Page 104 of Theirs to Take

“My water broke all over the floor,” she said looking down at the kitchen’s hardwood floors.

“Don’t worry about that now,” he said, “I’ll get Luke to take care of it later. Can you walk to the truck?” he asked again.

“Yes, I think that I can,” she said.

“Good,” Ranger breathed, “I’ll grab your suitcase by the front door, and we’ll get out of here.” She was lucky that her doctor had told them to pack a suitcase for the hospital at their last appointment. She would have probably waited until closer to her due date to do that chore.

Ranger got her settled as the cops were pulling into their driveway. “I’m going to tell them to talk to Luke, and that you’re in labor. They can question you later,” he insisted.

“Thanks,” she said. Millie groaned out as another contraction ripped through her body. “Hurry,” she shouted. It only took him a few minutes to have a path cleared for them to drive through.

“How did you know I was in trouble?” she asked.

“First of all, I have the best security system in town, and when Wan’s driver disabled it, my backup system went into play. It alerted me that someone was at my back door and when you didn’t answer your cell phone, I assumed that something was wrong.”

“I left my phone in the bedroom. I heard a noise in the kitchen and assumed that you were home early. That’s when I walked downstairs to find Wan standing by the back door. I was so afraid that he was going to try to take me,” she said.

Ranger reached across the seat to take her hand into his own, “I know, honey, but he didn’t. Once you give your statement, he’ll be in prison for a damn long time. Kidnapping is a federal offense.”

“I hope so,” she breathed. She was having another contraction and trying to use the Lamaze breathing that she was taught by the midwife. They had hired her to come out to checkon her weekly, so that she wouldn’t have to go into the hospital to have her blood pressure checked.

“When we get to the hospital, I’ll call Miriam,” Ranger offered. He knew that having her midwife with her was part of her birth plan. She had agreed to give birth in a hospital with doctors since she was high risk, but she wanted Miriam with her too. It was actually a compromise that they could both agree on.

“Thank you, Ranger,” she breathed, “and thank you for coming to my rescue.”

“Any time, honey, any time,” he promised.

Ranger

“Okay now,” Miriam said, “one more big push and she’ll be out.” Their midwife had practically taken over the birthing process, with the doctor on standby and she was doing an awesome job. She had talked Millie through the whole process and made them both feel comfortable with every step of the process.

Millie had been in labor for almost eleven hours and his girl looked about ready to drop. She was a warrior, in his book, working through her labor, and now, they were about to meet their daughter.

Millie pushed two more times before their daughter emerged screaming to the world that she was there. She was even more beautiful than Ranger ever imagined she’d be. He kissed Millie and whispered, “What should we name her?”

“Oh God, I just gave birth,” she breathed. “Can’t we fight about her name after I’ve gotten some rest?” she asked.

He chuckled, loving the way that she was always expecting a fight from him, but this time, he wasn’t going to give her one. This time, he was willing to compromise. “How about Tabitha?”he asked. It was Millie’s number one pick for a girl’s name, and he knew it.

“You’re okay with us calling her that?” Millie asked.

“I am,” he said. The nurse handed their daughter to Millie, and she choked back the tears as she held her daughter for the first time.

“She’s beautiful and healthy,” the nurse assured. “Get some rest and someone will be back in to check on the three of you soon.”

“Thank you,” Ranger said.

“I’m going to head out too,” Miriam said. “You both did great,” she said, looking down at the baby. “I’ll be by your place to check in on you once you guys get home. Just text me and we can set up your follow-up visits. And, if you need any help with breastfeeding, please feel free to call me. I’m always here for you guys.” Miriam gave them both a hug and kissed Tabitha’s forehead.

Ranger looked down, in awe of his daughter. “She’s beautiful, just like her mom,” he said, sitting on the side of the bed next to Millie. “She looks like a Tabitha too, doesn’t she?” he asked.

“She does,” Millie agreed. “Hi, Tabitha,” she said, “I’m your mommy, and that’s your daddy,” she said pointing up at Ranger. Their daughter’s eyes were still closed, and she made the cutest little squeaking noises as she squirmed around. When she opened her eyes to look up at them both, Ranger’s whole world felt right.

“Marry me,” he said to Millie. “Let’s make our little family official.”

“I thought that you’d never get married. Heck, I thought that you didn’t even really like dating,” she teased.

“Well, I don’t, and that’s why it’s a good idea for you to marry me. You’ll save me from ever having to go on a date again,” he joked. “Seriously, Millie,” he breathed, “I love you—I have for awhile now. Marry me and let’s make this permanent, committed relationship even more permanent.”

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