Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Kinsley
Chase helped me out of my dress and into a hospital gown.
“Any more pain?” Chase asked.
“Not really. It’s just uncomfortable.”
“Hi there,” the tall brunette with the long ponytail spoke. “I’m Kaylee, and I’ll be your nurse. You must be Kinsley.” She smiled at me and then turned to Chase. “Hello.” She cocked her head to the side with a grin on her face.
“Hello, darling.” Chase smiled back.
I glared at him, and he cleared his throat and grabbed my hand. After Kaylee hooked me up to the fetal monitor, she performed an exam and alerted me that I was dilated to four centimeters.
“I’ll go call Dr. Morgan and let her know.” She smiled.
“Thank you, sweetheart,” Chase spoke as she walked out of the room.
“What the fuck, Chase?”
“What?”
“You were flirting with the nurse.”
“Sweetheart, I wasn’t flirting. That’s my natural state. You know that.”
“The HELL you weren’t,” I screamed as another contraction hit.
“Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” His warm breath was on my face.
I did as he told me, and it didn’t help, but the contraction finally stopped.
“Good job, sweetheart.” He smiled as he placed his hand on my forehead. “It’ll all be over with soon, and you’ll be holding our son in your arms.”
Nurse Kaylee walked in and smiled at Chase. He quickly looked away because he feared for his life.
“Dr. Morgan told me to keep her posted, and the anesthesiologist will be here soon to administer your epidural. Is there anything you need?” she asked.
“No.”
“How about you?” She seductively smiled at Chase.
“I would love a cup of coffee.” He smiled, and my nails dug into the flesh of his wrist. “So, could you please point me in the direction of the coffee bar?”
“I’ll go get you a cup.” She grinned. “How do you take it?”
Another contraction hit. This time, it almost knocked me out of bed.
“HE CAN GET HIS OWN FUCKING CUP OF COFFEE!” I yelled through the pain.
“Right. I can get my own. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” His warm breath swept over me as his face was mere inches from mine.
“STOP TELLING ME TO brEATHE AND GET OUT OF MY FACE!”
“Sit tight. You’ll be pain-free soon,” Nurse Kaylee spoke as she left the room.
“How’s the soon-to-be mom?” Dr. Finn walked in with a smile.
“She’s evil,” Chase spoke.
Dr. Finn chuckled. “Most women in labor are. Trust me. She’ll return to normal as soon as she gets the epidural.”
“Gee, I hope so,” Chase spoke, and I smacked his arm.
“Are you an OB doctor?” I asked him.
“No. I’m actually a neurosurgeon. I’m just helping out in the ER today before I head back to Los Angeles.”
My body filled with excruciating pain as I gripped Chase’s hand. He didn’t say a word, and I appreciated it.
“It’ll be over within a minute, Kinsley. Just focus on your breathing. Deep breath in, deep breath out,” Dr. Finn spoke.
After the contraction subsided and Dr. Finn left the room, Chase narrowed his eye at me.
“It’s okay for him to tell you to breathe, yet you yell at me to stop?”
“Do you really want to discuss this now? Really, Chase?”
Before he had a chance to speak, the anesthesiologist walked in and gave me my epidural.
“That should start kicking in soon.” The anesthesiologist smiled.
“How soon?” Chase spoke, and the anesthesiologist chuckled.
Chase
After Kinsley got her epidural, it was smooth sailing, and six hours later, our son, Christopher Chase Calloway, came into the world at 7lbs 3 oz. The moment he was born, tears of happiness filled my eyes.
“He’s beautiful.” I kissed Kinsley’s forehead as she held him in her arms.
“He looks like you.” She smiled at me.
“Of course, he does. He’s a Calloway.” I smirked.
Kinsley and I took an hour and bonded with him before I had to make numerous phone calls to family and friends. I couldn’t stop staring at him, for he was so tiny and perfect.
“Do you want to hold your son?” Kinsley asked.
“I’m kind of afraid. I’ve never held a baby before.”
“You’ll know what to do.” She smiled as she handed him over to me.
As I stared at him, guilt resided inside me. If I hadn’t come to my senses, I wouldn’t be here, holding this little life we created. Kinsley changed me, and my love for her and him was overwhelming. He was my son, and the thought that I was so close to not being a part of his life frightened me.
Two Months Later
Is he all set to go?” I asked Kinsley as I walked into the nursery.
“He sure is. Everything you need is in the diaper bag. Are you sure about this, Chase?”
“I’m positive. He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I kissed her lips. “Have a good day at school.”
“I’ll be by to pick him up after my classes.”
“I’ll see you later, darling. Are you ready, little man?” I smiled at him as I picked up the car seat and took it to the car.
Kinsley’s classes started back up today, and I didn’t want my son being raised by nannies or babysitters, so he came to work with me. Kinsley didn’t think it was a good idea, but I did. Plus, I knew my father would be thrilled to see him.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I smiled at Lexi as I stopped at her desk.
“Oh my God, Christopher.” She jumped out of her chair and took him from his car seat.
“Again, good morning, sunshine,” I spoke.
“Yeah. Yeah. Good morning.”
I sighed as I entered my office and set the car seat and diaper bag on the couch.
“Don’t forget you have a meeting at noon with Castle Corp,” Lexi spoke in between cooing at Christopher.
“Shit. I did forget. Thanks for reminding me. Please hand my son over so I can take him to see his grandfather.”
“Do I have to?” Lexi pouted.
I stood there and cocked my head at her.
“Fine.” She put him in my arms.
I walked down to my father’s office and opened his door.
“Knock, knock. Someone came to see you,” I spoke as I stepped inside.
“Well, hello there, Christopher. Come to Grandpa.” He smiled as he got up from behind his desk and took him from me. “Did Kinsley start school today?”
“Yeah. She did. Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad?”
“Sure, son. Sit down,” he spoke as he sat behind his desk with Christopher. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m going to ask Kinsley to marry me.”
“Well, look at you. My son is growing up.” He smirked. “I wondered how long it was going to take you.”
“I’ve wanted to ask her for the past few months, but with her being pregnant, her hands and fingers were swollen, and I didn’t want to give her the ring if she couldn’t wear it. She was very self-conscious towards the end. Then Christopher was born, and it’s been a little crazy.”
“I understand. When are you going to ask her?”
“Tomorrow night. Lexi and Ben are going to watch Christopher while we go out. What if she says no, Dad? I’ll admit I’m a little scared.”
“She won’t, son. Kinsley loves you. You have nothing to worry about.”