Nicole was right, but I would never ask my friends to leave. Suddenly, my eyes felt heavy and I was floating into a peaceful state of relaxation, a peaceful state of relief that everything would be fine.

After they left, Matthew took my hand. There was so much I wanted to tell him, but my eyes were closing and my body felt limp, hopefully drifting into a peaceful rest. “Matthew,” I mumbled. Matthew leaned closer to my mouth. My voice was hardly audible. I wasn’t even sure if he could hear me. “I’m ready.”

Matthew brushed his fingers through my hair, making me even sleepier. The feel of his touch and the serene feeling he was producing from his actions were making me fall deeper. “After the baby is born and the doctor says all is good. I’ll be ready to officially be your wife.” I wasn’t sure if those words left my mouth, but for sure that was what I wanted to tell him. I figured I was successful even knowing my eyes were closed by now. Matthew pressed his lips on mine and I heard the sweetest sounds. “I love you, Becca.”

I love you, too. Those were the words I wanted to say, but I couldn’t. I was already knocked out.

Chapter 35

Becky

I couldn’t believe the day was finally here. My baby and I did great. We held on until the cesarean date. I looked like a balloon and my body felt so heavy to move, but that would disappear in time.

After the doctor gave me an epidural shot on my spine, which I couldn’t believe I felt no pain from, I started to go numb below my waist. When I saw the size of the needle, I was glad I hadn’t seen it before. I probably would have refused it.

“My family, your parents, Jenna, and Max are in the waiting room. Do you feel anything?” Matthew asked, walking in. The doctor had asked him to fill out more forms in addition to the ones I had already signed.

It had been so long since Matthew and I had sex, I wondered how he was holding up, because all I could think of at that moment were perverted thoughts when I saw him. He looked so delicious, all dressed up in blue scrubs—just like the doctor—I wanted to strip them off him. “I feel something. I want something,” I said in my most seductive voice.

Matthew chuckled. “Don’t say that, Becca. You’re flat on your back with an easy access hospital gown on. All I have to do is just pull that string and I could see all of you.” His hand slipped down to my breast, causing me to gasp. He gave me a slow kiss that would have produced all sorts of funny tingles down my legs; however, I couldn’t feel anything now on my lower half.

When the sound of footsteps approached, Matthew made sure I wasn’t exposed and stepped aside.

“We’re all ready for you,” Dr. Frances said. He was dressed the same as Matthew. More people came in and pulled the bed I was on. “Matthew, since this isn’t an emergency situation, you may be in the same room.”

“Don’t worry, Doc. I don’t plan on missing a thing.”

Matthew

I had no interest in seeing Becca’s gut, so I held onto her hands, gazing into her eyes while hovering at the side. She would open and close her eyes, sometimes squinting them. “Are you in pain? Do you feel what they’re doing?”

“No. I’m just anxious.”

“Me, too.” I wanted to keep her mind occupied. “I think I’m going to steal your gown and mine so we can play doctor and patient. What do you think?” I got a loud snort out of her.

“I think that’s a great idea, ’cause I want to do a whole bunch of nasty things to you, Doctor Knight. I’ll be a good patient and do whatever you’ve been dreaming of and wanting to do for the past couple of months. You’ve been so patient and enduring.”

That sounded way too hot to my ears. Whispering to each other and flirting like this was driving me crazy. My dick was straining in my pants. I had to turn off my emotions or we would be that couple the doctor and nurses would remember forever.

“It’s a—” I heard a voice begin. Becky’s eyes grew wide. I stood up and turned to the sound. That was fast.

“You have a beautiful daughter, Mr. Knight.”

I knew I was going to have a daughter, but seeing her in front of me was a whole different, amazing feeling. Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do until the nurse handed her to Becca.

“Hello there, little one,” Becca cooed.

All I could see was her face, but that was enough to break me down. Whatever I had been feeling, this depth of happiness filled me completely. Since they had just taken her out and hadn’t cleaned her thoroughly yet, she still had some smudge of white stuff on her face that looked like white cream.

“She’s beautiful,” I said softly, afraid that if I spoke any louder I would scare her. Her eyes were wide, and a glistening chestnut brown. She was alert and staring back at us.

“We’re your mommy and daddy. And we love you so much. Your two sets of grandparents, Auntie Rachel and Jenna, and Uncle Max are waiting in the waiting room. They can’t wait to meet you.” Becca paused. “You did it. You held on for us. I’m so proud of you.” A teardrop fell from Becca’s eye and I couldn’t keep my eyes from tearing, too. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing in front of me. She looked like a little angel sent from Heaven just for us. She was healthy and perfect.

“I love you,” I said to Becca, and kissed her check. “I love you, too.” I kissed my daughter’s cheek. “Thanks for being so strong.”

Becca and I stood there, frozen, and couldn’t stop staring at our miracle, the miracle that had a slim chance of surviving, of making it through as far as she did. She was a fighter for sure.