Page 66 of The Forever One
The guys’ voices are coming from the kitchen and I can hear laughter, so they must be finished with their man-chat outside.
Ev’s shoulders aren’t up by his ears anymore and the worry in his eyes has faded, replaced by a determination that makes me smile again.
“The lady would like an orange. Post haste!” I clap my hands, raising my eyebrow, and Ev moves like lightning.
“I guess I better get back upstairs then. My wife’s having a baby.” He straightens his back, grinning like the Cheshire Cat and grabbing an orange from the counter. On his way out of the kitchen, he kisses my forehead as he passes me and I sigh. Content for the first time in too long.
I know it won’t last but it also won’t be gone forever. The things that have happened will always have happened, the people I’ve lost will always be gone, but there will always be moments like this one. Moments when happiness is no longer just a dream to strive for, but a living breathing thing.
“Are you okay,Tesoro?” Marco’s hands slide around my waist from behind me, pressing into my stomach as he rests his chin against my shoulder.
“Yeah. I really am.Ti amo,marito.” I rest my hands over his and twist to look at him, kissing his head softly. I feel the movement as his eyebrows rise, hopefully impressed that I’m beginning to learn some Italian. I’ll admit, I’m picking and choosing phrases I like rather than trying to learn the whole language, and “I love you, husband” seemed like one I should learn.
Thank you, Stefano.
“Ti amo anch’io, moglie.” His lips against my shoulder are like a balm to my soul but an almighty yell from upstairs quickly rips us out of the moment.
“What the fuck?” Marco’s eyes are wide, questioning, then there’s a knock at the front door before I can answer him.
I’ve been around women giving birth before. As a community of hippies, everyone was a part of everyone’s lives, so the yelling and screaming feels natural to me. Although, I can tell by the look on Marco’s face that he’s genuinely worried something’s going wrong, he’s completely open to taking my lead on this.
“Hang on, Baby, I’ll get the door.”
His low growl on my way out of the kitchen tells me his shock has waned and I grin to myself once more.
I love today.
“Hi, I’m the midwife, Imogen. Lydia called and said it’s almost time, so here I am!” The tall older woman was obviously cleared by Petal by the way light practically shines from her. She may as well be doing jazz hands with the way she’s presenting herself, showing me her medical badge and identification, and I think Petal made the perfect choice.
“Of course. Come on inside, the mommy-to-be is upstairs, first door on the left.” I move aside, allowing her to shuffle inside. “Would you like help with your things?”
“Oh, no. I’m used to all this, thank you. But if you could keep our water supplies replenished, that would be amazing.” She heads on upstairs and the screams get louder as she opens the door, muffling them again as she closes it behind her.
* * *
Two hours later, the screams that had become persistent, have now stopped. My heart is beating a mile a minute as I sit on Marco’s lap, curled into him as we wait for the news. I want to rush up there and find out everything, but Marco helped me realize that Ev and Petal need to do this part on their own.
There are now footsteps from overhead, after ten minutes of what felt like silence, then a door opens and the most beautiful and heart-wrenching sound I’ve ever heard brings a tear to my eye. But I hold that sucker back.
“Aunty River, Uncle Marco, would you like to come upstairs and meet your new nephew?” Ev’s voice is full of so much pride, it’s getting harder to keep my tears at bay.
I have a nephew.
I tap Marco’s chest too many times for it to be normal in my excitement, standing quickly and grabbing his hand, dragging him up the stairs with me.
Petal is all covered up and resting back against the pillows and cushions, a serene smile on her tear-stained face, and Ev is sitting beside her, a bundle of blankets in his arms. I have no time to waste on pleasantries with Lydia or Imogen right now, although I’ll thank them profusely for helping them through this later.
My focus is on the bundle.
Ev looks up as I approach, still dragging Marco behind me. I sit beside my brother, on the edge of the bed, and lean into him to get a better look at the baby. His tiny eyes are closed, his little fists up by his mouth and his button nose. And I’m in love.
My nephew is officially the best baby in the world.
“I’m so proud of you both. He’s adorable.”
Marco’s hand is on my shoulder as we sit for a few moments, in awe of what they have created.
“I want to name him Briggs. Briggs Denali Fox.” Petal’s voice is so light, it’s barely a whisper, and her words almost let loose the waterfall that’s threatening to fall from my eyes.