“Push, sweetness, keep pushing—he’s almost out.”
“Grrrr…”
“That’s it, baby, just like that. He’s almost completely out. Just give me one more big push.”
My thoughts ran rampant, thinking about this new life coming into our lives. I was powerless to hold back the unexpected rush of emotions with seeing my son being born into the world.
Just as the thought occurred, I grabbed our son, instantly hearing, “Wah! Wah! Wah!” loud and clear in the room, instantly making his presence known.
Kinley fell back against the bed as I held our son in my arms for a brief moment before proceeding with checking him over.
“Christian, is he okay?” Kinley questioned, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
I brought him to her, laying him on her chest. “He’s perfect.”
Everything that happened next was in slow motion. I watched Kinley hold him close to her heart with tears in my eyes as they streamed down her beautiful face.
This day changed our lives in ways I never saw coming.
We were finally a family.
I kissed Kinley all over her face, feeling so fucking proud of my girl. “You did amazing, baby. You’re such a good girl.”
“I can’t believe he’s finally here. We’ve wanted this for so long.”
“I know. I can’t believe it either.”
“I’m so sorry, Christian. For everything. I never wanted to get a divorce, I just didn’t want you to not have this. I know you’ve wanted to be a father since we were kids.”
“We’re long past that. We got him, baby. We got our boy.”
She smiled, kissing his head. “You have no idea how loved you are and how long we’ve waited for you. We love you so much, Asher.”
“Asher,” my RN repeated. “What a unique name, Dr. Troy. I love it.”
I nodded, smiling. “It means a gift of hope.”
Which was exactly what he was.
—Kinley—
Our lives had done a complete three-sixty in the matter of a week. I had everything I'd ever wanted, and it felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.
“Okay, Asher. Dad’s here now. No more crying.”
I listened to Christian, grabbing him out of his bassinet in our bedroom. It was well into the night, and he’d woke up for his feeding. Our little man had quite an appetite, practically living on my boob.
I laughed at the thought.
He cooed and kicked his chubby little legs. He listened to everything his daddy was saying, like it was the most important thing in the world. He looked exactly like Christian, making another dream of mine come true.
I couldn’t help smiling at the life we’d created together. He was so fucking perfect.
“Hey, when are you going to share him?” I teased, watching as he rocked him around the room.
“We’re having our man time.”
“Man time, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m teaching him about all the ways of the world.”
“Oh, are you going to teach him everything you know?”
“You mean how to make a woman beg for his coc—”
“Christian!”
He chuckled. “Your mom doesn’t have to know about our man chats. It can just stay with us.”
“That’s not fair. I want to know too.”
“You know your mom is the only woman I’ve ever loved?”
I beamed.
“She’s had me by the balls since I was fifteen-years-old.”
“Oh my God!”
“There was just something about your momma I couldn’t get enough of. We’ve been together for twenty-one years. That’s a very long time, little man. One day when you’re older, I’ll tell you all about how I was her first kiss, her first touch, the only man she’s ever been with.”
“Christian! Why don’t you tell him about all the girls you’ve been with before me? Huh? How much you got around?”
We locked eyes.
“I don’t remember anything before you, sweetness.”
“Charmer.”
“Let’s see, what else can I tell you? Well, your mom is the love of my life. She has been since I first laid eyes on her, and you’ve seen your momma—she’s a fucking stunner.”
I shook my head, giggling.
“She’s my everything. I protected her like I’ll protect you. You are so loved, Asher. You’re our miracle, son.”
My eyes rimmed with tears.
“You’re everything we ever wanted, and I can’t wait to start making more memories with you. But first, let’s talk about this pain in the ass named Jax.”
I laughed, throwing my head back.
“I won’t be upset if you don’t like him.”
“Wah!”
“Yeah, see, you get it. He’s your mom’s best friend.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re my best friend, Christian.”
“Is that right?”
“Mmm hmm...”
“And what does that make Jax?”
“My other best friend. I can have two, you know?”
He looked back at our son. “I think when you meet him for the first time, you should take a giant shit and throw up on him.”
I laughed so hard, my stomach began hurting. “You’re horrible.”
“Wah!”
“I think he’s hungry now. Bring him over to me so I can feed him.”
“Fine. When do you think I can have your mom’s tits again? Because they were mine first, little man.”
I shook my head. “The things you say to him.”
“What? It’s our man chats.”
He placed him in my arms, and for the next thirty minutes we just laid there in awe of him.
Christian was the first to break the silence. “I love you, Kinley.”
I smiled, looking over at him. “I love you too.”
“After all these years, I can’t believe we’re finally here. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment? Seeing you holding our baby?”
“Probably about the same number of times I did.”
“This would have never happened if you didn’t come over that night.”
He confidently nodded. “Yes, it would have.”
“Christian, we were going before the judge.”
“Yeah, but I was never going to let you go. I might have signed those papers just to appease you, but I would have dragged you out of that courthouse kicking and screaming.”
“Why is it that I believe you?”
“Because you know how much I mean it.”
“So what you’re saying is you would have kidnapped me?”
“Amongst other things.”
“And what other things are you implying?”
“I would have locked you in our home until you came to your senses.”
“Wow. That sounds so romantic.”
“I do what I can.”
“And what else?”
“You would have been my sex slave, and I would have been coming inside you, day and night, trying to knock you up until I did.”
“Hmm … interesting.”