Now and Forever
Chapter 19
Mike was still nervous about the baby but he was at least preparing for him or her and was making a point to spend time with the girls. He had built a crib and painted the bedroom the soft yellow that Christine had picked out.
He hung pictures, attended doctor's appointments and helped Christine, but she knew he was not completely on board still. They had all made the trip back to the city for his retirement dinner and the girls enjoyed seeing the city and picking out special things for the baby.
She really wasn't sure what to do to make him get on board. She knew he wouldn't leave. He was too scared that it would overwhelm her. But, Christine wanted him to love their baby. She hoped the first time he held him or her, something would click.
Mike would massage her back and feet. He really was incredibly sweet. As her due date approached, Christine could tell he was nervous. The doctor had opted to induce her labor and he had always been a 'Nervous Nelly' when she was so close to having a baby. Finally, the hard labor started and the girls went to the waiting room. Mike settled next to her and took her hand.
"Alright, Christine; the baby is already crowning so this won't take too long. How do you feel?" Dr. Gregory asked.
"I'm okay. My back hurts like crazy but otherwise, I'm okay." Christine answered.
"Mike, you might get behind her and massage it. That could help." Dr. Gregory said. Mike immediately complied. For Christine, it just felt good to lean against him.
"That feels better." Christine said. She had opted to have an epidural. She'd had both Hannah and Lucas naturally but just didn't have it in her anymore to do that.
"Alright, Christine; on the next contraction, you can start pushing. Ready?" Dr. Gregory asked and Christine nodded. Sure enough, the contraction started and Mike gave her his hand to squeeze while massaging her back with his other hand. As soon as the contraction ended, she leaned against him. "Alright, the head is out, just need the shoulders. Go!" Dr. Gregory demanded.
All too soon, another contraction started and Christine began pushing. It seemed to last forever, but finally, they heard a baby crying. Mike kissed the top of her head and smiled down at her.
"Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?" The nurse asked Mike.
"Yes." Mike answered. He eased out from under Christine and was handed a pair of scissors.
"Oh, yeah…congratulations. You have a beautiful baby boy." Dr. Gregory said. Christine noticed that Mike faltered for just a second. Not long. He cut the umbilical cord and settled next to Christine when the baby was put on her chest.
He was not happy with his change in circumstances but per the pediatrician, was perfect. While Christine was cleaned up, he was dressed in a diaper and onesie and swaddled. Thankfully, Mike didn't hesitate to hold him until Christine was ready.
"He's perfect. Thank you." Mike said before giving her a kiss.
"You okay? I noticed that you paused when Dr. Gregory said he was a boy." Christine asked.
"I…its hard to explain. I'm afraid it'll seem like I'm replacing Lucas." Mike admitted.
"Mike, Lucas would have wanted you to love his little brother. He would have been thrilled. We will both always miss Lucas but that doesn't mean we can't be happy with this little guy." Christine said.
"Babe…he's not a little guy. Did you hear what the nurse said about his weight?" Mike asked with a grin.
"No." Christine said.
"He's ten pounds, eleven ounces and twenty-three inches long." Mike said. For all his misgivings, he seemed proud of his new son.
"Oh. I'm glad I had that epidural. I would like to try nursing him before you get the girls." Christine said. Mike took the baby so she could adjust her gown and then helped her get the baby situated. He immediately latched on.
"He's already got that figured out. I'm wondering what names the girls have picked out." Mike remarked. He leaned down and gave her another kiss. The baby had his hand wrapped around Mike's index finger and was watching Christine closely.
"Me too. Once I know he's satisfied, you can go out." Christine said.
"I…do want to give you a…I guess they call them push presents? I…wasn't sure but I also put Lucas' birthstone on it." Mike said. He reached into his duffel bag and pulled a ring box out. He opened it and revealed a beautiful mother's ring. It had Katie, Hannah, Lucas and the new baby's birthstone.
"Oh, Mike; its beautiful. Thank you." Christine said. She gave him her right hand and he slid it on her ring finger.
"I assumed he was the last baby?" Mike asked with a panicked look.
"He is as far as I am concerned. One of us should probably get that taken care of. We aren't really careful when we are in the mood." Christine teased.
"Once we get him home and you are recovering, I'll make an appointment." Mike agreed.
"Mike, thank you. I know you aren't loving having another baby, but you are very supportive and you seem to love him. That is all I ask." Christine said.
"I'm looking forward to the girls going home. You'll nap and I'll get some one-on-one time with him." Mike said with a smile.
"Same as always. I always loved waking up and seeing you sleep with the baby on your chest. Finally, he's done." Christine said as she detached their new son and handed him to Mike. The baby was fussing about not having an unlimited supply of milk but settled quickly enough. Christine repositioned her gown and robe and Mike handed him back.
"At this rate, he won't fit into those 0-3 month clothes for long." Mike remarked.
"No, he won't. Thankfully, we didn't get many." Christine replied. Mike bent down and gave her another kiss before kissing the top of the baby's head.
"I'll go get the girls. Be right back." Mike answered. He headed out the door and Christine smiled down at her new son.
"In just a minute, you'll meet your big sisters. They'll spoil you rotten. And despite all of your daddy's worries, he will too. He already loves you, I can tell." Christine told her new baby boy. The baby just blinked at her just as Katie, Hannah and Mike came through the door.
Both girls cuddled the baby for quite a while. Both girls had wanted a boy name that started with the letter 'L' to honor Lucas. They went with Hannah's choice, Ledger. And Christine opted for Katie's choice for a middle name, Michael. Hannah was holding Ledger and Mike settled next to her, to try and encourage the girls to go home so Christine could nap.
"I know what you could do…you and Mom could have another baby! It could be a girl and we could go with my choice for a girl's name. Landry! Isn't it pretty?" Hannah said.
"Pretty name, yes. But, I doubt that's in the cards. We aren't so young anymore, honey." Mike answered gently. Christine chuckled under her breathe. He took Ledger and kissed the top of Hannah's head.
"Just think about it." Hannah said as she stood up. Both girls gave Christine a kiss goodbye before grabbing their coats and purses.
"Drive safe and let me know that you got home. I would imagine that your mom is going to take a nap." Mike said. Katie had also given Mike a kiss and nodded.
"I'll text you so it won't wake her. We'll be okay." Katie answered.
"Good night, girls. See you tomorrow." Christine replied. Hannah gave her another hug, still a mama's girl.
"Night." Hannah said. As soon as they were both out the door and Mike knew they weren't close, he let out a laugh.
"I knew she was going to suggest something like that." Mike remarked.
"She is sweet." Christine said.
"What do you think of it?" Mike asked.
"I wouldn't be opposed but it only gets harder as we get older and there's no guarantee that another baby would be a girl. Plus, I would kind of like to enjoy Ledger a bit." Christine said.
"How…about…I don't make that appointment and we just let nature take its course? If its meant to be, we'll have a Landry and if its not, we'll just have Katie, Hannah and Ledger. And Lucas in heaven." Mike suggested.
"I could agree to that." Christine said. While it was a strange conversation at their ages, it told Christine that Mike was getting on board with having a small child, or children. Nature would just have to take its course.