My nerves explode as I realize what he’s asking. I was hoping we’d have two more weeks to prepare but it seems our little man is impatient. He’s definitely a Carter.
Her answer is a toe curling scream and she squeezes my hand. “I’m going to need you to push now,” Doctor Bates instructs gently. Huntley starts pushing, taking breaks to catch her breath. After what feels like forever, her face is sweaty and she’s crying from the pain. “Why can’t we get something to help her with the pain?” I yell at the doctor.
“We don’t have time,” he replies calmly. Too calmly.
I look down at Huntley. “You can do this baby.”
She squeezes my hand tighter and fuck me, it hurts, but I’ll do anything to help her through this. “Gray, I can’t, I’m so tired and it hurts so much,” she cries. I clench my free fist to stop myself from punching this damn doctors’ teeth into his throat. I lean in closer and press our foreheads together. “Yes you can baby. I need you to give it all you’ve got one last time. For our son.”
She sniffs and her whole body tightens as she braces herself. She screams one last time, giving it everything she’s got. When a baby’s cry pierces the room, she sinks back into the bed, tears streaming down her face. My whole world stops the first time I hear him cry and suddenly everything else seems insignificant. The nurses grab him and clean him up while Doctor Bates gets Huntley cleaned up.
I kiss Huntley deeply, our tears mixing. “You did it,” I whisper against her lips. “You’re incredible. I love you so fucking much.”
Her shaky hands cup my face. “I love you too.”
Huntley sits up, exhausted, as a nurse comes to stand on the other side of her bed. She places our baby in Huntley’s arms and the sight has me crying like a girl. “Hi little man,” she whispers, looking down at our son. “I’m your Mommy. Your Daddy and I have been waiting for you.” She kisses his forehead and I watch the tears stream down her face.
Her face is sweaty and her hair is a complete mess. But she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Especially now, holding our son.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Would you like to meet your son?”
I think I nod. Huntley passes him to me and as if he knows I’m his father, his little eyes open. They’re blue, like Huntley’s’, but his little mop of hair is dark like mine. We stare at each other for the longest time and when his little hand wraps around my index finger, my heart jumps out of my chest and runs around the room.
“Do you have a name for him yet?” the nurse asks.
Huntley smiles as she answers. “Hunter Gray Carter.”
“Welcome to the world Hunter Gray Carter,” I say softly, watching Hunter watch me. “We’re so happy to finally meet you. Your mommy and I both love you very much.” He yawns, his small mouth pouting as his tiny eyelids drop.
There’s a light knock on the door and when it opens, my mother, Mrs. Coach and Demi come in, followed by my father, Coach Morgan and Brody.
“Holy shit,” Brody whispers. “He’s so fucking small.”
Demi smacks his shoulder, “Don’t cuss in front of the baby!”
My mother kisses my cheek and looks down at Hunter. “He’s beautiful,” she wipes a stray tear. “Can I?” I hand him to her and take a seat next to Huntley on the hospital bed. My father and Coach Morgan get emotional when they see Hunter, and I chuckle at the sight of them wiping away their tears.
Huntley watches the people around us, our crazy family, and smiles when she catches me watching her. “What?”
I lean in close, “I want another one.” I kiss her.
“Me too,” she murmurs against my lips. “But you can give birth to the next one.”
“You were amazing,” I whisper. “You’ve given me the second most amazing gift.”
She frowns slightly. “What’s the first?”
“You.”
Epilogue
2 months later
Huntley
I roll over and find the bed next to me empty. The clock next our bed reads four am and I frown, wondering where Grayson is.
I climb out of bed and walk down the hallway to Hunters’ nursery. When I walk in, Grayson is sitting in the recliner in the corner cradling Hunter in his arms. I lean against the door and silently watch him with our son. I overhear him talking about the day we met and the memory makes me smile. Who knew after that day we would end up here?
Like he can feel me watching him, Grayson looks up and gives me his full dimpled smile. I return it and walk in until I’m standing next to him. He moves Hunter and then pats his leg, motioning for me to sit down. I curl into his lap, Hunter resting between us. “Hey Momma,” he says quietly. “We were just talking about you.”
I chuckle, watching Hunters’ eyes light up at the sound of Graysons’ voice. “I heard. What are you boys doing up so late?”
“I heard him crying through the baby monitor and I wanted to let you sleep so I thought I’d come hang with my little man for a while.”