Page 131 of Falling Together

“Gah!” she yells.

Another contraction hits and I know it’s close. “Do you need me to call the doctor?”

“Yes. Shit, it really hurts.”

Grabbing the remote on her bed, I press the call button. It’s not long before they’re in the room checking her out again.

“It looks like it’s time to push, Georgia.”

“I don’t think I’m ready,” she says, tears welling in her eyes.

The doctors and nurses move around us, getting her ready, but I only focus on the woman I love.

“Yes, you are, Georgia.” I drop my forehead to hers. “I’m here. We’ll do this together.”

“I think only one of us is pushing a baby out today,” she says, breathing through the contraction.

“Whatever you need, I’m here. But you’re the strongest person I know. You can do this, okay?”

She nods, biting down on her lip.

The next hour goes by in the blink of an eye as she pushes. I keep encouraging her, trying not to wince as she squeezes my hand to the point of breaking it.

But when that cry echoes in the room, it’s the only thing that matters.

“He’s here!”

The doctor holds him up before placing him on Georgia’s chest.

Both of us are crying.

“He’s perfect,” Georgia whispers through her tears. “Absolutely perfect.”

I press a kiss to her head, trying to contain my emotions.

He has a full head of dark hair and is screaming his head off.

“I can’t believe he’s here.”

The doctor hands me a pair of scissors to cut the cord before they take him to clean him up and weigh him.

“You did it,” I say. “You were incredible.”

“I love you, Daddy,” she says.

“Not as much as I love you, Mama.”

Her smile grows at the word.

“I’m a mom.”

“You’re going to be the best mom ever to this kid.”

“Should we decide on a name?” she asks.

“You don’t like Potato?” I laugh.

“I am not going to call him Potato.”