Baby Makes Five (A Multiple Birth Book 1) (14 page)

She looked up at him, “You’re in love with me?”

He sat on the bed next to her not saying anything for a minute. He turned to her and held her hand. “Yeah, this isn’t how I wanted to tell you but yes, I am in love with you, I have been for a while. It’s the reason I didn’t want to tell you about Wendy. I figure if you knew about her, you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me.”

“Is that her name, Wendy?”

He nodded and took a deep breath. “I didn’t have sex with her not before or after you, and that’s the truth, Miah. I received an email from the clinic where I stored my sperm. There were a fire and three of my samples were destroyed and the fourth they think they used on Wendy. They aren’t a hundred percent sure if it’s my sample but wanted me to

know.”

              “How could they not know?” she asked softly.

              “Apparently, there was some mix up with the new staff member."

              “You could have told me this when you found out. It wasn’t your fault, and it  wouldn’t have made a difference how I feel about you.”

              “And how do you feel about me?”

              “You must know I’m in love with you; I told you that when I had my surgery.”

              “I hoped, but I thought that was the anesthesia talking.”

              She laughed, “you think I was that drugged up enough not to know what I was saying?"

“Yeah, I also remember you were scared as well.”

“Or perhaps it wasn’t what you wanted to hear at the time. Maybe you wanted to believe I was out of it because you think I couldn’t love you?”

“Have you been talking to Tom?” he asked.

“No, but I am not your mother or grandmother,” She said turning to him and holding both his hands in hers. “I love you. I am in love with you. It’s free of charge, and I don’t expect payment for it.  I am not going anywhere unless you ask me to, and then, I am not leaving without a fight. There is no more running for either of us Ash. No matter what,  I’ll be here for you even if the baby is yours.”

“Thank you, I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I am happy you’re here with me.”

“Now that we have this all cleared up, what did you expect to happen when you visited Wendy?"

“I thought maybe I could convince her to have a DNA test now instead of when the baby was born. She denied.”

“Good for her, you know how risky that could be. You had no right to ask that of her.”

“I know, but I wanted to make sure… I wanted—”

“You have to learn that you can’t always control things, Ash. Life happens. Failure isn’t a bad thing. We learn from our mistakes and get up, move on and hope we make better choices. You need to learn to accept that. You can’t predict everything.”

“I know. It's hard. I am accustomed to getting what I want and controlling the things in my life.”

“I know, but there are some things and people you can’t and shouldn’t try to control.”

“I get that; I am trying. I really am trying.” He said resting his forehead on hers and his hands on her stomach.

“I know babe, and you are making progress. Everything is going to be all right. We are going to be okay. You just have to have faith and patience. There is always room for another baby to love.”

“You are an amazing woman you know that?”

“I’ll like to think that’s why you are with me.”

“That and more,” he said kissing her.

“Don’t start something you know we can’t finish,” she warned.

“There are other ways we can satisfy each other without having sex, want me to show you?” he asked his lips against her throat.

She nodded.

***

Miah woke up Christmas morning to contractions but put them off as a false alarm. She had been having them on and off for the past week. Twice they had ended up at the hospital only to be told it was Braxton Hicks. She didn’t want to spoil the day. So she went on as if nothing happened and made breakfast.

They were sitting in front of the Christmas tree cuddled up looking at the twinkling lights. She wished her mother were here and couldn't wait for next year when the babies would be here to enjoy the scene with them.

Ash cleared his throat and sat up pulling her with him as he did.  He got off the couch and kneeled down in front of her.

“What are you doing?” she asked surprise as her heart leap in her chest.

“Miah, you’ve turned down my first proposal, which I don’t blame you for doing, but it wasn’t easy for me to ask or accept your rejection—.”

“Ash, let’s not—.”

“No, hear me out, please. I need to get this off my chest. I can honestly tell you that at no time did I think I would be asking you to marry me… again. I never thought I would fall in love, but I did, with you. Most of my life I’ve been afraid to make attachments to others, especially women because they always leave or disappoint me.

“You came into my life and changed that. You show me what it’s like to love and trust someone. It took me a while to learn this, and here I am vulnerable bearing my heart to you. I love you, Miah. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, getting to know everything about you. My life has been fuller since you came into it.

“I love you for the wonderful woman you are, not because you are the mother of my unborn babies. They are just the icing on the cake. I would be honoured if you agreed to become my wife, my partner, and my soul mate. You make me believe in happily ever after. I want it all. The white picket fence, the two point five kids and a dog. But only if it’s with you.  My life is not complete unless you are in it. You are the only one who can do that. So Miah, will you marry me?”

“First it’s three maybe four kids and yes, yes I’ll marry you. I love you so much,” she said throwing her arms around his neck crying.

“I hope those are happy tears,” he teased, kissing her. “Thank you. I promise to spend the rest of our lives making you happy. I will always try to keep a smile on your face.”

“You already do.”

“You deserve the best wedding, and you will have it after the babies are born. However, for now, I know how much being married before they get here means to you. I’ve called in a few favours and has everyone standing by. We can get married whenever you want.

              “Now would be a good time,” she said, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

              “Okay, but we don’t have to rush today. We can do it tomorrow. Let’s enjoy the moment.”

“Now. I want. To. Do. It. Now,” she gritted squeezing his hand.

“Alright as you wish, are you okay? it looks like you are in pain,” he asked with concern.

“That’s because I am, my water just broke. These babies aren’t waiting any longer.”

He jumped to his feet, “now? But we have three more weeks. Maybe it’s just a false alarm again, are you sure?” he asked pacing the floor.

He looked as if he was about to pass out. She would have laughed if she wasn’t in so much pain. “Yes! They don’t care. They want out, and it’s not like I can stop them. Get me to the hospital and have your people meet us there. I am not pushing unless we are married, understand?”

“Yes. Let me get your bag…where is it again? Never mind, I’ll find it and call Dr. Sand. Breathe, remember our classes. Maybe you should sit; that might help. Are you sure you are okay? Breathe In, out, there see—.”

“Ash, stop—”

“What is it, what’s wrong?” he rushed to her side.

“Stop panicking, breathe or you’re going to end up face down on the floor. That won’t do us any good. We still have enough time to get to the hospital,” she said calmly.

He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Okay, I can… we can do this. I'll get our things.”

“Yes you do that,” she replied as another contraction hit her. She grabbed her stomach and moaned.

“Are you sure? That didn't look like you are okay—”

“ Ash I love you, but now is not the time to start flipping out. We are having three babies here, so if you can get the bags and take me to the hospital, I would be grateful. I am not giving birth at home.” She gritted.

“Yes,” he said running up the stairs to grab the bag.

As he was out of sight Miah, sat. She wasn’t ready for them to be born. She wasn’t sure she could do this. She wanted her mother. She would know what to do.

He came rushing down the stairs and almost tripped on the last one. She laughed holding her stomach.

“What’s so funny are you okay?” he asked looking at her with concern.

“You, it’s a treat to see you this flustered and unorganized,” she answered grabbing her stomach as another contraction hit.

“Okay let’s get you to the hospital,” he said appearing by her side and leading her to the garage. He helped her into the passenger seat before taking his. “James will meet us at the hospital,” he told her backing out of the garage.

“James?” she asked distracted forcing on her breathing.

“He’s the judge. He is the one who is going to marry us.”

She nodded, “How far are we from the hospital?” she asked groaning.

“Five minutes max. How are you doing?” he asked holding her hand.

“I feel like three watermelons are trying to escape from my vagina, other than that I am good,” she said crushing his fingers.

He laughed, “glad you can still joke about it. You can do this babe, just keep breathing. I know it hurts but think of the end game, how wonderful our children are going to be.”

She nodded, “I am scared,” she whispered.

“Everything is going to be okay. The babies are big enough nothing is going to happen to you or them,” he said bringing her hand to his lips.

“How can you be so sure?” she asked softly trying not to panic.

“Because I have faith, and we saw them a few days ago. We’re almost there sweetie, just a few more minutes.”

“Ahh, are we there yet? I think I feel a head, and it hurts like hell,” she groaned doubling over.

He grabbed her hand as he pulled into the hospital entrance. He jumped out and waved the waiting nurse over as he opened her door. “Her contractions are three minutes apart, and she is in a lot of pain,” he updated the nurse.

The nurse nodded as he helped Miah into the wheelchair. “Dr. Sand is already here after she examines Miah, she will give her something for the pain.”

They were rushed to the elevator up to the seventh-floor maternity ward. James walked to him as they stepped off the elevator.

“James, thank you for coming,” Ash said shaking the other man’s hand.

“No problem, let me know when you’re ready,” James said watching as the nurse took Miah to a room.

“Yes, I’ll come and get you after we see the doctor. Thanks again James."

The other man nodded and Ash rushed to Miah, who was already in bed being examined by their doctor.

“Doctor Sand, thanks for getting here so soon,” Ash said taking his place at Miah’s side.

“It wasn’t a problem,” she said as she examines Miah.

“I need drugs. I need the epidural now. It hurts too much,” Miah cried.

“I’ll get the Anesthesiologist in here in a few minutes,” Dr. Sand said taking her gloves off. She took the straps from the nurse and attached them to Miah’s stomach. “These will monitor the babies' heart rate. You are five and a half centimeters dilated. You have a little way to go still.”

“Are you sure? Because I feel like I need to push,” Miah said.

“Do not push no matter how much you feel the need to. You don’t push until I tell you to,” the doctor said touching her patient’s hand. She looked at the monitor, “the babies heart rates are normal.”

“What can I do to help?” Ash asked nervously.

“You are already doing the right things. Just be here for her and get her whatever she needs. I am going to find Dr. Duncan. He's our on call Anesthesiologist,” she said leaving the room.

“Where’s the Judge?  They are not getting out until I say I do,” Miah said looking pointedly at Ash.

“He’s in the waiting room. I'll get him,” he said leaving the room.

Miah closed her eyes, biting her lips as another contraction hit her.

“Hang in there, Dr. Duncan will be here soon,” Jackie her nurse said.

She had forgotten the nurse was in the room. She opened her eyes and smile at her, “thank you.”

Ash returned with a man who wasn’t too much older than he was. “Miah, this is James. James meet my fiancée Miah Price.”

“Hello,” she said sitting up. “Thank you for coming. I’m sorry if we took you away from your family.”

“Thank you, but it will be a pleasure to marry you both. All we need are two witnesses.”

Ash looked at the nurse, “do you mind acting as our witness Jackie?” he asked.

“Sure, I can do that,” she answered.

“Thank you,” Miah said the same time Dr. Sand returned.

“James what are you doing here?” Dr. Sand asked taken aback.

“Hello Karen, I’m here to marry Ash and Miah. You are just in time. We need another witness,” he said kissing her cheek.