“I know.” I sighed. “I just feel like a beached whale.”
“You’re not a beached whale. You’re a stunning and gorgeous woman who’s carrying my son. Beached whales are far from being stunning and gorgeous.” He smirked.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m sorry,” I spoke. “I love you.”
“Don’t apologize. I love you too.”
****
The Calloway wedding day was here. I stood at the mirror and stared at my large self in my long black strapless Valentino gown. I wasn’t feeling too well, but I couldn’t let Chase know because it was his father’s wedding day and he was the best man. Plus, I didn’t want him worrying about me. He had to go over to his father’s house early with the other groomsmen, so Lexi and Ben were picking me up.
“You look so beautiful.” Lexi smiled as she walked over to me and grabbed my hand.
“Thanks. So do you.”
“God, it’s hard to believe that little baby Calloway is due to grace us with his presence next week.”
“I hope he’s on time. I just can’t deal with this pregnancy anymore. I’m so uncomfortable.”
“Are you ready to go?” she asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I smiled.
When we arrived at the church, I saw Chase standing in the hallway talking to Alex. When he glanced over and saw me, a wide grin crossed his face.
“There you are.” He walked over and kissed me. “You look absolutely beautiful.” He smiled. “How’s my son doing?” he asked as he placed his hand on my belly.
“He’s fine. How’s your dad? Is he nervous?” I asked.
“No. He’s a pro at this. I think at this point, it doesn’t even faze him.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Calloway, we’re ready to start now,” Belinda the wedding planner spoke to him.
“Alright. I guess it’s time. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed me.
Lexi, Ben, and I walked down the aisle and took our seats in the first row, which was reserved for us by Chase.
“Are you okay?” Lexi asked as she saw me place my hand on my belly.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
The truth was, I was having Braxton Hicks, which were making me very uncomfortable. I looked over at Chase, who was standing at the altar next to his dad. He gave me a wink just as the music started and the bride began walking down the aisle. Penelope looked beautiful in her long white satin beaded gown that sat gracefully off her shoulders. Her brown hair was in an up-do with beautiful crystals scattered throughout.
The minister started to speak, and I started to sweat. The pain began to radiate throughout my lower back. Chase knew something was wrong because he kept glancing over at me with a troubled look on his face. I shifted in my seat and Lexi placed her hand on my leg.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a whisper.
“I’m not sure, but I think I’m in labor. Don’t say anything yet. I need to get through this ceremony.”
“Fuck! Are you serious?”
“I thought they were Braxton Hicks at first, but this is different.”
I looked up at Chase, who was staring at me with a narrowed eye, and I lightly shook my head because of the concerned look on his face.
“If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the minister spoke.
“OH MY GOD!” I shouted uncontrollably.
“Excuse me?” the minister spoke as all eyes diverted to me.
“Holy shit! Sorry.” I bit down on my bottom lip as the pain radiated throughout me.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Chase asked as he ran over to me.
“I think I’m in labor.”
“Sorry, Dad. I gotta go,” he spoke as he placed his hand in his pocket, took out the ring, and handed it to Steven. “Take my place, bro. I need to get Kinsley to the hospital,” he spoke as he took hold of both my hands and helped me up from my seat.
Dean walked over to me and kissed my cheek.
“I’m so sorry,” I spoke.
“Don’t be. This is the best wedding present I could have ever asked for. Go have my grandson and we’ll be by later.” He smiled.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go,” Chase spoke as he helped me up the aisle and to the car. I sat there, finally able to breathe. The pain had stopped. Shit. What if it just was Braxton Hicks and I just ruined the wedding? The thought horrified me.
“How are you feeling?” Chase asked as he reached over and placed his hand on my belly.
“I’m okay now.”
“So you’re not in labor?” His brow arched.
“I don’t know! I’ve never been in labor before. I can’t tell if it’s real or not.”
As we drove down the highway, the pain shot through me again, jolting me out of my skin.
“FUCK!” I screamed as I placed my hands on my belly. “It’s definitely labor!” I yelled.
“We’re almost there. Breathe through it. Practice your yoga breathing or something,” he spoke in a panicked tone.
The pain subsided as I laid my head back against the headrest and closed my eyes for a moment.
“This is no time for a nap, sweetheart,” Chase spoke.
I opened one eye and glared at him.
“I’m not taking a nap!”
He pulled up to the emergency room entrance, threw the car in park, and grabbed a wheelchair from inside the doors. Taking my hand, he helped me from the car and into the chair.
“What’s going on?” a tall man in a white coat asked as he approached us.
“She’s in labor,” Chase calmly spoke.
“It’s a good day to have a baby.” He smiled. “Did the two of you just come from a wedding?”
“My father’s,” Chase spoke.”
“Are you a doctor?” I asked.
“I’m Dr. Jameson Finn, and you are?”
“Kinsley Davis.”
He stopped at the nurses’ station inside the ER and told them to call up to Labor and Delivery.
“Tell them that Kinsley Davis is in labor,” he spoke.
“They said to keep her down here for now because there aren’t any rooms available. But one will be ready soon,” the woman in Snoopy scrubs spoke.
“Jesus Christ.” Dr. Finn shook his head. “It seems like we have a baby boom going on right now. No worries,” he spoke as he wheeled me through the double doors and into an ER room.
“You’re kidding me? Right?” Chase spoke with irritation.
“Don’t worry. We’ll bring her upstairs as soon as a room is ready. I’m going to call and have them send down a labor and delivery nurse. In the meantime, go ahead and change into this lovely gown we had custom made for you.” Dr. Finn winked.
Chapter Forty-One
Kinsley
Chase helped me out of my gown and into the hospital one Dr. Finn handed me.
“Any more pain?” Chase asked.
“Not really. It’s just uncomfortable.”
“Hi there,” the tall brunette with the long ponytail spoke. “I’m Kaylee and I’ll be your nurse. You must be Kinsley.” She smiled at me and then turned to Chase. “Hello.” She cocked her head to the side with a grin on her face.
“Hello, darling.” Chase smiled back.
I glared at him and he cleared his throat and grabbed my hand. After my exam, I found that I was dilated to four centimeters and Kaylee left the room to order an epidural for me and to call Dr. Morgan.”
“What the fuck, Chase?”
“What?”
“You were flirting with the nurse.”
“Sweetheart, I wasn’t flirting. That’s my natural state. You know that.”
“THE HELL YOU WEREN’T!” I screamed as another contraction hit.
“Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” His warm breath was in my face.
I did as he told me to, and it didn’t help, but eventually the contraction had dissipated.
“Go
od job, sweetheart.” He smiled as he placed his hand on my forehead. “It’ll all be over with soon and you’ll be holding our son in your arms.”
Nurse Kaylee walked in and smiled at Chase. He quickly looked away because he feared for his life.
“Dr. Morgan told me to keep her posted and the anesthesiologist will be here soon to administer your epidural. Is there anything you need?” she asked.
“No.”
“And how about you?” She seductively smiled at Chase.
“I would love a cup of coffee.” He smiled, and my nails dug into the flesh of his wrist. “So, could you please point me in the direction of the coffee bar?”
“I’ll go get you a cup.” She grinned. “How do you take it?”
Another contraction hit and this time it almost knocked me out of the bed.
“HE CAN GET HIS OWN FUCKING CUP OF COFFEE!” I yelled through the pain.
“Right. I can get my own. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.” His warm breath swept over me as his face was mere inches from mine.
“STOP TELLING ME TO BREATHE AND GET OUT OF MY FACE!”
“Just sit tight. You’ll be pain free soon,” Nurse Kaylee spoke as she left the room.
“How’s the soon-to-be mom?” Dr. Finn walked in with a smile.
“She’s evil,” Chase spoke.
Dr. Finn chuckled. “Most women who are in labor are. Trust me. She’ll return to normal as soon as she gets the epidural.”
“Gee, I hope so,” Chase spoke, and I smacked his arm.
“Are you an OB doctor?” I asked him.
“No. I’m actually a neurosurgeon. I’m just helping out in the ER today.”
“Fascinating,” Chase spoke.
My body filled with excruciating pain as I gripped Chase’s hand. He didn’t say a word and I appreciated it.
“It’ll be over within a minute, Kinsley. Just focus on your breathing. Deep breath in, deep breath out,” Dr. Finn spoke.
After the contraction subsided and Dr. Finn left the room, Chase narrowed his eye at me.
“It’s okay for him to tell you to breathe, yet you yell at me to stop?”
“Do you really want to discuss this now? Really, Chase? Because I do believe I’ll win.”
Before he had a chance to speak, the anesthesiologist walked in and gave me my epidural.
“That should start kicking in, in about ten to thirty minutes.” The anesthesiologist smiled.
“I’m rooting for ten,” Chase spoke.
****
Chase
Six hours later, our son, Christopher Chase Calloway, came into the world at 7lbs 3 oz. After Kinsley got her epidural, it was smooth sailing. The moment he was born, tears of happiness filled my eyes.
“He’s beautiful.” I kissed Kinsley’s forehead as she held him in her arms.
“He looks like you.” She smiled at me.
“Of course he does. He’s a Calloway.” I smirked.
Kinsley and I took an hour and bonded with him before I had to make numerous phone calls to family and friends. I couldn’t stop staring at him. He was so tiny and perfect.
“Do you want to hold your son?” Kinsley asked.
“I’m kind of afraid. I’ve never held a baby before.”
“You’ll know what to do.” She smiled as she handed him over to me.
As I stared at him, guilt resided inside me. If I hadn’t come to my senses, I wouldn’t be here, holding this little life that we created. Kinsley changed me and the love I felt for her and him was overwhelming. He was my son and the thought that I was so close to not being a part of his life frightened me.
****
Two Months Later
“Is he all set to go?” I asked Kinsley as I walked into the nursery.
“He sure is. Everything you need is in the diaper bag. Are you sure about this, Chase?”
“I’m positive. He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I kissed her lips. “Have a good day at school.”
“I’ll be by to pick him up after my classes.”
“I’ll see you later, darling. Are you ready, slugger?” I smiled at him as I picked up the car seat and took it to the car.
Kinsley’s classes started back up today and I didn’t want my son being raised by nannies or babysitters, so he came to work with me. Kinsley didn’t think it was a good idea, but I did. Plus, I knew my father would be thrilled to see him.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I smiled at Lexi as I stopped at her desk.
“Oh my God, Christopher.” She jumped out of her chair and took him from his car seat.
“Again, good morning, sunshine,” I spoke.
“Yeah. Yeah. Good morning.”
I sighed as I went into my office and set the car seat and diaper bag on the couch.
“Don’t forget you have a meeting at noon with Castle Corp,” Lexi spoke in between cooing at Christopher.
“Shit. I did forget. Thanks for reminding me. Now please hand over my son so I can take him to see his grandfather.”
“Do I have to?” Lexi pouted.
I stood there and cocked my head at her.
“Fine.” She put him in my arms.
I walked down to my father’s office and opened his door.
“Knock, knock. Someone came to see you,” I spoke as I stepped inside.
“Well, hello there, Christopher, come to Grandpa.” He smiled as he got up from his desk and took him from me. “Did Kinsley start school today?”
“Yeah. She did. Can I talk to you for a minute, Dad?”
“Sure, son. Sit down,” he spoke as he took a seat behind his desk with Christopher. “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m going to ask Kinsley to marry me.”
“Well, look at you. My son is growing up.” He smirked. “I wondered how long it was going to take you.”
“I’ve been wanting to ask her for the past few months, but with her being pregnant, her hands and fingers were swollen, and I didn’t want to give her the ring if she couldn’t wear it. She was very self-conscious towards the end. Then Christopher was born and it’s been a little crazy.”
“I understand. When are you going to ask her?”
“Tomorrow night. Lexi and Ben are going to watch Christopher while we go out. What if she says no, Dad? I’ll admit I’m a little scared.”
“She won’t, son. Kinsley loves you. You have nothing to worry about.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Kinsley
Chase and I bathed Christopher and put him down to sleep. I had homework that I needed to do, but I wanted to spend time with Chase before I started it. I hadn’t seen him all day except when I picked up the baby and I missed him. I snuggled up against him on the couch as he held me in his strong arms. We talked about our day and watched a movie together. Christopher’s timing was impeccable because as soon as the movie ended, he woke up and wanted to be fed.
“I’ll give him his bottle,” Chase spoke as he kissed my head. “You go start your homework.”
“Are you sure? I can feed him.”
“Sweetheart, go do your homework. I’ve got this.” He smiled as he kissed my lips.
I went into the kitchen to get the bottle ready while Chase went upstairs and took Christopher from his crib. When he came down, he took a seat on the couch and I handed him his bottle.
“Thank you. I love you.” I smiled.
“I love you too. I’ll be up when he’s done eating.”
I went upstairs, changed into my nightshirt, grabbed my laptop, and sat down on the bed. Shit. I forgot my book on the kitchen table. As I was walking down the stairs, I heard Chase talking to Christopher. He was already an amazing father, and every time I saw him with our son, my heart melted. I took a seat on the steps and listened for a few moments before going down and grabbing my book.
“Your dad needs to have a little talk with you,” he spoke. “Your mom is an amazing woman, but you already know that. I see the way you look at her. I look at her that way too. You can’t help b
ut to fall in love with her. She’s smart, kind, selfless and the most beautiful woman in the world. She truly has the soul of an angel. She’s the strongest woman I know, and she puts up with me, even though there are times where I wouldn’t put up with me. When we first met, I knew right away she was special. She was unlike any woman I’d ever met, and to be honest, it frightened the hell out of me. The more I was around her, the more in love with her I fell. She opened my eyes to what life really should be. See, Christopher, I was too afraid to love anyone, and she changed all that. I’m going to ask her to marry me because there’s nothing in this world I want more than to call her my wife. I’m really nervous; I won’t lie to you, little buddy. I’m so afraid that your mom, this magnificent woman who deserves everything in the entire world, isn’t ready or will say no. Neither one of us has ever brought up marriage. Maybe the thought never even crossed her mind. She seems content with the way things are and that’s what worries me. I love her so much and even if she says she’s not ready yet, it won’t change a thing, because I will wait an entire lifetime until she is. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you get to know her better. You’re very lucky to have her as your mom. This stays between us, okay?”
Tears started to stream down my face and my heart broke knowing that he was afraid I wasn’t ready to marry him and that I might say no. I couldn’t go down there, so I went back to our room and waited for him to come up.
“He’s all fed, changed, and fast asleep.” Chase smiled as he walked into the bedroom, climbed on the bed, and gave me a kiss.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“I’m going to go grab my laptop from downstairs. I have some work to do as well. Do you need anything while I’m down there?”
“My book that’s on the kitchen table. Also, bring up a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses.” I smiled.
“Sounds good. I’ll be right back.” He winked.
Chase Calloway wasn’t just my baby’s father. He was the man of my dreams and I never knew I could love someone so much as I did him. A few moments later, he walked back into the bedroom and set the bottle of wine and glasses on the nightstand.
“Want me to pour some now?” he asked.