Page 68 of Soaring and Saucy

EPILOGUE

STEPHANIE

Hours ticked by as Stephanie labored to bring their child into this world. She was uncomfortable, sweaty, hot, and exhausted… but this was all worth it, especially knowing she was getting close to the end of her race. The doctor was coaching her to keep pushing and Lance was beside her, urging her along. She couldn’t even think about the slew of guests they’d left behind nor was she aware of how long ago that was. No, her entire focus, her world, was in this room right now.

And felt something change as she bore down.

Stephanie grabbed Lance’s hand, barely looking up as her body took over. She dragged in a deep breath, pinched her eyes closed, and shook with the amount of effort that she was putting on her lower body… as their child slipped from her. The sudden loss of pressure made her eyes roll back into her head as she sagged in relief, before it clicked in her mind – the baby was here!

She opened her eyes, staring at the baby that was squalling loudly, moving little arms and legs erratically, overwhelmed by tears of joy and the beautiful miracle before them.

“Here you go, Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh,” the doctor began, holding the baby up for them before putting her across Stephanie’s chest. “It’s a girl…”

“Are you sure?” Lance laughed, teasing her even now, as Stephanie glanced up at him to see her beautiful husband was crying almost as hard as she was. They both let out a tearful sob, looking at each other, before marveling at the baby at her breast.

“Shhh, princess,” Lance crooned tearfully, touching the baby’s cheek. “It’s okay, I promise. We’re going to take such good care of you and you’ve got the best Mommy in the world.”

“Oh my gosh, Lance… would you just look at our little angel?”

“She’s beautiful like her mama…”

“Oh no,” she laughed nervously. “She needs to take after you.”

“Why?” he began, looking at her in confusion. “I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world – and I have always thought that. I know you have doubts but trust me on this one.”

“Maybe she can be a blend of us,” Stephanie whispered tearfully, still amazed after all these months that she could be so lucky to have someone like him. “Taking the best parts from each of us.”

“My smart mouth and your looks?” Lance teased, leaning forward to kiss her tenderly, just as the baby managed to latch onto his finger, holding it tightly with such tiny little digits.

“I said the best parts – not the worst,” she retorted affectionately, making him laugh knowingly. They were both quite aware that he could have quite a caustic mouth sometimes and never held back… but that was part of his charm and what kept her on her toes. She never knew what was coming next with him. It could be tender words of love or a filthy joke that would make even the saltiest sailor blush.

“Mrs. Cavanaugh, we’ve got just a little bit of work to do, and this little girl is going to the nursery to get checked,” the nurse began, moving to pick up the upset infant from her chest.

Stephanie already felt a loss, an emptiness, as she realized that it was all over. There would be no more rolling, swishing moments, where the baby was turning in her stomach. Her body was empty, and their relationship would be changing, growing, and evolving, all over again.

They were now parents.

“Lance…” she whispered, turning to him immediately – and bless him – it was almost as if he could read her like a book. He moved into action without question. He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the forehead, whispering against her skin.

“On it, my queen. See you soon,” he breathed as her heart swelled with love for this incredible man. As the nurse left for the nursery with their child, Lance was behind her, following closely, keeping an eye protectively over their most fragile treasure – their daughter.

“Just a little bit of work, Mrs. Cavanaugh, and we’re going to clean you up shortly, before getting you settled into a room.”

Stephanie nodded.

Cracking open her eyes, Stephanie spotted Lance nearby sitting in the chair holding their child. He was singing softly to their daughter and it took her a moment before she realized the song… and chuckled hoarsely.

He was singing an old Madonna song.

“Your mama has finally decided to wake up and say ‘hello’ – and she’s laughing at me. Can you believe that, princess?” he whispered tenderly, smiling at Stephanie where she sat. Lance carefully stood up and carried the sleeping baby to her side, handing her over. He then leaned over to kiss Stephanie tenderly, whispering ‘I love you’ against her lips.

“You know, I like Madonna,” she teased. “You can keep singing.”

“I don’t,” he chuckled, smiling sheepishly. “But it’s the only song I can think of right now. I’m pretty sure my brain hit ‘pause’ the moment this angel was born. It’s the strangest feeling to know that I’m responsible for her, you know? Me?”

“You’ll be such a good father.”

“I hope you always think that,” he whispered, not sounding confident at all. “I was really bad about feeding my dog when I was a boy – in fact, it became my sister’s dog because she took care of it better than me,” and leaned down to kiss the sleeping baby’s forehead. “Auntie Laura is going to spoil you rotten, angel.”

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