Epilogue
EPILOGUE
STEPHANIE
Hours ticked by as Stephanie labored to bring their child into this world. She was uncomfortable, sweaty, hot, and exhausted… but this was all worth it, especially knowing she was getting close to the end of her race. The doctor was coaching her to keep pushing and Lance was beside her, urging her along. She couldn’t even think about the slew of guests they’d left behind nor was she aware of how long ago that was. No, her entire focus, her world, was in this room right now.
And felt something change as she bore down.
Stephanie grabbed Lance’s hand, barely looking up as her body took over. She dragged in a deep breath, pinched her eyes closed, and shook with the amount of effort that she was putting on her lower body… as their child slipped from her. The sudden loss of pressure made her eyes roll back into her head as she sagged in relief, before it clicked in her mind – the baby was here!
She opened her eyes, staring at the baby that was squalling loudly, moving little arms and legs erratically, overwhelmed by tears of joy and the beautiful miracle before them.
“Here you go, Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh,” the doctor began, holding the baby up for them before putting her across Stephanie’s chest. “It’s a girl…”
“Are you sure?” Lance laughed, teasing her even now, as Stephanie glanced up at him to see her beautiful husband was crying almost as hard as she was. They both let out a tearful sob, looking at each other, before marveling at the baby at her breast.
“Shhh, princess,” Lance crooned tearfully, touching the baby’s cheek. “It’s okay, I promise. We’re going to take such good care of you and you’ve got the best Mommy in the world.”
“Oh my gosh, Lance… would you just look at our little angel?”
“She’s beautiful like her mama…”
“Oh no,” she laughed nervously. “She needs to take after you.”
“Why?” he began, looking at her in confusion. “I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world – and I have always thought that. I know you have doubts but trust me on this one.”
“Maybe she can be a blend of us,” Stephanie whispered tearfully, still amazed after all these months that she could be so lucky to have someone like him. “Taking the best parts from each of us.”
“My smart mouth and your looks?” Lance teased, leaning forward to kiss her tenderly, just as the baby manage d to latch onto his finger, holding it tightly with such tiny little digits.
“I said the best parts – not the worst,” she retorted affectionately, making him laugh knowingly. They were both quite aware that he could have quite a caustic mouth sometimes and never held back… but that was part of his charm and what kept her on her toes. She never knew what was coming next with him. It could be tender words of love or a filthy joke that would make even the saltiest sailor blush.
“Mrs. Cavanaugh, we’ve got just a little bit of work to do, and this little girl is going to the nursery to get checked,” the nurse began, moving to pick up the upset infant from her chest.
Stephanie already felt a loss, an emptiness, as she realized that it was all over. There would be no more rolling, swishing moments, where the baby was turning in her stomach. Her body was empty, and their relationship would be changing, growing, and evolving, all over again.
They were now parents.
“Lance…” she whispered, turning to him immediately – and bless him – it was almost as if he could read her like a book. He moved into action without question. He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the forehead, whispering against her skin.
“On it, my queen. See you soon,” he breathed as her heart swelled with love for this incredible man. As the nurse left for the nursery with their child, Lance was behind her, following closely, keeping an eye protectively over their most fragile treasure – their daughter.
“Just a little bit of work, Mrs. Cavanaugh, and we’re going to clean you up shortly, before getting you settled into a room.”
Stephanie nodded.
Cracking open her eyes, Stephanie spotted Lance nearby sitting in the chair holding their child. He was singing softly to their daughter and it took her a moment before she realized the song… and chuckled hoarsely.
He was singing an old Madonna song.
“Your mama has finally decided to wake up and say ‘hello’ – and she’s laughing at me. Can you believe that, princess?” he whispered tenderly, smiling at Stephanie where she sat. Lance carefully stood up and carried the sleeping baby to her side, handing her over. He then leaned over to kiss Stephanie tenderly, whispering ‘I love you’ against her lips.
“You know, I like Madonna,” she teased. “You can keep singing.”
“I don’t,” he chuckled, smiling sheepishly. “But it’s the only song I can think of right now. I’m pretty sure my brain hit ‘pause’ the moment this angel was born. It’s the strangest feeling to know that I’m responsible for her, you know? Me?”
“You’ll be such a good father.”
“I hope you always think that,” he whispered, not sounding confident at all. “I was really bad about feeding my dog when I was a boy – in fact, it became my sister’s dog because she took care of it better than me,” and leaned down to kiss the sleeping baby’s forehead. “Auntie Laura is going to spoil you rotten, angel.”
“And your parents,” Stephanie chuckled, remembering how excited his family was when they came to visit them three months ago. They had gushed about their first grandchild, mentioning to Laura repeatedly about how ‘she needed to find a good man and settle down’. His sister didn’t look t oo thrilled at their comments, claiming she was already in a relationship with someone – and it was none of their business.
“I’m sorry I ruined the party,” she began again, looking up at Lance. “That was so sweet of you and the apartment looked so good.”
“You didn’t ruin anything,” he replied simply, giving her a tender smirk that made her whole soul sigh with awareness. “I know the party is in your pants, my love…”
“You’re terrible.”
“I’m freakin’ wonderful and you love me.”
“I really do,” she confessed, looking up at him again only to see his eyes shift over slightly from her to the baby – as he smiled. She turned to see what he was looking at, only to see that their daughter’s eyes were open as she watched them, her little lip wobbling precariously. “Shhh, it’s okay. We’re here, sweetie.”
“What are we naming you, hmm?”
“What if we kept her name as Angel?”
“I think that is perfect.”
“What about a middle name?”
“Laura?”
“Heck no,” Lance chuckled. “My sister’s ego couldn’t handle it. What was your mother’s name?”
“Renee.”
“Angel Renee Cavanaugh – I like it.”
“I do too.”
Stephanie marveled at the baby, unable to keep from tracing the tiny pale eyebrows, touching the pink cheeks, nor fawning over the way that little chin was wobbling with that lip. It was obvious that Angel was getting upset because it was feeding time and she wasn’t exactly sure how to breastfeed a baby yet. The books made it sound so easy, but then a gain the photos looked a lot calmer… and more still. Her daughter was starting to fret and wriggling as she made little noises.
“Could you get one of the nurses for me?”
“Of course.”
“Lance?”
“Yeah, Steph?”
“I know I’m probably emotional right now, but I can’t help but thinking that I am so relieved it was you that I met that evening in New York City. I mean, I can’t imagine experiencing this with anyone else, nor having someone else by my side. I know things are changing for us, and with the baby here now…”
“Queen of my heart,” Lance interrupted tenderly. “I love you – and I understand what you are saying. You honestly don’t have to explain because I can’t imagine any of this miracle with someone else.”
“You can’t?” she whispered tearfully, loving him even more for saying such sweetness. It could be drivel for all she cared, but it worked. The sappier he got, the more she ate up his sweet, romantic words.
“No, babe. You are it for me… and have been from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Stephanie nodded emotionally, trying to adjust her gown as Angel was now snorting and fretting, rubbing her face against her breast, searching. She glanced at Lance who was about to walk out the door. Yeah, she was going to need a nurse…
“OWWW?!” she yelped, causing him to pause, as she looked at the source of her slight discomfort and heard Lance’s treasured laugh from the doorway as he moved back to her side, fascinated. She stared at Angel who was gulping noisil y and then met her husband’s bright eyes so full of love. “One more thing…”
“Yeah?” Lance whispered, reaching out to touch the baby’s downy fine hair, marveling at their miracle.
“Can we do this again soon?”
“Another baby?” Lance’s eyes shot to hers, looking pleasantly surprised. He leaned forward to kiss her tenderly, catching her whispered ‘Yes’ as their lips met. That toe-curling kiss seemed to touch a part of her heart and soul as they parted, looking at each other… just before she saw the mischievous glint in his beautiful eyes.
“Absolutely,” he grinned, winking at her. “Now that I’ve seen how pretty my daughter is - I’ve gotta get my boy, remember?”