Page 125 of Samuel

“Fine. I’ve been holding onto this name because I want you to take it seriously. It’s the most beautiful name I’ve ever heard, and I’ve kind of been in love with it for a while now.”

Well, that certainly got her attention. “Okay, lay it on me.”

“Evelyn.”

“What? I’m going to seriously think about it. Tell me.”

“Evelyn.”

Why wasn’t he just saying the name? She might have given him a little too much sass about the rat name because apparently he was going to make her beg to hear this name he was so in love with.

When her brows furrowed and she shrugged her shoulders as if to ask for some sort of hint, he just stared back at her with his big blue eyes.

“Why won’t you tell me?”

“I am telling you. Evelyn.”

And then it hit her. He wanted them to name the baby after her.

“Sam, no. She can’t have my name. And there is no way you think that’s the most beautiful name ever.”

“Don’t make me figure out a way to put you over my knee. Wait. I think I know a perfect use for that birthing ball…”

Evie laughed, holding her belly so it didn’t shake. “Sam, you aren’t spanking me. Focus.”

“Fine. I absolutely want to give her your name. I want to give our next daughter your name, and the daughter after that. I want them all to be named after their stunning mom. The strongest, fiercest woman I know. I want them to all be carbon copies of you. I’ll never survive the sass, but boy will it be fun trying.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. So, we agree, we’re naming her after you?”

“No. I already make up so much of her. I want something more for her than just a connection to me.”

“So, now we’re back at square one with names.”

They went back and forth over the next hour while the saline drip in the back of Evie’s hand slowly drained and the contractions continued to slow.

“How’s everyone doing in here?” Dr. Hayes asked as he walked into the room.

“I’m okay. I don’t think I’ve had a contraction in a while.”

He studied the strip of paper that had been steadily printing out as they waited. “No, it doesn't look like you have. That’s good. If you’re up for it, I’d like to check your cervix to see if you’ve made any changes from when you came in.”

“That’s fine.” Evie closed her eyes and held on tight to Sam’s hand. The exam wasn’t bad, but she was exhausted and more than ready to just be done with all the poking and prodding.

“No change.” Dr. Hayes smiled as he threw the exam gloves into the trash can. “Was there anything particularlystressful about the day, Evie? Sometimes if mom is stressed, then bub can get a little restless.”

“We got engaged,” Sam admitted, a worried look crossing his face.

“I was not stressed about that at all, Sam. That’s only happiness.”

“Ah, well, congratulations you two. Is it safe to assume you celebrated your engagement in an intimate fashion?”

Evie’s face flushed and she nodded.

“That’s probably it. You’re close to delivery, Evie. Intercourse can bring on contractions, and it can sometimes be the cause behind some light bleeding, which is most likely what you experienced. You’ll want to take it easy for the next couple of days, but I don’t see why you can’t resume regular activity after that if you are feeling up to it.”

“So, Evie and the baby are okay? She’s not coming tonight?”

---