Page 145 of Tiers of Joy

“Esme you did it!” Gaige says with emotion thick in his voice.

“Eh?” I say exhausted. It takes a moment for my brain to catch up.

“Congratulations Esme and Gaige on the birth of your baby boy!” Doc states, laying him on my stomach.

“A boy?!” I ask, my throat clogging with tears.

Doc nods and smiles.

I look down into his eyes. They are open and staring at me. I stroke his little fingers and toes, his light dusting of dark hair.

“Hey beautiful boy.” I whisper, tears falling freely down my cheeks.

I turn to look up at Gaige.

“We have a son.” I smile.

Gaige kisses me.

“I’m so fucking proud of you.” He whispers against my lips.

“Hey, son.” Gaige says, gently running his finger over his little cheeks.

“You know what this means beautiful?” Gaige states.

“What?” I ask.

“It means I get to name him.” He smiles.

“You are seriously going to hold me to that? I just pushed him out of me, surely I get a say?” I argue.

“Nope. A deal is a deal.” Gaige smiles,

“Sorry to interrupt you two but I have cut and clamped the cord. Gaige, if you could hold your son while Esme delivers the placenta.” Doc interrupts.

“What?!” I ask.

“The placenta. If you were in hospital they would’ve probably given you an injection and it would’ve just came right out, usually with a tug on the cord. Unfortunately you’re here so you have to birth it.” Doc informs me.

“Well you don’t see this in the movies.” I state as Gaige carefully takes the baby with him wrapped in a sheet. Dawn, Josie, and Amy all coo over him. Even Norman, the customer from hell, is smiling.

I birth the placenta which is the most bizarre feeling. It’s like passing a blancmange. I shudder at the thought of it.

Amy and Dawn help me prop myself up so I can sit and feed the baby while Doc clears away.

“So come on then, what are you naming our son? Just promise it isn’t some bizarre crap that I can't even spell.” I plead.

Gaige smiles and kisses me.

“Okay everyone, I would like you to meet Colton Jay Knox.” Gaige announces.

My heart lurches and my bottom lip wobbles.

“You’ve given him Jay’s name?” I sob.

Gaige smiles.

“Why not? From what I’ve heard of him he was a great guy, one of the best. Plus he loved you.” Gaige states.

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