Thrive - Side 2

I turned off my alarm and saw Abby walking toward the bathroom.

“Abby?” I mumbled.

“About to step into the shower.”

“You hear anything?”

“No. Not even about their parents.”

“I’m sure within a few hours, we will.”

“Wanna join me? We’ll get out of the house faster.”

“Always.” I said, sliding out of bed.

She undressed and turned on the water, adjusting it to the right temperature when I slid my arms around her.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning. Ready to get in?” she asked.

“Feeling good?” I asked, noticing the look on her face.

“Feeling great.”

She stood on her toes and kissed me.

“I can tell.” I said, backing her against the wall.

Fuck.

“You sure? It’s pretty early.”

“It’s never too early to make love to you.”

My erection was pressing on his thigh and so close to her opening that she moaned. She wrapped her arms around my neck while I lifted her up and she gradually locked her legs around my waist.

“I love you so much, Alex.” she cried out as I moved in and out of her rather lovingly.

“I love you, too, Abby.” I said in a low voice.

“Oh, fuck.”

She held my face in her hands as she feverishly kissed me. She dug her claws into me as she was on the cusp of an orgasm.

“That was amazing.” she said into my chest once I set her down.

“You can say that again.” I said into her hair.

We showered in ten minutes and were out in a half hour. Abby got a call from Miranda’s mom on our way to the hospital.

“Hello?”

“Hey Abby. We’re about to get off the plane. I’m assuming you and Alex are already heading to the hospital.”

“We are. Do you know about Jack’s parents? Are they there yet?”

“We don’t and don’t know whether or not we should wait for them to catch a taxi.”

“We can come get you guys. It’s fine.”

“You sure?”

“It is. I’ll pick them up.” I added.

“Yes.”

“You two are so sweet. See you, soon!”

She hung up with a smile.

“Guess I’m headed to the hospital. No offense to her parents, but it would’ve been nice to have a heads up.”

“I’m sure they didn’t wanna wake us up.”

“Still.”

“I get it.”

Ten minutes later, we were at the hospital.

“I’ll see you soon. Love you.” I said before she got out of the car.

“Love you, too.”

“Let me know if anything happens. Ok?”

“Ok.”

She got out of the car and walked toward the building. About an hour later, I called Abby.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“What’s up?”

“We’re on our way. All five of us. Anything new?”

“She’s at seven centimeters. That’s all.”

“Ok. See you, soon.”

“They’re on their way.”

A short time later, I made it back to the hospital with our friends’ parents in tow; I noticed Abby taking a walk when we arrived.

“I forgot to ask how you’re doing. Sorry.”

“That’s okay.”

“No. It’s not.”

She lightly touched my face.

“Trust me. It is. I’m good. I just decided to go take a walk.”

I nodded and she pressed her forehead against mine, smiling. Abby greeted everyone before we all headed into the hospital. We saw Miranda’s doctor head out of their room when we walked down the hall.

“Mom! Dad!” Miranda exclaimed.

Jack greeted his parents in a similar manner as I leaned up against Alex.

“So, we just saw your doctor. What’s going on?”

“I’m at ten centimeters.”

“I’m assuming we’re gonna need to head to the waiting room.” her mom said.

“Yeah. I was told when you guys arrived, you could only say a quick hello.”

“We’ll be out here. I love you, baby girl.”

Seconds later, they were out the door, but Abby still gave her one last hug before she left. She met me right outside the door; she smiled and leaned up against me.

“I’m ready for a nap already.” she said once we sat down.

“Go ahead. I’ll be right here.” I said running a hand through her hair.

My hand traveled to her bump and I drifted off in seconds. The loud sound of footsteps running down the hall woke Abby up.

“Are you here for Miranda Cullen?”

“Yeah.” her mom said.

“The baby’s here and he’s healthy.”

“Can we go see him?”

“Yes, but immediate family first.”

As in, not us. Abby sat back and sighed.

“How did I sleep through all that?” she asked once they were gone.

“You really must’ve been tired.”

“Was she screaming at all?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow. I really was, but I’m glad I didn’t have to hear all that and I’m sorry you did. You’re guaranteed to hear that in a few months.”

I sighed.

“I’m terrified about the pain. I really am. The worse pain I’ve experienced is the emotional kind.” she said, squeezing my hand.

“You’re a badass. You can handle it.”

She laughed.

“I hope your hand can because I’ll be squeezing it like crazy.”

I laughed.

“I’ll be fine.”

Ten minutes or so later, we were able to meet the baby.

“Hey, guys.” I said.

“Hi.” an exhausted Miranda said.

“How are you? Besides tired, that is?”

“The happiest I’ve ever been. Would you like to hold your nephew?”

“Of course. What’s his name?” she asked with her handing him to Abby.

“Luca Mason Barakat.”

“What a wonderful name for such an adorable baby.” my beloved said, smiling.

He did have Jack’s eyebrows, but damn, was the kid cute. She looked over at me and I was smiling at her. Luca gurgled at her which caused her to giggle.

“I’m your Aunt Abby and I’m gonna spoil you. Ready to hold him, Uncle Alex?”

I nodded.

“Hey kiddo. Sorry you have your daddy’s eyebrows, but at least you’re rocking them better than him.”

Everyone laughed, including Jack.

I was over the moon as I held my nephew; I could not wait till I held my own child in my arms; fifteen more weeks feels likes a lifetime away. Luca latching onto my finger made that feeling stronger.

“Wow. You have such a stronghold there, kiddo.”

When we handed him back to Miranda, Abby kissed me.

“I love you.” she said.

“I love you, too.”

She wrapped her arms around my upper torso causing her to laugh.

“Now, we just have to wait for Baby Scarlett.” I said.

She smiled and buried her face in my chest with me kissing the top of her head. We spent a handful of hours longer before heading back to the house.

"So, what a day, huh?" she asked once we were in bed.

"A big day." I said, smiling.

"I'm exhausted now and instead of us doing something tomorrow, I have to work."

She made a face and sighed into her pillow.

"We have tomorrow night, though."

"That we do. Goodnight. Love you."

"Love you, too. Goodnight."

Notes