A Baby for the Vet (Boys of Rockford Series Book 4)

by Henley Maverick

  “She called a bunch of times when I was in the middle of this or that, and by the time I called back, she didn’t answer. I try to catch her, but we keep missing each other.”

  “Do you think she’s mad at us?” Kaitlyn wondered as worry marred her features.

  “No, I don’t think that’s it. She’s probably just busy. I’ll stop by the bar sometime next week, so we can catch up.”

  25

  Kaitlyn

  Being pregnant wasn’t as glorious as Hollywood made it out to be.

  Not by a long shot.

  There were moments where I felt invincible, and Dean encouraged me to feel like I whatever I was doing was incredible, but the moment would pass, and I would be left feeling bloated or gassy or hungry.

  It was probably just the hormones talking, but I was okay with riding that wave. That at least made it easier to deal with this feeling.

  Annoyance was something I was all too familiar with.

  I hated it when the fluctuations made me cry. It wasn’t just quiet sniffling. It was loud sobs that shook my entire body and freaked Dean out.

  He was doing so well considering the circumstances, and I found myself wondering why I ever kept him away to begin with. He made my life better, and he made me so incredibly happy.

  Naturally, there were moments when I wanted to wring his neck because he was being a pain in the ass, but I was told that this was normal. I would alternate between throwing myself at him and kissing every inch of available skin, and then a minute later, I was yelling at him for something stupid.

  Yeah, marriage life was an adjustment, to say the least.

  But Dean made it seem effortless when I wasn’t a rollercoaster of emotions. He was a natural giver which complimented my personality..

  At times, it felt like we were a match made in heaven.

  I knew that sounded cliché and cheesy, but he was the only one who knew how to calm me down when I was angry, and he would often remind me to take things a bit more seriously.

  In return, I kept things fun, and I would encourage him to live a little.

  “Baby, are you sure you want avocados and shrimp?” he asked, his voice ringing with amusement as it wafted in through the phone.

  “Believe me, you do not want to mess with me right now,” I grumbled as I pushed myself off the couch. I reached my hands out to steady myself, and they sank into the soft material.

  Dean chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’m just checking. I still have some work to finish up here then I’ll pick up the food and come home.”

  I switched the phone to the other ear and waddled towards the kitchen, sticking my head in the freezer box to cool off. A waft of air blew through me, and I shuddered as I wriggled my toes causing them to sink into the carpet.

  I pushed some food around as I reached out for the tub of caramel cookie ice cream I kept in the back. “You won’t be too late, right?”

  “No, I’ll be home as soon as I can, I promise,” he assured me. “Unless you develop any more bizarre cravings.”

  I scowled at the phone. “I’m so glad you find this amusing because it’s your baby I’m carrying. Try to remember that in the future. Also, do keep in mind that pregnant women are frightening women.”

  Dean began to guffaw on the other end of the phone which inadvertently brought a grin to my face. “You were scary before you got pregnant, so I don’t think it applies to you.”

  I swung the freezer door shut and rummaged around for a spoon. I scooped out a mouthful of ice cream and stuck it in my mouth. I cursed as my brain immediately went numb from the sudden shock of eating it that quickly.

  “Argh!” I complained as I clutched my head and glared at the tub. “Why is the ice cream so cold?”

  “Because it’s in the freezer?” Dean offered. “You’re the one who wanted it there.”

  “Smart ass,” I mumbled as I licked the edge of the spoon. “Who asked you anyways?”

  “You just did,” he pointed out. “A few seconds ago.”

  “Eh, what do I know?” I waved my hands in the air before going back to my food. “You shouldn’t listen to me.”

  “Now, I doubt you mean that,” he responded, his tone laced with humor. “Just the other day you were complaining that I don’t listen to you.”

  I stopped and smiled sheepishly. “Oh, well.”

  “Yes,” Dean agreed. “I just operated on this tiny cat who gave birth to five babies.”

  I swallowed. “Really? That’s so cute.”

  “Yeah, they are, but now we need to help the owner find homes for them since she can’t keep them all.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find them homes in no time.”

  “Any chance you want to get a cat? They’re awfully cute.”

  “Dean, I’m about to have a baby. I think we’ll have our hands full enough as it is,” I warned. “I can’t take care of a baby kitten on top of all of that.”

  “Okay, it didn’t hurt to ask. Anyways, I must get back to it because they’re calling me. Tell Tenley I said hi.”

  “Will do, see you soon, baby.”

  “See you soon, honey.”

  As if on cue, the doorbell rang to signal the arrival of my sister. I sighed as I hastily put the ice cream back and headed towards the door. I loved my sister, but if she saw me binge eating, she’d give me another lecture about healthy eating, and how important it was, but I didn’t want to hear it.

  I had cravings and weird as they were, I catered to them.

  “Hey, Ten,” I greeted as I swung the door open. My sister stood on the other side decked out in a pair of skinny jeans and a crop top. Enviously, I admired her outfit as I stared down at my baggy sweatpants and Dean’s hoodie.

  It was the only thing that fit me right now. I’d postponed shopping for maternity clothes for as long as I possibly could, but now I couldn’t anymore.

  Luckily for me, Tenley kept her maternity clothes, and she agreed to pass by and drop them off.

  “You are a lifesaver,” I said, gratefully.

  “I know.” She pushed her hair behind her ears and grunted as she shifted the box from one hand to the other. “It’s a good thing I didn’t throw these out.”

  “Sure is. Why didn’t you?” I asked, curiously as I stepped aside to let her in. She zoomed in the house in a flurry of colors as she dumped the box on the couch.

  “In case we have another kid,” she responded, absentmindedly.

  I paused in the middle of folding clothes and let out a giggle. “Is that something you guys are planning on doing again? You have a bunch.”

  “Yes, but not all of them were on purpose,” Tenley revealed as she laid the clothes out in neat piles according to category and presented them to me with a flourish.

  “Why are maternity clothes so—”

  “Baggy?” she supplied.

  “I was going to say drab,” I corrected. “It’s not the baggy part that bothers me as much as the lack of colors.”

  Tenley snorted. “Sis, you’ve been a fashionista pretty much since you discovered fashion magazines at eight, so this is going to be hard for you.”

  I sighed. “Yes, I guess so. I miss the clothes and being able to see my feet.”

  “There’s other things you miss too, I bet,” Tenley said, sympathetically as she patted my hand. “Like not waddling.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, that’s been a challenge. First time I did it, Dean said I resembled a duck, and I burst into tears. He had to console me for a while after that.”

  Tenley grinned. “The dreaded mood swings. Yeah, it gets easier to handle.”

  “Does it?” I asked, hopefully. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard today. I’ll be glad to not feel like a patient in an insane asylum then.”

  Tenley squeezed my shoulder. “Nah, don’t worry. You aren’t. Anyway, I sorted out the clothes for you. The dresses are on the left. Pants on the right, and in the middle are tops.”

  I held one top up and grimaced. “Yipee. Can’t wai
t.”

  “I can tell by the look on your face,” Tenley said, sarcastically. “So, did the doctor say when Bean is due?”

  Even Tenley had gotten into the habit of calling him that.

  It drove Dean crazy because he insisted that we had to give our son a real name, but I enjoyed poking fun at him way too much. It was easy for me to get under skin and ruffle his feathers, and he knew it.

  “He’s due in a month, but he said that sometimes babies come early, so I shouldn’t worry if he does.”

  “Have you been experiencing any unusual symptoms?” Tenley lead me to the couch all the while studying me carefully.

  I shook my head. “Aside from the near constant gaseous state of my belly, I think I’m okay.”

  Tenley raised an eyebrow. “Too much information, sis.”

  “Hey, you’ve been through this before, so you’re the only I can talk about this openly,” I complained. “Whenever I try with Dean, he starts squirming and gets this weird look on his face.”

  “Yeah, guys don’t always know how to handle our blunt honesty when it comes to pregnancy,” Tenley responded. “I’m going to make us some tea, okay?”

  I smiled. “Sure.”

  I gasped as I clutched my stomach suddenly and doubled over. Tenley crouched in front of me, tilting my chin up. Her face was pulled back in worry.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I think it’s the gas,” I said, in a small voice.

  “Are you sure it’s just gas? Did you ask your doctor?”

  “I did, but he said it was nothing to worry about.” I pushed my hair behind my ears and took a deep breath in through my mouth and out through the nose.

  “Kait, I don’t think—”

  I clutched her hand and squeezed tightly as my breath came out in pants.

  “Okay, you’re scaring me. I think I should take you to the doctor.” Tenley stood up and began to gather her things.

  I waved her comment away. “No, no, it’s fine. I’ll stop any minute now.”

  It didn’t stop.

  If anything, it got worse.

  I was pretty sure that wasn’t normal.

  My stomach expanded and contracted then I felt a strange liquid oozing underneath me. I placed my hand on the couch and frowned.

  “I think I peed myself,” I said, in horror.

  Tenley choked back a laugh. “No, you didn’t. However, your water did just break.”

  My eyes shot up to meet hers, the fear evident in them. “What? No, I’m not ready. Make it stop, Ten. Send him back in.”

  An amused smile tugged on the corner of Tenley’s lips. “I can’t, Kait. I would if I could though. Come on, I’m taking you to the hospital.”

  I glanced wildly around the room. “What about Dean?”

  “We’ll call him on the way.”

  “My hospital bag is in the baby’s room, right next to the door on the right,” I said, carefully as I took long deep breaths to minimize the pain.

  Tenley wrapped her arms under my armpits and helped me get to the car. Once she made sure I was strapped in, she switched on the engine and backed out on the street.

  I pressed the phone to my ear. “Dean, it’s time. Tenley is taking me to the hospital.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Tenley pulled up into the parking spot and frantically waved her arms. “Hello! My sister is having a baby.”

  A nurse immediately wheeled out a chair, and I was grateful to be off my feet. I gave a start of surprise when I saw Dean standing there with his hair sticking out in tufts.

  “How did you get here so fast? It’s 20 miles from your office,” I said, suspiciously.

  “Don’t worry about it.” He took my hand in his and kissed it.

  The whole clan stepped out from behind Dean and offered me words of encouragement as I was taken away.

  My son was ready to come into the world.

  Epilogue

  Dean

  I spent the hours during Kaitlyn’s labor pacing around the waiting room. I’d go from one corner to the next, stop, take a deep breath then start all over. Her family was scattered across the hard metal chairs, snippets of their conversation floating around me.

  Right now, they were telling stories about Kaitlyn when she was a baby. The first time she wore a dress, and her attempt at starting her own fashion line at ten years old.

  I smiled as I was forced to sit down, crossed one leg over the other and listened intently.

  “She was so upset when the school told her she couldn’t use her fellow students as runway models, and that she couldn’t sell her designs at school,” Tenley said as her eyes sparkled with mirth.

  “Oh, I remember that,” Mrs. Alexander responded. “She was so angry and refused to go back to school for the longest time.”

  Her dad chuckled as he took her mother’s hand in his. “It took a lot of convincing to get her to postpone her dream.”

  I cleared my throat. “So, why didn’t she go back into fashion when she was older? She could’ve studied design or something.”

  All eyes turned on me, and they all looked surprised. They were so busy reminiscing they’d forgotten I was there.

  “She fell in love with event planning,” her father responded. “She helped her cousin plan this elaborate birthday party, and it was a hit. She chose the playlist, hired a magician, and she even designed and printed out fliers for the party.”

  I slapped my hand against my thigh as my body began to shake with laughter. “So, even back then she was driven.”

  “You have no idea,” her father agreed. “She’s one of the most ambitious people I know. Stubborn to the point where it drove us nuts, but we never worried about her. I know our relationship isn’t the best, but we are proud of her.”

  Awkward silence descended upon the room after his comment, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I wasn’t supposed to be the one hearing this, Kaitlyn should.

  But, she was having our baby, so I was here instead of her.

  “I’m sure she’d like to know that,” I said, quietly. “I don’t mean to impose of course, but I think it would help her if you told her yourself.”

  “How can she not know?” her mother asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

  “I don’t think it’s my place to say,” I hesitated. “I shouldn’t even be talking about this to be honest.”

  “I’m glad you brought it up,” Mr. Alexander revealed, honestly. “It’s good to talk about these things, and you are family now, Dean. I’m glad you two took the plunge, but I do wish we had been there to celebrate.”

  I smiled, weakly. “I know, but Kaitlyn doesn’t like big weddings, and I know that when fear takes over, she runs away, so I think it was important for her to push through this on her own terms.”

  Her mother reached out and patted my hand, the fabric of her sweater scratchy against my skin. “I’m glad our daughter found you, Dean. I think you two will be good for each other.”

  “I hope so,” I admitted. “I’m not even sure I’m ready to be a father.”

  “Nobody really is. You can read all the parenting books and listen to advice till you’re blue in the face, but at the end of the day, it’s all about learning from your mistakes. You take it one day at a time and do your best.”

  “Thanks,” I said, gratefully. “I appreciate the advice.”

  “I think you two will do just fine,” her mother predicted, a knowing smile on her face. “Also, look at how many babysitters you have in this room alone.”

  Everyone broke out into nervous laughter at that as they shot each other sidelong looks. Clearly, they’d had their fair share of watching each other’s children, and they didn’t want to be stuck with Kaitlyn’s, but this was the reality.

  They couldn’t escape it even if they wanted to.

  It was good to know that our son already had such a strong and loving support system. In that respect, he would want for nothing.

  “Mr. Ben
nett?”

  The doctor stood before me with his hands shoved his pockets. His eyes were drawn back into his face, and he had dark circles under his eyes. His mouth was quirked into a slight smile, but he looked haggard.

  I scrambled up out of the chair. “Yes, doctor? How’s my wife? How’s our son? Is everything okay?”

  The doctor held up his hand. “Yes, yes, calm down. Everything is fine. Your wife and son are both in excellent condition. She was in a labor for a long time, but it was successful. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 12:01.”

  I sagged under the weight of my relief. “Can I see them now?”

  The doctor eyed the rest of the Alexander clan. “You can go in and see her for a bit then everybody else, but only three people at a time please.”

  He turned on his heel, and I shot them all a smile before I hurried after him down a maze of white washed walls that reeked of disinfectant. After a passing a series of identical looking blue doors, we finally paused in front of one that had her name on it.

  I knocked softly before I entered. Kaitlyn sat up in bed in her blue hospital gown, a tired look on her face, and her hair plastered to her face. She looked up at me and smiled when I shut the door behind me.

  Nestled in her arms and suckling softly was our baby boy with a crown of dark hair. I held my breath as I approached them quietly before peering down at him.

  “10 fingers, ten toes, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 one nose and one mouth,” she said, softly. “Alexander Bean Bennett, come meet your Dad.”

  I dropped a kiss atop Kaitlyn’s forehead as I slowly touched my son’s puffy red cheeks.

  “He’s so small,” I commented as I touched strands of his hair.

  “I know, but the doctor said his size is good given that he was born early,” Kaitlyn responded, quietly as she ran her hands across his face. His little nose scrunched up, and he began to make little whimpering noises of protest.

  His grip on her breast began to grow slack, and his head lolled to the side as he pressed himself to her chest. Kaitlyn carefully readjusted herself without disturbing Alexander in the slightest.