by Cara E Holt
I chuckle. “Keeping me awake whilst he or she has a party in there.”
“Sounds just like Dylan. He was the same when I was pregnant, always lively at night, and then he slept during the day. Come on, let’s get you a comfortable seat.” She guides me over to a table sheltered under a parasol.
“Is mum not here yet?”
Stacey shakes her head. “No, she should be here any minute though. I think Gary finished work a little later than expected.”
Gary was my mum's boyfriend. They had been dating about two years now after I convinced my mum to try online dating. It was nice to see her happy and making a future with someone. Gary had his own place over in the next town but to be honest he spent most of his time at my mum's place. Gary's house was bigger, but I don't think my mum would ever move. The house held so many memories of Liam there that it would be too hard to leave.
Stacey places a cool drink of flavoured water in front of me before she rushes off to bring out more food.
My mum arrives some five minutes later carrying a cheesecake and some of Dylan’s favourite cookies. She still spoils him even to this day. I sometimes wondered who she loved more, me or her son-in-law. She greets all our family with kisses and hugs as she slowly makes her way over to me. Gary gives me a quick wave, heading over to where the men are congregated, no doubt talking about the boxing match that Dylan had stayed up late to watch last night.
"Hey, honey. Don't you look glowing." She leans in and drops a kiss on my cheek, taking the vacant seat beside me.
"Thanks, mum. I don't feel glowing. I feel like a beached whale." I grin, patting my bump. "I hope I don't get too much bigger over the next two weeks."
My mum bats away my comment with my hand. “Your bump is tiny compared to the one I had with your brother. He was a bruiser!”
My phone pings and I look down at the what’s app group chat to see Connor has texted to say that he is on his way over. Connor was single at present. He and Aria had gone off to different universities when we left college, and although they’d tried the long-distance thing, it just didn’t work out. I was still in touch with Aria. She had stayed down in Plymouth after completing her degree and was forging out a career in architecture. Dylan’s mum comes out and she finally sits down, taking the seat on the other side of me. “This is the life. Nothing better than spending time with the family.”
My eyes widen when I feel a twinge in my stomach. I'd been having Braxton Hicks for the last couple of weeks. I frown when I feel sudden wetness between my legs.
“You okay, honey?” my mum asks, noticing the frown on my face.
"Yeah," I reassure her, "I think my bladders calling." I stand to my feet and water gushes down my legs and onto the floor. "Oh, wow," I exclaim, looking down at the floor in surprise.
"Oh my, your waters have broken," Mum says, taking my elbow. "Come on, let's get you inside. Dylan!" She shouts across the yard.
Dylan lifts his head, and he sees his mum frantically beckoning him over. He strides across the yard with concern etched on his face. “Everything okay?”
I gesture with my head at the puddle of water at my feet. “My waters just broke.”
“But he’s not due for another two weeks.”
My mum laughs. “Well, it looks like junior has decided to make an early appearance.”
I’m guided inside the house with all three of them fussing over me. Stacey leads us into Dylan’s old bedroom and I sit down on the end of the bed as a contraction hits me. Dylan kneels beside me and helps me breathe through it. We’ve been attending birthing classes, so he is well versed in how to support me. I’m only just recovering from the last contraction when another one hits me.
My mum frowns. “That wasn’t even two minutes. Mind if I take a look down there, honey?”
I nod my head and Dylan helps me move further onto the bed so that I can let my mum have a look. Her eyes widen as she looks between my legs.
“Dylan, go grab some towels and then call an ambulance. This baby is not going to wait around.”
Thirty minutes later and with two paramedics present, I give another push, giving it my everything.
“That’s it, Ella, the head’s out. You’re almost there. Big push on the next one, okay?”
I nod and cling tightly to Dylan’s hand. The poor guy’s fingers were turning blue, I was holding his hand so tight. The next contraction comes, and I push with all my might and the paramedic smiles up at me. “You did it. The baby’s out.” He grabs a towel and lifts a tiny pink bundle from between my legs. “It’s a boy.”
Tears streak down my eyes as I look up at Dylan, who smiles down at me with such love and wonder. “It’s a boy.”
He grins. “Told you Ella bear.”
The paramedic places our child in my arms, and I am struck dumb as I take in his beautiful face and his healthy mop of dark hair. “Do we have a name for the little one?”
I nod, crying happy tears as I look from Dylan, over to both our mums who are gazing with wonder at their new grandson. “Yes, we do. His name is Liam.”
“Oh honey,” my mum says, clearly touched and Stacey places an arm around her shoulder and comforts her. There was never any doubt what we were going to call him if he was a boy. We wanted to honour my brother in the best way we knew how, and that would be through his nephew. Our mums come up on either side of the bed as I hand Liam over to his dad. Dylan stares down at him in absolute love and awe.
“Hey there, Liam. I’m your Daddy. Welcome to the world little man.” He pulls his gaze away from our son and looks down at me. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Dylan James. Always.”
The end
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my Uncle Tony. To all the wonderful memories, the fun and games and the endless laughter. We miss you dearly.
About the Author
Cara lives in Greater Manchester in the U.K. with her husband, their two sons and their dog, Bella. When not writing, Cara will either have her head in a book or she’ll be watching any movie or tv show of the paranormal or dystopian genre.
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Also by Cara E. Holt
The Soul Mark Series (PNR/Urban Fantasy)
Soul Matched
Soul Bound
Soul Surrender
Endgame Series (Contemporary College Romance)
Endgame
Grayson’s Endgame
Playing Games
The Hexborn Series (PNR)
Infernal
Inescapable
Infusion (November 2021)
Shadow Kissed (Fantasy Romance/Dystopian Fantasy)
(March 2022)
