Page 56 of The Run In

Saylor’s mom’s voice rang out through the house as she came in through the back door. Jim and Elaine had come up from Florida a few days ago and were staying in our guest house in anticipation of our son’s birth.

“In here, Mom! Ooooo.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I stepped back and looked at Saylor.

She blinked a few times, then looked down and back up. “My water just broke.”

“What!” I shouted. “You’re not due until next week!”

Placing her hands on her swollen belly, she let out the sweetest sounding laughter. “I guess Noah has other plans.”

Elaine walked into the kitchen and froze. Her eyes bounced from me to Callie then to her daughter.

“Okay. I’ve got Callie—Mason, you know the drill. Call the doctor, and I’ll have your father put your bag in Mason’s car.”

Saylor and I both nodded and then looked at one another. I took her hands in mine and gave them a squeeze before I kissed the back of each one.

“You’ve never looked so beautiful.”

Blinking back tears, Saylor replied, “You said that when I was in labor with Callie.”

“And I meant it then as well. I love you.”

“And I love you.”

“And I love you both, but let’s go! We have a baby to deliver!” Elaine handed me my cell phone as she began talking into hers. “Jim! We have a code blue!”

Five hours later, I stood in Saylor’s delivery room with my son swaddled in my arms as Saylor and I both looked down at our sleeping miracle.

When I turned and looked at my beautiful wife, I couldn’t believe how blessed I was. “Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I could be this happy.”

Saylor pulled her eyes from our baby and met my gaze. “Me neither.”

“You know, someone once asked me what the best day of my life was, and I said when Callie was born. I probably would have added today to that answer back then too. But as I sit here and dream about our future, I know when the best day of my life was.”

“When was it?” she asked with a yawn.

“The day we met.”

Her eyes sparkled and a grin appeared on her face. “It was the best of my life as well.”

Looking down at my son, I laughed. “Someday, Noah, I’ll tell you and your sister all about the run in. And how your mother has yet to pay for that suit cleaning.”

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