Ava has taken a liking to soccer and is playing on a pee wee indoor league. Chance Sr. was excited to watch his granddaughter play her first game. He and Chance stand off to the side with the same identical stance.
Of course the moms here are all checking them out, which is super irritating. Aubrey seems to just ignore it; she’s gotten used to it, I’m sure.
“CJ was just shy of ten pounds when he was born, and Bree was around eight. I’m so excited we were able to be here. Thank you for inviting us.” She grabs my hand, squeezing it.
“Of course, I love you. I wanted you guys to be able to meet your new grandbaby.”
Aubrey pulls me into a sideways hug. “You’re a good woman, Laken Bateman. Thank you for being a good woman for my son.”
Tears fill my eyes, and she pulls me into a full-on hug. “I’m sorry my hormones have turned me into a crybaby.”
She kisses my forehead and then gives me her own watery smile.
“Come on, Ava! Go, baby, go.” We turn to the field and watch my little girl, who is now four, kick the soccer ball toward the goal. “Kick it again baby girl.” Chance and his dad are cheering her on as her little legs pump as she runs up to the ball, kicking it again.
In slow motion it rolls into the goal, and my crazy husband runs out to the field, picks our daughter up, and yells like she just won the World Cup. Her pop pop, which is what she calls Chance’s dad, takes her from his son and tosses her in the air.
I swear everyone is staring at them. I lean into Aubrey. “They realize this is just pee wee soccer, right?”
“Oh trust me, they know. You might as well get used to it.”
When the game resumes, the guys cheer at an appropriate volume. I feel a little twinge in my belly and then wet between my legs. Oh shit, I stand, and fluid runs down the inside of my leg.
Aubrey looks up at me. “Are you okay?”
I smile. “I think my water just broke.”
She jumps up and hustles over to Chance and Chance Sr. My husband listens to what she says, and then he’s striding over to me. “It’s time?”
I nod. “What do we do about, Ava?”
“Mom and dad will take her. Your bag’s in the car, right?” How is he so calm? I was preparing for him to freak out.
We say goodbye to Ava and she doesn’t seem too fazed that we’re leaving, but Pop Pop and Mimi are staying. I’m sure when my parents get here they will all take care of our girl.
Chance Sr. gives me a hug goodbye, and we promise to keep them updated. We’re both quiet on the way to the hospital, but he holds his hand tightly in mine.
After we get checked in, I get changed into my hospital gown. I open the bathroom door, and Chance looks up from where he’s sitting. I strike a pose, causing him to laugh.
I’m so lucky and have pretty much been all belly and boobs, but that doesn’t stop me from being a little self-conscious. I mean, my husband is super-hot, and his body is sick. I feel like a big whale.
“Baby, you are fucking gorgeous. You’re a goddess.” Chance kisses me deeply before helping me up on the bed.
The nurse comes in and starts my IV, hooks me up to the monitor, and then checks me. “You’re almost five centimeters dilated. How are you contractions?”
“Umm … not too bad yet.”
She types something into her computer and then smiles at me. “I’m going to call your doctor. Let us know if you need anything.”
***
Chance
My wife sleeps peacefully as I hold our son in my arms. The moment she pushed him out and held him to her bare chest I knew my life was complete. We’ve yet to name him. I wanted to give her time to rest before we talk about it.
There’s a knock on the door, and my dad sticks his head in. “Hey, come on in.” Mom’s back at our house with Ava, who was asleep when I talked to her earlier.
Dad smiles as he gets close. “Well, what do we have here?”
I’ve kept it together for the most part, but when I look at my dad I start to cry. “I have a son.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head. “He’s fucking beautiful.” Dad’s voice is hoarse. “Let me hold him.”
I carefully place him in my dad’s arms, and he kisses the top of my boy’s head. “I’m so happy, but so fucking scared,” I whisper. My eyes burn as I watch Dad hold my son. I bend down, kissing my son’s forehead.
He grabs me by the back of the neck with his free hand and pulls me into his side. He hugs me tightly. “That’s completely normal. You’re twenty-three, married, and I’m still scared. That’s part of being a parent, but you’re going to be a great father.” Dad looks at my son and then smiles at me. “He looks just like you did as a baby.” Dad kisses him one more time before handing him to me. “I’m gonna let you guys get some rest. Just call us when you’re ready for us to bring Ava up.”
“Great, thanks, Dad … for everything. I hope I’m half the dad you’ve been.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t make me cry. Ahem… I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad.” Dad goes over to where Laken is sleeping, brushes her hair back from her face, and kisses her forehead. “See you tomorrow, Dad.”
The nurse comes in a few minutes later to take my son to the nursery. I kick off my shoes and climb into bed with Laken. She inches back until her back is to my front.
“Let’s name him Wyatt Robert
