Page 103 of Always Yours

The kids fall asleep in the car as we wait. Aiden leans against the car and pulls me into his arms, and I waste no time in kissing him.

No matter how many times I kiss him, it never gets old. I always get easily lost in his arms and sink into the way his mouth feels on mine.

I’m glad that, no matter what, I had become undeniably his.

Trigger

I try to get our five-year-old twins, Chase and Nicolas, ready after we are done swimming. I know everyone is waiting on us.

When we finally get out of the dressing room and into the hallway, Sophie stands up from the bench she’s on to let me know that she’s definitely having contractions right now.

It seems to be different than the last time she had gone into labour. Years ago, when she had our twins, she didn’t feel any pain or much of the contractions. By the time she had them, it was too late to go to the hospital, so she ended up delivering in Ink’s room.

This time she’s in pain. She’s only pregnant with one this time. I had the doctor triple check.

Not that I don’t love our boys, but those were hard days in the beginning. Even with the help we had, there were so many sleepless nights.

“Let’s go, baby,” I say, helping her walk outside. Nick, Bear, and Sasha are waiting for us by our car.

“It’s baby time,” I tell them when they look at Sophie with concern.

“We will take the boys. You three head to the hospital,” Bear says, and the boys cheer as they are excited about spending more time with their grandpop.

My kids got lucky to have two grandpas on Sophie’s side. She made sure Bear always knew that even though her father was back, he will always be “grandpop” to our kids.

Nick had no problem in sharing the title with his brother, though the boys call him “papa” so that they don’t get confused who they are talking to.

My wife struggled for the longest time after we found out about her father being alive and held captive when everyone, including her, thought he was dead.

The night that Nick returned, she cried in my arms for hours and I wished there was something to do to take away the pain.

She has made most of the time she has had with him though, making memories and making sure he feels like he didn’t miss anything. The plan for this delivery was having Nick in the room with us.

I’m pretty sure I speed the whole way there as I hear her cries of pain get louder. Fuck; if she was like this last time, I’m not sure I would want another one because it’s tearing my heart apart just to hear her in so much pain.

I smile at her when we finally make it to the room. We spend hours waiting for the arrival of our third child.

She gives birth to our daughter several hours later. I’m reminded of the strong woman she has become. All those years ago, I’m glad that she had become naturally mine.

Sophie

My father holds our little girl in his arms. Adeline Sasha. There are tears in his eyes and a small smile on his face.

“She’s beautiful; just like her mother,” my dad croaks out.

“I’m so glad you’re here to see her come into this world,” I tell him softly so that I don’t wake her.

“It’s just like when you were born; I never knew I could love someone that I had just met so much. Someone I would do anything for,” he whispers.

“She’s lucky to know you. All of my children are,” I say.

“You know, I never thought I would have this time with you or my grandkids. I thought I was going to die in that cell. I know that I will never take anything for granted again,” he rasps.

“I’m glad you were able to finally come home,” I say.

Trigger comes back in after telling everyone that the baby is here, and he smiles when he sees me.

“You did so good, baby. I’m so proud of you,” he says and kisses me softly.

---