Page 44 of Nick

I chuckled as I walked upstairs to check on Jade and the baby. I went inside and was so surprised to see everyone in there. Ashley looked like she was ready to strangle all of them. “Alright, everyone in here out except Ashley and Jake. Why haven’t you had this baby yet.”

“I think I was having fake labor pains. As soon as I got in here, they went away. I told Ashley she could go home, but she said we would wait and see what would happen… Owwwww.”

“What was that?”

“Every once in a while, I’ll have a stabbing pain.”

“I called an ambulance. She needs to be in the hospital,” Ashley said. “I don’t like those sharp pains.”

My heart started beating fast with worry.

“It’s nothing. Sometimes the baby kicks harder than usual. I don’t want you all to worry. You’ll get Jake throwing orders about what I can and can’t do. I can already see he’s hyperventilating.”

“Sweetheart, I only do that because you climbed on that horse, and he wasn’t trained. He only had a little training.”

“I didn’t know he was wild.”

“When was this?” Ashley asked, looking at Jade. The other day. He looked lonesome, so I thought he would like it if I rode him around the ranch. He didn’t like it any, but Jake pulled me off before he could throw me. Wait, did I hurt my baby?” She broke down and started crying.

“Darling, you didn’t hurt our baby. There is nothing wrong. I don’t want you to think there is. You did nothing to harm our baby.”

“Then why did you yell at me?”

“I didn’t want you to be injured, and I’m sorry I yelled at you. I love you so much I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”

“Mom, there is an ambulance here,” Axel said, knocking on the door.

“We’ll be right there.”

“I’m sorry I ran off and left you in Montana. That was childish of me… Owwwww!” she grabbed her stomach. I looked at Ashley.

“Okay, let’s get to the hospital. Jake can carry you down to the ambulance.”

We followed the ambulance to the hospital. Nick dropped me off and took Julia to her grandparents.

“Bye Mommy,” she said as he picked her up.

“Goodbye, darling. As soon as Aunt Jade has her baby, I will be home. I love you. I will always love you.”

She reached over and threw her arms around my neck, “I’m glad you’re my mommy. I love you too.”

I hugged her tight. “I’m so happy you are my daughter.” I kissed her on top of her head. When I glanced at Nick, he wiped his eyes, but I had already seen the tears.

“I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”

“Ok, I’ll see you in a little bit.”

“Everything will be okay. Some baby’s like to make their own unique entrance into the world. That way, they always have a story to tell when they have kids and grandkids.”

20

Nick

Iwas in the waiting room with Samuel and Grandpa, Opal’s Dad, and Axel. Opal and her sisters were in the room with Jade and Jake. I looked up when she walked into the room with the others. “They’re going to do a cesarean because the baby is in the wrong position. He wants his leg to come out before his head. Jake is going to go into the operating room with Jade. Did I tell you what they are naming the baby?”

“No, what are they naming him?”

“Jacob, so there will be Jake, Jade, and Jacob.”

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