Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“What?”
“Push!”
I listen and keep going, pushing so hard, every muscle yelling. And I push more, and some more, all the while watching as Jude cheers me on, my breathing laboured, my shouts loud. But I keep going. And suddenly the pressure subsides, my lungs scream, and I drag in air. And then there’s silence.
I gasp.
“Fuck, she’s here,” Jude whispers, moving calmly and efficiently, handling our baby like he’s done this a million times.
“She?” I breathe, all pain gone and complete wonder finding me.
“She.” He brushes his hand over her face, prompting the crying to start. “Oh, my darling girl,” he whispers, dipping and kissing her forehead. And I’m a fucking goner, emotion joining my wonder, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Go to Mummy,” he says, putting her on my chest before reaching for a towel and laying it over her back.
She settles, and I stare down at her. Amazed. And instantly in love. “Well, hi,” I whisper, stroking the top of her head softly with a fingertip as Jude comes and sits next to me, hooking an arm around my shoulder, kissing my temple.
“Well done, baby,” he says, his other hand across her back. “You did great.”
He’s a laugh. I don’t know what I expected, but he just breezed through that like a bloody pro. Another milder wave of pain travels through me, and I hold my breath, feeling the placenta come away. “Oh God,” I whisper, grimacing. “I can’t believe you’re in here with me.”
He hushes me and sighs, and we both just sit in silence for a time, staring at her.
The three of us.
“It’s a girl,” I say, looking up at him. “We agreed if it was a boy, I’d name him. If it’s a girl, you would.”
Jude nods, eyes still on our baby. But he doesn’t speak, not for a while.
So I do instead.
“Evelyn,” I whisper.
Jude swallows, his eyes darting to mine. They’re full of tears. “Really?”
“What else would it be?”
He coughs a little over a light sob, reaching for her cheek and stroking softly. “I didn’t think love at first sight was a thing. And now it’s happened to me twice,” he says quietly. “Shit, she’s just so fucking beautiful.”
“She is.” Like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And neither of us can stop staring at her. This little girl who’s changed everything. Jude works his big finger into her hand, and watching her wrap her little fingers around it hits me hard in my heart. I look at Jude as he stares down at Evelyn. Wonder. That’s beautiful on him too.
“Oh, we have a baby!” Glenda bursts in, killing the moment.
“A girl,” I say calmly.
“Oh, how wonderful. Well done, Mum and Dad.”
Mum? Weird. Dad? I look at Jude and grin.
“So fucking weird,” he admits, shaking his head.
“Do you want to cut the cord, Dad?” Glenda asks, snipping the scissors.
Jude moves in, and I smile when I see him wince as he chops down. “Send the placenta to the kitchen.”
“What?” I blurt.
Chuckling, he comes back to us and dots kisses between our heads. “I better go let everyone know.” He rises, leaving us with Glenda as he dries off and secures a towel around his waist.
She wraps our girl up and helps me out of the pool, handing her back to me when I’m in a robe and comfortable on the couch.
Then everyone piles in. Literally, everyone. There are swoons coming at me from all directions. Abbie’s awkward as hell, as is Casey, both of them at opposite ends of the room to each other. When Abbie catches my eye, she shakes her head in despair, while Hightower throws her constant questioning looks. Jesus, what a shock.
“I want another,” Charley declares.
Lloyd snorts, gathering up Elijah and Ena. “Two works for me.”
“Oh my, look at her.” Mum swoops in, hearts in her eyes. “Oh, Dennis, look, just look at her.”
I smile up at my dad. I’ve never seen him look so smitten. “Perfect.” He goes to Jude and shakes his hand. “Congratulations. You’ve made me a very happy man.”
“A happy granddad,” Jude says.
“My God, I’m a granddad.”
Jude comes to us, dipping. “Let me.” He takes Evelyn from my arms. “I’ll get her dressed. She’s getting all embarrassed being naked in front of everyone.”
I smile as I watch him wander off to the bedroom, our tiny girl held to his big naked chest. A natural.
“How was it?” Rach lowers down next to me, her own belly causing her mobility issues.
“Like hell and heaven wrapped up in one confusing mix of fucking agony and complete bliss.”
“Cup of tea?” Grandma asks.
“I’d kill for one.” I exhale, resting back. “Sorry for ruining the family dinner.” I spot Abbie heading for the kitchen after Grandma.
“She’s gone for wine,” Charley says. We both watch as Casey follows her, both of us throwing curious looks at each other. I find Hightower. He’s talking to Rhys. Being distracted?