Page 97 of The Archer and his Rosebud

Eli runs off, and Archer smacks my butt as I stand. “This will never get old.”

“I’d hope not. Because you’re stuck with us now.”

“Hell yeah, I am.”

* * *

THREE MONTHS LATER

Spring in Michigan.The breeze off the lake, the accents I’m familiar with, Mom and Dev. Oh, how I’ve missed all of it. I smell the apple blossoms as we eat dinner on the patio of our favorite little Italian bistro. The same place we ate when I graduated high school. How different my life has turned out from where I thought it would be three years ago. I shoot a smile at Archer holding Clem on his lap as he and Mom discuss his life growing up in Texas.

Popping an olive from my salad in my mouth, I look at Devin. “You know, my boss Ruby’s daughter, Nova, is going to school in Northern California, too. Berkeley. Maybe you two should drive cross-country together.”

“Drive forty hours with a girl I’ve never met. That sounds like a blast.”

“I’m serious, Dev. It’s not like you won’t have the time, and you like adventure. She was supposed to be making the trip with her best friend, but something went down with them.” Between work and their other three kids, Ruby and Brett don’t think they can get away, and Nova wanted a growing experience, not a trip with her parents.. “Her parents would probably feel better knowing she’s not driving alone.” They’ve been stressing about that and figuring out who else could go with her. I’d volunteer if I didn’t have Clem to worry about. “Who knows, maybe you’d have fun. I think she wants to make a sightseeing trip out of it.”

He pushes food around his plate. “Is she cool?”

“I like her. She’s a dancer and athletic. Her dad designs snowboards for Olympians. Think of the freebies you could snag.” I kick his shin beneath the table because he seems preoccupied with his pasta rather than listening to me. “But, really, she’s mature for her age, not flighty like you know who, and she bakes the best cookies.”

Mention of his last short-term girlfriend, or honestly all of the girls he’s gone through this year, conjures up a frown.

“Best part is she loves Clem, babysits her all of the time. So you can discuss your mutual love for my baby. Aaaaand, she’s pretty.” I wink. “Not that I think you should be making moves on her. Keep it in your pants.”

Devin snorts, rolling his eyes, but there’s a hint of a smile. “Yeah, I’ll think about it.” He lowers his voice. “Though, it sounds more expensive than a plane ticket and shipping my clothes.”

“Her parents would foot the bill, so win, win.”

His jaw works side to side. “Fine. See if she’s cool with it.”

I’ll have to get Ruby and Brett on board first, but I don’t see it being a problem. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll learn something about yourself.” Dev scoffs. “At the very least, it could be a great adventure.”

* * *

THREE YEARS LATER

Gripping Archer’s hand,I groan through another contraction as I cry out.

He strokes back the sweat-soaked strands from my forehead and whispers, “Breathe, Rosebud, breathe. You can do this.”

It doesn’t feel like it. I did this before with an epidural, but this baby’s coming too fast, so no pain meds for me, and the whole hospital knows it.

“All right, Willa.” Dr. Winters lifts her head from between my spread legs. “You’re fully dilated, so it’s time to push. This baby is ready to meet you.”

Tears streak my cheeks as I nod. Though, while I’m ready, too, I’m not ready for the pain.

“Break my hand if you need to, Will. I’m here.”

Another contraction comes, and Dr. Winters instructs me to push, and with a deep sob, I do. Nothing could’ve prepared me for natural childbirth. Through each contraction, Archer remains encouraging by my side. I’m probably fracturing his fingers, but I lose every sense of him, tunnel vision setting in. Nothing exists but breathing through the agony of each contraction and getting this baby out.

An animalistic moan sure to reach every fully-functioning ear in the hospital erupts from my lungs before Dr. Winters announces, “She’s here.”

Archer kisses my temple. “You did it, babe.”

One of the nurses lays a warm, pink baby on my naked chest, rubbing her back until she lets out a little lamb cry. My head falls back in exhaustion as joyful tears pour from the corners of my eyes, and I take my first breath with her.

Leaning down, Archer kisses me, stroking my head. “I’m so proud of you, Willa. You’re so amazing, so amazing.” Tears glisten in his eyes as we peer down at our baby.

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