Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“ J enna, honey, you can do this. You will do this!” Ryan was at her side, holding her hand. She couldn’t help but squeeze back because another contraction had started. And, boy, the woman seemed to have super strength.
“Ryan,” she screamed his name, “he’s ripping me apart! It hurts so bad.”
“I know, honey, but I need you to push. Hold onto me and push as hard as you can.” The nurse pulled Jenna’s leg up at the kneecap and told Ryan to hold her leg for her so that she could bear down.
Ryan didn’t even hesitate; he grabbed her leg and wrapped his other arm around Jenna’s shoulders, hugging her close.
“It will all be over soon, sweetheart. You just need to push this little guy out.” Jenna nodded and sat up to push.
She was screaming and pushing, and Ryan felt a surge of pride, though he knew he had no right to.
“That’s it, honey, keep pushing.” The doctor told Jenna that he could see the baby’s head.
Ryan dared a look and not only saw his little head but also part of his shoulders.
God, Jenna was right, he was ripping her apart.
Ryan bent down to kiss Jenna’s forehead, whispering how proud he was of her.
He couldn’t believe how incredibly strong this woman was.
He’d never think of her as a girl again—that was for sure.
Jenna started squeezing his arm again, signaling another contraction.
“Push, honey. You’ve got this. He’s almost out. ”
She pushed with one scream, and the doctor held up her baby.
He was covered in white, waxy stuff and blood, and Ryan had never seen anything more beautiful.
The little guy started squawking after the doctor suctioned out his mouth and nose.
Ryan looked at Jenna. She had tears streaming down her face as she looked at her son.
For the first time in the two hours that he had been with her, he felt like he was intruding.
Like he should have left, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave either of them.
Jenna squeezed his hand and looked up at him.
“Do you mind,” she said in between sobs, “if I give him your name as his middle name? I’m thinking Zachary Ryan—would you be okay with that?”
Ryan brushed away tears from her cheeks, “I would love that, honey. It would be an honor to have this little guy named after me.” His voice sounded gruff with emotion.
The nurse handed little Zac to Jenna, all swaddled and sucking his thumb, soothing himself.
God, he was beautiful. Jenna seemed to fall instantly in love with the little guy.
She was talking to him and cuddling him, already a good mom.
Ryan knew that she would be a wonderful mother.
He backed away from the two people who had come to be pretty important to him in such a short amount of time.
Once Jenna and the baby were settled in a private room, Ryan knew that his time with them was just about over. Sticking around longer than he already had would only make leaving more difficult. “Congratulations, Jenna,” he whispered to her and turned to leave.
“Wait, Ryan—where are you going? Don’t you want to hold him? You don’t have to leave, please.” He looked back at Jenna, her eyes pleading with him, and she took his breath away.
“I’d love to hold him, but he’s so small,” he worried. Jenna just laughed and patted the side of her hospital bed for him to sit down.
“You won’t break him; he’s not made of glass.” She handed Zac to Ryan, resting her head on his shoulder, to watch the two of them.
“I’m so tired,” she said around a yawn.
“Yeah, well—you did work pretty hard.” Ryan smiled down at her.
“Thank you for being here with us,” Jenna said sleepily, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Well, that’s not true, honey. I didn’t do anything.” He couldn’t help himself; he kissed Zac’s little forehead and then kissed Jenna’s, too.
“Well, you being here meant a lot to us,” Jenna bent and kissed Zac’s forehead, too. “But I’m really tired. I think I need to sleep,” she said around another yawn.
“Okay, honey.” Ryan put Zac into his little bed, giving him one more kiss.
“Will we see you tomorrow?” Jenna asked, with hope in her voice.
Ryan couldn’t help his cringe, hoping she wouldn’t notice.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to come back, I understand.
You’ve already done so much for us.” God, she looked so disappointed.
He hated what he had to do next, but it was best for Jenna and Zac.
Jenna didn’t need a life built on promises that might not come true.
She had a new baby to take care of and a life to live without him.
“Jenna, I—” He stuttered, “I just found out today that I have to ship out again tomorrow. I got the call when Drew and I were on our way back to the hospital. I’m so sorry, honey.
I didn’t want you to think—well, I don’t know what I want you to think.
” He was looking at the floor, unable to look Jenna in the eyes.
Zac started squirming and fussing, and as if on cue, a nurse entered the room.
“Someone’s hungry,” the nurse lifted Zac and handed him to Jenna.
“Are you ready to try nursing?” Jenna nodded, and with that, Ryan slipped from her room.
He knew that leaving was what he had to do—it was his duty, but every fiber of his being wanted to go back into Jenna’s hospital room and just be with her and Zac.
Ryan shook his head and started down to Karlie and Drew’s room.
He needed to say his goodbyes and head home to pack up.
The next two years belonged to Uncle Sam.
∞
Karlie woke up to beeping monitors, her leg burning like it was on fire.
She opened her eyes, looking around the room, finding Drew sleeping on a bed next to hers.
“Drew?” She tried to get out of bed but realized that she had a belt around her belly with a baby monitor on it.
She looked over to the beeping machines, zoning in on the baby’s heartbeat.
It was strong, and she sat back in relief.
Her baby was alive. She reached down, assessing her leg, finding it bandaged, and she wondered how bad it was.
“You’re okay, honey. You and the baby are fine.
It’s just a flesh wound. You passed out for a bit, but the doctor thinks that was because you hadn’t eaten in almost twenty-four hours.
That’s why they gave you an IV.” He got up from his bed, slowly, holding his shoulder.
He went over to her, she slid over making room for him, and Drew got into bed with her, cuddling as close as he could with all her wires.
“What about you?” Her voice sounded hoarse, dry. He poured her some water, handing it to her.
“I’m fine.” He smiled at her, trying his best to convince her that it was the truth.
“Liar,” she teased back, sipping her water.
“I will be fine,” he amended. “It went straight through. They patched me up and I should be good.”
She exhaled, “So we’re all good?” Her hand went directly to her belly. Drew smiled at her, putting his hand next to hers, rubbing her belly.
“We’re all good, baby.” He leaned in to kiss her, “Your mom woke up and she’s doing much better. Your dad was down a little while ago to let us know, but you were sleeping. They are going to keep her a few days, but she’ll make a full recovery.”
Her eyes widened, “Oh my God—Jenna.” Karlie started to get up, pulling off some of the wires, and the beeping machines went crazy. A nurse rushed into the room and froze at the sight of the two of them in the same bed.
“What do you think you are doing?” The nurse’s sternness stopped Karlie in her rush to get free of the machines.
“My fiancée was just worrying about her sister,” Drew admitted.
“I was about to tell her that her sister is fine. My brother is with her, coaching her through her labor. She will be fine. You are in no condition to be with her now. You need to take care of our baby,” He smiled at Karlie and rubbed her belly again.
What was it about this man that calmed her so easily?
He settled her down, placating the nurse who re-attached her to the machines.
“My fiancée is hungry. Could we get her some food? She hasn’t eaten in over a day,” Drew was certainly turning on the charm for Nurse Grumpy. She pressed her lips together, studying Karlie’s chart.
“Ah—yes. I see here that the doctor ordered a regular diet as soon as Miss Angel can eat. I will order something from the cafeteria, and you as well, Mr. Jackson.” The nurse turned and left, and Drew chuckled.
“Fiancée?” Karlie turned to face him. “Why did you tell her that I am your fiancée?”
“Because, baby, I needed to be with you, and they wouldn’t let me anywhere near you if I wasn’t family. So, I told a little white lie.” He dipped his head and took another kiss.
“Besides, I think that you need to listen to reason and realize that you are stuck with me. We’ve already been through a lot of the ‘worse’ part of marriage vows. How about spending some of the ‘better’ parts with me? Besides, the ring on your finger tells me that I just may be right.”
Karlie looked down at her finger and gasped. “Where did this ring come from?” She held up her shaky hand, examining the beautiful, square-cut diamond engagement ring. It looked like a little ice-skating rink.
“Do you like it?” His voice sounded nervous, worried.
“Like it,” she gushed, “I love it, it’s huge. But when—”
“I snuck it onto your finger while you were sleeping,” he said, interrupting her. “Baby, I’m done with you telling me no. I figured I’d save us a step. You’re already wearing my ring, honey, just say yes. I love you so much, and I need to spend the rest of my life with you.”