Woman Up (Port Ranch Book #2)

Chapter 36

BEV

“Hold on, I need to take a picture first.” All I wanted to do was leave this hospital behind me, but my dad insisted on taking pictures at every point of the moment today.

“How many more pictures do you need, Dad?” Brielle was obviously over the paparazzi session too.

“No kidding, you have taken a year’s worth already,” I agreed with her.

“Just one more after this. Walker, Mitch get in there with the girls.”

Mitch jumped up quickly and stood behind Brielle, but Walker hesitated. “Are you sure? I’m sure you just want one with your kids.”

Dad motioned him forward. “Don’t be silly, you’re officially one of my kids now whether you like it or not. Get in there, son, come on.”

After some convincing from everybody in the room, Walker stood behind me, next to Mitch, and gently placed his hand on my shoulder. When everybody got their pictures, we were finally able to leave. Two nights was long enough. The staff was great and the nurses were amazing, but I wanted my bed and my space. I know Brielle was feeling the same way.

I can only imagine how silly we look leaving the hospital. Brielle and I are in our wheelchairs. Mitch and Walker are carrying Clementine and Graham in their car seats and the whole Port family follows closely behind. Britt and Brooke had gone ahead to pull our vehicles forward so we wouldn’t have to wait.

I stayed in the wheelchair until Graham’s infant seat was clicked safely into the base that was installed in my truck while I was in the hospital. I slowly stood and made my way to the truck. Walker was so gentle with me as he helped me climb into the truck. My entire body hurt, even sitting hurt. Apparently, it’s no fun when a baby comes into the world too quickly.

“You good?” Walker checked in with me once I was buckled in.

“Yeah, I can just already feel my boobs starting to hurt again.”

“I guess we better get you home then, huh?”

“Yeah, that would be good.”

We wave at our family before driving off, which is hilarious considering both trucks are heading back to the ranch. Brielle and Mitch will be settling into their own place, but I’ll be headed to the big house and back to my childhood bedroom. I don’t intend to fall asleep on the drive home, but before I know it, Walker is waking me up.

“We’re home, beautiful.”

Walker’s kiss on my temple wakes me from my quick nap. I look over at him and take in his handsome face. He usually keeps a short beard, but it is a bit crazy right now because he’s spent most of the last few days at the hospital. I reach out to touch his face, to feel him. “Thank you for everything, Walker.”

“You don’t need to keep saying thank you, Bev.”

“Yes, I do. I can’t get over how you’ve just stepped up. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised seeing how you stepped up with Miles, but you’ve just been right there every step of the way and it just warms my heart.”

“You keep thanking me for doing something special, but all I’m doing is loving you, baby. I didn’t just love your beautiful face or your hot little body.”

I snort a laugh. “Little?”

“Don’t you even go there, you just gave birth after growing a baby, but don’t think I’ve forgotten what you looked like before. Plus, even with the baby belly you still have a nice ass and I won’t pretend like I didn’t notice.”