Chapter 38
Claire
“Give me a big push, Claire,” Georgia said.
“I can’t.” I fell back on the bed, out of breath.
“You can do this, babe. You’re a strong woman.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m weak and don’t want to do this anymore.”
My body was depleted of energy, and all I wanted to do was go to sleep.
“Listen to me. We’ve waited nine months to meet our daughter. You need to push,” Nick said.
“You push.” I snapped at him.
Georgia laughed. “I know it’s hard. Trust me. Let’s go, Claire. You can do this. One big push.”
I took in a deep breath and pushed as hard as I could.
“That’s it, Claire. Here she comes.”
Suddenly, I heard my daughter’s first cry. I fell back on the bed as tears filled my eyes.
“She’s beautiful, Claire.” Nick kissed my lips.
After he cut the cord, Georgia laid my daughter on my chest.
“She’s gorgeous.” She smiled.
“Welcome to the world, Gianna Genevieve Russo.” I smiled, touching her little hand.
I glanced over at Nick as tears streamed from his eyes.
After she was cleaned up and wrapped tightly in a blanket, the nurse placed my daughter in my arms.
“Hi, my beautiful daughter.”
Nick stood over me and softly stroked her head.
“We did this, babe. We made this beautiful little girl,” he said.
The door opened, and my brothers stepped inside.
“I bet you already forgot the pain.” Simon smirked.
“Not a chance, brother. Not a chance.”
“Look at how beautiful she is. Good thing she looks like all of us.” Sebastian grinned.
One Month Later
Istood at the shoreline, holding Gia. The sun was shining brightly as a light wind swept across us.
“You are a very lucky little girl to be surrounded by a large family who will love and always protect you.” I smiled at her. “This is where you’ll grow up and make many childhood memories—ones you will cherish forever. Tomorrow is your daddy’s birthday, and we’re throwing him a big beach party. Are you excited for your daddy’s birthday?” I held her up.
Taking her back inside the house, I strapped her in her car seat, grabbed the diaper bag, and headed to the cemetery. I took Gia from her car seat and sat on the grass in front of my father’s grave.
“Hi, Henry. I would like you to meet your granddaughter, Gia. I know this is kind of weird because you don’t know me or never knew I existed, but a part of me wanted you to meet her.”
“Claire?” I heard a voice from behind.
Turning my head, I saw Barb standing there. I stood up with Gia in my arms.
“Let me see that beautiful baby.” Barb smiled as she took her from me. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I’m not really sure. I felt like Henry should meet his granddaughter. What are you doing here?”
“Today is Ian’s birthday. I put some flowers on his grave.”
“Do you do that for Henry’s birthday?” I asked.
“Oh, God, no.” She laughed.
“You are coming to Nick’s party tomorrow, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” A smile crossed her lips. “How about we go and get some lunch?”
“I’d like that.”
She handed Gia to me, and I placed her in her car seat.
After Barb and I had a nice lunch, I went home and laid Gia down in her bassinet. I was exhausted, so I lay on the bed and was awoken by tiny kisses on my lips. Opening my eyes, I saw Nick’s smiling face mere inches from mine.
“Hi,” he said.
“What are you doing home already?”
“Already? It’s six-thirty.”
“What?” I quickly sat up and looked over at Gia, who slept peacefully. “Oh, my God. We’ve been sleeping for four hours.”
“Good. You needed the rest.” Nick smiled.
“No. No. No. Now, the baby will be up all night. Shit. How did I sleep that long?”
“Babe, relax. Tomorrow is my day off. I’ll stay up with her tonight.”
“It’s your birthday. You’re not staying up.”
“You’re right. It is my birthday, and I want to spend it with my daughter if she refuses to sleep.” A smirk crossed his lips.
Iopened my eyes to the sun filtering through the curtains. Glancing at the clock, it was six a.m. Nick’s side of the bed and the bassinet were empty. Climbing out of bed, I walked into the living room and smiled as I saw him sprawled out on the couch, sound asleep, with Gia lying on his chest. Running back to the bedroom, I grabbed my phone and quickly snapped a picture. Nick’s eyes opened.
“Did you just take a picture of me?”
“I did.” I grinned, leaning down and kissing his lips. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, babe.”
I carefully picked up Gia. She opened her eyes, looked at me for a moment, and slowly closed them.
“How long have you two been out here?” I asked as Nick sat up, and I sat beside him.
“What time is it?”
“After six.”
“I brought her out here and fed her a bottle around two a.m.”
“I didn’t even hear you get up,” I said, lying my head on his shoulder.
“That’s because you’re exhausted.”
“You are the best husband and dad in the world.” I pressed my lips against his cheek.
“I’m sure your brothers and some of your cousins would disagree with that statement.” He chuckled.
“They’re the best husbands and dads in the world, too. You can all share the same title.”
Gia started to whimper, and before too long, those whimpers turned into full-blown screams.
“You grab a bottle, and I’ll change her diaper.” I smiled.
After we got Gia fed and settled, it was time to give Nick his birthday gifts.
“Why don’t you get in the shower, and when you get out, I’ll give you your birthday presents.” I smiled.
“You and Gia are the only birthday gifts I need.” His hand softly stroked my cheek.
“You’re sweet, but go.” I slapped his ass.
“That’s not fair, Claire.” His finger wiggled at me with a smile.
He went into the bathroom and turned the shower on. After waiting a few moments, I slipped off my robe, opened the shower door, and stepped inside.
“What are you doing?” His eyes raked over me from head to toe.
I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t a bit self-conscious since having the baby because I was.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I softly kissed his lips.
“Birthday present number one.” My lips formed a smile.
“I do believe the waiting period for having sex is six weeks after the baby is born. It’s only been four,” he said.
“Are you seriously going all doctor on me right now?” My brow arched. “Besides, I talked to Georgia. She said it’s okay.”
“Shit, in that case.” His hands gripped my ass with a smile.
I craved my husband more than I ever thought possible, and I couldn’t wait any longer to feel him inside me again.
His hands roamed up and down my body while his lips fell upon my neck. My hand found its way to his hard cock and softly stroked it. Subtle moans escaped him as he threw his head back. Getting down on my knees while the hot water streamed over us, I wrapped my lips around him and gave him the pleasure he loved so much.
“Stop, babe. I need to be inside you.” He lifted me up from the shower floor.
Our lips met passionately as my back was against the tiled wall. Bringing one leg up, I wrapped it around his waist. He held me as he cautiously thrust inside me, making sure I was okay with each heart-pounding stroke. It felt good to feel him again. I’d miss this intimacy between us. Even though it had only been four weeks since we last had sex, it felt like an eternity.
“God, I’ve missed this,” his grip around me tightened.
“Me too.”
The water beat down on us as our lips tangled, and we both came at the same time.
Out of breath, Nick muttered the word, “Fuck” as he let go of my leg and tightly wrapped his arms around me, holding me against him as if he never wanted to let me go.
“I love you, babe.”
“I love you, too.” I smiled. “Happy birthday. I’ll give you the rest of your gifts as soon as we get out of the shower.”
“You spoil me.”
We finished our shower, and just as we got dressed, Gia decided to wake up.
“I got her, babe.”
I smiled as I watched him walk over to the bassinet and pick our daughter up, planting her little face with tiny kisses.
“Have I told you how much I love you, my princess?”
“Come sit on the bed so I can give you the rest of your gifts.”
I reached under the bed and pulled out two boxes. Handing him one, I told him it was from Gia.
“This is from Gia.” I grinned.
He unwrapped the box, removed the lid, and smiled when he saw a new stethoscope.
“A new stethoscope. I’ve been wanting a new one for a while.”
“I know. That’s why Gia thought it would be a great gift from her.”
“Thank you, baby.” He held her up and kissed her. “Let’s try it out.” He took the stethoscope from the box, placed both ends in his ears, and placed it over Gia’s heart.
“What a beautiful sound.” He smiled. “Mommy’s turn.” He placed the stethoscope over my heart. “A perfect heart for the most beautiful woman in the world.”
I leaned over and kissed his lips, placing my hand on his cheek.
“You have one more to open.” I handed him the large box.
“Claire, this is beautiful.” He examined the fine leather doctor’s bag I’d bought him.
“I had it engraved with your name.” I smiled. “See. Dr. Nick Russo.”
“Babe, I love it so much. I’ve had my other one since med school.”
“I know, and that tattered thing gave me anxiety.”
Nick chuckled. “Thank you for the wonderful birthday presents. I love you.”
“I love you, too. We better head down to the beach. Your party is starting soon.”