He glared at me. “Right. Sorry, sweetheart. I won’t say another word.”
I went into the bathroom and smiled when I heard him yell, “Oh, by the way, don’t expect me to ever get hard again after what you just said.”
“I have no doubt that you’ll be just fine.” I climbed into bed and Ian immediately put his arm around me and rested his hand on my belly.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned.
I heard a light chuckle as he inched his hand away from me. “Good night, sweetheart. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
****
Ian and I left the doctor’s office and went to grab some lunch. He said that I could go into labor any day and if I didn’t within the next week, then he would schedule me for a C-section. I didn’t know if I could hold out for another week. I was so uncomfortable, I could barely stand it anymore. Small cramping pains started and I wasn’t feeling well. I was so tired and I just wanted to go home.
“Can we get lunch to go, honey? I’m so tired and I’m not feeling well.”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked with concern.
“I just feel a little sick. I think I need to lie down for a while.”
“Okay. I’ll just have Charles make something at home,” he said as he helped me into the car.
When we arrived home, I walked up the stairs and was startled by a severe cramp in my stomach. A cramp so bad that it sent me to my knees. I let out what sounded like a howl. Ian came running from the kitchen.
“Rory, what’s wrong?!”
“I think I had contraction.”
He took my hand and helped me up. “I’ll call the doctor.”
“No, don’t. It was just one pain. I’ll probably start getting them here and there. We don’t have to worry until they come closer together.”
Ian helped me up the stairs and to the bedroom. Another contraction started. “Holy fuck!” I screamed.
“Shit, sweetheart, I’m calling the doctor. I’ll be right back. I left my phone downstairs.”
“Don’t leave me, Ian,” I whined.
Ian started screaming Mandy’s name and, after a few moments, she came running into the bedroom.
“Mandy, I need you to go to the kitchen and get my phone. I need to call the doctor. Rory’s in labor.”
“Here, Mr. Braxton, just use my phone,” she said as she pulled it from her pocket and handed it to him.
Mandy walked over and rubbed my back. “I know it hurts, Rory, but you can do this.” She smiled.
“OH MY GOD! It’s happening again,” I screamed.
Suddenly, I felt a steady stream of water running down my legs. I looked down and gasped.
“Oh, your water broke!” Mandy exclaimed.
“What?! Ian said.
“Mr. Braxton, forget calling the doctor. You need to get Rory to the hospital now.”
Ian gave Mandy the phone and both of them helped me downstairs. Ian ran to the kitchen and grabbed his keys and phone while Mandy helped me in the car.
“Mandy, please have Joshua get Rory’s bag from the bedroom closet and bring it to the hospital.”
“Will do, Mr. Braxton. Good luck, Rory!”
I was scared, in pain, and unsure about everything. Ian took my hand and held it while he drove us to the hospital. Another contraction started and I squeezed Ian’s hand as I let out a yell.
“Why does this hurt so badly?” I screamed. “This can’t be normal!”
“Breathe, sweetheart. We’re almost at the hospital and everything will be fine,” Ian said.
“Nothing will be fine until I get these babies out of me!” I yelled.
Chapter 42
Ian
We arrived at the ER in record time. I broke every driving law possible. I went inside, found a wheelchair, and helped Rory from the car. I could see the pain in her face as she held her stomach. The receptionist took us up to the Labor and Delivery unit, where one of the nurses took Rory’s information and then called her doctor. The time had finally arrived. My daughters were about to enter the world and I couldn’t wait to meet them. I hated seeing Rory in so much pain and I wanted to do everything possible to try and make her comfortable. I helped her into the cloth gown the nurse left for her and then I helped her onto the bed.
“Ian, this pain is unbearable. I don’t think I can do this,” she said as she laid her forehead on my shoulder.
I clasped her shoulders with my hands and lightly rubbed them. “Yes, you can, sweetheart. Your daughters are depending on you to help them come into the world. They need your help.”
She sighed as she laid her head back on the pillow. I could tell she was already exhausted.
“Hello, there. I’m Cora and I’ll be your nurse for the rest of the evening.”
“Hello, Cora, I’m Ian Braxton. Is there anything you can give my wife to help her pain?”
“I’ll have to ask her doctor, but I’m sure he’ll give her something.” She smiled.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Adalynn. In the midst of all the excitement, I had forgotten to call her. Actually, I didn’t call anyone.
“Rory better be in labor, Ian, because you’re interrupting sex time,” Adalynn answered.
“She is. We’re at the hospital now.”
“OH MY GOD! I’m on my way. Tell her that I’m on my way!” Click.
I looked over at Rory just as another contraction started. “Look at me, Rory. Focus on me, sweetheart,” I said as I held her hands.
She squeezed them as hard as she could while she breathed in and out. Finally, it was over and she let go of my hands. Damn, her grip was hard and it hurt.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked.
“Yes. Have these babies for me, please.” She smiled.
“You know I would,” I said as I kissed her nose. “Adalynn is on her way. I’m going to call the rest of the family.”
I made a few phone calls to let everyone know that Rory was in labor. As I had my back turned to the door, I heard Adalynn breeze in.
“Ugh, Rory, you poor thing,” she said as she held her hand. “Is he taking good care of you?”
I sighed as I shook my head. “Yes, I am, Adalynn, and hello to you too.”
“No offense, Ian, and hello.”
Nurse Cora walked back into the room and asked us to leave while she checked to see how many centimeters Rory was dilated.
“I’m sorry, Cora, but I’m not leaving my wife’s side.”
“And neither am I,” Adalynn snapped.
Rory told Nurse Cora that it was okay for us to stay. She examined her and then looked at Rory. “I’m sorry, but you’re already dilated to eight centimeters. It’s too late for you to have an epidural.”
“Eight centimeters?” I asked. “How did she dilate so quickly?”
“It happens, Mr. Braxton. Just a couple more centimeters and she’ll be pushing those babies out.”
Rory began to cry. “Another contraction is coming and I want pain meds! Ian, do something. Buy me some pain meds, baby, please.”
I put my arm around her as she screamed through another painful contraction. “Sweetheart, I would if I could, but I can’t. You know I can’t. We can do this together.”
“TOGETHER! Are you experiencing this much pain? Are you lying in this bed, ready to explode? No, I didn’t think so, buddy.”
“Right, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“OH MY GOD, Ian, another one already!” she yelled.
Nurse Cora looked over and smiled at Rory. “It’s almost time. The contractions will start coming closer together.”
I went into the bathroom and ran a washcloth under cool water to place on Rory’s forehead. “Here, maybe this will help you.”
“Thank you. I love you so much, Ian.”
“I love you too and I’m here for you.”
Rory’s doctor walked into the room and examined her. “Well, it’s time. You’re at ten centimeters, Rory. Let’s have these b
abies.” He smiled.
Excitement poured throughout my entire body. Finally, my babies were going to be here. I took Rory’s hand and softly kissed it.
“Me and you are a team, sweetheart. We’re going to do this together. I’m going to be here to help you with every push and every contraction. I love you so much and you can do this.”
“Wow, you’re one hell of a husband,” Nurse Cora said.
Adalynn knew that Rory and I didn’t want anyone else in the room during the delivery, so she kissed Rory on her head and wished her luck before going out to the waiting room to wait with Daniel and the rest of the family.
Rory took in a deep breath as the doctor put her feet in the stirrups and the pushing began.
Chapter 43
Rory & Ian
It felt like I was being ripped apart. Ian was so supportive and so loving and tender that he made it so easy to focus on him. The contractions were seconds apart and the pushing was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I yelled with each push and Ian was right there, helping me through it.
“That’s it, sweetheart. You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you. Stephen would be so proud.”
“Who’s first?” I asked as I gave another push.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?”
“Ashley or Ariel? Who’s first?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t think about it. You pick.”
“Doesn’t matter, honey.”
“We’ll decide when we see her,” Ian said.
The last push was the hardest. “Rory, I see the baby’s head. One more push. Come on,” the doctor spoke.
“Rory, our first baby girl is right there. You can do it, sweetheart.”
I closed my eyes and pushed as hard as I could. Suddenly, I heard the cries of my baby girl.
“You did it, sweetheart. She’s beautiful. Look at how beautiful she is,” Ian said with tears in his eyes.
I looked at my baby as the doctor held her up. “Ashley. She’s Ashley,” I whispered and then let out a scream.
Another fucking contraction. “We have one more baby to deliver, Rory. I need you to push again,” the doctor said.
I was so tired and it felt like my body had been hit by a truck. I felt paralyzed and I just couldn’t do it.
“Ian, I can’t. I’m so tired. I just can’t do this anymore.”
He looked at me as he wiped my forehead with a cloth. “Rory, you are to push right now. It’s not a request; it’s a command. Do you understand me?”
I nodded my head and pushed with every last ounce of strength I had left. “Rory, you did it!” Ian exclaimed.
I threw my head back on the pillow and tried to catch my breath. I heard the cries of Ariel and smiled. The nurse had just handed Ashley to Ian, and the doctor handed me Ariel. My girls were finally here and they were perfect. I looked at Ian, who had a tear streaming down his face.
Ian
“Our little girls are beautiful, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you,” I said as I kissed her head.
It was hard to believe my little girls were finally here. Rory did such an incredible job bringing them into the world and I’d never been more proud of her. As I held Ashley, I reached over and softly rubbed Ariel’s little hand. These two little girls that I stared at had instantly changed my life. The love that poured out of me for them was astounding. I had three beautiful girls in my life and I couldn’t have been happier.
“I think they look like you.” Rory smiled.
“You think? Because when I look at them, all I see is their beautiful mother. I’m going to go to the waiting room and tell everyone the girls have arrived. I’ll be right back, sweetheart,” I said as I kissed her head and carefully handed her Ashley.
I walked out to the waiting room where Adalynn, Daniel, Mandy, Jimmy, and Richard were sitting and waiting for the news.
“Ashley and Ariel have arrived, and they’re very healthy little girls,” I announced with a grin on my face.
Adalynn stood up and hugged me with tears in her eyes. Smiles graced everyone’s face as congratulations were said.
“Can we see Rory and the babies?” Adalynn asked.
“Sure. She’d love that.” I smiled.
Adalynn was the first one to run in there and coo over both girls. Both she and Daniel held them and I could tell Adalynn was loving it.
“I see that look on your face,” I said to her.
“What look would that be, Daddy?”
“The maternal look. The look of ‘oh I want a baby now.’”
She looked up at me and smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, but I don’t want any of my own and neither does Daniel. We already discussed it before we got married.”
“Look at me! I didn’t want kids either.” I smiled.
“Nah, you were just waiting for that special woman to give you one or two.” She winked.
After everyone took their turns with congratulating us and holding the girls, they said their goodbyes. Rory looked exhausted, so I took Ashley and Ariel from her and laid them down in their hospital cribs. Both girls were asleep, so I climbed next to Rory and held her close.
“I love you, sweetheart, and I want to thank you,” I said as I kissed her head.
“Thank me for what?” she asked.
“For coming into my life, marrying me, and giving me the best gift any man could ever ask for: two little girls.”
“I love you and you’re welcome. But don’t forget you had a big part in helping me make those little girls. So thank you.” She smiled.
“Get some rest, sweetheart.”
“Will you stay with me?” she asked.
“Of course I will. I’m never leaving you or my girls.”
She closed her eyes and, within seconds, she was sound asleep. I couldn’t help but smile every time I looked at my little angels. I was tired, so I figured I’d get a little rest with Rory while Ashley and Ariel were asleep. I closed my eyes, and I could feel myself drifting to sleep, and then, it happened: they both started crying at the same time.
Chapter 44
Rory
One Month Later…
The girls were one month old now and I wished I could tell you that it was a walk in the park. Adjusting to parenthood wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Ashley and Ariel were only getting up one time a night now versus the every hour and a half they were when we first brought them home. I tried to breastfeed, but it became too impossible for me to keep up with both babies, and my milk wasn’t coming in the way it was supposed to, so their pediatrician put them on baby formula. Ian wasn’t happy about that until I said a few choice words to him. He quickly changed his mind. He was an amazing father. He got up with me every night. Usually, both girls would cry and want to be fed at the same time, so he would feed one and I would feed the other. Watching the way he was with his girls was so surreal. He was the perfect daddy as far as I was concerned, and nobody could say anything different. Both girls were finally sleeping and I wanted to take a shower. I also wanted to make love to my husband. I hadn’t gotten clearance yet from the doctor, but I didn’t care. I needed Ian, and I knew he needed me. I got up from the bed and stripped out of my panties and nightgown before heading into the bathroom. I opened the shower door and Ian looked at me and smiled.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?” he asked.
“I think you know what I’m doing.” I smiled as I stepped in the shower and closed the door.
“But—” he said.
“Shh,” I said as I brought my finger to his lips.
He placed his hands on my hips and smiled as I took his cock in my hand and started stroking it. “Ah, sweetheart. Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure. I need you and I want you. It’s been far too long.”
His hands traveled from my hips and up to my breasts as he cupped them gently. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I promise. Now fuck me!”
He moaned as his lips brushed against mine, go
ing from a soft, light kiss to a passionate, deep one. His hard cock was ready and I couldn’t wait any longer to have him inside me. I turned and placed my hands on the shower wall.
“Oh God, Rory,” he said as he grabbed my ass firmly. “You don’t know how much I want you right now.”
“Stop talking, babe.”
“I’m going to go slow and, if at any time you’re uncomfortable, we’re stopping.”
He took his hard cock and placed it between my legs, gently inserting himself into me. I could tell he was nervous because he was going too slowly.
“Ian, I love you, but if you don’t speed it up, I’m afraid the girls will wake up and we’ll lose our chance.”
That lit a fire under him because he pushed inside of me. I felt a little pain, but not enough to make me want to stop. His thrusts were slow and deep, and his moans in my ear heightened my arousal. Once he was fully inside me, he reached his hands up and grabbed onto my breasts, kneading them and pinching my hardened nipples.
“God, you feel so good, sweetheart. I feel like I’m already about to come.”
“Faster, Ian. I’m almost there.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Ian, it’s not a request; it’s a command. Do you understand me?!” I exclaimed.
Those words were enough to make him thrust in and out of me at a rapid pace. His hand left my breast and traveled down to my clit, which he forcefully rubbed. I let out a howl as my body tightened and he sent me over the edge with an amazing orgasm.
“That’s it, sweetheart, come for me because I’m coming now,” he cried out as he buried himself deep inside me and held me tightly.
I took in a deep breath as he pulled out of me and turned me around. He placed his hands on each side of my face and stared into my eyes as the hot water poured down on us.
“I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you more.” I smiled.
****
We brought the girls down to breakfast with us since they were awake. Ian held Ashley, and I held Ariel as we sat and ate our breakfast.
“See this, Ashley, this is a blueberry muffin. This is Daddy’s favorite thing to eat in the morning, and I know you’ll love them too. Please tell Daddy that you’ll love blueberry muffins,” he pouted.