Chapter 25 – Such a Showoff
Monday, June 26th, 2023
37 Weeks Pregnant
Gabi's POV
I tugged on the skintight dress as Troy, and I were doing a date night tonight. He had been on Zoom calls all day today doing work with his brands. He looked at me at one point and nearly begged for us to do something tonight to make this day better. I just laughed at him and nodded. I made us reservations at one of our favorites and then we were going to go get a nightcap. Well – for him anyways. The dress went to mid-shin as I slipped on Birks as it was the only things that was comfortable on my swollen feet.
We finally made it to full term and Troy, and I were both so ready to meet this baby now. The sooner the baby came the more time we got as a family. At my appointment on Friday, I was more thinned out and nearly 3cm dilated. Dr. Miller didn't think I would make it to our next appointment. I hoped she was right. That gave us nearly a month with our baby here at the beach house. I rubbed my belly as I put on a necklace and a few bracelets before going into the bathroom where Troy was pulling on an Adidas polo. He had on a pair of khaki shorts with his brand of tennis shoes.
"You look good," I commented, and those blue eyes came up to look at me. "I look good? You look phenomenal." I smiled as I walked up to him as he kissed my temple. His hair was still wet, "I'll be ready in a minute." I grabbed my perfume and sprayed it on my wrists and behind my neck as Troy closed his eyes. "I love that smell so much," I giggled at his nonsense before going to the kitchen to make sure everything was good. Ember went to the bathroom, and I put her up before grabbing my purse. Troy came up behind me and his hands circled on the baby.
"I already talked to Claire." Troy said and I raised an eyebrow, "Yea? Think you're getting lucky tonight?" Troy chuckled against my skin. "Hopeful? Sure. Do I plan on it? Nope." He joked. I smiled as he had been great with his later stage of pregnancy. I hadn't wanted to do anything, and he never batted an eye when I shook my head no at him. I was just so swollen and didn't feel my best. The closer we were getting to my due date the more uncomfortable that I am getting. "Thank you for being so patient with everything,"
Troy balked at my statement as he opened my car door, "Gabi, I swear to god, do not apologize for that. I was joking. I was mostly telling you about Claire because we don't have to make sure we do it later." I nodded, "I know, I just still feel like as your," he threw me the most murderous glance that I have ever received from him as he backed the car out of the garage. "Do not finish that sentence, Gabriella. As my wife? Are you serious?" I couldn't stop my laugh at how appalled that he was. "None of that shit." He grumbled and I giggled, "Okay, fine, fine,"
Troy laced our fingers together as he drove, "Do you really think it'll be this week?" Troy asked me as his eyes landed on my belly. "I hope so. That means you could get Claire this weekend and we would have so much time together." I had been more emotional the past two weeks, and this was no different as tears filled my eyes thinking about it. "That we would, and Claire is doing okay." Troy squeezed my hand to not let that be a factor. Troy told me about her running back to see him after he started to leave. My heart broke for those two sometimes. They really did have such a strong bond, but we all knew this was the best for all of us.
Once we were at the restaurant we were quickly seated as people turned and watched us walk by. For the most part – we were left alone here by the locals but during the summer is when all the vacationers started to show up. All bets were off with them as Troy just nodded politely at somebody who recognized him. I sat down as Troy sat across from me, but his back was to the room. "Do you know how much I hate my back to everybody?" Troy questioned and I raised an eyebrow, "Why? People recognize you way more than me."
"Yea but how am I supposed to see if people are approaching?"
"I'll let you know," I deadpanned, and he just shot me another look. "Troy, we're in a restaurant. Relax,"
"How were all the meetings?" I asked after we placed our order. "Really good. All the stuff for the season is lined up. I do need to make a trip up to New York to shoot a promo video for Adidas and then another one for the protein drink," I nodded, "And would that be before the season?" he hesitated but nodded, "Probably after we get back to Boston though? When are we going back?" I sighed as I would love to finish July here, but he would never go for it.
"July 25th is the first day?" I questioned and he nodded his head, "Yea, it is." I rolled my lip into my mouth. "Would you hate me if I said the 23rd?" Troy shook his head, "No, but I think I was supposed to go to New York the 22nd." I frowned as I looked down at my belly. "I mean I guess we could do it earlier. I just…" Troy reached over and squeezed my hand, "I know. I know how much you would probably rather stay there for a while instead of going to Boston." I just nodded, "Let me see if I can work it to do it the weekend before the 22nd. I'll be in and out in a day. That way we can move back to Boston on the 23rd."
"Thank you," I whispered to him, and he nodded, "You know I'll do whatever you need, El."
"I know, I just…I just want to spend as much time here."
"And you deserve, too."
I just gave him a smile, "What if this is our last date?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow, and I just laughed. "I guess we'll just have to see."
Tuesday, June 27th, 2023
Gabi's POV
My belly was overly round, and I couldn't stop staring at it as I couldn't find the motivation to put pants on – or any other clothes for that matter. I was nine months pregnant, and I was exhausted from the shower I just took. I knew labor could be any day since our due date was in three weeks and from our scare a few weeks ago, but our babe had been measuring ahead and nobody would be surprised if bee came early. I had been dilated for two weeks now and halfway thinned out. Troy was on edge every single time he left this house, especially when he went back to Boston to drop off Claire, and Claire was just staying at Eve's house until our sweet baby made its appearance. I felt so bad that Troy wasn't in Boston to see Claire last week during OTAs. I had scared him senseless with that and I knew I was lucky to get him to take Claire home. He was missing her, but everybody knew it was best.
I was inpatient because I wanted to know if it was a boy, or a girl and I also didn't want to be pregnant anymore.
I loved being pregnant.
Every single minute of it was amazing and honestly, I already knew that I couldn't wait to do it again.
But I wanted to meet my baby.
I had inconsistent contractions over the past several days but nothing that made me know that this was it. "El?" I heard Troy call my name out as I was still sitting on our bed naked with clothes around me. Troy stepped into our room and his eyebrows rose at my state and I couldn't help but laugh. "The shower was exhausting, and I can't find the energy to get up and finished getting dressed." Troy let out a soft chuckle as he dropped to his knees in front of me and his lips immediately went to my belly. I let my fingers run through his hair and he left his lips right against my belly.
"I wish I could kindly tell this baby it's time to come out." I couldn't help but laugh as Troy looked up at me. "You are stunning pregnant though." Those big hands ran down my leg and I hadn't been in the mood in weeks for him to touch me but right now? It felt really nice. "I feel like I am swollen everywhere," I told him, and he only hummed his laugh as he gently tipped rubbed his hands over my thigh and massaged them before working there was further to my calf. I groaned from the feeling as he continued on each side.
Troy kissed my belly again before he sat on the bed next to me and eased me back against his chest as he rubbed my shoulders, my arms, and pretty much got my entire body to relax into the bed. "This feels amazing, don't stop," I whispered, and Troy just laughed softly in my ear as those fingers began to drift further down. "How amazing do you want me to make you feel?" his words were warm against my ear, and I whimpered as I let my legs fall open for him. He found my mouth with his before working me with his hand.
"Troy," the word was a whimper from my lips, and he coaxed my mouth open and continued with his hand until a second finger entered me and I nearly cried from that alone. He wasn't wrong, he did make me feel amazing and relaxed with only a few minutes of work. I sat up and I gently pushed him backwards as I crawled over top of him. Those eyes were laser focused on my breasts and face, "Gabi, we don't have, too. I know how uncomfortable you have to be. I was seriously joking yesterday." I shook my head as I pulled his shorts down. "No, this is the most I have been in the mood in weeks and soon we will be banned so – I want to have sex with my husband."
He didn't argue and our fingers interlaced as he found my mouth as he propped up against the headboard as I sank down onto him. It was slow, gentle, and everything I needed but it felt amazing. I couldn't move fast, and I didn't want to move fast as I rode him until we were both wanting so badly to just jump over the cliff. "El, baby, I, fuck," his words were tangled together as he reached down to finish me off and I took him right along with me. I let my head fall against his shoulder and he kissed the side of my head softly while tangling through my wet hair.
"I did not expect to have this happen when I got home," I couldn't help but laugh but I also couldn't resist my eyelids closing because I was so tired.
Wednesday, June 28th, 2023
I bounced on the yoga ball as I drank a smoothie as this morning, I had probably had the most contractions – ever. There were only ever 10-12 minutes apart and sometimes were pretty inconsistent, but I just let my body rest, do its thing, and try to help engage baby. Troy and I went on a walk together with Ember this morning before he went to do a work-out. Luckily, Troy was done with anything football related until the end of July. We weren't leaving here until we had a baby. The back doors were wide open letting in a warm breeze as it felt good. I was just in my sports bra and a pair of shorts as I took a picture of my giant belly and posted it to social media.
We're ready for you sweet baby – come meet mama and daddy
The TV was playing highlights from last night's baseball game as I was barely paying any attention when I had a much stronger contraction. I took a deep breath through my nose, and I exhaled as I tried to bring all of my yoga breathing techniques with me to help me through the early stages of labor. I wasn't going to hospital until my contractions were consistent with every 4-5 minutes. I didn't want to be stuck there when I could move freely around here unless I felt off, I wanted to labor here for a while. The baby was moving around in my belly as I took a few laps up and down the stairs when I had another good contraction. I paused as I took several deep breaths and tried to relax my body as best I could. The more I tensed up during these early ones the worse it was going to be.
"More of that sweet babe, mama wants to meet you and snuggle you." I whispered as I let my hand fall on my stomach stroking it gently. If the baby came now, Troy and I would almost have a month together before he had to go back to football full time and that made me want to weep with happiness. I tried to distract myself as best as I could looking over the house plans for our house in Boston and making sure my bags were packed and I had everything I was going to need but I knew that my contractions were slowly increasing together. I felt the flutter of fear in my chest, but I took a deep breath as I sat back on the ball as I started to time them to make sure they are consistent. I could do this. I had people in my corner. There was nothing to fear. Troy was going to be there for me.
Once I had three that were exactly 8 minutes apart, I called Troy. It barely rang.
"Are you okay?" were the first words out of his mouth and I could hear he was breathless. He was probably in the middle of his work-out still. "Do not panic but I am having consistent contractions. Like every 8-9 minutes for about the past hour. I am not in a hurry to get to the hospital right now, but I want you to know so you don't make five detours coming home." Troy grumbled under his breath. "I won't make any detours home and I will finish up here. I don't want you to be alone. Are you in a lot of pain?" I could hear the worry behind his voice as he spoke to me. Luckily, he was ten minutes away. Not in Boston. I think that made both of us feel better.
"Not yet. It's just a lot of cramping. Some are a little more painful than others, but I am okay." I repeated to him. He exhaled and promised that he would be home in the next twenty minutes. I went upstairs as I took a shower to make sure we weren't in any false labor – no. They only increased in pain and cramping. I got out to pull on a tank-top and a pair of shorts as I went downstairs just as Troy was walking in the house. Those blue eyes assessed the entire situation as he dropped his bag. "How are you doing?" I walked into his arms as he wrapped around me in a comforting hold, and I let my body lean into him as another contraction swept through my body. This was by far one of the most painful as I gripped his t-shirt. His hand only rubbed my back gently and didn't ask any more questions until I relaxed against him.
Those blue eyes were antsy as he looked at me, "Are you ready? We can leave now." I couldn't stop my giggle as I shook my head, "No, no, I am still okay. They aren't even five minutes apart. I don't want to sit at the hospital forever. Do you want to make some lunch for the both of us?" I asked and he just nodded as he went into the kitchen as I followed him. I found my water bottle and kept drinking as I kept breathing and working through each contraction. Bee kicked near my ribs, and I smoothed my hand over the spot. "Final guesses?" Troy questioned as his eyes looked up at me and I shrugged. "I don't know. I think something different every day. Sometimes I think it's a boy. Sometimes I think it's a girl." Troy chuckled, "I kind of love having a daughter so I wouldn't mind another, but I do want to tie it up around the house." Troy said with a tiny smile. I knew how much Troy wanted a boy and knowing that our first failed transfer was a boy? It made me hope that we at least had one down the line.
Troy made me a small chicken salad sandwich as I nibbled on it and tried to make sure my belly was full before we went to the hospital. I knew I wasn't going to eat much the moment I got there and then afterwards I was going to want to stare at my baby. I already knew that was all I was going to want to do. "I am going to pack my bag. Do you want to come with me or are you going to stay out here?" Troy asked as he cleaned up and I nudged my head to the living room. "I am going to bounce on the ball and time them some more to see where we are at." Those blue eyes held my eyes firmly and he nodded.
"Five minutes and we're out of here. I am not having a baby in the car, understood?" Troy said as he gently gripped my face, and I nodded as he dropped a kiss to my mouth. "I am so lucky to call you my wife and I am so lucky that you are having my baby. You are such an amazing woman." I smiled as I just hugged him tightly for a moment when another one hit which made me whimper against him. "Big breath, baby," he reminded me as I relaxed my body, and he rubbed my back. "Good girl," he whispered, and I gripped his hand tightly as we both agreed we didn't want to tell anybody until we had our baby here. We didn't want the pressure of people in the waiting room or people waiting to hear from us. I just wanted it to be the two of us. For as long as I felt comfortable.
Troy headed down the hall to go pack a bag for himself and I went to the ball as I bounced on it and timed my contractions that were getting closer together and stronger. I inhaled and exhaled through another contraction as I knew I had to let my body relax to let it work. I couldn't work against it. Troy was back in the living room during the haze of one of my contractions, and I saw him taking everything we needed to the car. Another contraction hit and I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, but I couldn't help but whimper again. The pain was so intense, and I couldn't stop the tears that filled my eyes.
"Shh…I am right here. Focus on my hands." I didn't even know he came back as his hands slid up and down my back and I exhaled a shaky breath of air, and I opened my eyes to look at him. Those blue eyes were full of worry. "How about we head to the hospital? I don't like how painful these are becoming and if you want an epidural, I don't want to take that from you because we waited too long." I just nodded my head because I knew that this was active labor, and it was progressing. Troy and I walked down to the car, and he helped me into the side, and he got in as I was glad that we were in North Carolina for this. Dr. Miller was going to deliver our baby which made me happy.
Not that I didn't like the care I received in Boston, but I had known her so much longer.
Troy gripped my hand as he drove, and I continued to time my contractions. "Did you get a chance to shower?" I asked him in between and he nodded his head, "I did. I made sure to grab you bag, the baby's bag, and the car seat. If I forgot anything let me know and after baby is here, I will send my parents to grab whatever." I nodded as Troy pulled into the hospital. I got out of the car and Troy paused as he cupped my face. "I'm not leaving your side in there. Whatever you want – you get. You just tell me, baby. Okay?" I nodded and he grabbed me in the world's biggest hug. My body melted against his and he kissed the top of my head, "Ending it like we started it," he whispered, and the tears filled my eyes. We had some so far since those first appointments. Once we let go, he wiped away a few tears, and we both shared a smiled, "Let's go have a baby," he whispered and I smiled with a nod, "Let's have a baby." He held my hand as we walked, and he found a wheelchair, but I shook my head. "No, no, I want to walk." Troy just held my hand as we walked to labor and delivery triage. It felt like I was just here, but it had been a couple of weeks. This time I knew I was in labor. I wasn't scared. I was excited. I couldn't wait to meet our baby.
His hand never left mine as we checked in and they quickly found me back to a room as I changed into a gown and laid back on a bed. Troy kissed my head, and I looked over at him as another painful contraction took over as they set up the monitors to my belly to see if I was having true contraction. The tears filled my eyes and Troy brushed them away. "You are strong and doing amazing," he whispered. I just gripped his hand as the nurse laughed quietly, "Those are some consistent contractions. Let's do a cervical exam and see – is that okay?" I nodded as I had few over the past couple of weeks as she stuck her fingers in and moved around. It didn't hurt nearly as bad as the past couple of times, and she smiled.
"You are almost a six. You are going to have a baby very, very soon." I felt the tears fill and fall down my face as I looked over at Troy who was grinning, "We're going to have a baby," he whispered as he locked our hands together and kissed them gently. "We're gonna have a baby," I whispered back to him. He brushed his fingers through my hair and kissed me softly. "You are going to kick fucking ass; I just know it." I gave him a smile and he squeezed my hand. "You tell me whatever you need, El. Ice, water, to kick people out, to tell them to stop touching you – I don't care. You tell me." I nodded as I pulled his mouth back to mine. "Thank you,"
"No, thank you, I know this doesn't feel good. I hate how much pain you are in, but I think we both know we get to have a really good prize at the end." I just snorted and he laughed himself while kissing my forehead.
Troy's POV
Gabi was asleep on her side after getting the epidural and it caused me to breathe a little easier to know she wasn't in as much pain. She was doing so well throughout labor, and I was proud of her. It took everything inside of me not to tell the world, but I loved the idea that it was just the two of us getting to meet our baby. Dr. Miller walked in, and she smiled at a sleeping Gabi. The last time they checked she was an 8 and having consistent contractions which was about two hours ago. They said baby was higher up in her pelvis still but definitely coming down, so they didn't mind letting her rest. I didn't mind letting her rest. I knew after the baby was here the sleep would be lacking.
"We are getting ready to do shift change in the next hour or so – do you think she'll mind if I wake her up to do a check to just see what's going on? To have a better idea." Dr. Miller asked. I shook my head, "No, I don't think she'll mind. I hate waking her up though." Dr. Miller let out a small laugh as I went over to brush her hair away from her face and she fluttered those eyes open to look at me. "They want to check you. I think that epidural is working a little too well," Gabi rubbed her eyes but gave me a smile as she rolled onto her back and Dr. Miller talked with her. "How are you feeling?" she asked, Gabi nodded, "I am doing okay. I do think it is working really well but I do feel some pressure." Dr. Miller nodded as I stroked Gabi's hair, and she threaded her fingers through mine. Dr. Miller let a tiny smile work on her face as she lifted her eyes to meet Gabi's eyes.
"You feel some pressure because there is a baby who is ready to meet you," Dr. Miller said with a smile on her face. Gabi squeezed my hand, and I couldn't stop my smile. "I am going to send the nurses in and do some practice pushing. I'm going to go finish up some stuff and then I will be here. Do you have any questions?" Gabi shook her head, but I could see her face grow a little pale. "Troy?" I shook my head no, as she nodded before walking out and I took the moment before it got crazy in here. "Hey, look at me," I whispered, and she looked over at me. Those brown eyes held a lot of worry and tears were collecting at the edge. "It's okay to be scared but I am right here with you the entire time. I will do whatever you need me to do. Okay? I am going to protect you and our baby."
She had tears fall from her eyes again and she nodded her head as I let my forehead rest against her forehead. "I love you and I am so proud of you. You have made this look easy, baby." She let a few tears leak and I gently wiped them off as nurses started coming in left and right to make the room prepared. I never let go of her hand and I stayed right there with her. People explained everything that was going to happen. It was weird because I have been here before, but she hadn't experienced this at all. They got Gabi into stir-ups as I helped her get her hair tied back away from her face. "Do you want a braid?" I asked her and a nurse smiled, "You know how to braid, dad?" I smiled and nodded, "I do. I have a daughter from a prior marriage, and I told my younger sister I never wanted to be the dad that couldn't do his daughter's hair. So, she taught me," Gabi smiled back at me, and I winked at her. "That's so cute," the nurse gushed, and I laughed thanking her before just putting Gabi's hair in a ponytail as she didn't care.
"Okay, we are just going to do a few practice pushes, Gabi. During your contractions you are going to tuck your chin and push like you are going to have a bowel movement, okay? Try once for me before a contraction."
Gabi nodded as I held her hand in mine as she did exactly as she was asked like a fucking champion that she is. "Good, very good. We'll do your next push with you next contraction." Gabi nodded as she relaxed in the bed, and I offered her my hand and she slipped her fingers through it. "I can't wait to see you as a mom," I whispered to her as I slid closer to her side of the bed, and she smiled with that smile that melted everything around me. She was just going to be amazing and to watch her cuddle a newborn and do all the things? It made my chest ache with pride.
"Okay, Gabi, let's try with this contraction," Gabi didn't hesitate, and she pushed while gripping my hand. She held her breath and then relaxed after a moment. "Gabi, you are doing so, so well. Let's go again," she inhaled deeply and pushed down as if she has had tons and tons of babies before. I was in complete awh of her as she pushed. "Somebody is right here; I am going to call the doctor and we'll grab a mirror for you." Gabi nodded as she laid back and that's the first time she seemed to be struggling with the pain. "Troy," I brushed my hand over her forehead as she looked at me with those brown eyes. "There is so much pressure," she choked on a cry, and I kissed her forehead as I tried to distract her as much as I could. "I know baby, I know, but we need the doctor. Okay?" Gabi held onto the back of my neck, and I let my lips rest by her ear.
"You are doing so well. I don't know who taught you how to have babies, but you need to teach people, too." That caused a small laugh from her as it wasn't too much longer before Dr. Miller was in our room. "Gabi, let me see one of these pushes. The nurses are raving about you." I kissed her cheek and, "Such a showoff," I murmured, and she just laughed softly as she inhaled deeply before baring down with her next contraction. Dr. Miller was gowning up as she watched Gabi push before Gabi relaxed back. "You are doing really well, keep up the work." Dr. Miller complemented her.
She pushed three more times before Dr. Miller had her stop for a moment and she tried to move her legs, "Troy, how about you grab one of her legs and help give her a little bit more room," I nodded as I held one of her legs and a nurse on the other side as I kept my hand tangled with hers though. I never wanted her to feel like she was by herself during this and she was shaking against my skin. "Is the shaking normal?" she asked, her face flushed with effort and a nurse spoke back to her about how it was normal. "Okay, Gabi, this is going to be one of the harder parts. The head is right here, can you see?" Dr. Miller spoke.
They pointed to a mirror and Gabi looked up as our baby was bald, but you could see the head right there. Gabi gasped and I could see those tears, the happy tears, that our baby was almost here. "Okay, push again," Gabi took her deep breath and pushed harder than I had seen yet from her. She groaned towards the end, and I watched as the baby's head started to slide out when Gabi started to panic for a moment. "Oh my god, it hurts," she cried, and I squeezed her hand. "El, baby, look, our sweet baby that we've fought so hard for is here. Focus on our baby," my voice was quiet and truly only meant for her as she looked at the mirror and she tried to catch her breath.
"You can do this, El. I know you can." Those brown eyes held mine and she nodded as if I gave her the energy she needed and pushed again before our baby's head popped out. Dr. Miller started doing things as Gabi laid back on the bed and I helped ease her leg back into a stir up before I went up by her head as I stroked her hair. "You are almost done. You are doing so, so good," I whispered to her, and she gripped onto my neck with one hand and my hand with the other. "Okay, last big push Gabi and we will all know what this little sweet baby is." Dr. Miller said and I let her use my body to her advantage as I watched as Gabi pushed and pushed until the whole body slid out. The cry was the first thing I heard in my ear and the second was her sob of relief as there was suddenly a baby on her belly that the nurses were rubbing down.
"Troy, what is it?" Gabi asked as she let her hands run over its head and I reached for my second child as I peeked between those legs, and I laughed with the biggest smile crossing my face. "It's a boy!" I felt tears fill my eyes as I told Gabi and Gabi broke down into tears as the room celebrated and I brought Gabi into a searing kiss. "I am so fucking proud of you," I whispered against her mouth, and she couldn't stop the tears as they had me cut the umbilical cord after delayed clamping and easily moved our son to her chest as they covered him with blankets and continued to stimulate him. He was crying until he realized where he was, and he stopped as he held onto his mom. Gabi was adamant about getting the first full hour of skin-to-skin time with him as long as he was healthy.
My eyes couldn't move from him as I stared at our son. My own tears were rolling down my face as Gabi turned to look at me. "We have a son," she whispered, and I couldn't stop my tears, "We have a baby," I whispered to her, and she broke down crying again. Both of us going back to that first failed transfer and the feeling of despair. Now? Right here? We had our son. I let my lips press into her forehead. "You were so amazing," I whispered to her, and she turned to look at me as we both gave each other a quick kiss and I locked our hands together as I couldn't stop staring at our son.
He had a hat on his head, and he was relaxed as he rested on Gabi's chest. "He is so fucking cute," I murmured. Gabi wouldn't stop letting her hands run over his little body. "Gabi, you did so well you didn't tear even a little bit. You are made to have babies," Dr. Miller joked, "Too bad your ovaries don't understand." Gabi and I both laughed as somebody found a chair for me as I sat right by the bed. Our fingers tangled over our son as he was amazing. He had the cutest little button nose, and his mouth was a little pouty – just like his mom's lips. His face was pink, and his little fists were clinched against his mom's skin. "Do you think his name fits?" Gabi whispered as we stared at him, and I nodded my head. "I really like it."
Gabi looked at him and she smiles as she pressed her lips into his head. "Hi Ronan," she whispered. "I'm your mommy," her voice wobbled, and I couldn't stop my own tears as I covered my mouth watching her. It was just as amazing as I thought it would be. "This is your daddy, and you are going to love him. He has the coolest job," I couldn't stop my laugh as I stroked Ronan's face. "How about a family photo?" our nurse asked as they had Gabi back with her legs down and comfortable. I don't think either of us realized she was done. Gabi nodded as we both smiled for the camera together. "Beautiful family," My eyes soaked in Gabi as she was radiating. Her smile was so large, the tears were glistening on her skin but from so much happiness, and the way he was just pressed against her bare chest. It was a picture I never in my life wanted to forget. I snapped a few photos of the two of them together without her noticing as she was just staring at him. As if she couldn't believe he was real.
"Just wait until big sister meets him," I whispered, and Gabi laughed, "She is going to be obsessed with him, I do think she might be a little mad it's a boy." I smirked and I kissed his head, "I'm not. I finally have my little dude." We both shared a smile together. We did it.
People kept fussing with Gabi and Ronan, but he never moved from his mom chest as she even tried to introduce breastfeeding to him. He rooted around and latched causing Gabi to wince. His little mouth tried to figure out what to do and Gabi relaxed after a moment. I wasn't much help in this category, but I was going to do whatever she needed. "Better?" I asked and she nodded her head as he only suckled for a few minutes and then somebody turned the lights down in the room. Ronan let his little eyes open for a moment and Gabi smiled. "Hi sweet boy, look at those beautiful brown eyes." Her words hiccupped at the end as she started to cry again. I swallowed on the lump in my throat as we both just watched our baby boy together.
I couldn't stop staring as I knew our hour was coming to an end before they had to do a few things with him. I took several pictures of Gabi with him. She grinned at the camera with both of her hands protectively over our sweet baby boy. "You look stunning as a mom." I whispered to her, and she just gave me a smile. "I want to see you hold him." I gave her a smile, "Soon but you enjoy your time with him," Gabi just nodded while closing her eyes keeping the moment sink in. Once the hour hit the nurses took Ronan. My eyes met hers and I saw the bit of worry in her eyes, "Go," she pointed for me to follow him, and I gladly did as they had him on the scale doing a full-blown assessment of him. The weighed him and the weight popped up on the screen.
"Seven pounds, two ounces," Gabi grinned, "A lot smaller than they thought he was going to be." Gabi said. I took the infamous picture with his weight in the background as they got a diaper on him and swaddled him up tightly after they were all done. They were doing a few things with Gabi as they discontinued the epidural and were doing some other postpartum stuff. "Dad, do you want to hold him?" I nodded as they handed Ronan over to me and I felt my chest fill with twice the amount of love as I stared at my son. It felt like such a redemption moment for me. For thinking I had a son a while ago to now actually having my son. I felt fucking grateful. I couldn't stop the overwhelming emotion of looking at his face and how I could see features of Gabi and myself in them.
A pair of eyes were on me, and I looked up at Gabi who was naturally crying again as she watched me hold Ronan. I went over and I sat next to Gabi on the edge of the bed, and I let my head fall against hers. "He's perfect," I whispered. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. Gabi squeezed my arm as she reached up to fuss with his hat.
"He's us, of course he's perfect," we both laughed together as I wiped away my tears as we stared at him together. Neither of us could not stare at him as he was content and warm in his blankets. Neither of us spoke for a bit as we were just soaking up this time with him. He moved around and I kissed Gabi's temple. "I'm so proud of you," I quietly said to her. "So, fucking proud of you. You made that look so easy." Gabi just gave a tiny smile, "I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being my calm." I tilted her chin back and gave her a kiss.
"I will always be your calm." She just gave me a smile and another squeeze before she let out a bigger smile.
"I think we should call a special little girl first," Gabi whispered, and I looked at her with a bit of surprise that she as ready to tell people. "Just her. I mean, she is in Boston, and I told her she could be one of the first to know." I just nodded as I handed her my phone and she was tapping on it. It only rang a couple of times before I heard Eve's gasp. "Oh my god! Did you have the baby?" Eve's voice was first, and Gabi laughed, "Yes, shh…where is Claire? We want to surprise her." Eve was moving around in the background, and it wasn't long before I heard my daughter's voice. My chest clutched again as I didn't know I had this much room for love for these little people. It proved that we could have ten of them and I would love them all wholeheartedly the same.
"What mommy?" Claire sassed through the phone, and I just cracked a grin. She was so pissed that I wasn't seeing her until after the baby was born. Her day was going to be made.
"Gabi wants to say hi,"
"Gabi! Hi!" Gabi smiled as she looked at the phone, "Hi sweet girl, are you having a good day?" Gabi asked and Claire giggled, "Yea, I am. I am just playing with my dolls. Where is daddy?" Gabi smiled as she twisted the camera around to face me and I heard her squeal before anything else causing Gabi and I to laugh. "The baby!" she cried out and I sat down next to Gabi as I held Ronan. "Daddy! What is it? Is it a boy or girl?" she asked and that caused all of us to chuckle. Her blue eyes were shining with happiness, and she had the biggest smile on her face. My heart clutched missing her so damn much. Her blonde hair hanging around her face. "Daddy! Boy or girl?" she asked impatiently, and I chuckled. It was the million-dollar question. "Claire, I want you to meet your baby brother, Ronan."
I looked at Claire in the Facetime and I was so glad Gabi was recording it as Claire had her own tears in her eyes. Good, I was scared she was going to be mad, but it appears she didn't care. "Daddy, I want to come meet him." I laughed as I brushed my tears away again. "Soon, baby. Grandma and Grandpa will fly up to get you once we get home." I told her softly and she didn't like that answer and I knew she wouldn't, but I didn't want to have to worry about her while I was here with Gabi. "Daddy," her pout and the crack in her voice knew that I had a situation to diffuse. I gently gave Ronan back to Gabi and I took my phone as I walked across the room to the window.
"Claire, baby, I know how much you want to meet your baby brother right now but we're only going to be in the hospital a couple of days. We'll come home and you are going to get to hold him as much as you want. Yea? I will facetime you every day so you can see him." I promised her and she sniffled as Eve hugged her. "I miss you, daddy." Her chin wobbled and tears grew in my own eyes. I fucking missed her, too.
"I know you, do baby. I miss you just as much if not more. You are the very, very first person to know that he is here though. Gabi wanted to make sure you got to meet him first." Eve smiled in the view as Claire sniffled, "Really?" I nodded my head towards her. "Really, she wanted to make sure that you knew first because you are going to be the best big sister." She nodded as I blew her a kiss. "I'll call you again tomorrow morning, okay?" she nodded and my heart broke that she was in a different city than me, but it would work out. She would meet him so very soon.
And it would quite possibly be the best day of my life.
Night had fallen around us, and we knew if we were telling people we needed to get on it. Ronan just tried to breastfeed again, and it went a little better the first time. They promised lactation would be by first thing in the morning but every two to three hours we would need to put him to breast to let him try. Gabi was all ears to any advice and was becoming fast friends with all of her post-partum nurses.
Gabi had Ronan on her chest as she made the first phone call to her mom. She was facetiming and it popped up with her mom's face as I watched, "Oh my god! Gabriella Rae!" Gabi and I both laughed at her mom's reaction. "He's here," Gabi said, and her mom gasped again. "It's a boy?" Gabi nodded as Ruthie was calling for Danny. "Danny! Danny come quick!" Gabi smiled over at me as she looked tired but so happy within the same breath. I was hoping I could get her a few hours of sleep tonight as long as I stayed up with him. Whatever made her feel comfortable. "Ruthie, what in the world is wrong?" she shoved the phone in his direction, and it was faced on Ronan.
"Oh my god, Gabriella Rae," Gabi and I both just laughed again. "Meet our son, Ronan Troy," Gabi said, and her dad covered his mouth. "Gabs, he's beautiful. Congrats, when can we come meet him?" Our eyes connected and we both had agreed that Claire should be one of the first people to meet him and Gabi and I didn't want to be bombarded with people in the hospital. We just wanted to be a family for a few days without all of the fanfare. "We are going to kindly ask to wait until we are home. I think Troy and I just want to spend some time as the three of us for a few days while we get to know him."
"Of course, Ella, of course. How did it go?" Gabi filled them in on the details of her calm and great birth with him. She said herself she couldn't have asked for it to go any better than it did. "He is 7lb and 2oz and about 18in long," Her parents gushed over him for a few more minutes as Gabi promised to send pictures of him soon. Once she finished her conversation with her parents, she looked at him and I saw the tears in her eyes as she stared at our son. "He's amazing," Gabi whispered as she stroked his skin and he just nestled further against her chest. My lips pressed into her hair, and I nodded, "I know, he is the best mix of the two of us." Gabi laughed as she brushed her tears off her face.
"Should we call your parents?" she asked, and I nodded as I picked up my cell phone and facetimed my mom. I let the camera focus on Ronan as it only rang twice before my mom picked up and shrieked in response. "Oh my god! Troy! The baby!" I laughed as Gabi laughed herself. "He's here," I told her, and she gasped, "He? You have a son?" I laughed, "Yea, we have a son." She found my dad as he just grinned in the camera, "He looks like a future quarterback," I chuckled as they cooed over him for the time being and I let them talk to Gabi for a few minutes as we explained the same thing to them, and I asked my mom to go get Claire from Boston on Saturday morning. We should be discharged on Friday and then we would have the night to settle at home. To have our first night just us three and Claire would be there first thing Saturday morning to be with us. As a family of four.
My mom and dad agreed to the plan as we let them stare at Ronan for a few more moments. Once we hung up, I stroked Gabi's face as it was nearing ten. "We can tell everybody else tomorrow."
"How about we send a picture to our siblings?" Gabi said, "That way they all know today."
"Are you sure?" I questioned and she nodded her head, "Yea, I want them to see him." I agreed as I found the picture of the three of us from earlier and I sent it in a group chat with all of our siblings. I then sent one to Lucas on the side.
Troy: This is my notice that I am off for the next month besides the weekend promo shoot.
The phone started pinging almost immediately with reactions to the fact that we had a boy. I know Gabi probably wanted to call each of them, but I knew it was late. "How do I get you to rest for just a little bit? Do you want me to take him? Do you just want him for now?" Gabi blinked down at him as she battled a few different emotions. "I don't want to put him down, but I am so tired,"
"I know, baby. Does it make you more comfortable if I hold him for a bit while you rest?" I asked and she nodded, those brown eyes full of tears. "But then you aren't sleeping." I shook my head, "Shh…I am okay. You pushed a whole baby out and that takes a lot of energy and effort. I was just the cheerleader. I am okay. I need you to rest." Gabi nodded her head and brushed her tears away. "I just love him so much. I don't want to miss anything." I chuckled, "You won't – want me to change his diaper and swaddle him?"
"Yea, let me see you do all of that." I laughed as I gently pried him from his mom's chest. I laid him in the hospital bassinet as I changed his diaper which was the first meconium poop. He cried the entire time, but I just talked to him and finished as fast as I could before putting his diaper back on and re-swaddling him in the blanket Gabi brought with footballs all over it. I let him rest on my chest as I bounced him softly as he grew quiet and content again. I looked over at Gabi who had a few tears as she looked at me. "I love you and that was the sexiest thing," I just laughed as I went over and kissed her head. "Get some rest. I'll wake you up in two hours when he is ready to eat again, okay?" she nodded her head as I shut the lights down in the room, turned the TV down, and nestled in the hospital chair with Ronan.
My eyes glanced down at him as I swallowed on my own emotion of getting these first quiet moments with him. "Hi buddy," I whispered as he nestled in my arms and was content to just go back to sleep. I snapped a picture of him on my phone as I couldn't wait for Claire to hold him. To see both of my kids together. I could see tiny glimpse of Claire when she was a baby in him. The hair on his head was minimal but what was there was blonde. Just like Claire's was and her hair was turning closer to my hair color.
"Ronan, thanks for sticking around with mom," I murmured to him. "We needed you, sweet boy." He turned his head and I just smiled as I let him rest on my chest. I watched the TV, held my son, and looked over at my wife who was peacefully sleeping. I hoped that she could breastfeed him again at the 2-hour mark and sleep for at least another 2-3 hours. After that I would try and put him in his bassinet next to her bed and both of us get some sleep. I had ordered in some dinner for us earlier and Gabi didn't eat a ton, but I think she just didn't want to put him down.
"I love you, Ro. I can't wait to watch you do big things."
*Insert Eye Water Emoji*
What do we think? Are you surprised? Do we like the name? Tell me all of your opinions!
BIG UPDATE! My new story debut is NEXT WEEK! The synopsis is on my page, and it's called Revival – a forbidden hockey romance (that is confirmed to be several stories!)
Next Update: March 23rd
