She wipes my face, tucking a tissue in my hand. "Then tell me why he wouldn't be the perfect man to guide this child, by your side, through this life?"
"He would be wonderful at it; his love is so complete and perfect." I sob, unleashing all the pain that sit and fester, rotting my heart and making me bitter and afraid.
She crawls into the floor, sitting in front of me. "Malone is the father to my unloved, unwanted, fatherless, and utterly blameless children, created by a monster much like the one you know so well. Let Ridge love each of you. This baby deserves a man like Ridge, and so do you, Harper."
Here is where I leave the pain behind and find my freedom. I've run for so long; I forgot to stop and breathe. To allow those who love me, to love me.
After a good long cry, we venture down for me to say my thank yous and goodbyes to all my guests. I hug my family, and hold Lea a little longer than I should, but she doesn't seem to mind.
When the door closes and the last person leaves, I scan the room and all the love showered upon me and my little basketball. "Well, Baby J if nothing else, someone loves us."
I'm hit with a sharp pain in my lower back. I waddle over to the nearest chair, hoping to get to it before the pain knocks me to the floor. But I'm brought up short when I step forward, and into a puddle beneath my feet.
"Oh, God. No! Oh, please baby, not now." I scream as the pain cripples me and I blackout. My ears are ringing, I know I'm still awake but can't find my bearings.
"Harper!" I hear my name, and I try to answer but nothing comes out. Cool hands are on each side of my face, as the calm voice calls me back to the here and now.
"Harper. Baby, I need you to focus on my voice." Ridge's voice is calm, I try to focus on it. Suddenly, I feel myself being lifted from the floor.
"I'm wet. My clothes are ruined, I'll mess up the seats in the truck."
He presses his cheek against mine. "Our baby is coming, and I don't care about anything but y'all. I'll buy you more if needed."
"You said our baby." My face, already soaked with sweat, is now mixed with tears.
He presses his lips to my forehead. "Yes, our baby. No more running or pushing each other away. I'm an ass, and I'm so sorry."
"I love you, Ridge." As I utter his name, his face comes into view.
"I love the both of you." He sits me in and buckles me up. "I know this is uncomfortable, but I promise to drive the way you taught me."
"Please don't make me crazy!" I lay my hand on his face.
He kisses me sweetly. "You drive me crazy all the time baby, and I love it."
"How did you find us?"
He side eyes me. "I was watching you. I'm always close, and I really wanted to know how you liked the crib."
"I love it. I'm sorry I'm so emotional, I can't stop crying." I have no control over the way I'm reacting to everything. They're everywhere, but Ridge doesn't miss a beat.
"It's all good, sweetheart. Let's get to the hospital." He winks, shuts the door and bolts to the other side and slides behind the wheel. His hand takes mine as he smashes the pedal to the floor, racing toward the emergency room.
I squeeze his fingers with each major shock to my system. "How in the hell do women do this without drugs? I want all the pain meds, Ridge. All. Of. Them!"
"You can have anything you want." He nods in agreement, and I break into a fit of tears.
"No! No drugs. Baby already thinks no one loves it and what if they alter its brain?" I sob uncontrollably.
Ridge cuts his eyes at me. "Harper, the baby knows you love it. Look what you went through to bring it into the world. Stop fretting, you're going to make yourself sick."
"But the drugs?" My brows knit in fear.
He shakes his head with a chuckle. "I don't think they work that way, baby."
"Okay." I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. "Ridge?"
"Yes, love?" His voice is soft and sweet but most of all reassuring.
"Please take care of us. I need you more than I can ever tell you. I love you, and this baby, more than all the words in the world." He lifts my dry hand to his mouth, pressing it to his lips.
"I've got you both, I have enough love to give each of you."
He pulls into the hospital bay, slamming the truck in park. He's out and around to my door before I can move. I've begun those damn breathing techniques.
They. Do. Not. Work.
Ridge, once again, has me in his arms and is running through the doors at lightning speed. "Help! We're having a baby!"
"We're having a baby." I gaze into his eyes, and a calm like no other settles over me.
"Yes, gorgeous. We're having a baby."
"Hey, Dad! Come through here and let's get y'all ready." A nurse waves us through the doors of the emergency room.
Ridge races toward her, and into the first room. I'm stripped and checked immediately, but there's no more time. I take Ridge by the hand, and we welcome our child into the world.
With a little more than a push, and several more tears, I gaze at Ridge as he cradles a baby in his arms. His wet face only pales in comparison to the look in his eyes as he gazes at the bundle.
"She's breathtaking." His breath hitches, and our eyes lock. “I love you, Harper and if you’ll allow me, I’ll love you both with all of my heart. We have a little girl. I have a daughter."
“I’ve been wondering how I cold deserve you, but bow I know it’s that we deserve each other. All three of us.” Ridge's love is so overwhelming, the entire room is in awe of him as he beams with pride. I have to agree with him. "You're right, she's perfect."
"I've only loved one woman, baby girl. Daddy's gonna tell you a little secret, you're gonna be Momma's world but you'll be daddy's girl. Forever."
"I love you, Ridge."
He leans in, kissing me. "I love you. Thank you for this incredible life, Harper."
"Thank you for loving us." I press my lips to his.
"Marry me." His eyes glisten and I can't resist. "Please, allow me to be your husband and our daughter's father. Forever, Harper."
"I thought you'd never ask." He kisses our girl, and then finds my mouth, as he always has. "Forever."
The next few days fly by, we still need to tell our families we said yes to forever. We also need to tell them what we've named our daughter. Today, we're doing both.
"Hey, y'all." Ridge smiles so brightly; it lights the room. "We are so thrilled to have you here with us today. As you know, Little Miss decided to make a grand entrance, several weeks early. Having them both home means the world to me.
"This ole tree house we're standing under is where I met this stunning woman standing beside me. I've never loved another until now." Ridge presses his lips to her head and then to my lips.
I smile with a blush. "Please welcome Leighton Avery Willis to the world."
"Willis? You're a Jennings?" Landon yells from the crowd.
With my hand in Ridge's, I hold it up, showing the sparkling diamond to the world. "Not for long!"