Epilogue
Marci
Ishouldn't have traveled this far into my pregnancy, but I can't miss my goddaughter's birthday.
Samantha was born on Christmas Day five years ago.
Sasha and I have been sort of competing child-wise since then.
I have two little girls and a boy on the way.
She has two little boys, and I suspect she is hiding her pregnancy from me.
You can just tell from the looks she and Brody have been giving each other. I grimace as my body complains about sitting this long. We're in the living room, and I can hear the men with the children from here. My husband has turned out to be the most loving father to our kids.
"Are you okay?" Sasha asks.
"Um, I'm not sure."
"Oh no, are we going to have another Christmas Day baby?"
"Shh. I don't want Jacob to know."
"If you're having contractions, you need to tell him."
"And who made you queen of the world?"
"Oh dear, well at least let me time the contractions."
"Contractions? What contractions? You're not due for another month." Jacob says from the terrace door.
He walks over and kneels next to me.
"Baby girl, do we need to go to the hospital? Fletcher can call his doctor friend."
"I need some room to breathe." I practically shout.
Everyone is shocked at my raised voice, but I really don't care. It is too early for the baby to start coming, and I need to make a decision soon. I look towards Sasha.
"Can you and Brody watch the kids?"
"Of course."
"Okay, call the doctor," I tell my husband.
There's motion all around as everyone helps me get to the hospital. By that time, I'm already having contractions close together and am scared about my baby. I've known the doctor for some time, and he's clear and direct with me. I'm having this baby right now, whether I want to or not.
Jacob comes to the delivery room with me, and we are the perfect team, or at least that's what he tells me.
He's not the one enduring the pain. I should have asked for the drugs.
Thankfully, I deliver my baby with no problems. He's underweight, so they need to keep him in the NICU or whatever equivalent facility they have here.
"Did you see him, Jacob? He's perfect."
"Yes, perfect, like his mother."
"I'm sorry I didn't let them tie my tubes."
"Oh God, Marci. It's your body. If you want to have more children, that's your prerogative."
"I'm on the fence about that."
"Then I'll get a vasectomy."
"You'd do that?"
"I don't know why you're surprised. I've offered many times before."
"Yes, but we wouldn't have our beautiful family if you had done that."
"Stop worrying about everything, Marci."
The door to the room opens, and they bring our baby in. He's hooked to things, and I can't hold him yet, but he looks beautiful and at peace.
"Hey, mom and dad. I'll leave this little guy here for a bit. I'll come back for him later." The nurse says.
"He's perfect, Jacob,” I whisper. “Thank you so much."
"You don't need to thank me. I love you, baby girl."
"I love you too, Jacob. You promised me we'd build a future together, and you've kept that promise."
"Anything for you and the kids. You know that."
"I do know that. Let's take a picture and send it to Sasha and Brody."
As my husband follows my orders, I watch him looking at our baby boy. This man is my soulmate, and I can't wait to see what the future brings us. For now, we need to decide on a name for the baby, and I'm hoping to name him Jake.
It is so easy to take your life for granted, but the Barnes family does not do that. We appreciate the fact that there's so much love between us that nothing could break us apart. When the nurse takes the baby away, Jacob climbs into bed with me.
"You're right. He's perfect." He says.
"Just like you, my love."
He blushes at the compliment, but doesn't say a thing.
We spend the rest of Christmas Day in each other's arms, the way it should always be.