“I need to push.”
She screamed as she entered the hospital. Within seconds, nurses were around her, asking her what was going on.
The next part was a bit of a blur as she was moved into a private room. Her clothing was removed, her legs were put up, and a doctor was between her thighs.
“You need to push, Eliza, so push.”
The pain was intense. The need to push was out of this world and she did so.
“You’re doing really good,” James said.
She collapsed against him the moment she was out of air, crying. Perspiration dripped from her. She wanted everything to stop.
James held her hands, squeezing them tightly, giving her an avenue to think clearly, and to hold on to him, desperate to feel something.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you,” he said, over and over, trying to help her, but it wasn’t doing any good.
“Another push. Come on, Eliza. Nearly there.”
Did they even know how painful this was? How hard it was to keep on pushing?
She leaned forward and pushed again. This time, a scream came, not her own. The sound of a newborn child filled the air and Eliza collapsed to the bed. Her heart raced and James kissed her head. She watched the nurses prepare her.
“You did it, baby,” James said. “You really did it.”
She couldn’t close her eyes.
The nurse came over and smiled. Her little girl was wrapped in a blanket. Tears filled her eyes as she was handed her baby daughter. Part of her had doubted the love that she’d feel for her little girl, but staring down into her beautiful face, she was overcome with so much love and joy and everything in between.
“Hello, sweet girl,” she said. Her voice was hoarse from the screaming. “I’m your mommy.”
“And I’m your daddy.”
She looked up at her husband and smiled. “I didn’t call you too many names, did I?”
“No, nothing. Believe me. We can handle anything.” He kissed the top of her head.
“She’s finally here,” she said. “And she’s so beautiful.”
“I’ll be shooting a lot of boys when it comes to her.”
Eliza laughed. “No, she’s going to be the boss of them, every single step of the way. She’ll be the one in charge, won’t you, my darling?”
Her little girl opened her eyes, and she sighed. This was even better than she imagined.
“I don’t think we should be having another kid any time soon. I don’t think I can handle it,” James said.
“We’ll see.” Every single dad had said the same at the parent classes, and she’d seen the look in the women’s eyes. More kids would follow.
Epilogue
Fifteen years later
“Come on, kids, get your asses down here. We’re all heading out to camp now,” James yelled at the top of his lungs for his five kids to hear.
His oldest daughter, Darla, was sulking because she wanted to spend the summer at her friends’, but he’d also caught her texting with some boy, and she’d gotten her ass grounded. Nope, no daughter of his was going to be texting boys. Not happening.
His youngest girl, Bernice, came rushing downstairs. She was a tomboy and had tried to cut her pigtails off, but he’d warned her not to. Otherwise, he’d dismantle the climbing frame she loved so much in the yard.
Peter and Howard, his two boys, came next. One was into sports, and the other liked his books. Finally, Russel, his oldest son, thirteen years old and drawing tattoos on his arms. His hair was a mess, and he was their rebel of a son. At times, he reminded him of Caleb when they were kids.
He’d caught the kid smoking a couple of months ago, and for his troubles, he had him working so hard, the kid hadn’t touched another cigarette. Five o’clock wakeup calls hadn’t appealed to him.
“Camping is lame.”
“So is your attitude.”
He now understood what his parents had put up with.
At least Russel hadn’t disrespected his mom. In fact, all of the kids doted on their mother, but Eliza had taken to motherhood so damn quick. She was always there for them with their homework, whatever after-school activity they wanted to do. She baked for the school, for the kids, arranged birthday parties.
He knew she was one of the most-loved moms.
“We’re all ready,” she said, coming out of the kitchen with her arms full of food they were taking for the camping trip.
Without waiting for instruction, Russel took the food from her and made his way outside.
She smiled up at him. “Are you really sure about this camping trip? The kids are going to hate it.”
“Away from civilization, no wi-fi, and getting back to nature. It’s what we all did as kids. Believe me, and with my brothers coming as well, it’s going to be a madhouse. The bonus, they’re going to be babysitting so I can show my wife some loving.”
“Just remember what happens every single time we have some loving together.” She ended up pregnant.
“I’m game if you are.”
“I’m always game for you.”
“Come on, Dad. Get this lame show on the road,” Darla said.
“Remember when she was just a cute little bundle of joy that had just come out of your vagina?”
“Please don’t embarrass her again.”
“We’ll see.” He’d turned into the embarrassing dad, but he loved his kids, his wife, and his family.
He’d been the first Hard boy to fall, but he certainly hadn’t been the last.
The End