Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
"Like what? Go to the hospital and push out the baby?" I tease and am rewarded with a hard punch to my shoulder. Kaitlyn hits like she has a personal vendetta against you, even if she’s messing around. With brothers like Knox and Kane, I understand why.
"Ha ha, you're funny. There's actually a lot more to it than that. A birthing plan lets the doctor and nurses know your wishes in the event a major decision needs to be made. Do I want pain meds? What if I need an emergency C-section? What if I bleed out? What if there are complications in surgery? What if the baby's breech?"
"Jesus Christ," I mutter. My heart leaps into my throat at all the possibilities.
"Childbirth isn't always safe, Payton. If you have to choose between the baby and me, you pick the baby's life."
"Absolutely not, Kate." My deep voice harshly rushes out.
"Yes, that's my decision. In some cases, there isn't time to save both. I read an article about a woman who was eight months pregnant and got into a car accident. She was bleeding out and begged them to save her baby first. They promised her husband they'd do their best to take care of them both, but it was too late. They only had a few minutes to make a decision, and it was the woman's final plea that made them deliver the baby. She ended up passing away.” Kaitlyn wipes away a tear, and we sit in silence for a while.
“Wow,” I finally breathe out.
“I know. Anything could happen, and I want us to be prepared."
How am I supposed to raise our baby alone if something happens to her? And then see Kaitlyn's sweet face in our child every day? I can't do that.
"Kate..." I want to argue but based on the look in her eyes, it'd be a losing battle.
"For me, okay?" She leans over and tenderly presses her hand over mine. "If it comes down to it, you do that for me. You be that baby's daddy, and you give them everything."
I hate that we're having this conversation, but I swallow hard and force myself to nod. If that's what she needs from me, then I'll do it. Kate's always been passionate and strong-willed, and there's no talking her out of something once she's made up her mind.
"Aside from that, there are other things such as who will be in the delivery room and other prenatal concerns," she adds, then grabs another slice of pizza. "But we have time to get it documented. It's just something I wanted to mention so we can start thinkin' about it."
"You mean panickin'..." I mutter, losing my appetite.
"You worried about me, huh?" she taunts with a cocked brow. "You know you can't get rid of me that easily. Plus, I should be the one worried about you. Out in the pastures, using heavy equipment, and being around horses who want to do nothing but fuck. You could get injured or killed at any time."
"Probably why Knox made me sign a contract that they can't be sued if anything happens," I say with a chuckle, though I'm being serious.
Kaitlyn gawks at me and shakes her head. "That's because guys are stupid. Y'all out there acting like ya have nine lives with thousand-pound animals."
"Your brothers certainly do."
"Speaking of them, just wait until they hear about us livin' together." She readjusts on the couch, tucking her legs under her, looking just as at home as she always has. Being in her presence has always put me in a better mood, but now that she's permanently staying, I’m happier than ever.
"I'm already anticipating it," I tell her honestly. "Their shit-talking will be even worse when I knock you up."
Kaitlyn and I spent Saturday night on the couch talking and hanging out. Then she woke up early on Sunday to feed the horses, but I had the day off. While we typically grab breakfast from the B&B on the weekends, we avoided people and stayed home. She read me her list of favorite baby names from her journal and some theme ideas she had for the nursery. Though I've never thought much about any of this stuff before, I love talking about it and planning with her.
That night, she told me she got her period and was now tracking a full cycle. She warned me she’ll be ovulating in about ten to fourteen days.
Just that thought had me sweating through my T-shirt.
By the time Monday morning rolls around, I have a knot in my stomach. Everyone must know she’s moved in by now, and it's only a matter of time before I start getting shit for it. For years, they’ve ridden my ass about my secret crush that I pretend doesn't exist, but this isn’t the same. In a matter of months, we could be announcing a pregnancy.