Page 63 of Finding Limits

“Trust me, it’s real, so real that we’re gonna have to extend the cabin. I spoke to the boys about it the other day, I reckon we can get somethin’ fixed up before the baby comes.”

“We have plenty of space.” I laugh at him.

“And suppose I want him, or her, to have a brother or sister?” He looks over to me with a mischievous grin on his face.

“There was you saying you felt too old to date me, now you want us to have an army.” I shake my head.

“Well, suddenly I'm feelin’ very young again. I’ve got me a new lease of life,” he tells me as we pull up outside our cabin. I’ve not even opened the door before he’s around my side and helping me out.

“You got any other plans for our future?” I ask as I step up onto the porch.

“It just so happens I do.” He shocks me when he drops down onto one knee and takes off his hat.

“I’ve been thinkin’ of ways I can do this to make it special, but I can’t wait any longer.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a ring.

“Everleigh, you've changed my life, you’ve brought out a side of me that I never knew existed and I just have to have you as my wife.” He looks up at me and waits for my answer, and I nod my head while I try to overcome all the emotions that have hit me at once. Tears stream down my face as he slides the ring onto my ringer and when he stands back up and kisses me and our baby stirs within me, this moment makes all the dark ones I had to endure suddenly feel worth the fight.

Seven Months Later

“Mitch, wake up.” I feel her shaking me “Mitch, it's time.”

“I told ya, I’m not workin’ today.” I try and pull the covers back over us but she shakes me even harder.

“Mitch, the baby’s coming.”

My eyes shoot open and I sit up straight.

“Why the fuck didn’t ya say somethin’?” I stand up and start pacing the floor.

“I was trying to.” She laughs. She’s in labor and she’s laughing.

“What d’ya need?” I move closer to her, trying to remember what all those books we read together said, now it’s all just fuzz in my brain.

“Relax, the contractions started a few hours ago.”

“A few hours?” I check I’m hearing her right.

“Yes, but they were irregular and just uncomfortable. Now, they’re starting to hurt.” She grimaces as she grips hold of the nightstand.

“You havin’ one now?” I look at her, feeling helpless, and when she nods her head all I can do is take her other hand and remind her to breathe.

“I think you should call the midwife now.” She looks at me once it passes. “They’re coming every five minutes. That’s when she said to call.”

“Okay. I can do that.” I leap back off the bed and head for the kitchen where my cell phone is.

“Darlin’.” I look back through the door. “You sure you wanna do it this way? At the hospital they have drugs and if anythin’ goes wrong?—”

“No hospitals.” She shakes her head. “Stress is bad for the baby and if I go to a hospital I’ll get scared. I’m much better off here where I feel comfortable.”

I flick through my phone and dial the midwife, not at all liking the response I get when I speak to her.

“Shit!” I hang up the phone and breathe myself calm before I head back to the bedroom to break the news.

“Mitch, there's another one coming.” She reaches her hand out to me and I take it, stroking her back and deciding to let it pass before I tell her what I know.

“It’s over.” She breathes a sigh of relief and smiles up at me. How the hell is this woman making being in labor look hot?

“Sweetheart, I just spoke to the midwife. She’s on another delivery, right now.” Her face instantly drops. “Now, ya don’t need to worry, they can send us a replacement, but they might take a while to get here. Or, we could go to?—”

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