Page 111 of Thick & Thin

“Some gummy bears would be nice.”

I laughed, loving her even more at that moment.

My girl wanted gummy bears and I would spend the rest of my life making sure she got them any time she wanted them.

EPILOGUE

Josh

Jenny was in labor for twelvehours with our baby girl. She was determined to try for a vaginal birth, but since Caleb had been a cesarean, the doctors weren’t too confident about it. Still, she tried until they told her it wasn’t going to happen. Even though she was having contractions, she wasn’t dilating.

Vaugh’s words from before moved through my brain like a freight train as they prepped Jenny in the surgery.

My mom said Jenny almost died giving birth.

I shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts and waited just outside the room for them to let me in. Every part of my clothing was covered in the white paper jumpsuit and booties they made me put on. I slid the paper hat over my head and looked up when the door opened, and a nurse peeked her head around it.

“Mr. Black. You can be with your wife now. They are about to get started.”

I nodded and followed her in.

The room was cold and sterile. The walls of white surrounded my Jenny, who was lying in a bed with a sheet covering the lower half of her body. They sat me on a rolling stool at her head, and I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“You’re going to do great. She’ll be here before you know it.”

Her smile was stiff, and I knew she was just as nervous as I was.

Minus the first few months and the horrible morning sickness she had, her pregnancy hadn’t been terrible. I went to every appointment, determined not to miss a single thing.

I closed my eyes and thought about the first time I saw the heartbeat and the way my heart had jumped inside my chest.

The first ultrasound when we could see the baby’s profile had been amazing, but the gender reveal party Lilly and Devin had thrown for us was the best. I had expected another boy, and when the fireworks went off above our heads, shining in all their pink glory, I thought for sure Jenny was going to pass out.

A girl.

My tomboy was having my baby girl, and I was thrilled about it.

Jenny was shaking, her lips were blue, and her skin was pale. I leaned over her, pressing my face to hers. “Baby, try to relax. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”

I hoped to hell I didn’t break that promise.

“I love you,” she whispered with trembling lips.

“I love you more.”

“Okay, we’re getting started. You might feel some pressure,” the doctor behind the sheet said.

Jenny clenched her eyes tightly, and a tiny sound escaped from her lips when the doctors began to move her lower half.

“Oh my God,” she whispered, fear lacing her words.

I rubbed her cheek, trying to keep her attention on me, but again, she made a strange noise, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Minutes passed, and my worry grew.

“You’re doing great, baby. She’s almost here,” I said with confidence I didn’t feel.

Then everything paused, and the sounds of a crying baby echoed throughout the room.

“And here she is,” the doctor said, holding our baby girl up high enough that both Jenny and I could see her.

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