Page 148 of I Got You

I see Shane’s eyes start to move toward my lower quarter. “Shane. Eyes up here, buddy. I can’t do this without you.”

His wide eyes snap back to mine.

“Alright, one more big push, and when I say stop, you need to stop. Ok?” my doctor demands.

“Ok,” I whine.

“You can do this,” Shane whispers in my ear. “I’m right here.”

I grip his hand and bear down, and in a second, I’m told to quit pushing. With another little push, the baby is out and resting on my chest.

“I can’t believe it,” I whimper, trying to get a good look at our baby through my tears. Shane kneels next to me, one hand on my head and the other on top of mine over our crying baby.

“Congratulations, you two,” my doctor says, still working. “You have a son.”

I look at Shane. “It’s a boy.”

His eyes are filled with tears as he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. “We have a son.”

Shane wraps one large arm over the two of us as we examine our little guy. You think you know what love is, and then someone puts a tiny being on your chest, and it’s as if you discover the meaning of love all over again.

Things settle down, I get cleaned up, and before we know it, Sean and Mark are ushering the kids into the room. They all stand just inside the door like something might jump out and get them.

“Soooo….” Mark says. “You’re keeping us in suspense. What’s the good news?”

Shane and I look at each other. Our little man is wrapped tightly in a blanket in my arms. “You guys want to meet your nephew?” I ask.

“It’s a boy! Yes!” Teddy pumps his fist, and we all laugh.

“What’s his name?” Hank is the first to move closer, which leads the whole group forward.

“Aiden Timothy Carter,” Shane says.

“Aiden Carter. It’s a strong name,” Mark says.

“It means little fire.” Shane’s eyes meet mine.

“Good work, you two. He’s one handsome kid,” Sean says, looking over Hank's shoulder and slapping Shane on the back.

“Can I hold him?” I hear Liv’s little voice come from the end of the bed.

“Yes,” I say, and Shane helps me scoot over.

“You have to wash your hands.” Garrett pops in, helping Liv over to the sink.

“I want to hold him too,” Teddy says, waiting in the hand washing line.

The kids take turns holding Aiden, and then Sean hands him off to Mark. “Come to your uncle Mark. I’m going to teach you how to drive the ladies wild.” Shane groans, and Sean laughs.

“Can you teach me how to get the ladies?” Teddy asks from his side. “Emmie at school won’t give me the time of day.”

I bring my hand to my head. “Teddy, you need to worry about your schoolwork. Maybe then, Emmie will pay attention to you. Maybe she’s into the studious type.”

“Yeah. She talks to me.” Garrett waggles his eyebrows.

Teddy grunts and Hank throws his arm around him. “Come on, Teddy, girls are a real pain in the butt. Let’s go find the cafeteria and see what snacks they have.”

“Can I come too?” Liv asks, hopping down off the bed.

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