Love Me: Oakville Series:Book 5 (33 page)

A
s I stand here with my best friends, my brothers, right beside me, I can’t help but feel like the luckiest man alive. The beach is behind us as the sun slowly sets. A large arch is over us, decorated with white and purple fragrant flowers. There are a few rows of chairs for our guests. When the music starts, my throat tightens. Not from nerves, though. I’m anxious to see her. I watch as the bridesmaids start down the aisle in their lavender sundresses. The Wedding March plays and I see her. My knees weaken at the sight of the stunning woman walking toward me. This woman is going to be mine for the rest of my life. Our eyes never leave each other as Chase escorts her down the aisle.

My boy looks so grown up and handsome as he leads Lexi down the aisle. I was so proud of him when he came to me this morning and asked who was walking Lexi down. He said he knows it’s supposed to be a bride’s father, but he didn’t want Lexi being upset on her wedding day. He most definitely inherited his mother’s big heart. When they both reach me, Lexi leans down, kisses Chase on the cheek, and thanks him. His face turns red. I shake his hand and he takes his place next to the guys.

Taking Lexi’s hands in mine, I mouth, “I love you,” and watch as she does it back. The ceremony is short and sweet. When the minister announces I can kiss my bride, I don’t hesitate. I lock lips with her and dip her back. Everyone around us cheers and hollers. As I’m setting her upright, a cool breeze begins to blow. It only lasts a second, but comes out of nowhere. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as goose bumps spread across my skin. I look at Lexi and she smiles.

“Thank you, Taryn. I promise to take care of them just as you would,” Lexi whispers up to the clouds, and I can’t hold back my tears. I love this woman even more than I did just a few minutes ago. She understands Taryn will always be in my heart and she’s okay with it. In fact, she encourages it. I wouldn’t doubt Taryn had a hand in bringing us Lexi.

I
write a math problem on the board and a small contraction hits. After taking a deep breath, I continue my lesson. There’s still two hours left of class and I need to push through. Besides, it’s most likely Braxton Hicks anyway. My due date is still two weeks away. By the time I get to the last problem, I’ve had two more contractions.

“I think we are gonna take a break. You can either read or write in your journals,” I tell them and take a seat behind my desk as another contraction hits. This one is more intense. I note the time so I can see how far apart they are. Just when I think it’s over, I feel a gush of liquid between my legs. I look out over the class, trying to see if anyone noticed, and luckily, the only one looking my way is Chase. Even though he is no longer in my class, he still continues to work on the Lego City we started when his new teacher allows. He has been watching me with a worried expression all day, and right now, it’s no different. He knows something is up. I motion with my head for him to come up to my desk.

“Chase, I’m in labor,” I state, and watch his eyes widen in shock. “I need you to go to the office and tell Mrs. Rivers I need someone to take my class. Let her know I’m calling an ambulance myself.” He nods and bolts from the room. Dialing 911, I tell them what is going on as a massive contraction that has me wanting to scream obscenities hits me. Oh shit. They are only a few minutes apart. How the hell did this happen so fast?

Chase comes back with Mrs. Rivers and a wheel chair. He helps me into it as Mrs. Rivers gathers my class to go out to recess. They all wish me luck as they walk out the door. I decide to text Marcus as Chase wheels me to the front of the school to meet the ambulance.

Me: I’m in labor. Meet me at the hospital. Chase is with me.

It only takes a few seconds for his reply.

Marcus: Are you okay? Is he okay? Wait, how are you getting there? Neither of you are driving, right?

I show this to Chase and we both burst out laughing. “Your dad is freaking out a little,” I tell him. As we wait for the ambulance, Chase helps me through a few more contractions by holding my hand and rubbing my back. This kid is amazing. I am so lucky to be his stepmom.

“Can I ask you something?” He sounds a little nervous.

“Of course, buddy. You can ask me anything,” I assure him.

“Can I call you mom? I know my mom would like you and it wouldn’t bother her at all. I think she would be happy there is someone who loves us just as much as she did.” Tears fall down my cheeks and there’s no stopping them.

“I would love that, Chase,” I tell him. “Nothing would make me...happier.” My stomach tightens with the strongest contraction yet. Poor Chase winces and I realize I’m crushing his little hand. “I’m sorry, buddy,” I apologize, and he laughs.

“You’re pretty strong for a girl.”

“Watch it,” I tease as the ambulance pulls up. Chase quickly wheels me out the door and hands me over to the paramedics. They help me on the gurney and Chase puts the wheelchair back in the lobby of the school.

“Thank you, we’ll take it from here,” a paramedic says to Chase. Before I can say anything, Chase speaks up for himself.

“That’s my mom and I’m going with her,” he growls. I smile. He sounded all alpha male, just like his dad. Marcus would be proud. The paramedic holds his hands up in surrender and grins.

The ride to the hospital is quick. Chase is by my side holding my hand the entire time. As we pull up to the front of the emergency room, I see Marcus and the entire gang waiting outside. They better all plan on waiting in the waiting room. There is no way in hell all those people are watching this delivery and seeing my vajayjay.

M
y heart is racing and I’m freaking out. I can’t believe she’s in labor and I’m not with her. Thankfully, Chase is by her side. At least she’s not completely alone. My boy will take care of her. As soon as the ambulance pulls up, a huge lump forms in my throat. I need to see her so I know she’s okay. The back doors of the ambulance open and the paramedic jumps out. Chase hops down right after him and runs to me.

“She’s good, Dad. I haven’t left her. Her water broke in class and her contractions are about four to five minutes apart. I’ve been helping her breathe, too,” he rushes out. I was right. My boy took care of her just as good as I would have. They roll my girl out and she looks good. In pain, but good.

“Hi, baby. Are you doing okay?” I question, and she smiles.

“I’m good. Our boy made sure of it,” she says, winking over at Chase. He smiles a big toothy smile. I don’t miss the “our boy” part. That’s the first time I’ve heard her refer to him as ours even though she treats him that way all the time.

“Dad, I want to stay with you and mom the whole time, okay? I really want to see my little brother or sister being born.” I look at him, my eyes wide with shock.
Did he just call her mom?
When I look to Lexi, her eyes are filled with tears. She nods her head. I can see how happy this makes her, and I have to say, it makes me pretty happy too.

An hour later, we are in a delivery room. Chase is on one side of the bed holding Lexi’s hand, and I am on the other, doing the same. So far, she has been a trooper, but I can see how exhausted she is.

“One more big push, Lexi, and you’ll be able to meet your baby,” Dr. Delaney encourages. Lexi takes a big breath and begins to push. Chase and I hold her hands and tell her what a good job she’s doing. And then I hear the most beautiful sound in the world. The cry is loud and shrill, but oh so wonderful. I look at the doctor as he holds the baby up for us all to see.

“Congratulations. It’s a girl!” Dr. Delany exclaims. Chase jumps in the air, pumping his fist. Lexi holds out her hand for a high five and I groan. Of course I’m happy with it being a girl, I’m just worried about when she becomes a teenager. Lexi may have to bail my ass out of jail because I assaulted some teenage boy for getting fresh with my daughter. The nurse cleans the baby off, then places her in Lexi’s arms.

“She looks just like you did, little man,” I tell him, and he scrunches up his nose a little. I love this baby already, just as I did the moment I saw Chase. She is going to have us both wrapped around her pretty little pink finger. We all “ohh” and “ahh” over our sweet little princess for a few minutes.

“Would you boys like to know her name?” Lexi asks, and we both nod yes. Lexi and I agreed she would pick the name if it were a girl and I would choose if it were a boy, and neither of us told the other what name we chose. “Her name is Isabella. Isabella Taryn Winters.” Chase and I stare at each other, then down at Isabella. The name fits her perfectly. And the fact that she used Taryn as her middle name makes me love her even more. She is the perfect woman. I never thought I would find someone to love me the way Taryn did. I thought loving someone else would be even more impossible. Thank God, I was so wrong.