Chapter Forty-Eight Josh
“Let’s go! Get out of the way!”
Andrew grimaces as I rapidly change lanes, his hand immediately reaching for the grab handle above him. “If you drive any crazier, we’re going to end up in the hospital! And not in the way we’re trying to!”
“I’m turning a blind eye to all the traffic laws you might break on the way there,” Ethan speaks up from the backseat, our golf gear clattering around next to him and in the trunk.
My heart damn near pounds out of my chest as I press down on the gas pedal, hurrying through traffic to get to the hospital as soon as I possibly can. We have a baby on the way!
“I can’t believe she’s already going into labor,” I tell them as my eyes dart to the phone, making sure that Max isn’t calling me with another unexpected update.
I thought I was totally safe to go golfing with Max and Ryan a little way out of town today. Emma isn’t even due for another few days, but our baby has decided to come into the world a little early.
And quickly.
I hopped in the car as soon as Max called me to let me know that Emma’s water broke, and judging from all the updates that we’ve gotten so far, Emma will be ready to push in under an hour. I need to hurry up and get there!
If I miss the birth of my child because of golf of all things, I’ll never forgive myself.
“I don’t even like golf,” I mutter under my breath.
“You had fun. Don’t lie,” Ethan says with a click of his tongue. “How were we supposed to know that she would go into labor?”
“It happens all the time,” Andrew replies, earning a glare from me. He’s the one who pushed me to go today. “We’ll make it there in time.”
I’ll make sure of that.
I change lanes again, overtaking slower traffic and making Andrew reach for the handle again.
What if something goes wrong? What if she needs me?
“She’ll be okay,” Andrew says, like he can read my thoughts.
“I need her to be,” I reply as I briefly glance over at him.
Throughout these past months, we’ve worked to repair our brotherhood. Honestly, I think it’s stronger than ever before because the five of us share a big thing in common: our care for Emma. We love her differently than they do, but we all want her to be safe and happy.
I’m glad they’re with me for this because I’m on the verge of panic.
I focus back on the road and manage to get us parked in the hospital’s parking garage without killing us. The three of us rush inside and get directed to labor and delivery.
“What if we’re too late?” I say over my shoulder as Ethan and Andrew closely trail me.
“There’s Mom and Dad!” Ethan tells me as we approach the waiting area.
I slow down, seeing Emma’s parents and Max’s parents seated next to each other. “Is she close?”
They all nod quickly. Emma’s mom points down the hallway. “Room 405! They made us leave five minutes ago to prepare her for delivery!”
Emma made sure that Ryan, Max, and me would be able to be with her for the birth. I refuse to miss it.
Andrew and Ethan give me a push in that direction. “Go!”
I nod and hurry down the hallway, my heart racing wildly. I find the room and rush inside to see the doctor already sitting between Emma’s legs as she prepares to push.
Relief washes over her face as she holds Max’s and Ryan’s hands as they stand on either side of her. “You made it!”
“Traffic,” I say as I move to her left side next to Max. I lean down and kiss her forehead, my adrenaline still remaining high.
We’re about to meet our baby! True to her adventurous spirit, Emma decided to not find out the baby’s sex until birth. That didn’t stop us from buying a bunch of baby items that were suitable for either one. We don’t care if the baby is a boy or a girl.
We just want them to be healthy.
“Okay, ready, Emma? The baby is crowning. They’re ready to come out,” Dr. Bradford says.
“Ready,” Emma says.
Max guides Emma’s hand to mine as he gives me a small smile. “Glad you made it, man. Ryan was ready to kill you.”
I look over at Ryan, who has a slight smirk on his face. He then quickly focuses back on Emma. “I would’ve let him if I missed this.”
Emma squeezes both of our hands as she pushes, her face reddening from the exertion.
“Good!” Dr. Bradford says. “Again!”
I lose count of the number of pushes, but when the sound of a baby wailing fills the room, I lose my breath. My eyes immediately start burning as I watch the doctor and nurses clean up and check on our baby.
“You did amazing,” Ryan tells Emma as Max brushes her damp hair away from her shining face.
I kiss the top of her hand, managing to remember how to breathe again. “You were perfect.”
Emma’s eyes glisten. “Is the baby okay?”
“Is everything okay?” Max asks the doctor.
Dr. Bradford turns around with our swaddled baby in her arms. She smiles and gently places our child on Emma’s chest. “Congratulations. You have a healthy baby girl.”
Emma lets out a joyful sob as she cradles our child close. “Hi, baby girl.”
I swallow hard as a lump forms in my throat. I gaze down at our daughter, my hand gently resting over Emma’s. “She looks so beautiful. Just like her mom.”
“Wow,” Max breathes out as he brushes his forefinger along our baby’s soft, flushed cheek. “She’s so small. I… I can’t believe this.”
Ryan breathes in shakily as he leans his head against the top of Emma’s. “This was all you, baby. Look at the angel that you brought into the world.”
Happy tears tumble down Emma’s cheeks as she smiles at all of us. “She’s finally here. Baby Nessa is here.”
We went back and forth for months, but we agreed on Nessa for a girl and Kaden for a boy in the end. I just can’t believe she’s finally here in front of us.
“I love you. I love you both so much,” I tell her.
“I love you all,” Emma says, her bottom lip trembling.
I share a warm look with Ryan and Max, the reality of our lives hitting me hard enough to steal my breath away. This is our life now. This is our family.
We’ve come so far. Everything used to be about work, but that’s the furthest thing on our minds now. We have so much more going on now, and our lives border on chaotic.
I wouldn’t change that for the world.
After getting Emma and the baby squared away and comfortable, everyone else pours into her room to visit, taking turns holding and fawning over our baby. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen Ethan and Andrew so happy before as they hold their niece in their arms.
And to think they were ready to beat us up over all this.
“You did so good, honey,” Emma’s mom tells her with tears in her eyes. “You have such a beautiful family.”
Emma looks over at Ryan, Max, and me and smiles. “I know.”
I smile back as a surge of emotion fills my chest. This is the best family that I ever could’ve asked for. My parents missed out on the beauty and joy of my life, and that’s on them.
Why should I mourn over the past when my future is so promising?
When I get another turn to hold our daughter, I gaze down at her little face and shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. You’re already so loved, Nessa.”
Nessa peers up at me with big eyes. She can’t understand what I’m saying now, but she’ll feel the meaning of them soon.
I cradle her close, never wanting to let go. Never wanting to go back in time.
This is what I’ve always been waiting for, even if I didn’t know it.