sure her crib was assembled properly and that they had enough clothes and nappies and blankets and toys and…
He heard Rose coming down the hall, and he forced himself to take a deep breath. If Rose saw how worked up he was getting, it would only set her off too.
Soothing himself with the knowledge that he and Rose had everything they needed for their daughter when she arrived next month, he returned his attention back to the plate in his hand. And if he or Rose thought of something in the next five weeks, it was a simple matter of running out to get it or ordering it online. They were completely ready.
"J-James?"
Chills shot up his spine at the terror and panic he heard in her voice, and he dropped the plate, ignoring the splattering of soapy water as he spun around towards Rose's call of his name.
She was leaning against the doorframe with tears in her eyes and her hands cupped under her belly, half bent over. James's leg started trembling so hard he feared they were about to give way under him when Rose whimpered, "James, something's wrong."
Oh, no, please, he begged, rushing over to his wife on numb legs.
"What is it?" he asked, frantically fluttering his hands around her belly. "What's wrong?"
"I think I'm in labor," she moaned as a cramp rippled through her. "I was on the loo, and I was bleeding, and then there was this fluid… I think my water broke… Oh, God, it's too early!"
"Breathe, love," James said faintly, trying to stay calm despite his racing heart. Their baby wasn't due for another thirty-four days; she was too little yet. "I'll get us to the hospital."
James grabbed the duffle bag of clothes he and Rose had packed last week, grateful that they'd thought to do it so soon, before he ushered her to their car.
"Breathe, Rose," he reminded as he heard her gasping with sobs. He reversed out of their driveway and sped through their neighborhood much faster than was safe as he made his way to the motorway. "Just breathe."
"She's not due yet," Rose cried, wrapping her arms around her belly as though she could physically hold Ainsley inside of her until her due date. "She's not supposed to be here 'til Christmastime!"
"She'll be fine, love," James said, assuring Rose as much as himself. His brain frantically scanned for the facts he'd absorbed about their baby's development at the age she was now, but he couldn't seem to think past his panic. "She's thirty-five weeks. She's far enough along that she'll be okay. She'll be fine. She'll be perfect."
James took her hand and gave it a squeeze, praying with every fiber of his being that what he was saying would hold true.
They were admitted to the hospital as soon as they arrived and were taken to a private room.
A doctor examined Rose and told them that everything looked good, that both baby and mother were healthy; the baby just seemed to want to be born early, as evidenced by Rose already being five centimeters dilated.
James clung to the doctor's proclamation that his wife and daughter were okay, and used that to act calm for Rose, who was still in tears.
"Shh, it'll be all right, love," James whispered, sitting on the bed beside her and opening his arms for her. She leaned into them and the dam broke as she sobbed into his chest.
"Breathe, love," he whispered, rubbing her back and pressing kisses to the top of her head. "Just breathe. You heard the doctor. Everything is fine. Our daughter is just a wee bit impatient, is all."
"Gets that from you," Rose sniffled, forcing herself to match her inhales with her husband's.
The rest of Rose's labor progressed quickly, and the next several hours passed in a blur of blood, sweat, tears, and much less screaming than James was expecting. He remained by Rose's side and held her hand as she pushed their daughter into the world.
Finally, only six and a half hours after Rose had walked into their kitchen and scared him half to death, a writhing, bloody, screaming baby was held up for them to see. The doctor efficiently cleared out her nose and mouth and wiped her down with a towel before setting the baby on Rose's chest.
James's ears were ringing and he squeezed Rose's hand tightly as he looked at the tiny pinkish-purplish body of his daughter. His daughter! His little Ainsley. And she really was little. A lump lodged in his throat as he watched her flail her arms but quiet down as Rose rested her hand on her back. She looked so small and fragile, and he was responsible for protecting her and keeping her safe. A hot swell of love and protectiveness bubbled up in his chest and he wanted to scoop their baby up and hold her close because there couldn't possibly be a safer place for her than in his or Rose's arms.
"Cut the cord, Dad?"
A pair of medical scissors were handed to him, and he froze.
"It won't hurt her," the nurse assured, seeing the tension in his shoulders. "I promise. Right here, if you please."
James settled the shears where the nurse indicated, and he clamped down. It took more force than he would have expected, and he glanced at Ainsley as soon as he cut through, to make sure he really hadn't hurt her, even though he logically knew that her umbilical cord had no nerves in it.
He wrapped his arm around Rose's shoulder and leaned down until his cheek was resting on the top of Rose's head.
"She's beautiful," James whispered, hovering a trembling finger over his daughter's cheek. "Oh, Rose, she's beautiful!"
Rose sniffled, but she was grinning. She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to their daughter's forehead, and James followed with a kiss of his own.
"I'm going to borrow her for just a few minutes," the nurse cooed, before lifting the baby off of Rose's chest. "Just gonna take her to get measured and checked over."
"Is she all right?" James asked, keeping Ainsley in his sight as the nurse took her to a table at the far end of the room.
"Appears to be," the nurse answered, setting Ainsley on an examination table. "Just routine checks. Height, weight, blood pressure. Things like that. Just double checking to make sure she's as healthy as she looks. I promise, you can have her back in just a little while."
James nodded and turned his attention to his wife.
"You did so good," he whispered, leaning down to embrace her. He held her fiercely, feeling overwhelmed and emotional. "Oh, Rose, I'm so proud of you!"
Rose beamed at him as she held him just as tightly.
"Our baby is here," she giggled, tears still shining in her eyes.
"I know! And she's so perfect."
Another nurse interrupted them then, instructing Rose on delivering the placenta.
Rose grimaced, not particularly feeling like pushing ever again, but the nurse assured her it would be fairly quick and easy. Well, mostly. With the initial euphoria of holding her little girl worn off, Rose was displeased to find she was still experiencing cramping-like contractions.
"It's to help deliver the placenta, then to help your uterus shrink back to size," the nurse assured. "They should go away in a few days or so."
Once the afterbirth was delivered, Rose was checked over by the doctor, then cleaned up by the nurses.
James held her hand tight, knowing that it was protocol for mother and baby to be given complete checkups after birth, but it still made him anxious to see hospital personnel surrounding his wife and daughter.
Rose could plainly see his distress, so she squeezed his fingers and brought his knuckles to her lips for a kiss. He smiled down at her in gratitude, and rubbed his thumb across her fingers.
"And here she is," the nurse with Ainsley announced, holding a bundle of white and pink striped blankets in her arms. "Does Dad want a turn?"
James glanced down at Rose, and she smiled encouragingly and nodded for him to take their baby.
He held his arms out awkwardly, unsure of how to properly hold her and support her, but as soon as the warm weight of his baby was placed into his arms, he felt himself shift his grip almost without realizing it until Ainsley was cradled to his chest.
"Hello, my darling," he murmured, feeling his eyes sting as his daughter blinked blearily up at him with dark, murky blue eyes. "I'm your Daddy. I'm so happy to see you, my precious darling. Here, look. Here's Mummy." James leaned his bum against Rose's bed and turned so Rose could also see her. She traced a fingertip across Ainsley's plump cheeks as James continued speaking softly to their daughter. "Mummy took such good care of you these last eight months. Should've been nine, you know. You really scared Mummy and Daddy today. But no matter. You're here, and you're absolutely perfect."
James pressed a kiss to Ainsley's forehead, and the feel of her soft, warm skin beneath his lips was so intoxicating, he did it again.
A little while later, the nurses gathered around Rose to help her stand so they could be transported to a private recovery room.
James stood to the side with Ainsley still in his arms, and he was torn between cuddling his daughter and helping his wife.
"If you give her to me, you can help Rose, and she'll follow along after you in a few minutes?" the nurse suggested, holding her arms out.
James nodded, and pressed a parting kiss to Ainsley's brow before he handed her off.
"I've got you, love," he said, skipping to Rose's side to help steady her as she attempted to stand. "Easy does it. Feel all right?"
"Bit sore," she groaned, wincing as she stood up from the bed.
James held out his arm for her, and she took it gratefully. He wrapped his other arm around her back as she held on tight to him and the nurse on her other side, and attempted her first step forward.
It was slow going, but they eventually made it to the room they would occupy for the next day or two as Rose started to heal. She sank down onto the bed gratefully, and bit her lip on a wince as she adjusted herself until she was in the least uncomfortable position.
"All right?" James asked anxiously, smoothing her hair back from her forehead.
"Yeah, thanks," she said, then she glanced around the room. "Where's Ainsley?"
"She's on her way," the nurse assured. "Dad, you may want to go fetch your overnight bag from your car now."
James was reluctant to leave her side, but he knew it was a good idea to get their bags. He nearly sprinted to the carpark and back, eager to return to his family and not miss a minute of time with his daughter.
When he entered the room again a few minutes later, Ainsley was there, and Rose had her in her arms and was attempting to get her to latch onto her breast. A nurse was coaxing both mother and baby, and showing Rose how to best position Ainsley and her breast for feeding.
"Oh!" Rose gasped suddenly, and she grinned at James. "She's got it!"
"Smartest girl in the world," he proclaimed, beaming at his family. He set their bag in the corner of the room, and walked up to them.
"As I was telling Rose, you've got a perfectly healthy baby," the nurse said, smiling down at the new family. "I know she's early, but apart from being a little smaller than the average newborn, she's fine. Your doctor may have simply gotten the due date a bit wrong—it's difficult to tell sometimes—because she's as healthy as any other newborn. She weighed in at 2.49 kilograms and is 45.02 centimeters. You've got yourself a healthy little girl."
"Thanks," James whispered, even as his eyes were focused on his daughter, and the sucking motion of her jaw and the way her palm was splayed across Rose's chest and her eyes were drooping as she looked up at Rose.
He reached out and stroked her little fingers before wiggling his index finger under her palm, and grinned when she immediately wrapped her fingers around it. He leaned down and pressed a delicate kiss to the back of her hand.
Ainsley unlatched after only five minutes, and Rose glanced worriedly at the nurse.
"She can't be done yet, can she?"
"Offer her your other breast," the nurse suggested. "But keep in mind, this is the first time Ainsley has had to actively do something to feed herself. She might be tired. Or she might be full already. She's never had anything in her belly before."
But Ainsley wanted nothing to do with Rose's breasts, so Rose instead positioned her against her shoulder and rubbed and patted her back gently and was rewarded with a slight hiccupping burp.
"I'll leave you three alone for a bit," the nurse said. "Ring me if you need something."
When they were finally alone, James carefully settled himself into the bed beside Rose, trying not to jostle her or Ainsley too much. He wrapped his arm around Rose's shoulders and rested his cheek on the top of her head as he looked down at the pink, sleeping face of their daughter.
"She's so perfect," he murmured reverently, tracing his fingertip across her cheek.
"Yeah, she is," Rose whispered, resting her lips against Ainsley's forehead, relishing the feel of her baby's soft, warm skin.
"Oh, blimey!" James exclaimed softly.
"What?"
"We haven't even told Dad or Jackie!" He rooted around in his pocket and fished out his phone. "On a scale of one to 'I'm dead', how furious would your mum be if I sent her a photo of the three of us? She wanted to be here for the birth, after all."
"Just because that's what she wanted doesn't mean that's what was gonna happen," Rose snorted, recalling the spats she'd been getting into with her mum recently about why Rose only wanted James with her in the delivery room. As she stroked Ainsley's cheek, all of her arguments with her mum during her pregnancy seemed so daft all of a sudden. "So, I'd wager somewhere between a seven and a smack on the head.
"Enh, I'll take my chances," James shrugged, opening his camera app. "She won't slap me if I'm holding her granddaughter. Smile, love."
Rose positioned Ainsley so that her face would be in the shot as James cuddled closer and raised his phone out in front of them for their first family selfie.
"Beautiful!" he breathed, looking at the photo of his two favorite girls.
"I look like shite," Rose chuckled, raking her eyes over her mussed hair and splotchy cheeks and the dark bags under her eyes.
"You're beautiful," James said, scanning his eyes over the stunning, radiant smile of the woman who just brought their daughter into the world. "You've never been more beautiful to me, because you've just given me the most precious gift I could've ever wanted."
He pressed his lips to her temple before leaning back against her bed with her as he sent his dad and Jackie a photo of their early arrival.
"Want to take bets on how long it'll take for them to call?" James asked.
"Oh, definitely within the next thirty seconds," Rose said. "At least for my mum."
His phone started vibrating in his hand, and he saw the photo of Jackie and Rose that was his contact photo for his mother-in-law.
"Told ya," Rose teased.
He rolled his eyes but answered the phone.
He could barely get out a 'hello' before Jackie screeched, "Why didn't you tell me Rose had gone into labor, you plum?!"
"Hello to you, too, Jackie," James said dryly. "Sorry about that, but Ainsley didn't give us much warning either, if that helps."
"When did Rose go into labor? When was she born? You said she wasn't due until next month! Is everyone okay? Can I come by?"
"Rose went into labor this morning around nine," James replied. "The baby was born about an hour ago. She wasn't supposed to be due until next month, but I guess she decided to impart her presence upon us early. They're both perfectly healthy. You've still got a few hours until visiting hours end, if you'd like to pop by."
"I'm on my way," Jackie said. "Oh, this is such a surprise!"
"Yeah, imagine how we feel," James muttered. His phone beeped in his ear, indicating another incoming call. He moved his phone away from his ear to glance at the screen, and when he saw his dad's name, he said, "Oh, Jackie, gotta go. My dad's calling. See you in a bit. Bye!"
James fumbled with his phone and accepted his dad's call.
"James, that's not Ainsley, is it?"
He grinned and said, "Yup! Little madam was a tad impatient."
"Blimey," Robert breathed. "Congratulations, mate! And Rose! Oh, this is wonderful news!"
Rose smiled when she heard her name. She leaned over and rested her head on James's shoulder and said, "Thanks, Dad! Are you gonna come visit us?"
"D'you want me to?"
"Of course!" James squawked. "S'not every day your granddaughter is born! Besides, Jackie's on her way over and with Rose out of commission, I need you to be a buffer."
"Oi!" Rose smacked his chest as Robert laughed in his ear.
"Then I'll be there shortly," Robert said.
James hung up the phone and turned it on silent before setting it on the bedside table. He turned back to his wife and baby, and something deep in his chest ached to cuddle with his daughter again.
"Can-can I have a turn?" he asked softly.
"'Course," Rose said, sitting up to better transition the baby. "You don't need to ask. She's ours. Yours and mine."
"Well, it's not good form to just yank her out of your arms, is it?" James said dryly. "And-and I've read… I've read about the importance of mother-baby bonding and all that. S'crucial within the first few hours. Didn't want to interrupt."
"James, I want you to bond with her too," Rose said firmly, passing off the baby. "Father-baby bonding is equally as important. Don't sell yourself short. She wants you so much already. Look."
James brought Ainsley to his chest, but her little nose wrinkled and a furrow appeared in her brow as she was jostled. He shushed her softly and pecked a kiss to her cheek, but she continued squirming and grunting, and James watched in awe as she wriggled her way up until her face was tucked into the crook of his neck. She let out a deep sigh and clenched her hand around the fabric of his jumper before drifting back to sleep.
"I love you, my sweet Ainsley," he whispered, relishing the feeling of her skin against his. "Always, my darling."
Rose rested her hand on his thigh and gave it a squeeze.
"I love you, James."
James glanced down at Rose, who was beaming up at him. He couldn't help but return her smile, and he opened his other arm for her. She snuggled up against him and rested her head on his shoulder as exhaustion washed over her.
"Sleep, love," James urged, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Mum and Dad'll be here soon," Rose mumbled.
"They'll understand," James whispered. "It's been a hell of a day. You've earned a bit of a kip."
Rose yawned, and a moment later, James felt her relax and fall into a shallow sleep.
An hour later, a quiet knock sounded on the door. Rose blearily blinked open her eyes, and smiled sleepily when her mum and Robert poked their head into the room.
"Feeling up to visitors, sweetheart?" Jackie asked, already walking into the room with her eyes fixed on the bundle in James's arms.
"For a bit," Rose said. She really was exhausted and her whole body ached.
"We won't stay long, darling," Robert said, walking into the room behind Jackie. "I know you need to rest."
"Is that her?" Jackie asked.
"Nah, I figured I'd let the nurses keep my daughter and I'd look after someone else's," James dead-panned.
"Oi!" Jackie said. "If you weren't holding my granddaughter, you'd be getting a smack. Lemme see her, you plum."
James lowered her down from his shoulder so her face was now on display. Ainsley wrinkled her nose and whimpered in displeasure as she tried to wriggle her face closer to James's warmth.
"Such a Daddy's girl already," Jackie noted.
James beamed brightly.
"Can Gran have a turn with her?" Jackie asked, holding out her arms.
James pressed a kiss to Ainsley's forehead before carefully handing the baby to Jackie.
"Careful with her head," he said automatically as soon as her neck was no longer cradled in his hands.
"Done this before, y'know," Jackie said dryly.
James coughed as his cheeks warmed. "Right. Sorry."
"New dad fears," Robert assured him. "Your mother and I could barely put you down the first week we brought you home."
James settled back against the bed with Rose, and noticed how utterly exhausted she looked. Her eyes were barely focused and she was nodding off against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and made himself comfortable before urging her to rest against him.
"Congratulations, darling," Robert whispered, pressing a light kiss to Rose's forehead.
Rose smiled sleepily at him and opened her arms for a hug. Robert leaned down and gently embraced his daughter-in-law.
"Congratulations, mate," he said to James, leaning over Rose to hug his son. "You've made a beautiful baby."
"She is, isn't she?" Jackie cooed, bouncing the baby lightly. "Does Grandad want a turn next?"
Robert smiled shyly and nodded, holding his arms out for the baby. She woke up on the transfer, but stayed quiet as she blinked up at her grandad.
"Hello, there, darling," he murmured, brushing his finger up her cheek, across her eyebrows, then down her other cheek. She'd worked a hand free of her swaddle of blankets, and Robert tucked his finger inside her grip. "Aren't you the most precious thing I've ever seen? Eh? Such a beautiful girl you are. And so loved, darling, so loved."
A knock on the door heralded a nurse, and she smiled softly at the family in the room.
"How are you feeling, Rose?" the nurse asked, coming in and fluttering her hands across Rose's body.
"Knackered," she said bluntly.
"Yeah, you will be for a while as your body heals," the nurse said sympathetically.
"And I kind of need the loo," she admitted, but the thought of moving was utterly unappealing.
"Well, that's why I'm here," the nurse said. "Come on, up you get. As slowly as you need to."
James moved off the bed and was about to help Rose stand, but Jackie beat him to it.
"I got her," Jackie said. "Don't you worry."
James nodded and watched Rose hobble to the attached bathroom. He looked at the latched loo door and exhaled raggedly, his own exhaustion suddenly catching up to him.
"Been a hell of a day, hasn't it?" Robert asked, stepping up beside James.
James turned to him and watched Ainsley tighten and loosen her hold on Robert's finger as her nose and eyes scrunched in a yawn. A lump grew in his throat as the panic he'd felt since nine o'clock that morning finally hit.
"James?" Robert asked, seeing how pale James went.
"I was so scared, Dad," he whispered. "Rose just came into the kitchen and told me something was wrong, and I'd never been so scared in my life!"
"Whoa, mate, breathe," his dad said. Robert shuffled his hold on the baby to free up a hand, and he rubbed his hand up and down James's back. "It all worked out, though. You've got a beautiful little girl, James. And a healthy wife. Everything and everyone is okay. Here. See for yourself."
Robert handed the baby back to James, who automatically cradled her close. His heart pounded in his chest as Ainsley burrowed her little face into his neck and gripped his shirt tightly in her fingers. He nuzzled his nose into her downy hair and brushed kisses across her skin as he closed his eyes against his panic. Yes, she was utterly perfect.
"James?"
He inhaled deeply when he heard Rose's call and plastered on a smile before turning to face her.
"You all right?" she asked softly, walking up to him and wrapping her arm around his waist.
"Yeah," he whispered, pressing a long kiss to her temple. "Been a long day, is all."
She stared at him critically for a moment before she looped her hand around the back of his neck and tugged him down for a chaste kiss.
"I love you," she whispered. "You and our daughter."
"I love you, too," he murmured, swaying from side to side as Ainsley let out a mewling whimper.
"Right, it's getting late," Robert said, shooting Jackie a quick glance. "We'll let you two get some rest. If you're up for it, we can stop by tomorrow afternoon?"
"Sounds good," Rose said, walking up to Robert for a hug. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course," he whispered, holding her tight. He pressed a kiss to her temple and said, "Go on, get some sleep. You've earned it. And congratulations, darling. Ainsley is beautiful."
Rose grinned and looked over at her husband and baby.
Robert helped guide her back to her bed and situated her pillows as she settled down.
"See you tomorrow," he said, kissing her forehead one last time before walking up to James. "You too, mate. Get some rest."
Robert kissed James's cheek and stroked Ainsley's hand before he waited by the door for Jackie.
Once their parents left, James pressed a kiss to Ainsley's forehead and settled her in her cot so she could sleep and he could cuddle with his wife and hopefully nap for a bit too.
"Are you really okay?" Rose asked, staring critically at him.
"I will be," he promised, nuzzling his nose against her temple. "It's just… I was terrified, Rose. I was so scared for you and for Ainsley this morning, and I'm still a little on edge."
"We're fine, James," she soothed, urging him to tuck his head against her collarbone. "We're both fine."
"Yeah," he whispered, wrapping his arms around his wife.
"Get some sleep, love," Rose murmured, pressing kisses to the top of his head. "Who knows when she'll next be up."
Her heartbeat echoed in his ear, and he let the feel of her fingers through his hair and her arm around his shoulders comfort him. He still felt shaken from the events of the day, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and felt his muscles gradually relax under her touch until he was able to fall asleep.
