“You are one of the bravest women I know. You’ve got this, okay? I promise you.”
“What if I do something wrong?” I said as I wiped a tear away.
“Oh, baby girl, you won’t. God knew what he was doing, and just like that, you will automatically know how to take care of that baby. You will know what to do to bring her into this world.”
I smiled. “Or him,” I whispered, thinking of Reed.
Melanie let out a laugh. “Yes, or him. Hang up and call the doctor, sweetheart.”
“Okay. But you’ll be at the hospital, right?”
“Yes, I’m going to leave now. Paul already left, so I will text him and tell him to hang up the frame in the baby’s room and then meet us there.”
“Okay. I’m gonna call Dr. Miller now.”
I hung up with Melanie, called Dr. Miller’s office, and told the nurse everything. She told me to head into the hospital. After I hung up with her, I quickly went to my cell phone and texted my mother. If I talked to her, I would break down crying.
Courtney: Mom, I’m in labor. Heading to the hospital.
I took a deep breath and headed o
utside. When I walked out, I caught a glimpse of Reed. Sometimes, I would just watch him without him knowing, and I would become so overwhelmed with the feelings I had for him that I would just cry. There was nothing stronger in this world than our love. With Reed by my side, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do.
Another contraction hit, and I held on to the post and tried to breathe. Reed must have sensed I was there because he turned and looked at me. I tried to smile, but his face turned white, and he immediately ran over to me.
“What’s wrong?” he said as he grabbed my face with both hands.
“Um…contractions. We…we…need…to…leave now.”
His eyes moved all over my face before they landed on my lips and then slowly looked up to my eyes. “What?” he said.
I saw something change in his eyes. I nodded my head and smiled.
“Court? When did they start?” Reed asked.
Layton came walking up and smiled. “Courtney, where is your suitcase?” he asked.
I couldn’t even talk. The look in Reed’s eyes took my breath away. He looked so happy, the happiest I’d ever seen, and I knew it was because our baby was about to be born.
“It’s in the truck already,” Reed said.
He leaned down and kissed me. I’d never experienced such an amazing kiss. Something was so different about it. It felt like every fear I had been feeling for the last few months just disappeared. He gently pulled back just enough to where his lips were barely touching mine.
“I love you so much, and I’m so honored to be your husband and the father of this baby. Thank you, Courtney.”
I sucked in a breath of air and felt a tear slide down my cheek. Reed used his thumb to brush it away, and the next thing I knew, he was picking me up and carrying me to the truck. I buried my face into him and took a deep breath. I loved Reed’s smell. I often found myself going to his dresser and pulling out a shirt to smell it on the days when he would work long hours at the ranch. Something about his scent calmed me, just like it did right now.
When he set me down in the truck, he pushed my hair back away from my face and whispered, “Don’t be scared, baby. I’m going to be by your side every single second.”
I smiled and let out a small sob. I covered my mouth and tried to regain my composure. I slowly placed my hand on his face and said, “I love you so much, Reed.”
“I love you, too. Let’s get you to the hospital and meet our son, okay?”
I let out a giggle and said, “Or daughter.”
Reed shut the door, and I leaned my head back onto the back of the seat. I tried to take in good long breaths, but I swore I could almost feel another contraction coming on.
Oh no. This is too soon. I just had one!