“Look at me,” I say to Liam to get his attention. I know he’s getting pissed that a man is about to deliver the baby, but we have no choice.
“He hates his job,” I say, trying to lighten the mood even though I’m in pain.
“Here comes another one, Josie. Go ahead and bear down,” the nurse says as she and Liam help me sit up. I scream out and start panting.
“I need drugs.”
“It’s too late,’’ she says.
I turn and glare at her, but she doesn’t back away.
“It’s burning!” I scream.
“Almost done, Jojo. You can do this.”
“What do you know? You did this to me. I should’ve learned the first time I had one of your kids.”
Liam doesn’t balk at the fact that I just insulted him.
“I love you so much, Jojo. You’re my life, you and the kids. I can’t imagine what a day looks like without you in it. I’m so fucking lucky you chose me to be the father of your children. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and I can’t wait to meet our baby. I hope she looks just like you.”
“It’s a boooooooyyyyeeeeeeeeeee!” I say as I bear down again.
“Okay, the shoulders are out. Suction,” he says. “Do you want to look?” he asks, looking up at Liam, who shakes his head. “One more push, Josie, and you’ll have your baby in your arms.”
When the next contraction hits, I grunt, pushing down as hard as I can to squeeze the little human out of me. The soft wail of a baby cry fills the room and everyone cheers.
The doctor holds the baby up for us to see.
It’s a girl.
She’s a girl.
We have a daughter.
“Oh my God, we have a daughter,” I say through tears.
“I told you, Jojo.” He says, as he kisses me. “I love you so much.”
“Dad, would you like the cut the cord?”
Liam nods and takes a pair of medical scissors from the nurse and cuts where she says to. Then she takes my little girl and places her on my chest. Liam is right by my side before I can even blink.
“Liam, look at her. She looks just like Noah did when he was born.” She’s tiny, but long and can fit in my arm. Her hair is dark, with a little nose and perfect lips.
“She’s beautiful, Josie. God, she’s so beautiful. Thank you.” He kisses me again before kissing her. His tears fall onto my hand as he looks at our daughter. “Look at how tiny she is. I could carry her like a football.”
I laugh and kiss him. “We have to give her a name.”
“Yeah we do,” he says as he runs his finger over her dark hair.
“Hey, baby girl, can you open your eyes for Mommy and Daddy?” I run my finger along her cheek, back and forth until she opens her eyes quickly before shutting them again. They’re dark, but will likely change.
“Aside from calling her Noah Junior, I’m stumbling for names. Mason?” Liam asks. I shake my head.
“What about Betty?” I ask, just as Liam blurts out “What about Page, with an i?”
“I like Paige,” I say.