Ranger
Ranger
“ O kay now,” Miriam said, “one more big push and she’ll be out.” Their midwife had practically taken over the birthing process, with the doctor on standby and she was doing an awesome job. She had talked Millie through the whole process and made them both feel comfortable with every step of the process.
Millie had been in labor for almost eleven hours and his girl looked about ready to drop. She was a warrior, in his book, working through her labor, and now, they were about to meet their daughter.
Millie pushed two more times before their daughter emerged screaming to the world that she was there. She was even more beautiful than Ranger ever imagined she’d be. He kissed Millie and whispered, “What should we name her?”
“Oh God, I just gave birth,” she breathed. “Can’t we fight about her name after I’ve gotten some rest?” she asked.
He chuckled, loving the way that she was always expecting a fight from him, but this time, he wasn’t going to give her one. This time, he was willing to compromise. “How about Tabitha?” he asked. It was Millie’s number one pick for a girl’s name, and he knew it.
“You’re okay with us calling her that?” Millie asked.
“I am,” he said. The nurse handed their daughter to Millie, and she choked back the tears as she held her daughter for the first time.
“She’s beautiful and healthy,” the nurse assured. “Get some rest and someone will be back in to check on the three of you soon.”
“Thank you,” Ranger said.
“I’m going to head out too,” Miriam said. “You both did great,” she said, looking down at the baby. “I’ll be by your place to check in on you once you guys get home. Just text me and we can set up your follow-up visits. And, if you need any help with breastfeeding, please feel free to call me. I’m always here for you guys.” Miriam gave them both a hug and kissed Tabitha’s forehead.
Ranger looked down, in awe of his daughter. “She’s beautiful, just like her mom,” he said, sitting on the side of the bed next to Millie. “She looks like a Tabitha too, doesn’t she?” he asked.
“She does,” Millie agreed. “Hi, Tabitha,” she said, “I’m your mommy, and that’s your daddy,” she said pointing up at Ranger. Their daughter’s eyes were still closed, and she made the cutest little squeaking noises as she squirmed around. When she opened her eyes to look up at them both, Ranger’s whole world felt right.
“Marry me,” he said to Millie. “Let’s make our little family official.”
“I thought that you’d never get married. Heck, I thought that you didn’t even really like dating,” she teased.
“Well, I don’t, and that’s why it’s a good idea for you to marry me. You’ll save me from ever having to go on a date again,” he joked. “Seriously, Millie,” he breathed, “I love you—I have for a while now. Marry me and let’s make this permanent, committed relationship even more permanent.”
She looked between Tabitha and him and Ranger was worried that she was going to turn him down. “What do you think, Tabitha?” she asked their newborn. “Do you think that I should marry your daddy and make this thing permanent?” Tabitha squirmed and let out a little cry and he wasn’t sure if that was a yes or a no. He was hoping like hell that his daughter had just agreed to Millie marrying him.
“Well, what did she say?” he asked.
Millie giggled, “She said that I should definitely marry her daddy,” Millie said. “Apparently, I’m not the only girl in the room who’s in love with you, Ranger. It seems that you’re building quite the fan club,” Millie teased.
“You love me?” he whispered.
“I do,” she said. “I have for a long time now,” she said, giving him back his words. “Would you like to hold your daughter?” Millie asked.
“I would,” he said. He took the squirming baby from Millie and cradled her against his chest. Millie cuddled into his side and yawned. “Get some rest, honey,” he ordered. “I’ve got her for now. I’ve got you both.” He did too, and that made Ranger feel like the luckiest man on the planet.
The End