by J N Owens
Once I get in the car, I mentally make sure I have everything and hit the gas. As I speed through town to the hospital, I am nervous I will not get there in time. I will shoot myself if I miss the birth of my daughter. Oh shit. I’m going to be a dad. Today, I’m gonna be a dad today. I’m sweating more than I think is normal. It’s ok, it will all be ok. I mean, what can go wrong? She will have 2 pediatricians as parents. She will be in the best hands, right? Oh God I may vomit.
I make it to the hospital in record time. And it’s a good thing. I rush into the delivery room and Finley is already pushing. She gives me the look. You know the one, the one that says, you are going to pay for this shit later. Great. I don’t know if it’s because of the pregnancy in general or because I didn’t snap my fingers and appear here. These last few months with her growing in size and getting more uncomfortable, she has gotten more and more unbearable. But I will never tell her that. I just smile and tell her I love her, yes dear, whatever you need dear.
I lean in close to her, which she immediately tells me is too close and to fuck off. This is going to be fun. I kiss her as quickly as I can without retribution, take her hand, and tell her she is doing great.
“I hate you,” Finley says as she rolls her eyes at me.
Then, after about 15 minutes of hard pushing, I hear the doctor’s voice.
“OK. This is it, your baby’s head is crowning.”
I pop my head up. I wipe the sweat from Finley, take a few steps so I can see her coming. “don’t you dare look down there while she is coming out, Noah, I swear on all your favorite things, I’ll dick punch you right now if you watch my vagina rip open.” And that was that. She didn’t want me watching my baby girl come out. But I still did, she could dick punch me all she wanted, there was no way in hell I wasn’t going to witness my baby girl coming into the world. And let me just say, it was worth a million dick punches. I have never in all my life seen something so beautiful, miraculous, and absolutely disgustingly horrifying. Yes, I am a doctor and I have seen childbirth, but when I tell you that you don’t fully experience it until it’s your wife’s vagina and your baby girls head, I mean it. It’s an entirely new experience. I have a whole new respect for Finley. I will cherish her vagina for what I saw it do and for bringing my baby girl into this world.
She gives one more push and there is her tiny little body. They put her immediately on Finley’s chest.It is the most beautiful sight—the love of my life holding my daughter. She lets out this precious cry, Fin has tears in her eyes as she holds her and kisses her. I lean in and kiss her then kiss my baby. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy, this is my life. Nothing can take this feeling away. My family, I have my family. Finley looks over at me.
“I love you, Noah Christopher.”
“I love you, Finley Grace,” I say and that’s when it hits me.
“I know her name.”
She smiles.
“What?”
“Fiona Chase.” She gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind.
“Fiona is the combination of Finley and Noah. And Chase is Christopher and Grace.”
“Hello, Fiona Chase.” She smiles, looks down at our daughter and smiles.
* * *
“It’s perfect. Just like her. She is perfect. I can’t wait to spend my life making my girls happy.”
We have been home for 2 months. Fiona is amazing, and perfect. She looks just like Finley but has my light hair. Finley took to motherhood like she was made for it. Pregnancy, not so much. But this, right here, watching her hold Fiona, feed her, love her, and cuddle her, this is all she was made to do. I find myself just watching her take care of our daughter. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world. She lays her down and looks over to me.
“It’s time.”
“Time for what?” I ask, a little confused.
“The wedding. She can’t grow up with us not being married. We need to plan it. And have it done by the end of the year. Emory will get home soon. Alex says she is ready to come home. I was going to go get her when Fiona can travel.”
“You’re going to do it? Finally marry me?” I just smile, she is going to marry me.
“Noah, you act surprised. Of course, I am. I said I would.”
“But I thought you were having second thoughts. Maybe you were delaying for a reason.”
“Yes, because I was pregnant, and Emory hasn’t been here.”
“That’s all?” I walk toward her and wrap her in my arms.
“Yes, that’s it. I want to be your wife. I want this forever.” I smile, then I throw her over my shoulder taking her to our room, I throw her on the bed following behind her. I check the monitor to make sure my angel is still sound asleep. Then, I promptly and thoroughly make love to my soon to be wife. This is our life. I wouldn’t trade it, not for the world.
“I love you, Finley Grace.”
“I love you, Noah Christopher.”
