“What’s incredible?”
I look up, shielding the sun from my eyes, and grin wide when I see Jeff standing next to me. “Your nephew,” I giggle. “He’s playing football already.”
Jeff leans down, close to my belly. “Hey little man,” he says softly. “Think you can give your momma a little break in there?” His hands come to rest on my belly and his eyebrows shoot up when he feels a kick. “Wow. He’s busy.”
“He only calms down when it’s his daddy’s voice. And daddy’s sitting over there with the rest of the graduates.”
Jeff chuckles. “Maybe he’ll behave if you sit down?” he suggests and gestures towards the seats occupied by our family. Jeff greets his parents and takes the open seat next to me, while Demi sits on my other side. The hum of the crowd dies down as the graduation ceremony begins and my mind drifts through the last few months. I’ve just completed the first semester of my second year, adamant that being pregnant wouldn’t stop me from going to college. Grayson has already started working with the University’s sports department to launch his sports rehabilitation center and in the mean time he’s the football teams’ assistant coach. I’ll take a few courses online after the baby comes and then spend the first year with him at home. I was worried that I would have to put getting my degree on hold permanently, but Grayson wouldn’t hear it – he doesn’t want me to sacrifice my dreams just because we got our family started a little earlier than we expected.
The ceremony drags by painfully slowly and when the certificates start being handed out I get excited. Grayson is in the third row and I watch as he takes his place in line to get his degree. My heart fills with pride.
I feel a sharp pain in my belly and gasp. A few seconds later I feel it again, only this time it’s worse. I grab Jeff’s hand and squeeze it. “Are you ok?” he whispers, garnering the attention of his mother and my Aunt Emma. I’m two weeks away from my due date but the doctor said the baby can come any time now. Everyone has been on high alert, in case our little man decides to come early.
I shake my head no and whimper when I feel another sharp pain. I bite my lip to stifle a yelp. I look to the stage. There are three people in front of Grayson. I can hang on a bit longer. I rub my belly and start breathing in and out deeply, like Aunt Emma showed me.
I squeal when the fourth pain hits me and Jeff springs into action. He stands up and helps me to my feet. Grayson sees me just as he steps off the stage and comes running toward us. “What’s wrong? Are you ok?” he looks concerned.
“Um,” breathe in, breath out “I think it’s time.”
“Now?”
I smile at him and nod frantically. He takes Jeff’s place at my side and we start walking towards the parking lot. There’s a hustle behind us and I look back to see our family in a frenzy. Brody jumps off the stage and joins Graysons’ parents and my aunt and uncle, who start following us. We reach the truck and Jeff jumps into the drivers’ seat while Grayson joins me in the back.
~ Grayson ~
Doctor Bates walks into the room and I stop my pacing. “Right kids, let’s see if your little guy is ready to come out.” He takes a seat between where Huntley’s legs are bent and I hold her hand while we wait. His head pops up and he grins. “Ok Miss Morgan, are you ready?”
My nerves explode as I realize what he’s asking. I was hoping we’d have two more weeks to prepare but it seems our little man is impatient. He’s definitely a Carter.
Her answer is a toe curling scream and she squeezes my hand. “I’m going to need you to push now,” Doctor Bates instructs gently. Huntley starts pushing, taking breaks to catch her breath. After what feels like forever, her face is sweaty and she’s crying from the pain. “Why can’t we get something to help her with the pain?” I yell at the doctor.
“We don’t have time,” he replies calmly. Too calmly.
I look down at Huntley. “You can do this baby.”
She squeezes my hand tighter and fuck me, it hurts, but I’ll do anything to help her through this. “Gray, I can’t, I’m so tired and it hurts so much,” she cries. I clench my free fist to stop myself from punching this damn doctors’ teeth into his throat. I lean in closer and press our foreheads together. “Yes you can baby. I need you to give it all you’ve got one last time. For our son.”
She sniffs and her whole body tightens as she braces herself. She screams one last time, giving it everything she’s got. When a baby’s cry pierces the room, she sinks back into the bed, tears streaming down her face. My whole world stops the first time I hear him cry and suddenly everything else seems insignificant. The nurses grab him and clean him up while Doctor Bates gets Huntley cleaned up.
I kiss Huntley deeply, our tears mixing. “You did it,” I whisper against her lips. “You’re incredible. I love you so fucking much.”
Her shaky hands cup my face. “I love you too.”
Huntley sits up, exhausted, as a nurse comes to stand on the other side of her bed. She places our baby in Huntley’s arms and the sight has me crying like a girl. “Hi little man,” she whispers, looking down at our son. “I’m your Mommy. Your Daddy and I have been waiting for you.” She kisses his forehead and I watch the tears stream down her face.
Her face is sweaty and her hair is a complete mess. But she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Especially now, holding our son.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Would you like to meet your son?”
I think I nod. Huntley passes him to me and as if he knows I’m his father, his little eyes open. They’re blue, like Huntley’s’, but his little mop of hair is dark like mine. We stare at each other for the longest time and when his little hand wraps around my index finger, my heart jumps out of my chest and runs around the room.
“Do you have a name for him yet?” the nurse asks.
Huntley smiles as she answers. “Hunter Gray Carter.”
“Welcome to the world Hunter Gray Carter,” I say softly, watching Hunter watch me. “We’re so happy to finally meet you. Your mommy and I both love you very much.” He yawns, his small mouth pouting as his tiny eyelids drop.
There’s a light knock on the door and when it opens, my mother, Mrs. Coach and Demi come in, followed by my father, Coach Morgan and Brody.
“Holy shit,” Brody whispers. “He’s so fucking small.”
Demi smacks his shoulder, “Don’t cuss in front of the baby!”
My mother kisses my cheek and looks down at Hunter. “He’s beautiful,” she wipes a stray tear. “Can I?” I hand him to her and take a seat next to Huntley on the hospital bed. My father and Coach Morgan get emotional when they see Hunter, and I chuckle at the sight of them wiping away their tears.
Huntley watches the people around us, our crazy family, and smiles when she catches me watching her. “What?”
I lean in close, “I want another one.” I kiss her.
“Me too,” she murmurs against my lips. “But you can give birth to the next one.”
“You were amazing,” I whisper. “You’ve given me the second most amazing gift.”