Page 39 of Too Sweet

“Yes, you can,” Carter says. “You did it three years ago, and you’ll do it again. You’re Summer Fucking Mosely.”

I didn’t realize I’d said that out loud. When have I ever admitted that I’m weak other than in my own inner monologue?

The labor pains are all in my lower back.

It’s like some cosmic joke that I have to feel all the pain in the same place where the worst of my period cramps show up.

But I gotta say my belly isn’t feeling much better.

We’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic with two miles between us and the hospital.

“Pull the car over; I have to throw up!”

“Pull the car over where? There’s nowhere to go, sweetheart.”

I don’t need that answer; I just need a solution. They say the second baby comes a lot faster once labor hits.

They were not kidding around.

Just when I’m about to open the passenger door and let ’er rip, the extreme nausea passes.

“I’m okay.”

It’s then that I realize Carter is holding my hand. “Daisy just texted me. She’s got a bed prepped and waiting at the hospital.”

The last time we did this was three years ago, and my sister-in-law Daisy delivered our daughter Natali during our home birth.

This time, we’ve had some complications with me being dehydrated due to nausea, so we’re not taking any chances.

Our daughter Natali is having a sleepover weekend with her cousins at the Gold Hill house.

Carter and I are still working on building our dream home in Fate, but for now, I’m just happy that our babies are provided for.

Little Spoon has been thriving, and Harmony and I have hired a full-time manager and two full-time employees. Next year, we plan to open a franchise in Gold Hill.

In the meantime, Carter and Cooper’s investment group has grown to encompass the entire extended family. So far, we’ve helped fund several new places in town, and our tiny town of Fate has tripled in size.

Someday, maybe someone will build a hospital in our little town. For now, we still have a drive ahead of us.

We make it with time to spare for me to see the anesthesiologist.

Daisy and Carter are with me every step of the way.

I liked giving birth to Natali at home, but after experiencing an epidural for the first time, I think I’ll choose the needle from here on out.

When our little Gabriella is born a few hours later, I can’t stop bawling.

“Baby, what’s the matter?” I hear the concern in Carter’s voice, but I can only focus on the tiny pink baby lying on my chest, sharing my warmth.

She’s perfect. Just like her sister. Ten toes, ten fingers, and a little tuft of hair on her perfect head.

I’m shaking and crying, and I can’t form words.

“It could be a reaction to the epidural,” Daisy says.

“I’ll get you some water, or tea, or…” Carter tries to leave to fetch me something, anything, but I clutch his forearm.

“Don’t go.”

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