Page 93 of Twenty Years Later

"Want me to carry you?" I asked, trying to make her laugh through our nerves.

"I don't think you can carry a beached whale like me."

"Wanna bet?" I asked. "And you are in no way a beached whale, sweetheart."

She flashed me a grateful look as she clutched onto me. I somehow managed to open the back door for an impatient Audrey who had already unbuckled herself and Gabby.

As we went into the lobby, we decided I'd hang out in the waiting area with the girls until Jayda's parents could get there. And Jayda would go ahead upstairs. She'd already filled out all the paperwork electronically so she wouldn't have to deal with it now.

And after a quick check-in at the desk, they brought her a wheelchair and I helped her settle in. With a quick kiss and reassurances from Jayda that she'd be okay, she disappeared around the corner, leaving me in misery. No offense to these two little wound-up angels, but I just wanted to be with her right now.

The girls practically climbed the furniture in their excitement. Scratch that. Theydidclimb the furniture, and man, they were loud. I paced next to them, keeping one eye on them and one out the window looking for Jayda's parents.

Time seemed to slow down.Where were they?They couldn't have hit traffic. But I also knew from experience that my future father-in-law was rather slow behind the wheel. It even drove Jayda crazy.

Pacing some more, my mind wondered what Jayda was up to at this exact moment. I knew sometimes the second child came into this world much faster than the first. And I really hoped I wouldn't miss anything.

Finally, I saw the familiar white SUV pull up outside, and the girls and I ran out to greet them. They seemed just as anxious and hurried as I was.

"Is she okay?" Jayda's mom asked me after a quick hug.

"So far, so good," I said, ushering the girls into the back where there were extra car seats just for an occasion like this. "I'll keep you posted. And hopefully, you'll get to meet your new grandchild soon."

She nodded, tears in her eyes. "You take care of my baby, okay?"

"Always," I said, trying not to choke up myself.

I gave her another hug, kissing her cheek, and turned to the girls who were climbing all over the seats. Where did they find all this energy?

"Hey, girls, try not to give Grandma and Grandpa too much trouble."

They didn't even glance at me, and Jayda's dad just laughed as he opened the other side door. "Don't worry about it. We got this. You just go on in."

"Okay. Love you, girls. See everyone soon."

"Give Jayda our love," her mom said.

"Absolutely. Of course."

I waved goodbye and hurried in, knowing the girls were in good hands. Jayda had texted me her room number, and I rushed upstairs, anxious to get to her. I just needed to see her, see if she was okay.

After the slowest elevator ride ever, I finally made it to her floor and, a few seconds later, rounded the corner into her room... where I almost bumped into her by the door. I grabbed Jayda's arms to steady her, studying her face. Instead of the pain and agony I expected, I was greeted by her wide smile.

"You seem to be doing okay," I said, more of a question than a statement really.

She giggled at me. "I'm fine, Alex."

"You are?"

"My blood pressure is fine. The baby's fine. All good."

I exhaled loudly. "Oh, thank God."

Grinning at me, she tilted her head. "You're so cute."

I laughed. "You're the one who's cute."

She actually did look super cute in her green hospital gown, belly poking out, her hair up high in what she called a messy bun, making her eyes seem even larger.

---