Four updates at once! The last two chapters will be posted later on :)
-two months later-
It's Saturday, about a week after Phoebe's birthday and I'm still exhausted. Mainly is do to the fact that I'm about to POP! My due date is next week but I'm sure it will be any minute now. I'm in bed, since I can't move and I'm cranky. I want to go out, I'm so tired of being in bed. But my feet are swollen, and I can't fit into anything!
The kids are with my mom and Grace, they wanted to have a day out all together so I said why the hell not?
"Baby, let's go for a ride."
"Christian," I look up at him. "I don't know if you realized but NOTHING FITS! And it's cold so what the hell am I suppose to wear?"
"Ana you bought a really nice dress.. What was it that you called it? Maxi dress? Wear that with flats and your coat on top. You'll look fine. Actually you'll look beautiful. I love the way you looked in it when you tried it on."
"Okay," I blush. "Okay I'll go get ready just.. Help me up." He chuckles and comes to my rescue.
I slip on the dress and fix my hair. I asked Gail to straighten my hair last night after I washed it. So thankfully my hair looks nice. I apply some mascara and lipgloss, and then ask Christian to help me with my flats.
"Look at you, baby, you look gorgeous." I smile and look over at the mirror. Hey, I look pretty damn great.
"Come on let's go, I have to stop at moms house for a minute though. Dad has some paper's I need for the business deal I'm close to signing off."
"Okay," I nod. He helps me with my jacket and we head out. It's pretty cold, so I snuggle into my seat and enjoy the ride to his parents house.
"Come with me, it'll be quick. I don't want you to stay out here." I agree and he helps me out the car. He rings the bell and the door flings open. It's all happened so fast I'm still trying to adjust to what the hell just happened and why people are screaming surprise.
"Jesus, Ana, are you okay?" Christian is laughing at my reaction. I'm still confused but then it hits me. "You thought I wouldn't plan you a baby shower?"
"Oh my god!" I finally say. "Oh, God. I was still adjusting to what just happened. Damn it!" I walk in smiling but once I turn to Christian I break down crying. It was such a sweet thing of him to do.
Stupid hormones.
I turn an see everyone smiling at me. My parents, his parents, Kate, Mia, Luke, Elliot, Taylor and even Gail! I didn't even know she left the house! Jessica is here too with her husband, her two sons and her daughter. Luis is here and so is my Ismael, it's nice to see him. Bob, Lauren, Michael and even Mariana who's holding hands with who I'm assuming is Zack. She's sporting her own small baby bump, which is absolutely adorable.
I make my way to greet everyone, hugging them tight. My kids and Sophie run up to me give me a hug and kiss saying they helped mom and Grace set everything up.
Everything is going by smoothly, everyone is mingling having a good time. I'm in my throne, as I like to call it, just having a great time talking to anyone who sits by me. Christian hasn't left my side.
"Ana!" Mariana runs over, her boyfriend trailing behind. "Hi! Oh my god you're so big! I mean, you know.. Not big like that but you know you're big because you're ready to pop and-"
"I get it," I laugh. "You're growing too, may I?" I ask to touch her stomach and she nods. "How far along are you now?"
"About six months now. My due date is February 5th."
"That's exciting!" I smile.
"Yeah and it's great and- OH! How rude of me.. Christian, Ana, this is Zack. Zack, this is Ana and her husband Christian. They've welcomed mom, Michael and I with open arms into their home."
"Nice to meet you both." He says shaking our hands.
"Zack, how are you feeling with this new change?" I question either because I'm curious or because deep down I want to know if it really is all okay with him and Mari. I love Mariana like a sister, hell yeah I'm watching out for her.
"It was hard, surprising actually.. At first. Kind of scared, I'm only 22 you know, I just started out as a football coach in a high school close to where we live. Hopefully I'll be teaching History soon there, so it's a big change. I have to make sure she always fits my schedule you know with appointments and stuff."
"Fits your schedule?" I raise my eyebrow. He squirms a bit.
"Crap! No I didn't mean it like that. You know.. It's just now I have to learn to balance everything. She always comes first though. Always, her and our child are my first priority."
"I was just teasing," I laugh. "It's good to know you care about her."
"Always have, ever since I first met her." He gives her a kiss on the cheek and she's blushing.
"How's everything with Michael?" I ask.
"He doesn't talk to me." Zack answers.
"We barely see each other, barely talk. Senior year is hectic anyways, I barely have time for anything." Mariana says and I can tell by the sound of her voice that bothers her.
Hours go by and it's time to open the gifts. And holy shit, there's a lot. Like a shitload. The kids helps me open each, one by one. I laugh and cry at everything, it was just a wonderful moment.
By 8pm people start to leave. I say my goodbyes to everyone and the people let behind is the family. I offer to help clean up but everyone screams no at once, startling Phoebe and Teddy. Especially Phoebe. She looks mad that they scared her but also looks like she wants to cry.
Everything obviously didn't fit in Christian's car so with the help of Elliot and Luke we manage to get all the gifts home. We put the kids straight to bed and then Christian and I take a shower together. He holds me while hot water runs over us, and it was the most relaxing moment I've had in a while.
The next day, Christian and I fix Aleah's room. Organizing everything we got. About half way through I begin to get some contractions. Nothing bad but it catches me off guard. Christian tells me to take a seat and I don't argue with him on that.
After a while I decide to just lay down and about twenty minutes later they go away.
The rest of the day is eventful with our kids. We let them have fun with paint and markers that Sophie brought over and they each paint is something.
For dinner, we eat steaks and mash potatoes and the kids talk our ears off. Mostly Phoebe and Sophie. Teddy just eats and shakes his head.
After dinner, Christian walks Sophie over to the guest house and I take the kids up to their rooms and let them play for a while before I take them a shower and put them to bed. But the pain once again comes so Christian does that all on his house while I lay down and relax.
An hour later, when the kids are now asleep, I sit up and look at Christian. "Want to go to the hospital?" He asks.
"No." I shake my head. "It's going away."
I'm able to sleep without contractions and I even wake up without them. I look at the time and I notice I've slept in. It's 10am, I'm always up by 6 to get the kids ready for school. Christian must have done the work today. I notice a note on the table, so I sit up at read it.
Call me if anything. I'm have two meetings today, but I will have my phone on me at all times. Don't hesitate to contact me, okay Ana?
I love you,
C.
I get up and do my business is the bathroom. Then I change into yoga pants and one of Christian's t-shirts to feel more comfortable. But the contraction that hits me almost knocks me on my ass.
"Oh fuck.." I hiss.
I sit on the bed and control my breathing but these contractions are much worse than last nights.
"Ah, Ana, you're awake." Gail says entering the room slowly. "Are you okay?"
"Just contractions." She runs over and takes a seat next to me. "Oh god I forgot how painful this was!"
"Want me to call Christian?"
"Let's just wait, it could be false.."
And they never go away. By noon, I decide to give Christian a call. I need to get to the hospital.
He picks up on the second ring.
"Ana? Is everything okay?"
"No, I have contractions again. They're ten minutes apart and this pain is much worse than last nights. I should head to the hospital."
"Fuck.. Okay. I'm on my way. Don't hang up with me a moment."
"Okay, I'm going to- aaaah shit." I look down to the puddle on the floor.
"What?!"
"My water just broke"
Christian begins to talking to whoever on the other side. "Shit, Ros.. I have to go. Take over this meeting. Gentlemen, my wife is in labor I have to go."
"No worries, family comes first. Go and leave I'm sure Ros and I can come up with a final agreement. Oh and congratulations." The person says.
"Baby I'm on my way out right now. I'll be home in a few."
"I'm.. I'm going to change into sweats. See you here." I hang up and look over to Gail. "I have to clean up."
"The only thing you're going to do is change into sweats. I'll handle everything else." Gail says.
Controlling my breath, I change into sweats and then head into the closet to get the hospital bag I had prepared a few weeks ago. Gail helps me out on boots on, then cleans up. I feel bad that she had to clean that up but there's no arguing with her on that. She's been watching over me and doing everything so I won't have to. I really do owe her so much.
"Call Luke in here." She nods as she walks away.
Luke walks in moments later with a smile on his face. "Looks like baby Aleah will be arriving soon."
"Yup.. When you pick up the kids ask to speak with their teacher. Say that they won't be returning to school till after thanksgiving break. They only had school till Wednesday this week, so if there any work, just give it to them today."
"Alright, no problem."
"Bring them straight home and just tell them Aleah is going to be home soon. You're good with them so just watch over and play and all that."
"I got this." He says. "Gail and I will watch over- OW OW OW ANA GOD DAMN IT THAT'S MY HAND!" I didn't even realize I grabbed his hand when the contraction his. Shit.. Did I really squeeze it that hard? "Jesus.. Its true what they says. Women become the incredible hulk while in labor."
"Ana?" Christian finally arrived. "Baby? Ready to go?"
"Good luck man.. Her strength is incredible today. She almost broke my hand!"
"Don't exaggerate now." I giggle. "I am sorry though."
"It's fine.. You're lucky I like you." He jokes. Christian grabs the hospital bag by the bed and with the help of both men, I head downstairs and into the car.
Taylor is driving and he's driving pretty quick. When we arrive to the hospital we're taken in quick and before I know it I'm in a private hospital room hooked on machines.
"I'll be right outside." Taylor announces.
"Taylor, contact both our parents. Let them know." Christian says.
"I forgot how painful this was!" I groan.
Christian takes a seat by me and hold my hand. "I'll be right here. Just squeeze."
Hours go by. Long excruciating hours, I'm in pain and absolutely cranky.
"I just want this baby out!"
"Soon, my love."
The doctor comes in once again, this time he says the words I want to hear. "You're ten centimeters dilated. Time to push, Ana."
"Oh finally."
"I want you to take a deep breath and at the count of three I want you to push hard. Okay?" I nod. "1.. 2.. 3.. Push!"
I squeeze Christian's hand and push the hardest I can.
"Again. At the count of three."
I push again, oh god. "It's burning."
"Come on, baby, you can do this."
"This is your fault!" I say to him. "We're never having sex again."
"Ana. Push!" Christian says and I push, I push hard and then I heart it. The piercing scream that brings tears to Christian and I's eyes.
At 10:22pm on November 19, our baby girl was born. Christian cuts the umbilical cord, and they take her to clean her up. The doctor finishes whatever he's doing down below and I look up at Christian who won't stop crying.
Neither can I.
After a few moments I sit up and I'm finally able to hold Aleah properly. "She's beautiful." Christian says. "Another beautiful girl in our family. I mean, of course. Have you seen her mother."
"I'm sure I look like a mess right now." I giggle.
"This is the most beautiful you've ever been, which says a lot. Since I find you more beautiful each day."
I hand over Aleah to Christian and the first thing that comes into my mind is how hot he looks. Sleeves rolled up, tie gone, first three buttons undone, messy hair. What a view.
Our parents come in a few moments later to meet the new addition to the family. I get hugs and kisses. They don't stay long, I'm exhausted and want to rest. Also, it's pretty late.
They all promise to come back tomorrow, mom even says she'll bring the kids.
"I can't believe we made her. A piece of you and a piece of me in one person." He says once our parents are gone.
"I know.." I smile. "I love you"
"And I love you."