Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 68(@200wpm)___ 55(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
“How did you know I needed you?”
He chuckles, and it hits me right in my heart. I love to hear him laugh even if it’s just a little haha. “Baby, the home security system. I wanted to see that the boys got off the bus okay, and then my queen damn near passes out on the stairs. Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’m on my way home now.”
“I’m fine. We still have two weeks.” I lie to myself. This baby is coming very soon.
“We do, but you know babies come when they please. I’m twenty minutes away. I’m going to call Missy and have her get the boys, so I can take you to the hospital.”
“I don’t,” I cry out to protest, but it’s pointless. “Okay.” The contraction hits me harder than the last, and they’re about six minutes apart.
“I love you. Stay put. Okay. I’m going to call right back.”
“I love you too.” He hangs up, and I set the phone next to me. I smile at how wonderful my life has been with him in it. Cole is everything a man should be, and then some. Every time his sister comes around, we talk about how cavemen our men are, but also how much we love every minute of it.
“Momma, I brought you some lemonade.” It’s about ninety degrees out in the middle of July, and I’m sweating profusely.
“Thank you, Cole.” He’s older by ten minutes from his brother Aiden. They’re identical twins, but their personalities are polar opposites.
I tap his leg and ask, “Can you get your bags? You’re going to go to Auntie Missy’s house.”
“Okay. Daddy packed them yesterday. He’s a very good daddy.” Aiden nods his head.
“And you’re a great mommy,” Cole Jr. adds, pressing his head on my shoulder. The boys run into the house and grab their bags in two minutes and set them on the bottom step.
“Do you need help up, momma?” Aiden asks, standing next to me on the top step.
I set down the glass and reach out my hand for his. Giving it a squeeze, I say, “Thank you, sweetie, but no. Your daddy is coming. I’m going to sit here until then.”
Cole began to cry, hugging me. “Please feel better. I love you.”
“I’m going to be fine, sweetheart. We think your sister wants to come early.”
“Sister!” They cheer in unison, jumping on the top step. It makes me smile for a moment before the pain takes over.
The sound of a car coming down our road settles them down. It’s been about fifteen minutes since I hung up with Cole. It’s not him, but it is Missy and Jason. They pull up and jump out the second the car comes to a stop. “Hey, pretty lady, how are you doing?”
“Mommy says our sister’s coming.”
“She probably is, Aiden. Do you want to come spend the night with us?”
“Yes. I want to play with my cousins.”
“Well, they’re at their grandmas, but we’ll go get them.”
“We don’t have a grandma.”
“How about Grandma Jean is your grandma too? How does that sound?”
“I’d like that.” The boys smile like crazy. A year ago, I learned the truth about what happened to my parents. They owed money to a drug kingpin—a lot of money. They were selling for him, but they used the drugs instead. The police informed me that they were buried in an unmarked grave because no one came to claim them. I cried and tried to understand everything, but I still struggle.
With both of our parents dead, they don’t get to do the grandparent thing, but Jason’s parents love having all the kids around.
“Jason, can you take their bags?”
“Absolutely, Avi.”
“Thanks.” Another car pulls onto our road, and I know it’s Cole. Jason runs back as he sees me trying to get up.
“Relax. Let me help.” He takes my hand and guides me down the stairs as Cole dashes out of his car.
“Sweetheart. I’m here. Thanks, Jason. I’ve got her now.” He scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the car, sitting me in the back seat. “I want you to be comfortable.”
“Daddy,” the boys shout from their seats in Jason’s car.
He closes the door and then rushes over to the boys for a quick goodbye. It takes another twenty minutes to get to the hospital. I’m strapped up to machines as my contractions grow closer. Twelve hours later, at four in the morning, little Marie Sofie Bennett is born.
Cole
Another decade later...
The sun comes up on the beautiful beach. Lying in my arms is my ravishing wife of seventeen years. We have gotten a little break. Our three kids are back home while we enjoy a vacation alone. They’re with Bishop right now. As always driving him up the wall. He groans about it, but he loves it just the same.