Page 53 of Faking it With the Player Next Door

Despite the growing discomfort, I felt a smile spread across my face. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Van took my hand, squeezing it gently. “Then let’s go meet our son.”

As we made our way back to the car, I felt a mixture of excitement and nerves coursing through me. This was it - the moment we’d been waiting for, the start of a new chapter in our lives. With Van by my side, I knew we could face anything.

***

The hospital room blurred around me, time stretching and contracting like the waves of pain coursing through my body. My knuckles turned white as I gripped Van’s hand, each contraction stealing my breath.

“Breathe, Taylor,” Van’s voice cut through the haze. “That’s it, in and out.”

I locked eyes with him, anchoring myself in his steady gaze. Sweat trickled down my temples, and Van gently dabbed it away with a cool cloth.

“Another big one coming,” the nurse warned.

I clenched my jaw, a low moan escaping as the contraction built. Van leaned in close, his forehead almost touching mine.

“You’ve got this, babe,” he murmured, his breath warm against my cheek. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

The contraction peaked, and I squeezed Van’s hand so hard I feared I might break it. But he never flinched, his presence unwavering.

“I see the head!” the doctor announced. “One more big push, Taylor.”

I gathered every ounce of strength I had left, Van’s encouragement ringing in my ears. With a final, guttural cry, I pushed.

Suddenly, the room filled with a new sound - a high-pitched wail that made my heart leap.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor exclaimed.

The nurse placed a squirming, wet bundle on my chest. I gasped, my hands instinctively cradling this tiny being. Our son. His cries softened as I held him close, his skin warm against mine.

Van’s hand trembled as he reached out to touch the baby’s cheek. I looked up at him, seeing tears glistening in his eyes.

“Hey there, little man,” Van whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

I traced our son’s tiny features with my finger - his button nose, rosebud lips, and downy hair on his head. Each detail seared itself into my memory.

“Chad,” I murmured, testing the name we’d chosen. “Chad Hunter Willis.”

Van nodded, a tear spilling down his cheek. “Perfect name for a perfect boy.”

As Chad’s tiny hand wrapped around my finger, a wave of love so intense it was almost painful washed over me. I looked from our son to Van, seeing my wonderment reflected in his eyes.

Chad yawned, his little face scrunching up, and I laughed softly through my tears.

“Welcome to the world, Chad,” I whispered. “We love you so much already.”

***

A few days later, we were back home, nestled in the coziness of our living room. The baby was asleep in his bassinet, and I was curled up on the couch with Van. My body was exhausted, but my heart was so full it felt like it might burst.

Just as we settled in, the doorbell rang.

Amelia’s bright smile greeted us as she swept into the room with an enormous basket of gifts for the baby.

“Amelia!” I exclaimed, feeling a rush of affection for my best friend. She enveloped me in a gentle hug before leaning down to admire the sleeping baby.

“Chad is even more adorable in person,” she whispered, grinning. “You’re both glowing. Parenthood looks good on you.”

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