Presently Perfect (Perfect #3)

by Alison G. Bailey

  Checking Tweet’s monitors, she glanced over at me and said, “How you holding up, Dad?”

  “Hanging in there.”

  “You’re doing great.” She patted Tweet’s shoulder. “Amanda.”

  Beautiful sleepy teal eyes blinked open.

  “How are you feeling?” The doctor smiled.

  “Tired.”

  “I’m going to check to see if you’ve dilated anymore.”

  The doctor snapped on the latex gloves and moved to the foot of the bed. Picking up Tweet’s hand, I placed a kiss in the palm and held eye contact while she was being examined.

  “Well folks, how about we meet this little girl now.”

  “Really?” Tweet and I said in unison, our gaze shooting toward the doctor.

  From that point everything happened in a blurry whirlwind. Before my brain could catch up, I was standing at the head of the bed, coaching Tweet as she continued to bear down and push.

  “Okay Amanda, you need to push a little harder.”

  “I don’t think I can.”

  “You can do this, Tweet,” I said against the side of her head.

  “Noah, I’m so tired.”

  “I know, Baby. All we need to do is push hard a couple of more times.”

  “What’s this we shit?” Tweet snapped.

  “There’s the smartass mouth I love.” I placed a kiss on her lips and then looked directly into her eyes. “Let’s do this.”

  Tweet drew in a deep breath and held it, as I helped her sit upright.

  “Push, Amanda. You’re doing great,” the doctor said.

  The room filled with Tweet’s guttural screams, her face turning every shade of red that existed.

  “Rest,” the doctor ordered.

  I lowered Tweet back onto the bed.

  “You’re doing amazing. You’re incredible. I love you.”

  “Noah, I can’t do anymore,” she sobbed.

  “Yes you can. You’re the strongest person I know. We’re going to meet our baby today, Tweet.”

  “Okay, Amanda. One more good hard push.”

  We repeated the same process as a few minutes earlier. Tweet let out a blood-curdling scream.

  “Fantastic, Amanda. Dad, come down here right now so you can watch your daughter come into the world.”

  Tweet and I held each other’s gaze, our hands staying connected until the last possible second as I moved to the foot of the bed.

  The feeling of watching my daughter being born was overwhelming and indescribable. I was in awe as the top of her head first came into view. I gasped, trying to keep it together. Then in a flash, she appeared. My knees buckled slightly as a sob shoved the breath right out of me. She was an actual person living in this world. I recognized her nose, cheeks, and lips, they were exactly like her mom’s. She had my eyes and her hair was dark like both of us. Our daughter was exquisite and perfect.

  “You’re my heart and soul and that will never change.”

  “Congratulations. Dad, you want to do the honors?” The doctor handed me a pair of forceps.

  I flexed my fingers a couple of times before taking them. I thought I’d be nervous cutting the umbilical cord, but it felt like the most natural thing in the world. The doctor handed Halle off to the waiting nurse, who wrapped her in a towel and handed her to me. I couldn’t stop the tears. Thank God Travis wasn’t here. I’d never hear the end of it. My heart swelled with overwhelming love and pride when Halle was placed in my arms.

  “Noah, how is she?”

  I walked my daughter over to her mom, placing her on Tweet’s chest.

  “She’s incredible.”

  Tears poured out of Tweet as she held Halle.

  “I love you so much, Tweet. Thank you for giving me Halle.”

  My kiss started on Tweet’s forehead, then traveled down her face, to her lips.

  “I love you, Noah. Thank you for giving me Halle,” she said, sobbing and chuckling.

  The nurse tapped my arm.

  “I need to take her for a few minutes.”

  I looked over my shoulder.

  “You can’t take her,” I said, sounding harsher than I meant.

  The nurse giggled. “I have to clean her up. I promise, I’ll bring her right back.”

  Tweet looked at me with panicked eyes.

  “Okay, but be very careful,” I commanded.

  Holding Tweet’s hand, my eyes stayed glued to the nurse, making sure she was gentle with my little girl. While my daughter got her first bath, the doctor finished up with Tweet. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, but in reality was only about fifteen minutes, the nurse brought Halle back to us and laid her in Tweet’s arms.

  Sitting beside Tweet, gazing down at our family, my heart burst with joy and broke at the same time. Fear seeped into the back of my mind. What if I end up raising our beautiful little girl alone? I wanted to stay in the bliss of this moment, but knowing that the love of my life would be fighting for hers again soon was terrifying. As Tweet looked at me, her face lit up with love, joy, and pride. I pushed the fear aside. I couldn’t let the unpredictable rob me of this experience. Our past was a memory. Our future a mystery. But in this moment, with Tweet in my arms, holding Halle, our world was presently perfect.

  “What on earth are you doing?!”

  I couldn’t believe what was happening in my very own living room without my permission. I had been gone for only five minutes, tops, to get my vest from the bedroom, and chaos broke out.

  “I was adding a bit of pizazz, sweetheart,” Mom said in her dismissive mother knows best voice.

  “No, no. No pizazz needed.”

  Halle tilted her cute little head sideways. “DeeDee, are you gonna shoot me with that glue gun?”

  We’d been having our annual Halloween family dinners for the past six years, ever since Halle came into our lives. Noah was in charge of the menu, which always consisted of his specialty, Lead Bellies—chili, sour cream, cheddar cheese, onions, all sitting atop a big pile of Fritos. For the last two years he’d added to his repertoire for his little bird, Halle. She had him so wrapped around her finger. Thus, the culinary masterpiece, whoodles was born—mac and cheese mixed with cut-up hot dog wienies.

  Part of the Halloween tradition, the darker part, was Mom’s attempt to inflict her craftsmanship on Halle’s costume. Some things never change. Mom had a bottle of glitter poised in one hand, and a hot glue gun in the other. She had Halle in the middle of the room standing on one of the kitchen chairs.

  “You’re a lot like your mother, you know that,” Mom teased Halle.

  Halle beamed up at Mom. “I wanna be just like my momma.”

  “Mom, put the gun down and step away from my child.”

  Stepping to the side, Mom placed her weapons on the narrow table behind the sofa. I walked over to Halle, helping her down off of the chair.

  “Sweetie, go get your trick or treat bag. Daddy will be ready to leave in a few minutes.”

  Without a word, Halle took off down the hallway to her room.

  Swinging the vest around to my back, I slid my arms through.

  “Amanda, I’m sorry if I overstepped by trying to give some umph to my granddaughter’s costume. My heart was in the right place. I will not do it again.”

  “You do it every year and then give the same speech. Don’t stop now, Mom. It’s a family tradition.”

  “She’s a red and blue Lego, Amanda.” Her voice went down two octaves on the word Lego. “It’s hardly a costume for a little girl.”

  I glanced over at my dad on the sofa, watching TV and laughing at me and Mom. “Dad.”

  “Leave the children alone, Abigail.”

  With both eyebrows cocked up, Mom said, “Is it okay for me to go stir the chili?”

  “There’s a witch stirring the pot joke in there somewhere.” I smirked.

  A smile broke across Mom’s face as loud laughter burst from my dad.

  I heard her before I saw her. The sound of small shoe
s bounding down the hall filled my heart with joy. I loved to watch Halle do anything, especially run. She did it with such purpose and determination.

  Crashing into me, she squealed, “I’m ready to go tricking or treating, Momma!”

  Grabbing my hat, I completed the rest of my costume.

  “I like your red hat, Momma.”

  “Thanks. It’s a really cool cowgirl hat… right?”

  “Really cool.” Halle agreed.

  “I’ll go get your daddy and then we can head out to trick or treat.”

  “Yay! I’m so excited.”

  I walked into my bedroom and stopped in the doorway. The breath in my lungs froze. Noah was getting dressed. His back was facing me, as he stood in front of the dresser in his royal blue scrub pants, shirtless. Hence, the lungs not working. He constantly took my breath away, not only with his looks, but his tremendous heart. He was an incredible father, as I knew he would be. He was deep into his residency at the hospital, but always made time for me and Halle. Each time I thought I couldn’t fall more in love with him, I did.

  Noah proposed a year ago, on the fifth anniversary of me being a cancer survivor. We didn’t bother to wait to get married. Three months after I finally said yes to him, I said I do. It was a small ceremony, family and a few close friends. Noah and I had been married in our hearts our entire lives, all that was left was the paperwork.

  “Oh doctah! I think I gotta fevah,” I said, walking up behind him.

  I wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek against his skin. The vibrations from his laughter tickled the side of my face. He turned in my arms, a huge smile plastered across his chiseled face. Piercing light blue eyes took hold of me.

  Slowly leaning down, he said, “Perhaps I should give you a thorough exam.”

  His left arm snaked around my waist, while his right hand cupped the side of my face, burying his fingers deep in my hair. Placing a soft kiss at the corner of my mouth, his lips then nibbled their way over my jaw and to my neck. I tilted my head to the side to help the guy out. I didn’t want him to miss a spot.

  “You’re definitely hot,” he said against my skin.

  I slid my palms over his rippling abs, up his chest, and gave him a little push. Giggles drifted out of me as his lips played with my earlobe. Only Noah Stewart could reduce me to a puddle of girly giggles.

  “Our little Lego is ready to snag some candy.”

  Pulling back, he rested his forehead on mine. “Then we should definitely schedule you for a follow-up appointment.”

  “I’m so glad you became a doctor.”

  “I know. The double entendres are endless.”

  Noah walked over to the bed and grabbed the matching scrub shirt, slipping it over his head.

  Holding his arms out to the side, he announced, “I’m ready!”

  My parents stayed at our house keeping an eye one dinner and waited for Mrs. Stewart and Emily to show up, while Noah and I took Halle trick or treating. When we started planning Halle’s Lego costume, she asked me if she could go up to the doors by herself this year. I was so proud of her confidence. She was fearless. I stayed back enough for her to feel her independence. Noah, on the other hand, stayed within close range. His arms crossed over his chest, displaying bulging muscles straining against the short sleeves of his scrubs. A clear warning to all ghosts and goblins not to mess with his little girl.

  He was so overprotective and hot.

  I sidled up next to Noah and hugged his bicep. “You look like a bouncer at a medical facility.”

  “Have you noticed the pint-sized Superman?” His chin tipping up toward the front door of the house where Halle stood.

  “Um… Noah, there are about ten Supermans within a twenty-foot radius. You’ll have to be more specific.”

  “The one standing next to Halle. This is the third house I’ve seen him at, I think he’s following her.”

  There was a small group consisting of a fireman, a princess, a butterfly, a Ninja Turtle along with Halle and the stalking Superman, all waiting for sweet deliciousness to be dropped into their bags.

  I bit down on my bottom lip in an attempt to contain my laughter. “Babe, he’s trick or treating like the rest of the kids in the neighborhood.”

  Shaking his head, Noah said, “Look at him.”

  “Yeah, he’s waiting for candy.”

  “Does he need to stand that close to her for candy? He was also standing close to her like that at the last house.” He paused for a second, his stare becoming more intense. “I think he’s holding her hand.”

  Hugging his arm tighter, I teased, “Maybe she’s holding his hand.”

  Light blue eyes shot to mine. I kissed Noah’s bicep before flashing a bright smile at him. Out the corner of my eye, Halle’s small group trickled down the driveway toward the next house. The butterfly let out a high-pitched squeal as she revealed to the princess the full size Hershey bar she got. The fireman ran by us being chased by the Ninja Turtle. And bringing up the rear was our little Lego, whose hand was indeed clutching the hand of the Man of Steel.

  Noah’s body stiffened. As he stepped forward, I doubled my efforts, increasing my grip to keep him glued to the spot. Our gaze stayed on Halle and her new friend, watching them approach the next house. Their hands disconnected while they held their bags out, waiting for the door to open. When Santa Claus appeared in the doorway, Halle stumbled back in shock at the sight. Noah broke from my clutches, running toward her. Superman dropped his bag, grabbing Halle’s arm before she hit the ground.

  By the time Noah reached the top of the driveway Halle and her sandy-haired Superman were walking hand-in-hand away from the door, smiling. As Halle approached Noah, he squatted down, making sure she was alright. She nodded in response and then marched her way toward the next house, still holding on to Superman.

  “Looks like Superman has a new friend,” said the female voice next to me.

  “I’d say so.” Glancing over to the very pretty brunette, dressed in a charcoal gray coatdress that fit her curves perfectly along with a pair of four-inch plum-colored heels. “He’s yours?”

  “Oh yeah. Little Miss Lego, yours?” She smiled.

  “Mine and her tad overprotective father’s.” Her gaze followed mine to a slightly stunned Noah as he watched his daughter ignore him and spend time with another fella.

  I extended my hand. “Amanda Stewart.”

  “Mabry Johnson,” she said, giving my hand a firm shake. “I love your cowgirl ensemble.”

  I beamed with pride. “Thank you. Your costume is great too. What are you supposed to be?”

  “I’m a lawyer.”

  “You look exactly like one.”

  “No, I really am a lawyer. I had a late meeting and wasn’t able to get home in time to change and get Superman out on the street.”

  Chuckling, I said, “Gotcha.”

  “Tweet, I told you he was standing too close to her.” The sound of Noah’s voice grabbed my attention as he walked toward me.

  I flashed a nervous half smile at Mabry. “It was a good thing he was close enough to catch her.”

  “Yeah, well… he needs to…”

  I grabbed Noah’s hand, interrupting his grumbling. “Noah, this is Mabry Johnson, Superman’s mom.”

  With a sheepish smile, Noah extended his hand to Mabry. “Hey, nice to meet you.”

  “You too and Superman’s real identity is Brandon.”

  The three of us followed the kids as they moved to the next house.

  “Are you new to the neighborhood, Mabry?” Noah asked.

  “Yeah, my husband and I bought the place on the corner of Briarfield.”

  “Oh, the two-story with the big maple tree in front?” I asked, glancing over at her.

  “That’s the one,” Mabry responded.

  Noah’s gaze continued its fascination with our daughter’s handholding as he made an effort to be sociable. “What does your husband do for a living?”

  “He’s
also a lawyer. In fact, that’s him walking this way.”

  With his head tilted down, I wasn’t able to get a good look at his face. All that was visible at the moment was dirty blonde hair, a well-tailored black suit, white shirt, and a tie that matched his wife’s plum heels.

  It was as if someone had pushed the slow motion button on the camera. Mabry’s hand shot into the air, waving, as her husband’s head tilted up revealing his face. The collective thud that reverberated as mine and Noah’s jaws dropped could be heard and felt around the world. I tried blinking the vision away, but each time my eyes opened, he was closer and it was him. Tension and heat poured off of Noah. His jaw set firm, complete with audible grinding of teeth.

  With no break in his stride, Brad walked up to Mabry, wrapping his arms around her waist, and placed a sweet kiss on her lips.

  Pulling away from Mabry’s lips, he said, “Hey Sweetness.”

  “Brad this is Noah and Amanda Stewart. This is my husband, Brad.”

  Noah and I stood shell-shocked during Mabry’s introductions.

  The already big smile widened as Brad’s gaze swung over to Noah and I. “Well, isn’t this a kick in the nuts.”

  “Brad!”

  “Hi guys. How’s it going?”

  Mabry’s head whipped back and forth between her husband and us.

  “The three of you already know each other?”

  “We all went to high school together,” Brad said.

  The sound of Halle crying slapped Noah and me out of our shock. She was standing in the yard of the house we were in front of, gazing down at the lollipop on the ground. Tears dripped from her eyes. Before Noah or I took a step, Brandon reached in his bag, pulled out another lollipop, and held it out to Halle. The second she grabbed it, her face lit up with a smile.

  “Don’t cry, Halle. I’ll always share my candy with you.”

  Brad poked his head between mine and Noah’s. “That’s my boy. Wouldn’t it be something if those two ended up together in the future?”