Just for You

by E. L. Todd

  “The house is yours.” Dad put his arm around Mom again. “You’re officially in escrow.”

  “What?” I blurted.

  “Sorry?” Cayson asked.

  “I had a talk with the Johnsons,” Dad explained. “They changed their mind and—”

  “You changed their mind,” Mom said.

  Dad continued like he hadn’t been interrupted. “You just need to sign the papers. I’ll go down there with you.”

  I still couldn’t believe this. “You just made them change their mind?”

  Dad shrugged. “I promised to take them for a ride in my helicopter.”

  “I knew you had a helicopter…” I said under my breath.

  “So, everything is set,” Dad said. “Soon, you’ll get the keys and you can move in.”

  “Wow,” Cayson said. “This is awesome.” He turned to me with excitement on his face. “This is exactly what we wanted. It’s really happening.”

  “I know…” I felt the excitement creep into my veins. “It’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”

  Cayson kissed my forehead then pulled me close. “Everything is working out for us.”

  “It is.”

  Mom and Dad just watched us.

  Cayson pulled away when he realized we weren’t alone. “Thank you, Sean. We really appreciate it.”

  “My actions weren’t entirely selfless,” Dad said. “Your mother and I wanted this to happen as much as you did.”

  Mom patted his thigh while she smiled at him. Then she turned to me. “So, Dad has some news…”

  Dad turned her way but there was no warmth in his eyes. Actually, he looked mad. “Don’t—”

  “He’s been chosen as the sexiest man alive for People Magazine,” Mom blurted.

  Both of my eyebrows shot up. “What?”

  “Seriously?” Cayson said. “Wow, that’s pretty big.”

  “Gross,” I said. “Why would they pick Dad?”

  “Because he’s a very handsome man.” Mom patted his chest and beamed with pride.

  “Just don’t look at the magazine,” Dad said. “I was going to tell you to warn you but…your mother beat me to the punch.”

  “I’m really excited,” Mom said. “I knew they would pick him I just thought it would be sooner than this. Now I’m married to the sexiest man alive.”

  “You always were.” Dad shot her a meaningful look.

  “Well, of course.” She patted his thigh.

  I tried not to throw up. “My excitement over the house just disappeared…”

  “I think it’s pretty cool,” Cayson said.

  “Of course you do,” I said. “He’s not your dad.”

  “He pretty much is,” Cayson said. “It’s a pretty big deal.”

  I picked up my menu and burrowed my nose in it. “What should I get…?”

  Mom leaned toward Dad and rubbed her nose against his. He turned her way and gave her a look full of affection and love.

  “I don’t know what you did,” she whispered. “But thank you.”

  He kissed the corner of my mouth. “My wife always gets what she wants.”

  I shoved my face further into the menu.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Clementine

  Ward was working in his office and I was lying on the couch with an open book balanced on my enormous stomach. I was reading a book Ward recommended, something to distract my mind from the brutal discomfort. Being pregnant was so irritating that it made me wonder if I could give Ward the daughter I promised him.

  Just when I turned the page I felt a deep pain flush through my body. It was so strong that I sat up and held my stomach for support. It passed and left me feeling cold. I wasn’t sure what I felt at all.

  Then a few minutes later, it happened again. My body tightened in pain and all I felt was powerful discomfort. Sweat formed on my forehead, and then I suddenly felt wet…down below. The bottom of my dress was soaked and I felt it leak into the cushions.

  My water broke.

  “Ward!” I managed to pull myself up and toss the book aside.

  Ward’s feet hit the stairs and he took them two at a time. “Darling, I’m here. What is it?” He rushed to the couch then stopped when he saw the obvious water spot. “Bloody hell, your water just broke.”

  “Yeah…” I breathed through the tension in my body.

  “Okay, okay.” Stress moved across his face and his breathing went haywire. “Let me get you up.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

  “Let me change first…I’m all wet.”

  “No time for that.” He put his arm around my waist and walked me to the front door. Then he opened the closet and pulled out a bag packed with my clothes and necessities. “Alright, let’s go get our baby.”

  ***

  Ward checked me into the hospital and got me a private room. Fortunately, my insurance was good enough to get me some nice treatment. I would have to thank Sean for that later.

  After I put on my gown and got in the bed, Ward sat at my bedside. Judging the way he twitched and wouldn’t sit still he was anxious for the delivery. He fidgeted with his watch then fingered his slightly curly hair.

  “You’re making me nervous,” I said.

  He dropped his hands. “Sorry. Are you doing okay?” He patted my hand. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, thank you. But shouldn’t you call everyone?”

  He closed his eyes in irritation and smacked his forehead. “I knew I was forgetting something.”

  I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Ward, there’s no reason to be stressed out. Everything is fine. Just calm down.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “But how can I calm down when my son is about to be born?” He pulled out his phone and made the calls. He went through everyone in our family, and I heard their shouts of excitement through the phone. Half an hour later, Ward finished telling everyone. “They’re on the way.”

  I rested my hands on my stomach and breathed through another contraction.

  Ward gave me his hand to squeeze. “Try not to break my fingers. I need those for the baby.”

  “Like I would ever be strong enough to.”

  Ward grabbed a towel and patted the sweat away. “You look so beautiful right now.”

  I tried not to roll my eyes. “I know I look like hell.”

  “No, you really do.” He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. “You’re glowing brighter than you ever have before.”

  Ward could make me weak without even trying.

  He kissed my forehead even though it was covered in sweat. “We’re going to make such a beautiful baby together. I hope he has my strength and your sass.”

  “You hate my sass.”

  He smiled. “No, I just say that. Actually, I love it. No girl has ever told me off before. It’s really hot.”

  “Then I’ll be sassy from now on.”

  “I look forward to it.” He caressed my fingers with his.

  ***

  Slade and Trinity ran into the room. Slade was panting like he’d run the whole way here. Trinity looked like she was dragged.

  “Where is it?” Slade asked as he put his hands on his hips and breathed through the cramp. “Where’s the baby?”

  “We haven’t had it yet, idiot.” I pointed at my swollen belly.

  “Oh.” Slade continued to catch his breath. “Good. We didn’t miss anything.”

  Trinity came to my side and pulled my hair off my neck. “You doing okay?”

  “Great,” I said. “I just want my son to get here.”

  “Dude,” Slade said. “I heard childbirth is like the worst pain you can possibly experience.”

  All three of us glared at him.

  “Thanks,” I said sarcastically.

  “What?” he said innocently. “It’s true. I just wanted to warn you.”

  “You think I don’t realize shoving a human being out of my vagina is going to hurt?” I snapped.

  Slade shrugged then
looked at Trinity. “If all women are this bitchy when they’re pregnant, we’re doing a surrogate.”

  Trinity looked up at the ceiling like she was praying for common sense to descend onto Slade.

  “Do you want me to do magic tricks?” Slade asked with a serious face.

  “What?” Ward and I blurted together.

  He pulled a stack of cards out of his pocket and approached the bed. “Okay. Pick a card. Any card.”

  Trinity covered her face like she was mortified.

  Ward had the strength to be polite. “You know, I think we’re good right now.”

  “Come on,” Slade said. “You need a distraction. Pick one.” He pushed the cards closer to me.

  I sighed then grabbed one. “Now what?”

  He shuffled the deck and moved the cards around while I watched him, holding my own. “Okay…” He did more shuffling until he found a card. He held it up to me. “Is this your card?” He smiled like he thought he got it right.

  I exchanged a look with Ward then turned back to him. “Yes, that was my card.” I handed him back the card I was holding.

  “Yes!” Slade shuffled the cards again. “I’m an awesome magician.”

  Trinity shook her head and she stood behind him.

  The door opened, and Cayson and Skye came inside.

  “Oh, thank god,” I blurted. I couldn’t handle any more of Slade.

  “Sorry it took us so long.” Cayson’s hair was ruffled like he’d been rolling around in a bed.

  Skye’s hair looked worse.

  I tried not to smile. “It’s okay. You’re here now and the baby isn’t born. And Cayson, control Slade.”

  Cayson’s face contorted in confusion. “Control him?”

  Slade approached him with the cards held out. “Pick a card, bro.”

  Cayson pushed the pile away. “Later.”

  “Come on,” Slade said. “We have nothing else to do.”

  “You aren’t even good at this,” Cayson argued.

  “Not true.” Slade shoved the cards at him. “Now pick, asshole.”

  Cayson sighed then grabbed a card. He looked at it then put it in his pocket.

  Slade shuffled the cards with a grin on his face. “Watch this…” He kept moving the cards around until he picked one. Then he held it up with a victorious grin on his face. “Is this your card?”

  Skye leaned toward Trinity and whispered. “You should have let him divorce you…”

  “I know,” Trinity replied.

  Cayson tried not to laugh. “Yes, that’s my card. You’re a natural.”

  “I know.” Slade returned the cards to the deck and continued to grin like an idiot.

  “Enough card games, Slade,” Trinity said.

  “Please,” I begged.

  Cayson approached my bedside and looked at my swollen belly. “Everything alright down there?”

  “He wants to come out,” I said. “But not quite yet.”

  Cayson watched her monitor and listened to the constant beeping noise. “Your vitals are good. Blood pressure is strong.”

  “Thanks…” I squeezed Ward’s hand as I felt another contraction kick in. I groaned through the pain.

  “The baby’s coming!” Slade ran in circles as he panicked. “She’s going into labor. We need a doctor.”

  “Slade.” Trinity grabbed him and forced him to sit down. “Take a seat and be quiet.”

  “What?” he asked in confusion.

  “She’s just having a contraction. Now be quiet because you’re stressing her out.” Trinity sat beside him and rested her hand on his thigh.

  Slade sighed like he was disappointed.

  The pain passed and my breathing relaxed.

  Cayson eyed Ward’s hand. “Poor guy.”

  “It doesn’t hurt,” Ward said. “Clementine’s fingers are too small.”

  “Wait until she’s pushing your son out,” Skye warned.

  I turned to Cayson. “Did you call Mom and Dad?”

  He nodded. “Are they coming…?” I had a feeling they weren’t.

  “Yeah, they’re on the way.”

  The last conversation I had with my father didn’t go well, and I feared he wouldn’t show up at all.

  Skye rested her hand on Cayson’s shoulder. “In a few hours you guys are going to have a baby to take home. That’s so exciting.”

  “It is,” I said as I looked at Ward.

  “Have you decided on a name?” Cayson asked.

  “Ward,” I answered. “Ward Jr.”

  “Awe…” Skye rested her hand against her heart. “That’s so cute.”

  “I’m very honored,” Ward said. “Clementine is the one who suggested it.”

  “My nephew, Ward,” Cayson said. “It’s got a nice ring to it.”

  Ward moved his fingers through my hair and pulled it from my face. “It does.”

  Slade turned to Trinity. “When we have a son, can we name him after me?”

  “No.” Trinity didn’t even humor him.

  “But Ward named his son after him.”

  “No,” she repeated.

  He growled in irritation. Then he turned back to her. “How about after my father?”

  Her eyes narrowed on his face. “Really?”

  “Yeah. He’s the coolest guy I know.” Slade said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  “We don’t have to name our child after anybody.”

  “I know,” Slade said. “But what could be better than naming your child after someone you love and respect?”

  Trinity shrugged. “We can talk about it when the time comes.”

  “Including the name Slade…?”

  She turned cold again. “No.”

  The doctor entered the room then sat on the stool and moved to the area by my feet. “Let me see how far along you are.” He pulled his gloves on then moved his hands under the blanket at my waist. I felt him touch me quickly before he moved away. “Ten centimeters. It’s time to have a baby.”

  ***

  Even with the epidermal, I was in pain. Pushing a living person out of your body was tough work. My body ached and was pushed to the limit. I squeezed Ward’s fingers so hard I was sure I gave him a hairline fracture in each digit.

  “Almost there,” the doctor called. “Keep pushing.”

  “I can’t do it,” I said to Ward. “I’m so tired.”

  “You can do this, darling.” He pulled the hair out of my face and looked me in the eye. “Think about that beautiful boy we’re about to have. Think about holding him in your arms. You want that, don’t you?”

  I nodded through my heavy breathing.

  “Then keep pushing. You can do it. I know you can.” He moved his arm around my shoulder and supported me while I continued to push.

  My hand clamped around his for dear life while I used all the energy I had left to push. I hadn’t eaten anything in hours and I felt weak. All I wanted to do was go to sleep because I was exhausted. But I really wanted to see my son, the boy Ward and I made together.

  “Almost there,” the doctor called. “His head is breached.”

  “Darling, you’re almost there,” Ward said in my ear. “Just a few more pushes ought to do it.”

  I was covered in sweat, I was uncomfortable, and my body was stretched in places I didn’t think were possible.

  “Keep pushing.” Ward continued to coach me threw it. “Ward Jr. is almost here.”

  I tightened my body and gave my hardest push. I felt something snap inside me, like I finally had nothing to push out anymore. My body relaxed but I was still in pain. I tried to catch my breath but there wasn’t enough air. I wanted to fall back onto the bed and never get up again.

  Then I heard the sound of a crying baby.

  The doctor held Ward Jr. up so I could see him.

  He was red and covered in my blood, but he was small and beautiful. His arms flailed slightly as he protested the cold and unforgiving air. His cries were loud and high-pitched,
but they were music on my ears. “Oh my god…”

  Ward remained by my side. “Darling, he’s beautiful.”

  Then the doctor turned away, taking Ward Jr. with him.

  “Wait, my baby.” I tried to get up. “I want my baby.”

  “They’re just cleaning them up,” Ward said in a gentle voice. “He’ll be right back.”

  I didn’t take my eyes off of the doctor’s back as he washed and cleaned my son.

  Ward kissed my temple and held me close. “You did a great job.”

  “Your son is huge,” I blurted. “I should get a medal for that.”

  He chuckled. “You will.” He kissed my temple again. He looked into my eyes, love and devotion shining bright. “Thank you for giving me my son.”

  “Thank you for making him with me.”

  He grinned. “Making him was a lot of fun. I look forward to making the next one.”

  “Whoa…slow down. I’m not having another one anytime soon.” I shook my head dramatically. “Or we’re having a surrogate. I’m not doing it. Forget it.”

  He chuckled. “We can revisit this conversation some other time.”

  The doctor returned with Ward Jr. in his arms. He was wrapped in a blue blanket and his crying had subsided. Now he made quiet cooing noises and his feet kicked slightly. He approached the bed and held him out.

  Ward moved away slightly. “She deserves to hold him first.”

  I stretched my arms out and tried to keep them steady. My heart was beating so fast and it wouldn’t slow down. I was nervous, and I wasn’t even sure why. I’d been waiting nine months for this moment and now it was finally here. My legacy was about to be placed into my arms. All the love Ward and I had for each other created a whole other person. It was amazing.

  The doctor placed Ward Jr. in my arms and stepped away. “Congratulations.”

  I stared down into the most beautiful face I’d ever seen. His eyes were closed but he had a small nose and even smaller lips. He moved slightly in my arms, like he was restless.

  Ward kept one arm around my shoulder, and he rested one hand underneath mine as I held our son. He stared down into our son’s face, taking him in.

  Then Ward Jr. opened his eyes, and they were crystal blue. Bright like the ocean on a tropical day, they shined by their own light. Beauty and power radiated within them. They were identical to Ward’s, the gateway to a soul untarnished and pure.