A/N: Thanks for reading. Enjoy!
"My love, my baby love. I need you. Oh how I need you. Why you do me like you do after I've been true to you, so deep in love with you?", I sing. I continue stirring the pancake batter and twirl around to find Christian plopped down at the breakfast bar, rubbing his jaw in amusement. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to know that you woke up in a good mood and are a fan of The Supremes. You didn't have to stop on my account." I inch closer to him with the wisk and shake it in front of him. "Are you trying to start something with me Mrs. Grey? If you are, you'd better be willing to finish it."
"Maybe later. Are you hungry?"
"Very.", he answers hoarsely.
"Good because I'm making pancakes. I woke up feeling energized and wanting to cook breakfast for my husband and dad who's evidently still sleeping. Of course I can't believe it considering the eventful day he had yesterday." Watching the reunion between my parents felt like being in the audience of a romantic movie. Once they finally broke away from their kiss, the three of us sat down and talked about our feelings towards the situation. They asked my thoughts on the subject. I told them I'm happy for and would support them. I then excused myself and left so they could have some alone time. My dad arrived at our house around nine and went straight to bed without saying anything about him and my mom. "I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure this isn't a dream. I have the life I've always wanted."
"Don't pinch yourself. It's not a dream.", I turn away from Christian and start cooking the pancakes, yet I feel his eyes on me. "Ana, I'm happy for your parents as well. They're both wonderful people who deserve to find love. I also don't want you to still be cautious. Didn't they tell you that they're going to take things slow?"
"Yes, and I think that's a good thing. I understand what you're saying and why you're saying it. You don't want me to get my hopes too high, and I won't. It's just the timing is perfect. Oliver's going to be here soon and will have both sets of grandparents active in his life. I'm so thankful that I've reconnected with my mom and that things with my dad are good. Oliver deserves to have the perfect life."
"And we're going to give him that perfect life.", Christian says. "How about I help you cook?" I glance over my shoulder and grin as he hops off the stool and saunters next to me. "Better idea. I cook while you sit down."
"Nice try but no. I told you I'm feeling good, meaning I don't want to just sit around. I want to do things. We should go to the movies or the park or both." I go about with my rambling until Christian's hands go to my shoulders.
"Take a breath. We can do both the movies and the park. Do you want to see if your dad wants to go with us?"
"Both sound good, but I've already got plans.", my dad says. He walks into the kitchen and stops by the counter while Christian hands him a cup of piping hot coffee. My dad takes a slow sip. "Need some help?"
"No thanks. Sit down and enjoy your coffee with Chef Grey and I prepare breakfast.", I answer. "What kind of plans do you have?"
"I'm going to have lunch with your mom and accompany her while she does some shopping. I also might do some apartment hunting." The spatula falls from my hand. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, just a little shocked to hear that you're going to look at apartments. You're moving here?" I'm doing backflips in my mind over the wonderful things that are happening.
"It has nothing to do with your mom and I. This is something I've been thinking about for a while. I'd like to be closer to you guys. I don't want to wait a week to see Oliver. What's your opinion on the matter?" In the corner of my eye, I see Christian smiling.
"It's a wonderful idea. We'd love to have you closer to us."
"Good. I'm going to look around at places and take it from there."
"I think it's awesome that your parents are back together.", Kate says. She uncurls her feet from underneath her while moving so she can get a better view of Elliot and Christian while they work on putting together an entertainment center in Mia's new apartment. Mia pads back into the living room with Nicholas following her. She hands Kate and I each a plate of nachos. Nicholas then hands us a glass of water.
"Thank you.", I tell them. Christian leans back on his heels and sighs in appreciation of the nacho I place in his mouth. Elliot, seeing this, turns to Kate who simply shakes her head.
"I'm busy with building this, and you won't give me a nacho?", Elliot pouts.
"You can get one yourself. I'm not going to feed you."
"Elliot, I think you've got two of the pieces switched around.", Nicholas says. Elliot steps back and allows Nicholas to adjudt the misplaced pieces. "There. It's fixed."
"Show off.", Elliot scoffs jokingly.
"Come on Elliot. You know you can never assemble anything without messing up.", Mia says while Elliot swipes a nacho from Kate's plate. "The last thing I want and need is for my entertainment center to collapse. If that were to happen, you and I would have a serious problem."
"Has it slipped your mind that your other brother is standing right there with a screwdriver in his hand." Elliot points to Christian. "How can I be held responsible for a potential mishap when there's two of us working on this?"
"Have you forgotten the time you fell over my mom's end table? You said you'd fix it. I wasn't sure at first, but I saw it and believed it was repaired." Elliot's face goes into his hands. "Is the memory coming back to you? Mom came home from work and set her keys on the top of the table. That's all it took to send the table down."
"Ok...well...that might not have been one of my finer moments."
"This is great.", Nicholas laughs. Elliot and Mia stop scowling at each other and stare at Nicholas. "Seeing you guys tease each other. It's nice. I can see and feel the love between you guys."
"You got that from their arguing?", Christian asks.
"I did. It reminds me of my family. We like to joke around, but at the end of the day, we'd do anything for each other." I go to give Christian another nacho but stop as a sharp pain hits me. I grip the side of the sofa and blow out a breath.
"Baby?" The room's attention once again shifts, this time to me.
"I'm ok.", I mutter. "I think it's probably Braxton Hicks."
"Or you could be in labor.", Mia says.
"You might be right, but you should go to the hospital just in case.", Kate adds. "I can drive you."
"Not necessary. Taylor's outside and will take us.", Christian says. He helps me to my feet as everyone scrambles around. "Whoa. Guys. Please give her some breathing room."
"I'm ok. If this is the real thing, we need to get my bag for the hospital."
"I'll go and get it. Just tell me where it's at.", Kate says.
"On the right side of our bedroom closet.", I answer. Christian places his arms around me and guides me out of the apartment. Taylor, who's been sitting in the SUV, sees the seriousness on Christian's face.
"Taylor, the hospital please.", Christian murmurs while helping me into the vehicle. Another pain hits just as he's snapping my seat belt. He stops and holds my hand. "It's ok baby." The pain eases and so does my body. After Christian closes the door and gets in, I look out my window and see everyone rushing to their cars. Christian's lips on my neck break my gaze. "It's going to be ok."
"Ana, how are you feeling?", Dr. Barrett asks after entering the room with a nurse. She closes the door behind her and moves in front of my bed.
"I'm good.", I wince at the onset of another contraction which is only four minutes from the last one. "This isn't Braxon Hicks, is it?"
"I don't think so. Let me check you out." Christian stays next to me while Dr. Barrett and the nurse stand at the foot of the bed. "You're definitely in labor. Ana, you've dilated to six already."
"It shouldn't be long then?", Christian asks.
"Depends. Sometimes labor starts off and stays that way, but it can slow down in progression. Epidurel or no?"
"No.", I answer adamently.
"Ok. Well, I've got another patient to look in on, but I'll be back soon. If you need anything before then, just push the button next to the bed." Dr. Barrett and the nurse leave Christian and I alone. A smile has been etched on Christian's face since the moment we left Elliot's. I see a tad of worry, but for the most part it's been nothing but happiness. He leans in and brushes his nose with my nose.
"I hope you're not wanting to do anything in this room.", I giggle.
"All I have planned is to be as supportive and loving to you as possible.", he replies as my mom and Grace open the door. "Hi."
"I literally dropped my bags in the middle of the mall when I got Christian's text that you were here.", my mom says. "Your dad managed to get them before catching up with me."
"Where's Dad?", I ask.
"In the waiting room with the rest of the family.", Grace answers. "Carla and I made it clear we wanted to be the first ones to see you. How are you feeling?"
"Better than I thought..." My words fail as a contraction ripples through my body. "Ohhh."
"Look at me Ana.", Christian says. "Eyes on me. Breathe in and breathe out."
"Son of a nutcracker!", I shout. The pain slowly comes to an end. Once my breathing has normalized, I turn to Christian and see that he's waving his hand. "Did I hurt you?"
"Nah. I just had a little cramp.", he lies. "It's ok now."
"Do you need anything?", my mom asks. "Either of you?"
"I'm good.", I answer.
"Me too.", Christian says.
"I think I speak for Grace when I say that we're so proud of the two of you and where you are in your lives. We're blessed to be a part of your lives and can't wait to be a part of Oliver's."
"I'm tired.", I groan. I've been here for eight hours, but it feels like it's been forever. The contractions are getting closer, and the dilation is slowly coming along. Christian's been by my side the entire time even though I tried to convince him to go and get something to eat. How I haven't broken his hand yet is beyond me.
"I know you are, but just think of Oliver. All of the exhaustion and pain is going to be worth it. You've said that said several times, remember?" Christian rubs my forehead with a wet cloth to cool me off. Dr. Barrett enters the room for the hundreth time.
"You know the drill.", she says before lifting the sheet. "Ana, Christian, are you ready to be parents?"
"Yes.", I sigh.
"Good because it's time to push. You're at ten. Let me get set up, and we'll start."
"This is it." Christian takes a deep breath as Dr. Barrett is joined by the first nurse as well as another one.
"Ana, you've got this.", Dr. Barrett assures me. "On three, push. One..two..three..push."
"Push Ana.", Christian cheers.
"I am...pushing!", I snap at him. My head goes back to the pillow.
"Yes you did push, and you did great. We're almost there. I see his head. Now I need you to push again. Come on.", Dr. Barrett says. "One..two..three..push." This time, I push harder. "That's it. Good. Let's do it again. Only this next time, push with all your might."
"I can do this." Christian kisses my knuckles as I rally myself and my body for one more push."
"One..two..three..push." I push with all my might, wincing through the pain that seems to disappear the moment I hear crying. It's Oliver's crying. "He's here. Congratulations."
"Baby, our baby's here.", Christian whispers. One of the nurses hands Dr. Barrett a pair of scissors which is then offered to Christian. "Cut the cord?"
"You do the honors Dad.", Dr. Barrett answers. Christian cuts the umbilical cord and and then watches as Oliver is cleaned up. The baby is swaddled in a light blue blanket and gently placed in Christian's arms. Love and adoration are illuminating from him.
"He's perfect.", I smile.
"Just like his mom.", Christian says.