Second Chance Vow

Needing air.

Water.

Each other.

“I love you, Christian Troy.”

He leaned over, kissing my mouth. “I love you more, Kinley Troy.”

We stayed just like that for I didn’t know how long until I stood up with his help to go clean myself off. The second I was standing, a rush of water gushed out of me.

“I know we haven’t had sex in a really long time, but that can’t be all your come, right?”

He laughed, pulling me into his tight embrace.

“Looks like you got what you wanted. Our son is ready to meet us.”

Chapter 28

Christian

We were at my hospital in a private room, and Kinley was doing amazing. She was sucking on a piece of ice, concentrating on her breathing.

Her contractions were about a minute apart.

“Okay, baby, I need you to push for me. I can see his head crowning.”

“Yes! Please! Get him out now! I’m pushing! I’m pushing!” she panted, squeezing the nurse’s hand as excruciating pain ripped through her body.

“Just a few more pushes, sweetness. I need you to bear down as soon as the next wave of contractions hit. Okay?”

“I got it.”

“Then hold it for a count of ten. Deep breaths in and out after. Just remember to breathe, okay? Our boy will be here before you know it.”

I’d done this hundreds of times at this point, but you wouldn’t think that with how nervous I was. Watching a new life come into this world was such a blessing. I’d wanted this moment for so long, and now that it was finally here, I couldn’t believe it.

Kinley did what I said, grunting and groaning.

“Ugh! I don’t think I can do anymore!”

“You’re doing great, baby. I’m so proud of you. Only a few more pushes, and we will get to meet our son. Whenever you are ready, I need you to bear down again.”

The nurse swept Kinley’s soaking wet hair out of her face as she prepared to push. Things moved pretty quickly after his shoulders popped out. This overwhelming love for him took over, and I hadn’t even held him yet. There were no words to describe how I was feeling. It was such a powerful emotion. Knowing we’d made this life together from the love we had for one another.

“Push, sweetness, keep pushing—he’s almost out.”

“Grrrr…”

“That’s it, baby, just like that. He’s almost completely out. Just give me one more big push.”

My thoughts ran rampant, thinking about this new life coming into our lives. I was powerless to hold back the unexpected rush of emotions with seeing my son being born into the world.

Just as the thought occurred, I grabbed our son, instantly hearing, “Wah! Wah! Wah!” loud and clear in the room, instantly making his presence known.

Kinley fell back against the bed as I held our son in my arms for a brief moment before proceeding with checking him over.

“Christian, is he okay?” Kinley questioned, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

I brought him to her, laying him on her chest. “He’s perfect.”

Everything that happened next was in slow motion. I watched Kinley hold him close to her heart with tears in my eyes as they streamed down her beautiful face.

This day changed our lives in ways I never saw coming.

We were finally a family.

I kissed Kinley all over her face, feeling so fucking proud of my girl. “You did amazing, baby. You’re such a good girl.”

“I can’t believe he’s finally here. We’ve wanted this for so long.”

“I know. I can’t believe it either.”

“I’m so sorry, Christian. For everything. I never wanted to get a divorce, I just didn’t want you to not have this. I know you’ve wanted to be a father since we were kids.”

“We’re long past that. We got him, baby. We got our boy.”

She smiled, kissing his head. “You have no idea how loved you are and how long we’ve waited for you. We love you so much, Asher.”

“Asher,” my RN repeated. “What a unique name, Dr. Troy. I love it.”

I nodded, smiling. “It means a gift of hope.”

Which was exactly what he was.

—Kinley—

Our lives had done a complete three-sixty in the matter of a week. I had everything I'd ever wanted, and it felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from.

“Okay, Asher. Dad’s here now. No more crying.”

I listened to Christian, grabbing him out of his bassinet in our bedroom. It was well into the night, and he’d woke up for his feeding. Our little man had quite an appetite, practically living on my boob.

I laughed at the thought.

He cooed and kicked his chubby little legs. He listened to everything his daddy was saying, like it was the most important thing in the world. He looked exactly like Christian, making another dream of mine come true.

I couldn’t help smiling at the life we’d created together. He was so fucking perfect.

“Hey, when are you going to share him?” I teased, watching as he rocked him around the room.