Page 104 of Leave Before I Love You
“Okay, okay,” I say. “Let’s go have a baby somewhere other than a bathroom.”
I don’t waste time lifting her into my arms. “I’m too heavy for that!” she tries to refute, but I ignore her.
I’ll fucking carry this woman all the way to the hospital if I have to.
“I’ve got you, Avery.”
And as I carry her out, past her worried entourage, I feel nothing but pride, love, and the thrill of what’s about to come next—we’re about to meet our baby.
Part Four
Avery
I’m going to be honest; I don’t think anyone fully prepares you for what it feels like to push an entire human being out of your body. If it weren’t for the epidural, I’m positive I’d be screaming bloody murder right now. Because, really, who wants to feel their vag being ripped to shreds?
Henry is holding one of my legs, and a nurse has the other. His face is lit up with this stupidly handsome grin that has no right being so distracting right now.
“Henry,” I manage between pushes. “I really don’t think you need to be all up in it, you know?”
He just smiles, leaning down toward me. “I love you. You’re beautiful. And I say this with all the love in the world, but shut up,Avery. I’m going to be all up in watching my beautiful wife bring our baby into this world.”
I glare at him, but I’m too focused on the task at hand to argue.
June is standing on one side of me, holding my hand, her other hand resting on her still-slightly-rounded belly. She just had Caleb a few months ago. My little nephew with his fat cheeks, bald head, and the most pinchable smile you’ve ever seen.
My mom is on the other side, brushing sweaty strands of hair away from my face, whispering, “You’re doing so good, sweetie. Just a little more.”
Dr. Moretti glances up from the foot of the bed. “Avery, the baby’s crowning. On the next contraction, I need you to push.”
“Got it,” I pant, bracing myself as another contraction tightens my body like it’s in a vise grip.
Henry gives my leg a reassuring squeeze. “You’ve got this, baby. Strongest woman I know.”
My heart squeezes at his words. But then, because I’m me, I decide to multitask. “Henry,” I start, between breaths, “I think we can both agree that, right now, I’m doing the most out of the two of us.”
He narrows his eyes, grinning like he already knows where this is headed.
“I mean, I’m pushing our baby out of my body,” I continue, giving him my best doe eyes.
“Uh-huh,” he says, laughter in his voice.
“So, I think we can also agree that I should get the final say on the house.” We’ve been house hunting for months now but haven’t found anything we’ve agreed on or loved enough to buy. And while Henry’s condo is nice to live in, it’s a bachelor pad. Sure, it has a spare bedroom for the baby’s nursery, but it’s not where I want to raise our baby.
The man actually chuckles. “Okay, Avery. You get the final say.”
“Good.” I wince as another contraction builds. “Because I already told our Realtor this morning to put a bid in on that house on Maple.” By the way, it’s a gorgeous two-story home that has fivebedrooms and four bathrooms and the most perfect gardens and terrace I’ve ever seen—aka the ideal place for our family.
His grin falters for half a second. “The one overlooking the water?”
I nod, gripping his hand as the contraction slams into me. “They accepted it, by the way,” I say through gritted teeth.
Henry just laughs and presses a kiss to my knee. “Of course they did.”
Before I can retort, Dr. Moretti chimes in. “Avery, the baby’s head is out. One more big push, okay?”
It’s like the room holds its breath as I push with everything I’ve got. And then, the most beautiful sound fills the air—our baby’s first cries.
“It’s a girl!” Dr. Moretti announces, and the room erupts with emotion. I already knew—Henry made sure of that with my perfect pink Kelly bag, but hearing it from the doctor’s mouth is like an out-of-body experience.
