Force Of Nature

Epilogue

Christmas Eve

I was determined to make this the best Christmas ever, despite the fact that I was miserable and uncomfortable. I wasn't actually due for a few days, but Ryan and I knew that the baby could come any day now, so for that reason, we were staying home for Christmas. Ryan's family, minus Emma, Cale and the kids, were coming to our house tonight to celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts and tomorrow we would be spending Christmas Day with Megan and Chase, who had begun dating shortly after Thanksgiving. I was looking forward to spending the holiday with them, especially the kids. I may have gone a little overboard on gifts, but I had a lot of years to make up for.

I couldn't help but feel irritable though, and Ryan was only making it worse because he was in such a cheery and playful mood.

Ryan cooked breakfast and we ate. Now we are currently on the couch watching TV, trying to relax. At least I'm trying to relax. Not an easy feat in my condition. I've got my feet propped up on an ottoman. Ryan is sprawled across the couch, legs hanging over the armrest with his head on my belly because he liked to feel her kicks with the side of his face for some crazy reason. I don't know.... he's weird. I'm squirming, adjusting my position, trying to get comfortable. My back hurts, my tailbone hurts, and then he cuts his eyes at me because I'm moving around too much.

"Get up." I say sharply.

"Why? I'm comfortable." He whined, sticking his bottom lip out in an exaggerated pout, which only irritated me more.

"Because I have to pee?"

"Again?" He rolled his eyes, and I resisted the urge to smack him.

"Yes again. You try being 40 weeks pregnant with a baby constantly kicking your bladder." I snapped.

He quickly scrambled out of the way while I struggled to get up so that I could waddle to the bathroom yet again. I swear I'm wearing out the floor.

And then it happened....

"Santa's not the only one coming tonight." I hollered to Ryan.

"Is that a promise? Because I can make you cum baby." He laughed. Leave it to him to be dirty.

"Our daughter has decided she doesn't want to miss Christmas. My water just broke." I finally waddled back into the living room and stared at Ryan waiting for his reaction. I couldn't believe I was so calm about this. Maybe because I was beyond ready for this baby to be born.

"Are you serious?" He asked, and suddenly that calm feeling dissipated and was once again replaced with annoyance.

"No Ryan, I guess I just peed everywhere." I snapped. Then I cried out as a contraction hit me "fuck." I doubled over and tried to breathe through it.

Ryan jumped off the couch like it was on fire. The realization finally hitting him that I was in labor. His teasing was gone, now he was in an odd state of borderline panic, yet calm and composed at the same time as he called the doctor for me since I was doubled over again as another contraction hit.

We were told to come to the hospital immediately.

By the time we got dressed, grabbed my bag and loaded into the car, I had several more contractions, nearly right on top of each other.

We were having this baby today.

********

Fourteen hours later

"You were right. We do make pretty babies together." I smiled as I gazed down at our tiny baby girl snuggled in my arms. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on. My heart was so full.