Crazy Baby (26 page)

The nurse comes in to check Andi and asks everyone but me to leave the room. “You’re at the point where you can have an epidural if you want,” she says to Andi.

“Yes, I definitely want one,” she replies.

The nurse leaves with a promise to be right back with the anesthesiologist. True to her word, she’s back in no time with the doctor, and we help Andi sit up on the side of the bed. In just under a minute, the epidural is in place, and the doctor stays to monitor Andi’s blood pressure for a few minutes. Once he’s confident that she’s stable, he wishes us good luck and leaves the room, letting our family know they can come back in.

Andi and I watch in amazement as the needle spikes to the redline area, but she feels no pain from the contraction. “This is much more enjoyable,” she laughs.

When I take a seat on the bed beside her, she snuggles up to my side and lays her head on my chest. My wife. My baby. My family.
My whole life is right here
. A man couldn’t ask for more than this.

After a few more times of the nurse asking everyone to leave so she can check Andi’s progress, she smiles at us knowingly. “It’s time.”

“What?” Andi asks, her face paling as the blood drains from it.

“It’s time, sweetheart. You’re about to meet your baby for the first time,” the nurse replies with complete understanding of her shock.

“We’re having a baby, Andi!” I say before I kiss her. “You’re having my baby now.” I cradle her stomach with my hand, committing this moment to memory.

The doctor strolls in as the nurse converts the bed to a birthing table. We’re in a birthing suite, so everything will happen right here in this room. Poking my head out the door, I announce the news to my family. “It’s time. I’ll come get you when the baby’s born.”

Excitement and tears show on our family’s faces. Not nearly as much as mine though. I’m beyond thrilled as I rush back to Andi’s side. “Ready, baby?”

“Ready,” she says with confidence this time.

The doctor and nurse coach her on when to push, how long to bear down, and when to hold back. All I can do is watch in amazement and tell her repeatedly how awesome she is and how much I love her. When the head appears, I think I may pass out.

“Dad, we need you to breathe so we can focus on Mom,” the nurse chuckles.

“What?” I ask. “Oh, yeah. Breathing. I know how to do that.”

Grabbing my hand, Andi laces her fingers with mine and I pull my strength from the look of needing me in her eyes. “I’m here for you, baby. I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her.

One final push, a loud grunt from Andi, and then all of a sudden, my baby is born right before my eyes. The doctor smiles as he announces. “You have a beautiful baby girl, Mom and Dad. Congratulations.”

Andi leans back to rest, tears streaming down her face. “A girl? Luke, we have a girl,” she cries.

Holding Andi’s face in my hands, I repeatedly kiss her beautiful face. “You’ve given me everything I’ll ever need, Andi. I love you. I’m crazy for you, baby.”

The nurse finishes checking our daughter over, cleans her, wraps her in a pink blanket, and places her in my arms. “Here you go, Dad. Meet your daughter.”

There’s no way I can hold back the tears that fall freely from my eyes. This precious bundle in my arms is the best part of me, and she looks just like her mom already. Kissing her gently on her little pink cheeks, I murmur softly how very loved she is. As I lean into Andi with our baby in my arms, the nurse snaps a picture of us with my phone.

Placing my daughter in my wife’s arms has to be the best feeling in the world. Nothing can top this. To think I almost lost this shows me what an idiot I am. Never again. I’ll never even come close to giving up the best things in my life—my wife and my daughter.

As Andi takes our baby, she smiles brightly through her tears. “Hi there, my sweet girl,” she coos softly at her. Andi strokes her nose and lips across the baby’s cheek, soaking in her scent and the feel of her baby skin. “I love you so much. You’re so precious.”

“What’s her name? Have you decided on one yet?” the nurse asks as she snaps another picture.

“Her name is Mackenna Grace Woods,” Andi replies.

My heart is overflowing with love for the two beautiful ladies who have stolen my heart. I’ll never want it back because it’d never be right without them anyway. They own me, without a doubt.

My life is complete.

ANDI

Two Years Later

“Luke, you need to come get your daughter,” I call to him from the den.

“Why is she my daughter when she’s in trouble, and she’s your daughter when she’s being good?” he asks with a smile as he enters the room.

“You know why,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re the one who teaches her to do the bad stuff.”

Laughing, he picks Mackenna up and smothers her with kisses. Her giggles and squeals of “Daddy” make me laugh—and melt my heart every time.

“Are you being a good girl? Are you?” he teases her.

“Yes!” she squeals as he tickles her ribs with his raspberries.

“Mommy has to go to the doctor now. You be good for Daddy, okay, sweet girl?” I ask Mackenna, stroking her hair and stealing a kiss for myself.

“Otay,” she says, laying her head on his shoulder. She’s as wrapped around his finger as he is around hers.

“You sure you’re all right to go alone?” Luke asks, ever my protector. “You know we can go with you.”

“I’m sure. Just going to check up on your son,” I say, patting my swollen belly.

Luke leans over with Mackenna in his arms and whispers to my stomach. “You take care of Mommy today, little man. I need my wife back as soon as possible. Deal?”

“Deal,” Mackenna agrees.

Luke smiles at her before stealing another kiss from her. Standing, he leans in and covers my mouth with his. His kisses always make me weak in the knees. “Tonight, Mr. Woods. You’ll finish that thought later tonight,” I demand.

“My pleasure.” He smirks and winks at me.

Just as I’m about to leave, Travis’s face flashes up on the TV screen. He’s being photographed with yet another model, and all of social media buzzes with predictions of their future. He’s still one of the hottest names in the entertainment industry, having recently branched out to starring in movies.

“Do you ever miss it? Or wonder
what if
?” Luke asks from behind me.

After healing from the wreck, I began taking over public relations duties for both Luke and Shane. Knowing the ins and outs of the boxing world, I’m certain it was the best decision for my career and my family. It allows me to always be with Luke, wherever he’s fighting, and I can support my brother with just as much love and care. My experience with being in the public eye helped me to learn the tricks of the trade fairly quickly, but I refuse to use the underhanded tactics that others rely on.

Luke has previously questioned my contentment with being the one behind the scenes instead of in the spotlight. It’s not that he’s bringing up the past in a negative way. He’s simply concerned that I’ve given up too much in order for him to pursue his dream. I turn to look him directly in the eye before I answer, and the perfect picture of my life stands right before me. My handsome husband holding our beautiful daughter in his muscular arms, knowing our son is on the way, and the plans we have for growing our family are all I’ll ever need.

“The only
what if
I ever ask myself is ‘
What if I hadn’t gone to your room that day?’
I don’t regret leaving that life behind at all, Luke. Not even a little twinge of regret. Everything I’ve ever wanted, needed, and dreamed of having is right here,” I answer honestly.

When he kisses me passionately again, I have a feeling that I’ll be late for my seven-month pregnancy checkup for our son, Adam Noah Woods.

Even if I had the opportunity, I wouldn’t change a single thing about my perfectly crazy life. Our love is crazy, baby.

The End

A.D. Justice is happily married to her husband of 25 years. They have two sons together and enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. A.D. has a full-time job by day, with a BS degree in Organizational Management and an MBA in Health Care Administration. Writing gives her the outlet she needs to live in the fantasy world that is a constant in her mind.

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