48. Chapter Forty Eight – Four Months Later
Chapter Forty Eight – Four Months Later
Annie
Cole is pacing.
Back and forth, running a hand through his already-messy hair, mumbling to himself.
The nurses ignore him.
I don’t blame them.
I, on the other hand, do not have the luxury of ignoring him, because I am currently lying in a hospital bed, breathing through another contraction, trying to remember why I ever thought pregnancy was a beautiful thing.
Spoiler: It’s not.
It’s painful, and exhausting, and right now, I am ninety percent sure I’m about to break Cole’s hand the next time he gets within grabbing distance.
“Cole,” I grind out through clenched teeth.
He stops pacing immediately, eyes snapping to me like he forgot I was actually here. “Yeah?”
I inhale, exhale, and glare. “If you don’t sit down, I will personally make sure you never father another child again.”
His mouth opens. Then closes.
Then he cautiously steps closer to the bed and sits in the chair beside me.
“Better,” I mutter.
Another contraction rolls through me, and I squeeze my eyes shut, gripping the sides of the hospital bed.
Cole tenses. “What do you need? Water? Ice chips? A doctor? Should I—”
“Stop talking,” I bite out.
He stops talking.
Smart man.
A nurse walks in then, looking far too calm given the situation.
“How are we feeling?” she asks cheerfully.
I turn my head slowly toward her, eyes narrowing.
She grins, cheerfully. “Right on schedule, then.”
Cole, who had the audacity to be laughing under his breath, catches my look and immediately schools his expression.
The nurse checks the monitors, nods to herself, and gives me an encouraging smile. “You’re doing great. It won’t be long now. ”
It had better not be.
I exhale slowly as the contraction eases, sagging against the pillows.
Cole reaches out, cautiously placing his hand over mine. “You okay?”
I lift a brow. “What do you think?”
His lips twitch. “Fair enough.”
He rubs his thumb over my knuckles, and for a second, I let myself relax into the touch.
Then he shifts slightly, clearing his throat.
“Annie,” he starts, his voice lower now, more serious.
I crack an eye open. “Hmm?”
He hesitates. Then suddenly, he reaches into his pocket, pulls out a small black box, and sets it on the blanket over my stomach.
I blink. “What—”
“I was going to do this differently,” he cuts in, voice firm but nervous. “I had this whole thing planned. A romantic dinner, some grand speech, the perfect moment.”
I stare at him.
“But then you decided to go into labor a little early, and suddenly, all my plans went to hell.” He exhales, looking straight into my eyes. “Then I was going to wait until after. Wait until everything was settled. But it didn’t seem right.”
He swallows before continuing. “The thing is, I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t care about perfect moments. Every moment with you is perfect.”
I open my mouth. Close it.
My brain is short-circuiting.
Because I am currently in labor.
And Cole is proposing to me.
Right now.
He must see the utter disbelief on my face because he lets out a short laugh, shaking his head.
“I know, I know. Terrible timing. But Annie…” He leans in, his green eyes so full of emotion. “I love you. I love you so damn much. You have given me… everything.”
He flips open the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring.
I forget how to breathe.
“So what do you say?” His lips curve into the slightest smirk. “Annie Fox, will you marry me?”
I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “Are you serious right now?”
His smirk softens into a smile. “Completely.”
Another contraction grips me, and I groan, squeezing his hand hard.
His face tightens, but he doesn’t let go.
When the pain subsides, I look at him again, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and so damn in love with this ridiculous man.
“Yes,” I whisper.
His brows lift slightly. “Yes?”
“Yes, Cole. I’ll marry you.”
His relief is immediate, and he leans down, pressing a kiss to my lips, lingering over the kiss.
“I was really hoping you’d say that,” he murmurs.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“You love me.”
I roll my eyes, but my heart is full. “Yeah, I do. I love you.”
He kisses me again and slides the ring onto my finger.
For a few minutes at least because a nurse comes in and tut-tuts about it.
A few hours later, after screaming, swearing, and nearly crushing Cole’s hand, our babies are here.
Three perfect, tiny, wailing miracles.
Faith.
Hope.
Grace.
And just like that, our lives change forever.
Again.