Chapter 36
Stella
I stepped out of the shower, dried myself off, and stared at my oversized belly in the mirror. I was due next week and couldn’t wait to get this child out of me. As I walked into the bedroom, I stopped when I felt something trickling down my legs. Frowning, I mustn’t have dried off good enough. Walking back into the bathroom, I grabbed the towel, and suddenly a gush hit the floor.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I called Miles.
“Stella, are you okay?” Dora answered.
“Dora? Why are you answering his phone?”
“He left it on the table when he went to work. I was going to tell you when you came down, but you haven’t been down yet.”
“My water broke. Can you call Sean and have him get here to drive me to the hospital?”
“Of course. I’ll call him now. Do you want me to call Miles at the office?”
“No. I’ll take care of that. I’ll be down as soon as I get dressed.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I dialed his office number.
“Mr. Bradshaw’s office. This is Isla.”
“Isla, it’s Stella.”
“Hi, Stella. How are you?”
“Mr. Bradshaw left his phone at home, and I’m not sure how he hasn’t realized it yet. Is he there?”
“He’s in an important meeting in the conference room.”
“Well, you can tell him that my water broke, and I’m heading to the hospital. Tell him not to hurry since HE’S AN IDIOT WHO FORGETS HIS PHONE WHEN HIS WIFE IS DUE TO GIVE BIRTH IN ONE WEEK!” I shouted.
“Noted,” she said. “Yay! Baby Bradshaw is coming. I’ll tell Miles.”
“Thank you, Isla.”
I threw on some clothes, ran down to the kitchen, and picked Ben up from his booster chair.
“Mommy loves you so much.” I hugged him tight and planted tiny kisses all over his face.
“Good luck, Stella.” Our nanny, Melissa, smiled. “Don’t worry about Ben. He’ll be well taken care of while you’re in the hospital.”
“Thank you, Melissa. You are truly a Godsend.”
“Stella, are you ready?” Sean walked into the kitchen.
“I am, Sean.”
“Good luck.” Dora hugged me. “I can’t wait to see our new baby.”
* * *
Miles
I was in the middle of negotiating a deal when the conference room door opened.
“Boss, your wife just called. Her water broke, and she’s headed to the hospital.”
“What?” I reached into the top pocket of my suit coat and pulled out Ben’s play phone.
“Oh my God.” I placed my hand on my head.
“Apparently, you left your real phone at home. Stella told me to tell you not to hurry over since you’re an idiot for forgetting your phone when your wife is due to give birth in a week. She was very loud about it.”
“Ah, shit. I’m sorry, gentlemen. We’re going to have to reschedule this meeting.”
“We understand, Miles.” Gordon smiled. “Good luck with the baby and your wife.” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Thanks. I’m going to need all the luck I can get.” I walked out of the conference room. “Call the florist and have five, no, make it six dozen roses sent with a bouquet of balloons. Also, I need you to go to Tiffany’s and pick up the necklace they have reserved for me. I was saving it for our anniversary, but I feel like I need to give it to her now—maybe after she has the epidural. Yeah. That would be a good time to give it to her.” I ran to the elevator and pushed the button.
“Anything else?” Isla asked.
“That should do it. I’m sure she’s bringing my phone with her, so text me when you arrive at the hospital with the necklace.”
“Will do, boss. Good luck,” she said as I stepped into the elevator.
I grabbed a cab to the hospital. When I reached Stella”s room, she glared at me.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” I walked over and kissed her forehead. I pulled Ben’s play phone from my pocket and held it up. A small smile forced its way to her lips.
“Your phone is right there,” she said.
“You’re here.” Pepper smiled, walking into the room.
“Pepper, you’re our nurse again?”
“I am. I was delighted when I saw transport wheel your wife up. Are we ready for baby number two?”
“As ready as we can be.”
Stella’s contractions were intense, and so was her grip on my hand.
“Oh my God. I need that epidural,” she shouted.
“Dr. Gregario is on his way. He told me to see how dilated you are,” Pepper said. She examined Stella and smiled. “You’re at four centimeters. I’ll call the anesthesiologist right now.” She walked out of the room.
Shortly after, a woman walked in, pushing a cart of the flowers I ordered.
“Mrs. Stella Bradshaw, these are for you.” She placed the vases of roses around the room.
“They’re beautiful, Miles. Thank you. Holy shit!” she screamed. “After this baby is born, you’re getting a vasectomy.”
“Excuse me?” I cocked my head as I massaged her back.
“You heard me!” she shouted.
My phone dinged. Glancing at it, Isla’s name appeared. Once Stella’s contraction was over, I opened the text message.
“I’m here with the necklace.”
“Take a seat in the lobby. She’ll be getting the epidural soon.”
“Will do, boss. You do realize I have work to do, right?”
“I know that, Isla, but I can’t leave her right now. I’m already in the doghouse, and she told me I’m getting a vasectomy.”
She sent ten laughing emojis.
I sighed in relief when the anesthesiologist walked in and administered the epidural.
“You’re all set, Mrs. Bradshaw. You should be feeling some relief in ten to twenty minutes.”
Fifteen minutes had passed, and a bright smile crossed Stella’s lips.
“Feeling better, sweetheart?” I stroked her forehead.
“Much better.”
“Would you mind if I ran to the cafeteria real quick?”
“No. Go ahead. I’m just going to play a game on my phone until Dr. Gregario gets here.”
I ran down to the lobby and found Isla. I took the box with the necklace in it out of the bag and slipped it into my pocket.
“Thank you. I owe you for this.”
“How about a raise?” Her brow arched.
“We’ll discuss it after my son is born. Get back to the office and hold down the fort.”
I walked back into Stella’s room with a coffee in my hand.
“Is that all you got?” Her brows furrowed.
“Nothing looked good. I’ll grab something for both of us after the baby is born. Now that you’re relaxed, I have something for you.”
“You do?” She grinned.
“I do.” I took off my suit coat, pulled the box from the inside pocket, and handed it to her.
“Oh, Miles. It’s beautiful.” She examined the open heart diamond platinum pendant. What is this for?”
“It’s for giving me two beautiful sons.” I smiled.
“I love it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I leaned down and kissed her lips. “You’re still having the vasectomy.”
“We’ll talk about that later.” My heart started racing.
Six hours later, our son, Brayden Michael Bradshaw, was born, weighing seven pounds and eight ounces.