Chapter 37

Stephanie's POV

As we all sat in the waiting room, Matt and I talked about our baby and what we wanted as far as a birthing plan. Gilbert read a book to Bryan and soon Melissa's parents arrived. I had called them right after Jeff and Matt got here.

The time seemed to pass by slowly and Bryan finally fell asleep in the chair. A nurse came out with a blanket for him and we covered him up. Matt and I hoped that everything was going ok with Melissa and the baby. But before we could think anymore about it, Jeff came walking towards us.

"We have a daughter!" Jeff announced. "Isabella Kristine Hardy 6lbs 10ozs and 21 inches long born on March 29th 2010 at 1:15am."

"Congratulations son." Gilbert stated.

"Congrats bro." Matt responded.

"Jeff, you are going to make a great dad. Congratulations." I stated.

After seeing a few pictures of Isabella, Matt picked up Bryan and followed Gilbert and I out to the car. I let Matt drive home as I was tired. We dropped Gilbert off at home and headed home ourselves.

Isabella and Melissa were released from the hospital 2 days later. Everyone was at their house to welcome home the newest member of the Hardy family. Gilbert was the first one to be able to hold Isabella.

Watching him with our niece made me glad that our daughter would have the same relationship with her granddad as Isabella would. After Jeff, Melissa and Isabella were settled in, everyone started to head for home.

The next 2 and half months seemed to fly by quickly. In the last 2 months my belly had grown so much that Matt had to drive me to and from work everyday. June came and the baby's room was completed. Jeff had done a painting for her room and we hung it on the opposite wall from her crib.

The last day of school was a blast. All my students wished me luck with the baby. I just hoped the she would come out on time and not be late. Matt picked Bryan and I up from school and we started to head towards home.

Father's day was the day before my due date and we were all gathering at Gilbert's house to celebrate. My parents and Melissa's parents were also there. It was Jeff's and Matt's first father's day.

As the night went on, I started to feel funny. For the first few hours, I ignored it, but as we were getting ready to head home, my water broke.

"Uh Matt, I think we need to head to the hospital instead of home." I stated.

"Why?" Matt asked.

"My water just broke and I am in labor." I stated.

"Ok. Let me get Jeff to take Bryan home with them." Matt responded.

Matt ran over to Jeff and told him what was going on. Jeff and Melissa took Bryan home with them while Matt and I headed to the hospital. The contractions were coming quickly and were very strong.

Once we arrived at the hospital we were taken to labor and delivery right away. I was hooked up to monitors and to an IV. A doctor came in and checked my progress.

"Dad, I wouldn't go anywhere. This baby is coming and fast." the doctor stated as he called for 2 nurses.

Within 2 hours I was in position to push. They couldn't give me an epidural so I was going all natural. With the first contraction, I pushed until the nurse reached 10. Matt held my hand and helped me push while encouraging me.

I must have pushed about 10 times before the doctor told us that one more push was all that was needed before our baby would be born. Matt and I exchanged smiles and with the next contraction I pushed as hard as I could. The next thing I knew I heard a baby crying.

"Congratulations, it's a girl." the doctor announced.

While the nurse cleaned, weighed and measured our daughter, the doctor finished cleaning me up and getting me situated back in bed. Once she was diapered and wrapped up, Matt was able to carry her over to me and placed her in my arms.

She looked like a good combination of the two of us, with Matt's dark curly hair and my sparkling blue eyes. I couldn't wait for the rest of our families to meet her.

"Welcome to the world Alyssa Ruby Hardy." I stated. "I am your mommy.

"And I am your daddy. You also have a big brother at home waiting to meet you." Matt added.

Two days later we were able to bring Alyssa home and everyone was there to greet us and meet Alyssa. Gilbert was first to hold her and then Bryan. My parents arrived after we got there and they took turns holding their first grandchild.

As I laid Alyssa in her bassinette that night, I couldn't help but fell that our family was complete. I crawled into bed next to Matt and quickly fell asleep with a smile on my face.