Page 60 of All That Lies Ahead
CHASE
TWO WEEKS LATER…
“Chase.” I hear my name whispered into the dark, but I ignore the sound, letting my consciousness drag me back under.
“Chase.” This time, the single word is accompanied with a hand jostling my chest, and when I open my eyes, I realize Addison’s trying to wake me.
“Hey, baby,” I mutter. With a smirk, I roll over to face her, placing an arm between her chest and stomach as I wiggle in closer. “Did you miss me?”
I start nibbling on her ear as I slide my hand up to cup her delicious breast. Pregnancy boobs have quickly become one of my favorite things about Addison’s body. Though to be honest, every inch of Addison is my favorite. We’re going to find ourselves with a whole basketball team of kids with how utterly irresistible I find her.
I moan when her nipple pebbles under my palm. “Mmm. Yes, you did.”
“Actually, um, I think my water broke.”
“What?” I pull my head back abruptly, my grip on her breast tightening.
“Owe!” she squeals with laughter, smacking at my hand.
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” Heart racing, I lean forward and place light kisses all over the round globe. “Mwah. Mwah. Mwah.”
She laughs, pushing me away. “Chase. Focus.”
“Yes, of course.” I sit up and run a hand through my hair. I’ve gotta get moving. “Oh my god. Okay. Let’s do this.” I’m out of bed in a dash and running over to the closet to start throwing on clothes. “Are you all right?” I shout as I grab for a shirt, ripping it off the hanger before throwing it on over my head. “How are you feeling?” I move to the dresser and pull on a pair of jeans.
“I feel fine,” she says as she waddles by me and into the closet. “I don’t think I’m having any contractions yet.”
“Okay. That’s good. Let me call Mom while you get dressed, okay? Or do you need me?”
She scoffs as if that question’s ridiculous. “No, babe. I’m fine.”
I hustle over to my nightstand and yank my phone off the charger, then dial my mom’s line from my contacts. She doesn’t pick up on the first call, so I try her again. This time, she answers.
“Hi, honey. Is everything all right?”
“Hi, Mom. Sorry to wake you. Addison’s water broke and we need to head to the hospital.”
“Oh, that’s so wonderful. Okay, our bag is packed. We’ll get dressed quickly and be right over.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm the jitters in my stomach. I’m going to be a dad—again. Two kids. Two humans one hundred percent reliant on me. Holy shit.
As I hang up, Addison is coming out of the closet in a light cotton summer dress.
“Babe, is that what you’re wearing? It’s the end of January. Aren’t you going to be cold?”
“God, no. I feel like I’m on fire. I’m going to the bathroom. Can you go wake Willow? I promised her we wouldn’t leave for the hospital without telling her first.”
“Yes, but be quick.”
She laughs, shooing me off. “I’m not even having contractions. We have time.”
I wake Willow to let her know what’s going on. Originally, she wanted to go to the hospital with us, but we explained that first-time moms often labor for hours, and we didn’t want her uncomfortable in the hospital for however long it takes.
“Nana and Pops will bring you to the hospital after Addison is settled in and we get closer to the birth, okay? Try to get some more rest. Babies cry a lot, so you may never sleep again.”
She chuckles and brings her covers back up to her chin. “Love you, Dad. Bye.”
“Love you, baby.” I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Enjoy your last few hours with Nana and Pops before you have to start sharing them.”