THE GAME THAT CHANGED IT ALL

by Eternally Addicted

Lonesome and second-guessing his career as a baseball player, Edward never imagined that it would only take one foul ball to turn his world upside down. Would he embrace it, or would he strike out, never knowing true love? AH/CANNON COUPLES.

36. It's Time!

Hey there you all! I hope everyone is off to a great start to this long holiday weekend. This is am important chapter so not gonna ramble on and let you get to it.

Hope4more, there are no words to express my gratitude for all your help. My Bella your help is extremely appreciated as well.

Remember Stephenie owns it all.

BPOV

"Bella, please let me in so we can talk about this." Edward was on the other side of our locked bedroom door pleading with me to open it up and let him in. I wanted so badly to do just that. I hated fighting with him, but I was still having a hard time dealing with the fact he had forgotten a promise he made to me just earlier this week.

I was leaning against the wall right next to the door, fighting the urge to reach out and unlock it. I had already reached out a few times and pulled my hand back just before it reached the lock.

"Baby, please, I love you, I don't want to fight with you, please open the door."

I could hear the sadness and distress in his voice, but I wanted him to have some time to figure it out for himself. Maybe if he did, we would never be in this position again.

"I love you too, that's not what this is about, and you know that, but you need to take some time to see if you can figure out what you have forgotten. I'm too upset right now and I don't want to make things worse. We'll talk in a little while."

I heard him let out a deep sigh and I could picture him running his hand through his hair and tugging on the ends in his frustration. After a few more minutes I heard his heavy footsteps retreat from the door. When I was certain he was no longer at the door, I unlocked it and opened it just an inch or two. If I knew Edward as well as I thought I did, he would go brood for a while and think about why I was mad and come back to talk in a little while when we had both calmed down.

Thoroughly exhausted and feeling sweaty and grimy from all the cleaning and organizing I had done, I wanted nothing more than to go soak in a tub full of hot water. As I made my way across the room I noticed a sharp increase in my backache. No longer was it just a dull sort of throbbing ache, but was now actually painful especially in the area near my tailbone. And now not only was my back hurting, but I was feeling intense pressure in my pelvic region. I remembered joking with Edward the other day about how sometimes it almost felt like the baby could just fall out, but this took that feeling to a whole different level.

Thinking that I must have overdone it with all the cleaning and organizing I had done today, I waddled my way into the bathroom and turned on the water in the tub. As I took my clothes off, I heard a clanking noise when my pants hit the floor and I remembered that I had put my cellphone in my pocket after forgetting it in the nursery earlier. I didn't want to have to attempt running up the stairs again. That wasn't fun in my condition.

Squatting down to get the phone out of my pocket, I felt an intense tightening in my abdomen and at the same time more pressure in my pelvic area. It hurt. It hurt so bad that I had to use some of the breathing techniques that I had learned in birthing class. Once the pain subsided I thought to myself that it must have been added pressure from the squatted position I was in.

Using the vanity for leverage, slowly I stood and placed the cellphone on the vanity top and then turning around I stepped into the warm bathwater. It felt so good. I sat down, leaned back and adjusted the inflatable bath pillow behind my head, allowing the warm water to relax me. I had closed my eyes for no more than a few minutes when I suddenly found myself curling up in response to another pain. It was even more intense and painful than the one I had while trying to get undressed. It dawned on me that I might be having contractions. But I told myself that if I was indeed having contractions, I certainly had enough time to finish my bath, so I quickly went through the motions of washing my body and hair.

As I pulled the lever to drain the water, I had another pain and got a little worried when it was yet even stronger that then first two. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Everything I had read and learned in my birthing class and from the doctor said my pains would gradually get stronger and closer together. Nothing said that they would start out extremely painful and intense and certainly not so close together. No more than fifteen twenty minutes could have passed since I had the first one and I had now had three.

Holding onto the handle on the wall I got out of the tub and started to dry off. I wrapped one towel around my hair and then set to drying my upper body. Once I did that I moved on to my lower half but was stopped when I again had another pain. I doubled over unable to withstand the intensity of it. When I did a stream of water started running down my leg and the pain got even worse. Unable to stand up, I found myself now on my hands and knees on the bathroom floor. The pain went away, but I felt extreme pressure in my lower region almost as if I needed to have a bowel movement.

I somehow managed to pull myself up off the floor and onto the toilet thinking that's where I needed to be, however, nothing happened and the pressure was only getting worse. Not knowing what else to do I started screaming, "Edward!" After the third time I finally heard him running down the hall. Thank goodness he was still on the second floor of the house, and I had unlocked the door.

EPOV

After Bella had refused to unlock the door and let me in our room, I decided that I would go finish what needed to be done in the nursery since it was part of the reason she was pissed at me. Maybe once I was done she'd be ready to talk. While I did what needed to be done, I mulled over the afternoon. I realized now that I should have asked her if she was ok with me going to help Emmett, or for that matter just told him to come take our car and go himself. But not matter how hard I tried; I couldn't remember what the promise was I had broken.

I was using the power screwdriver to put up the brackets on the other window in the baby's room, when I thought I heard what sounded like someone screaming. I knew that Bella would never watch anything on TV that would have such sounds since she was terrified of scary movies. I climbed down off the ladder and made my way to go check on Bella. I had a nagging feeling that something was very wrong.

As I walked towards our room, I heard the scream again and instantly realized it was Bella screaming for me. I ran the rest of the way down the hall to our room and prayed that she had unlocked the door, though I knew if I had to kick it down to get to her I would. I had just reached the door to our room when I heard her scream for the third time. Barging through the door, I scanned the room and when I didn't see her anywhere I headed towards the bathroom. It was the only other place she could be.

Upon entering the bathroom, I was at first a little confused, when I saw her sitting on the toilet, but when I saw the look on her face I knew something was definitely wrong.

"Sweetheart, what's going on, are you ok?"

She looked up at me and her eyes were swimming with tears. "No, it hurts, it really hurts, I feel like I need to shit and I can't, but the feeling just keeps getting worse."

"Maybe it's just pressure from the baby. Maybe you are going to go into labor soon. Dr. Montgomery said it wouldn't be long when we were there this week." She nodded her head and asked me to help her get to the bed. As soon as she tried to stand up she was doubling over in pain.

"Oh god Edward, I think I might be in labor now," she cried. It was suddenly clear that she couldn't walk to the bed so I scooped her up into my arms and carried her there. Once I had her on the bed I asked, "Was that the first pain you felt?"

"No, it was like the fifth I think."

"And when was the first one?" I asked her trying to gauge how far apart the pains were, but before she could answer she was curling up into somewhat of a fetal position as another contraction hit her. I looked at my watch and timed it to see how long it was lasting. When it was just short of a minute and she was able to relax a bit, I brushed her wet hair back out of her face and asked her again, "Honey, when was your first contraction?"

"Right before I got in the… oh shit I think the baby is coming now, I feel like I need to push." Her face was beet red and intense with sheer horror.

Trying not to panic I asked, "What do you mean you need to push?" but instead of answering she grabbed my hand and squeezing it, she started panting furiously and barely got out the words, "Call the doctor." As I dug into my pocket for my cellphone, I noticed she was grunting and pushing as if she had no control over her own body. Thinking quickly I realized that it was Saturday and the doctor's office was closed, I called the emergency number and after explaining to them what was going on they instructed me on what to do to and that they had called 911 to send an ambulance. Next they told me that they were going to patch me through to someone who was qualified to give me instructions on how to care for Bella until help arrived.

I was holding Bella's hand and kept talking to her telling her how much I loved her and that everything was going to be ok. I just wanted to soothe her and keep her calm while I waited for the other person to get on the phone. I heard a few clicks as the connection was made. Soon a female voice was on the other end of the line and she informed me that she was a 911 emergency dispatcher and she was trained for situations just like this and would stay on the phone with me until the paramedics arrived. She then told me that her name was Chelsea and the first thing she asked me was how far apart Bella's contractions were. I told her that in the past half hour or so Bella had had about six and she was having the urge to push. Chelsea then asked where Bella was and I told her on the bed and she said that was good. She then asked if Bella and I had gone to any birthing classes and when I said we had, she told me to tell Bella that she should not push if she could help it, to instead try to pant through the urge.

I relayed the instructions to Bella who could only nod since she was in the middle of another pain. I felt so horrible that I was unable to comfort her more than what I was. The dispatcher's next instructions caused Bella to look at me like I had three heads. Chelsea asked me to look and see if I could see the baby's head.

It took everything I had in me not to freak out when I pulled back the blanket I had covered Bella with. It was in that instant that realized my son was going to be born right here in our bedroom. I could see his head. Shocked at what was happening I just stared speechless until the dispatcher's voice brought me out of my daze.

"Mr. Cullen, what did you say your first name was?" she asked form the other end of the phone. "Edward," I informed her.

"Ok Edward, I am assuming your phone has a speakerphone mode?" Her calm, professional voice asked.

"Yes."

"Ok put me on speaker phone and go wash your hands." I put the phone on the nightstand next to the bed and did as she told me as quickly as I could. She next instructed me to help Bella scoot into a position on the bed were I could reach her and the baby, but no so close to the edge that there would be a risk of the baby falling off as he was born. Next she had me prop her back up with a few pillows for support.

As I did this Bella hollered frantically at me, "Edward why are we doing this, isn't the ambulance on the way?"

Chelsea hearing Bella's fearful plea through the phone, was quick to respond. "Bella, honey I need you to stay calm for me, your baby's head is already crowning so I don't think the ambulance is going to reach you in time. Your husband is going have to help you deliver the baby, even if the ambulance gets there you aren't going to make it to the hospital, so I need you and him both to follow my instructions carefully and most of all I need you to remain calm. Your body will do most of the work for you and everything will be fine if we make preparations now. Ok?"

Bella screamed louder than I had ever heard before, "No, I am not going to have this baby right here right now. I will close my legs and he will just stay in there. Edward, take me to the hospital now!"

How she got that all out while panting and trying to not give in to the urge to push was beyond me, but she did, and it pained me to see the terrified expression on her face. Hell, I was just as terrified as she was; however, I had a feeling that we didn't have much choice in the matter. The baby was coming now and there was nothing we could do about it.

Chelsea's voice came through the phone in a much more powerful tone. "Bella listen to me now. Are you listening?" she asked. Bella cried out the word, "Yes," as she gritted her teeth, trying to keep from completely falling apart. "Good, now if you want to deliver your baby safely you have to listen to what I am going to tell you. I know this is not how you planned to have this baby, but he is coming now. There is no time for going to the hospital and you cannot, I repeat must not close your legs and try to stop him from being born. If you do you could cause him serious harm. I know that is not what you want. Right?"

"Right," Bella got out in between panted weepy breaths.

"Ok, now Edward, are you there?" Chelsea asked.

"Yes I'm here." I breathlessly replied.

"You need to hurry and get something clean and warm to wrap the baby in once he's born."

"Ok." I answered and ran to the linen closet in the bathroom and grabbed a couple of towels. As I did I tried to keep a lid on the onslaught of emotions running through me. I was doing everything I could to keep from panicking. I was excited that my son was about to be born, but scared to death for the circumstances surrounding it, as well as worried about his and Bella's health.

I placed the towels next to Bella on the bed and told Chelsea that I had done what she asked. Chelsea then said with the next contraction she wanted me to watch and tell her if the baby's head was coming out. In the meantime I sat next to Bella on the bed and told her how much I loved her. I held her hand rubbing it, trying to keep her calm. As I did she mumbled something about ruining our bed. I quickly assured her it didn't matter that I'd buy us a new one if needed. She gave me a small half smile and just as I was about to give her a quick kiss, her next contraction hit.

Moving back around to stand near where Bella's feet were placed on the bed and I told Chelsea the baby's head was definitely coming out, as it did, I encouraged Bella to keep panting and not push like Chelsea said.

"I can't do this, I need to push." Bella's panicked voice rang out.

"You can do this baby, I know you can, just keep panting like we learned in class." I egged her on.

"That's easy for you to say, you're not the one trying to shit a watermelon out." Her red, angered face glared back at me.

"You're not shitting a watermelon." I replied just trying to keep her talking, it seemed to help us both focus.

Bella's facial expression was distorted from the pain she was in and I could see how scared she was as she keep switching between the panting and blowing techniques she had learned in class.

"Almost there Bella, his head is almost out, you're doing great baby."

"Damn it hurts Edward." She whined and I hated that I couldn't do anything to take her pain away.

Chelsea next told me that we wanted the baby's head to come out slow and gradually, and for me to gently support it and not to pull on it, just let it turn and move on its own, but to gently support it while nature took its course.

Sweat was pouring down my face and as I raised my shaky arm to wipe it on my sleeve, Bella was panting more rapidly now as she fought not to push with everything she had. I couldn't even begin to imagine what this must be like for her.

As soon as his head was out I heard Bella let out a huge sigh of relief and her body went limp back against the pillows I had placed behind her. Chelsea told Bella to take some deep breaths and try to relax for a minute and then had me feel around his neck to make sure the umbilical cord was not wrapped around it. I gently cupped my sons head in one hand while I used the other to do as she said and didn't feel anything around his tiny neck. She then had me stroke his nose and his throat to help clear it of any fluids that might be blocking his airways.

I prayed that Bella couldn't see how nervous I was or feel the shakiness of my trembling hands. Even though I was trying to maintain my composure on the outside, on the inside I was coming completely unglued as I tried to come to terms with the fact that I was delivering my son. I scrunched my eyes shut and shook my head in an effort to fight off the waves of nausea that were assaulting me.

Chelsea made sure Bella that could still hear her, Bella said yes. She told Bella that when her next contraction came she wanted her to push, but to do it slow and steady. She said that this would help the shoulders come out and that for me to be prepared because once the shoulders were out the rest of the baby would slip out quickly. She also instructed me to support his head with one hand and to get whatever I had to wrap him in, ready.

No sooner than I placed the towel in front of me, the next contraction tore through my wife. As Bella pushed the pain caused her to release a loud grunt and a scream of, "Oh shit... Edward it hurts so bad! I'm never doing this again. Get him out!"

"Fuck, fuck fuck," I muttered to myself, having a hard time dealing with everything that was happening. Bella did just as Chelsea had told her to. A few minutes later, the shoulders along with a gush of fluids came out and our son was in my hands, hands that were shaking like a leaf. He was slippery from the goo and blood that coated his skin and I worried that I'd drop him.

"Oh god, Bella, he's here! He's...he's so beautiful!" I exclaimed as I stared at him in wonder. Then I brought my swimming eyes up to the love of my life, "I love you so much."

"I'm assuming a boy? You kept saying he." Chelsea asked.

"Yes it's a boy." I confirmed.

"Ok, Edward we're not quite done, I need you to hold your son at about a forty five degree angle to help the fluids remaining in his chest and lungs to drain out. Don't hold him upside down, but his feet should be slightly higher than his head." As I did, I was soon rewarded with one of the best sounds I had ever heard, my son's first cries.

"He sounds amazing," Chelsea cheered through the phone, and then went on to say, "Ok, daddy, I need you to wrap him up and hand him to mom and make sure she is covered and warm as well. I wrapped the soft white towel around his tiny body and used the corner of it to wipe away some of the creamy white stuff he had smeared all over his face. Then I placed him on Bella's stomach. He was still attached to the umbilical cord so that was as far as he could go. I kissed her and told her how much I loved her.

"Zachary," she whispered, her voice choked up. Her emotions overflowed as she held our son for the first time. "Oh he's so perfect Edward. Look at his little fingers and his tiny toes," she cried as her tears flowed freely and she placed her finger in his miniature hand and we watched his tiny fingers curled around hers.

"He is perfect, just like his mommy," I whispered to her as I placed a kiss first on her head and then on his.

"I love you." Bella said as she looked up at me, her eyes full of happy tears and love.

"I love you too baby."

Bella and I had been so wrapped up in our new son that we had completely forgotten about Chelsea being on the phone. We were reminded when she apologized for having to interrupt our special moment, but she needed for me to let Bella hold the baby, while I went to unlock the front door because the paramedics had arrived and couldn't get in. Once I made sure she was propped up and comfortable with her position and able to hold Zachary in place, I darted down the stairs as fast as I could. Once there I opened the door and led them upstairs to where Bella and the baby were. One of the paramedics picked up the phone and spoke to Chelsea so she could fill him in on how the delivery had gone. After he was finished he handed the phone to me. Chelsea congratulated Bella and me on the arrival of our son and after I thanked her profusely for all she had done to help us through it, we said goodbye.

I sat with Bella on the bed as the paramedics delivered the afterbirth and cut and tied the umbilical cord. After Zachary was no longer tethered to Bella, she was then free to pull him up close to her chest and get a closer look at him.

"Hey there little guy, you gave mommy and daddy quite a scare in your rush to get here," Bella said as she kissed his cheek and then looked up at me.

"Yes he did." I relied with a light chuckle.

"Looks like he is going to have his daddy's hair," Bella giggled as she ran her fingers through the thick matting of auburn fuzz on our son's head.

"It will probably be easier to tell once he has been cleaned up a bit." She nodded in agreement.

The paramedics informed us that they were ready to transport Bella to the hospital. They handed Zachary to me and then lifted Bella onto a stretcher and strapped her in tightly to carry her down the stairs to the first floor. We all made our way downstairs and after they placed Bella on the ambulance gurney and strapped her in I handed Zak to her and the paramedic wrapped a couple of blankets around them both. They then asked if I wanted to ride in the ambulance with Bella and the baby or if I wanted to drive myself to the hospital. I told them I was going in the ambulance. There was no way I was leaving Bella's side.

As they loaded Bella into the vehicle, I felt my pants pocket to make sure that I had my cellphone so that I could call everyone and let them know what has happened. When I didn't feel it there I realized it must still be up in or room. I told the paramedic that I needed to grab it real quick and raced into the house to do so. Once I got it, I ran back down the stairs, locked the front door and climbed into the back of the ambulance.

The ride to the hospital was quite bumpy. When we arrived, they took Bella into one of the emergency rooms to check her and the baby out before moving her up to the maternity ward. While they did that I began calling everyone and filling them in on our exciting news. I told them all that as soon as she was moved to her own room, I would call with the room number so they could all come up.

After talking to Emmett and Alice, I called my parents next.

"Edward, how are you son, is that grandson of mine ready to make his appearance?" he asked with an eager tone in his voice.

"Um, I'll say he's ready considering, he didn't even wait long enough for us to get to the hospital." I said and hearing a loud gasp from the phone I realized my mother must have heard my dad answer the phone and picked up the other extension because she was instantly shrieking into the phone, "What do you mean you didn't make it to the hospital."

"Exactly what I said mom, Bella had him in our bed not more than an hour ago." I told her still not believing it myself.

"Oh my," my mother gasped into the phone and then, my father asked, "well are they ok, what happened, why didn't you leave sooner and go to the hospital son?"

"I haven't had a chance to really talk to Bella about how quickly it came about, but I was in the nursery, she was taking a bath I think and started having some pretty strong contractions all of a sudden. They were coming really fast, I think she said there was like six of them in about a half an hour and the next thing I knew I was carrying her out of the bathroom and on the phone with a 911 emergency dispatcher who was telling me what to do so that I could deliver my son."

"Well I have to say son that it is a bit unusual for a first baby to come so quickly, but not unheard of. I suspect that Bella may have been in labor and didn't realize it. I am sure that her doctor will have a lot of questions that will help determine how it all happened so fast," my father replied.

"Yeah, the doctors are looking over her and the baby now, so I am going to go. I just wanted to give you guys the good news. I'm guessing you will be visiting soon?" I asked knowing the answer to that question already.

"Yes dear, your father just got on his cellphone with the airlines to book us on the first flight there. You take care of Bella and my new grandbaby and give them our love. We will see you soon."

"Ok, mom, we love you too. See you when you get here."

I hung up and shoved the phone into my pocket and walked back over to Bella's bed just in time for her doctor to start questioning her. He shook my hand and congratulated me on the birth of our son as well as a job well done with the delivery. I told him while it was an amazing thing to do, it was just as scary and next time I hoped to leave that part of the birth to him. He chuckled at my response and then went about examining Bella and asking her questions about the how she had felt throughout the day today. I listened to them both and also watched as the nurse and pediatrician went about checking to make sure everything was as it should be with Zachary.

Once Dr. Montgomery was through with his examination of Bella, he informed us that while the sudden increase in her back ache and pelvic pressure were definite signs that she was in labor, it still progressed extremely fast and that in the future, we would need to watch her very closely to avoid a similar situation. It freaked me out just a bit when he said that any babies Bella had in the future could come even more quickly than Zachary had. Judging by the bug eyed look Bella had on her face, it freaked her out a little too.

Dr. Montgomery informed us that Bella had faired our unexpected delivery just fine, and from what he could see, so had Zachary. He was sure that the pediatrician would confirm that for us as well. He wrote his instructions for Bella's care on her chart and told us that if all went well that she could go home the day after tomorrow. He also said that as soon as the nurse brought Zachary back from getting his routine newborn tests done that they would be moving her up to the maternity floor.

Half an hour later the nurse and pediatrician, Dr. Cobb, entered the room. Bella and I were both alarmed that our son was crying quite loudly until they informed us that they thought he was probably hungry. While the nurse assisted Bella in getting him to latch onto her breast so he could eat, Dr. Cobb filled us in on the tests they had done and that everything was good and normal. Dr. Cobb was very amused as she told us that Zachary was a healthy, normal newborn who apparently had been eager to get here. We noticed he was also in a hurry to eat, when he latched on to Bella rather forcefully, causing Bella to gasp with the discomfort it caused.

When Bella and I had the discussion about if she was going to breast or bottle feed Zachary, we went over all the pros and cons of both sides. The two things we kept coming back to were; one, breast milk is the best thing for him, and the other was the fact that feeding time was such a bonding experience. We decided that we wanted for both of us to be able to share in that special bonding time, so she would breast feed him solely for the first couple of days and then once home she would pump the milk and then I would be able to help feed him, and it would also allow Bella the flexibility of not having to breast feed in public or in front of anyone else if she weren't comfortable with it. I think the way she had so eloquently put it was that she wouldn't have to whip her boob out in just any ole place.

I sat there watching as Bella continued to feed him. I had never seen anything more beautiful than the site of the two of them. Bella was talking to him in soft whispers as she caressed the side of his face and his little head. Now that he was cleaned up it was very apparent that he had my hair color. His skin was silky smooth and his complexion was a creamy ivory color like Bella's. His eyes for the time being were dark, we'd have to wait and see what color they'd be. Putting it simply, he was impossibly perfect, a little angel.

Seeing all the love and joy she was feeling reflected to me in her eyes and through her beaming smile, I was unable to hold back all of the emotions that I had been fighting to hold in tonight. The tears began falling from my eyes and as they did, I kissed my wife and trying to find the words to express how I was feeling, all I was able to say, "I love you Bella, thank you so much, you have given me the greatest gift I could ever ask for."

"I didn't make him all by myself, you know. We did it together. He was made out of our love," she said to me with so much love and pride in her voice.

"Yes he was." She was right, and I couldn't think of anything more perfect to show just how much we loved each other.

Once Zachary was finished eating, Bella was moved up to the maternity floor. As soon as she was all settled, I called everyone to let them know her room number. Emmett and Rose were going to go by our house and get the bags we had packed for Bella's hospital stay.

While we waited for everyone to arrive Bella called Brook and gave her all the details on our exciting evening. While Brook told Bella it must have been extremely scary to have him at home the way she had, she teased her for having such a quick, labor and delivery. However they called a truce to their friendly bantering, when Bella pointed out that at least Brook was able to have pain meds when she had the twins. The two of them talked for a little while longer about Zac and Brook's boys and about how they were both looking forward to the few days we would spend in Arizona right before Christmas.

Bella then made the call to her parents and I could hear Renee squealing through the phone when Bella gave her the good news.

Emmett and Rose were the first to arrive and next Alice and Jasper. My Parents would be arriving first thing in the morning and Renee would be here tomorrow afternoon. Since Charlie and Renee were going to spend Thanksgiving here with us this year, Renee was going to stay and Charlie would arrive the day before Thanksgiving, since he had to stay and work.

As we visited with everyone, Bella and I realized that we were both pretty hungry given we hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. The girls offered to stay with Bella while Emmett, Jasper and myself went down to the hospital cafeteria to get us something to eat.

We entered the elevator and as the doors closed I slumped against the wall and fisted both my hands in my hair, tugging roughly on the ends, as the magnitude of the day suddenly hit me.

"Ed, you ok man?" Jasper asked. I looked up to see both of them staring at me like they were waiting for me to fall apart at the seams.

"Yeah, no, fuck, I don't know. It's just all so fucking overwhelming. So many things could have gone wrong. Shit, things I don't even wanna think about it, but at the same time I can't help not thinking about it. Does that make sense at all?" I groaned out.

"You've had quite a night bro, but think of it this way man. Yeah so much shit could have gone wrong, but it didn't. You have a beautiful wife and baby boy upstairs that are both perfectly healthy and fine. There's no point in dwelling on what if, or could have beens. His entrance into this world might have been a dramatic one, but he's here, all is well, just enjoy it man."

Emmett gave me a hearty smack on the back as we did our man hug brother thing. I snorted and asked him, "When the fuck did you get so good at giving advice?"

Just then the elevator doors opened on the level where the cafeteria was located. We stepped out into the hall and Em turned to me and place his hand on my shoulders and said in a true Emmett smartass fashion, "I don't know, but this is what like the third or fourth time in the past year that I have given what I'd consider some pretty damn good advice to you, so buck up bro, or I might just have to start charging your ass for this shit."

The mood was instantly lightened and we were all laughing as we made our way down the hall and into the cafeteria. Once again he was right. All that mattered at this point was that they were both safe and happy and healthy. Nothing else really was important. We'd have a great story to share with him someday and he his kids as well. But for now, all I wanted to do was enjoy my wife and son.

What did ya think, pretty special moment for them huh? Thanks for reading, go ahead now and click that little button down there!