Surrender (21 page)

Jeremy

Another contraction hits and I’m about to go off at someone. Jo is obviously in so much pain and they’re all just standing around watching, checking monitors, not really doing a thing for her.

I lean down and wipe the sweat from her brow as I rub circles on her back. The contractions are getting closer together now and seem to be getting stronger each time. The Doctor checked on Jo about twenty minutes ago and said she was only three centimeters dilated, whatever that means.

“Baby, you’re doing so well. Not long now and you’ll have our baby in your arms.”

She’s sitting on a chair, her elbows resting on the side of the bed as she pants and turns to me.

“For fuck’s sake Jeremy. Tell them to get it out of me now. I can’t take this anymore.”

I flinch as she growls at me and I rub her back harder.

Jo suddenly cries out as another contraction takes over her body and one of the nurses comes over and asks her to lay on the bed so she can check on her progress. As soon as Jo lies on the bed the nurse does an internal and turns to her colleague stating that she is ready.

She then looks down at Jo, while the other nurse goes to alert the Doctor.

“Okay, honey. Your baby is ready. When you feel the next contraction I want you to push down. You ready?”

Jo nods her head as she takes hold of my hand. I stand beside her feeling totally useless. There’s nothing I can do. For eight hours now, Jo has been having these contractions, but it’s only the last couple of hours that they have become this fierce and painful. She’s doing such a great job though. She decided earlier on that she wasn’t going to take any pain relief as she wanted to experience the complete thrill of childbirth, and about an hour ago I had asked her if she had changed her mind and she was still adamant that she was going to do it on her own.

Leaning forward I place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I’m so proud of you, Baby. You are doing an awesome job.”

Her shrill scream scares the fuck out of me, as the Doctor finally enters the room dressed in his blue scrubs. He stands at the foot of the bed and smiles down at Jo, who, mid contraction, doesn’t even seem to notice or care that he is there.

“Okay. Who’s ready to have a baby?”

Jo grunts as the contraction starts to settle and I wipe her brow again with a cold cloth.

“Alright, Jo. I want you to push down with the next contraction and when it ends, stop pushing. Okay?”

She merely nods her head as she glances over at me. Her blue eyes seem to be begging me for help, but I don’t know what I can do. I place a soft kiss on her lips and reassure her that she can do this.

When another contraction occurs I can see the pain on her face as she raises her knees and rests her hands on her thighs. She is shaking as she bears down and pushes as the muscles in her lower body tighten.

Over the next few minutes the Doctor offers words of encouragement to Jo and after what seems like forever he says.

“The head is crowning. Not long now, Jo. It should just take one more push and the baby’s head will be out. Okay?”

Jo collapses back on the bed in exhaustion. I glance down between her legs and my eyes widen in shock as I take in the sight before me. This is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced and as I glance down at the top of my baby’s head, it finally hits me. In a few short moments, I will have a world of responsibility placed on my shoulders. I am going to have to step up and be the best man I can be and teach my son, or daughter, the ways of the world. For the next eighteen years I am going to make sure I’m there for every birthday, every Christmas, every tantrum, every crush, every heartbreak, every god damned milestone. The rest of my life will be devoted to Jo and this beautiful little human being we have created.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I focus on Jo as she manages to push the babies head out completely, while screaming out in intense agony.

I wipe the hair back off of her sweaty forehead and tell her how beautiful our baby looks. She cries as she settles back on the bed.

“Okay, Jo, one more push and your baby will be here.”

She seems to gather every last ounce of strength and energy and when the next contraction hits, she almost roars as she pushes down and the baby slides out. The room is completely silent for a moment as once again I stare in complete shock as the Doctor raises our baby in his hands.

Suddenly the tiniest little cry emerges from this little pink, gooey baby that the Doctor places on Jo’s chest.

“Congratulations, Jo and Jeremy. You have a beautiful, healthy little girl.”

Jo is crying and laughing all at once as if she hasn’t just been through the most painful experience of her life and I feel the tears welling in my eyes as I glance down at the two most important girls in my life.

I lean down and kiss Jo on the lips pouring all of my emotions into that one tiny kiss.

“You did it, Babe. She’s so beautiful.”

“Jeremy, I just realized we still haven’t decided on a name.”

I try to think of the people that have had a strong influence on the direction my life has taken, and suddenly it just pops into my head.

“Paige Cooper Stone.”

The first time I heard the awesome guitar riffs of Jimmy Page, I decided that was what I was going to do with my life and there is only one other person apart from my parents, who has been there for me throughout most of my life…Brody.

Jo smiles and nods her head.

“I love it. Welcome to the world Paige.”

***

Three hours later, after Jo and the baby have been cleaned up and we have been moved to another ward in the hospital, we hear a soft tap on the door.

I open it to see Brody and Ava standing there with massive grins on their faces.

“So?”

I smile down at Ava as she waits for me to reveal what she has apparently been wanting to know for the last seven months.

“A beautiful baby…girl!”

Ava immediately starts crying and moves into the room as me and Brody look at each other and laugh.

Ava walks toward Jo who is sitting up on the bed with Paige wrapped tightly in her blanket, a cute little white hat covering her head of dark hair.

Jo smiles up at Ava as she holds baby Paige out for her to hold.

“Oh my God. You two have made the most adorable little girl I have ever seen. She is just perfect. What’s her name?”

Jo looks over to me like she is letting me announce it.

“Her name is Paige Cooper Stone.”

I glance over at Brody to see his reaction and he glances down at the floor before reaching out and giving me a little pat on my shoulder. I look over at Ava and see her watching Brody with a smile.

“It’s perfect. I love it.” Ava walks toward Brody so he can get a closer look at Paige.

He wraps his arm around Ava and gazes down at the little bundle and I can see so much love in his eyes. This must be bringing back some painful memories for him, but I know he will love our little girl as much as we do.

He glances up at me with tears welling in his eyes.

“She really is beautiful, Jeremy.”

Brody

As I gaze down at the cute little bundle wrapped in her soft blanket, I try to hold back the tears that threaten to escape. This little girl doesn’t know it yet, but she is forever going to be surrounded by people that love her and want to give her the world, including me. The fact that they have given her my last name as her middle name has touched me deep inside. Glancing over at Jeremy I can already see the change in him. He seems somehow older to me, more grown up. This is the start of the rest of his life and he seems to be more than happy to accept that change.

So much has happened over the last year and we have all changed so much. It’s hard to believe that just over one year ago me and Jeremy were getting ready to embark on out first tour and had no idea that it would be the start of so many changes for both of us. We are now in the middle of planning our eight month National tour with the record company and Travis is negotiating a way for us to bring our loved ones. We leave in six months and I have insisted that Ava comes with us. She has worked out a deal with her boss that she will be able to write her articles while on the road. Ava ended the lease on her apartment two months ago and she and Ash moved in with me. Now that Jo is living with Jeremy there is plenty of room for us at my place. Jeremy surprised Jo with a nice little house, when I say little I mean compared to his penthouse apartment. It’s a two story, five bedroom house just outside of L.A, on a large property with the best security that money can buy.

Ava beams up at me and I feel a surge of pride and love for her. She really is the most amazing person that I have ever met. She is so caring and sweet and as I watch her with baby Paige, I realize that I want her in my life forever. I want this with her. I want to see her pregnant with my babies. I want to see her with my baby in her arms.

I want to be with her.

Always.

She really is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m going to make sure I never let her go.

***

An hour later I finally manage to tear Ava away from Paige to give the new family some private bonding time. We hop on my bike and head back toward our place. On the way there, for some reason I instead head toward Santa Monica Pier. When we pull up, I park the bike and wait for her to hop off before following her and removing my helmet. I pull her helmet off and place them both in the storage compartment. Ava watches me with brows raised.

“Why are we stopping here?”

“I thought you might like to get an ice cream and go for a walk.”

She smiles and places her hand in mine and we turn and head toward the pier.

We purchase our ice creams and stroll along hand in hand, it’s late in the afternoon and there aren’t many people around, except for couples like us out for a romantic stroll and a handful of joggers running along the pier.

We stop and gaze out over the water as the sun begins to set low on the horizon casting an array of beautiful colors over the water. I turn and watch Ava and as she licks her ice cream while staring out at the sunset, I once again feel that sense of déjà vu. I feel like we have been here together before.

As she finishes her ice cream, she catches me watching her and smiles shyly.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“What are you thinking about?”

Turning to her I tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear and place a brief, soft kiss on her lips, which are cold from the ice cream.

“Honestly?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m just thinking about how much I love you and want to spend the rest of my life making memories with you.”

Her grin spreads across her face.

“I want that too, Brody.”

“Marry me, Ava.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth opens in complete surprise.

“What?”

I take hold of her hands and stare into the golden depths of her eyes.

“Ava, I remember. The day we met here on the pier. It was after the interview and I was so confused over meeting you and the things I was feeling for you, I came here to clear my head. I remember it. I remember seeing you walking along, eating your ice cream. I remember it because I think that was when I started to fall in love with you. I knew then that I had never met another soul that I was completely drawn to and I know now that I never will. I want to marry you, Ava. I have never wanted something so much in my life. I want to wake up to you every morning for the rest of my life.”

She is frozen still for a few more seconds before my words sink in and then she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me like her life depends on it. After a minute or so I pull away from her, waiting for her response.

“Brody, I would love to be your wife.”

It’s only then I realize that due to this spur of the moment proposal I don’t even have an engagement ring. I reach around and gently remove the hair band from her hair before taking hold of her left hand and wrapping the thin black band around her ring finger. I then raise her hand to my mouth and kiss it, before pulling her into my arms and holding her close. This girl means so much to me. She is my life, my future…my everything.

Ava

2 Years later

Flight RS 167

Looking out of the small window in the plane, my mind drifts back to the day Brody proposed, the same day sweet little Paige was born. Standing there on the pier, the sun warming my back as Brody proposed to me with nothing but my hair band. It was the most amazing day of my life and to this day there is nothing I would change about the way he proposed. It was so sweet and so him…it was perfect. There was never any doubt in my mind that I belong with this man for the rest of my life and I knew in my heart that one day I would be agreeing to marry him. The start of our relationship was a little rocky, but eventually, fate won and we got to a place where we couldn’t imagine our lives without the other. I wouldn’t change a single moment of our time together; the drama and heartache proved that our love could survive anything and without it I don’t think we would be where we are now… seven days out from our wedding day.

***

I think back to that day two years ago when Brody made me the happiest woman in the world. After he wrapped my hair band around my finger I threw my arms around Brody’s neck and gave him a deep kiss. We climbed back on the bike and I held my arms tight around his waist as I thought about how I was the luckiest girl in the world. This beautiful man is so good to me and every day with him is a blessing. As we pulled up out the front of our place I jumped off the bike keen to get him inside. Breaking into a run I headed up the stairs. His deep chuckle erupted from behind me as his steps quickened. Fumbling with the key I shoved it in the lock and turned. Racing through the apartment I heard Brody pull the keys out of the door and shut it. As I hurried into our bedroom, his arms swooped me up from behind and he gently tossed me onto the bed as he began to remove his shirt.

“You are mine; did you really think you could get away?” His lips curved into a smirk.

“I thought it was worth a try. But no, I knew I couldn’t get away from you.” He leaned down over my body as my eyes swept over his hard abs.

“Good, I am never letting you get away from me ever again.”

The next morning a soft kiss on my forehead woke me up.

“Brody, you kept me up all night, go away.”

“I brought my fiancé some coffee… and breakfast.”

Sitting up I smiled at him, enjoying the sound of the word ‘fiancé’.

“Okay come here.” Leaning over to him I placed a kiss on his lips, his stubble rubbing against my face.

“Did I do well on, my first day as your fiancé?”

“You did very well.”

“That’s good. Now eat your breakfast, Baby. You need all of the energy you can get, we have a big day today.”

“Doing what?”

“Ring shopping.”

***

Brody’s hand moves a lock of my hair out of the way.

“Are you okay babe?”

“Fine, why?”

“You just had a distant look on you face that’s all. You’re not nervous are you?”

“No not at all, I was just thinking about that day on the pier, that’s all. I’m so lucky to have you, thank you.”

“Thank you for what babe?”

“For giving me the wedding I want.”

“Babe, we both wanted this wedding to be small. After all it isn’t like we have huge families to invite. Travis was never going to have the big showstopper wedding that he was pushing for. Moving the wedding here to Australia is what I wanted. I wanted to take you home.”

“I know Brody, and that’s why I love you.”

Looking down at his hand resting on mine, I realize that I can’t wait to put a ring on his finger and claim him as mine. When we went ring shopping two years ago, Brody and I had picked out a princess cut diamond with botanical-like tendrils and diamond crescent details around the band. It is small but elegant, and so perfect.

We have had quite a long engagement but we just haven’t had the time to plan a wedding until this year. Six months after Brody proposed, we departed on the ‘Relentless Soul’ eight month National Tour, which was a huge success. The guys performed so many sold out shows and loved every minute of it. The record company decided to rerelease ‘Escape’ as a single with Brody on lead vocals and during the tour it went to number one on the billboard charts. Tori and Emma toured with us again, along with a bigger crew and tour Manager. Tori and Hunter are still very much together and seem to be getting very serious. Brody even mentioned recently that he thinks Hunter will propose soon. The guys invited Finn to be the guest band in their shows, which was a big step for Jeremy. At first he was hesitant to invite them along but once he realized that there really was nothing between Jake and Jo, he was able to move past his issues with Jake and they are actually now really good friends.

I was able to get a lot of work done on the bus while we were travelling and Jennifer was very happy that the tour wasn’t impacting too much on my work. In a way it was actually an advantage as I was able to meet up with various musicians around the country for interviews and profiles. It was also very interesting having a baby along for the ride this time, but Jeremy insisted that Jo and Paige were with him every step of the way. It made me realize that it would be possible to live the rock star life while also having a family, which is something I have been thinking a lot about recently.

***

Looking in the mirror I watch as Emma applies the finishing touches to my makeup, she has gone for a natural look but has applied a soft pink to my lips. Tori is running around making sure the venues are all set up. This wedding is super small but just what we wanted, Travis was set on having a big wedding for publicity purposes, but who were we going to invite? We didn’t have a lot of people to invite, but that was how we wanted it; our small group of friends and our even smaller group of family members. Brody wanted to take me home as he knew how much I was missing it and it seemed perfect for our wedding. My Abuelo and Abuela are coming, Brody paid for their flights and accommodation in Sydney. Jeremy, Jo and Paige are here but they are only having a short trip with Paige being so young. Tori, Hunter, Luke and Emma are all staying for three weeks. Jeremy's parents are coming and so are Travis, Lara, Jake and Ashley. All of our friends are staying in the same hotel and most of them are on the same flights. My grandma drove up from Canberra and is staying in the same hotel as my Abuelo and Abuela they are so excited to see each other again. The last time they saw each other was my parents wedding.

Tori insisted on being my wedding planner, and I have to admit, there is no one in this world that could have done a better job. She knows me well and has managed to keep everything under control. We are having the ceremony in the botanical gardens that overlook the harbor and have booked a hall at Luna Park for the reception. The Harbor seems like the perfect place to say our vows as it was here that our relationship really got started.

As I sit around with the girls, my nerves finally start to get the better of me. My hands are sweating as Tori smiles at me.

"I can't wait to see the dress."

"Jo has done an amazing job with the design, it's beautiful."

"You look so good; Brody is going to have to pick his chin up off the ground." She laughs at her own joke as she glances down at her phone.

"Ava, I just got off the phone from Hunter and Luke, they have just set up the chairs in the reception hall and put the covers on, they were the white covers with silver bows yeah."

"Yeah that's them."

"Champagne?"

"No thanks Jo I couldn't stomach it. I would just be sick I'm so nervous."

"You'll be fine, what's Emma doing with your hair?"

"She is going to curl it, then bring it all around to the left and pin it there but she will create curls on the side when she pins."

"That is going to look fantastic with your dress. Listen, I have to go and get Paige ready. I'll see you girls at the ceremony."

"See you soon."

***

Slipping into my custom designer dress I'm stunned. It is one of a kind and Jo has done an amazing job. It is an A line style with a deep plunging halter neckline. There is a flower corset with a light grey tulle and a black and white appliqué that is simply stunning. On my feet I’m wearing silver strappy heels that are covered by the bottom of my dress which sweeps into a small train at the back. My bouquet is white roses with turquoise and black ribbon threaded though. Standing in front of the mirror I look at myself and sadness washes over me. I’d give anything for my parents to be here and for my Dad to walk me down the aisle today. A lone tear runs down my cheek and I should be trying not to ruin my make up, but I can't help it; I wish they were here.

A knock at the door startles me, and I quickly pull myself together and say come in. Wiping the tear from my eye I see my Abuelo walking in. Tori and Emma blow me a kiss as they leave the room.

"Are you ready Ava? They are waiting for you."

"Si, Abuelo."

"What's wrong Ava?"

He walks over and pulls me into a hug, and I can feel the tears welling in my eyes, thank goodness we went with water proof makeup.

"They should be here. Dad should be walking me down the aisle. I just wish they were here."

"Ava they are here, they always are. They would be so proud of you. Abuela and I wanted to give you something because we knew today would be hard."

As he holds his hand out I see there is a small silver heart shaped locket with a small diamond in the middle surrounded by a swirl engraving.

“It was Abuela's. It was given to her on our wedding day from her Mamá.” He opens it up and I gasp as I see a tiny picture of my mum and dad. Turning around I hold it out to him and he slips it around my neck and clasps it into place. I struggle to hold in my tears as I hug him and whisper “Thank you” in his ear. "Now they are with me today."

"They always are Nieta."

***

Walking down the aisle, everything is a blur except for Brody. He is standing there in his charcoal grey pants, white shirt and silver tie, with his mouth open and eyes wide. Abuelo has my arm looped around his and I am walking slowly, I can't believe this is it…the moment I marry the love of my life. The walk down the aisle seems to take forever and finally I am standing beside Brody, gazing into his warm grey eyes. Abuelo kisses me on the cheek and sits down in the chair closest to the aisle.

I look back at Brody and see him smiling at me.

"Hey."

"Hey to you too, you are breathtakingly beautiful."

Brody is interrupted by the celebrant.

"We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Ava Flores and Brody Cooper."

Tuning the celebrant out all I see is Brody, his grey eyes staring lovingly into mine. I have been waiting for this day, and it is finally here. As I stare into Brody’s eyes I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found him…how lucky we are to have found each other.

"Ava would you like to say your vows now?"

"Oh…yeah. Brody…I really don't think there are enough words to express how much I love you, but you are my soul mate. We have proven our love is timeless and it knows no bounds. Our love has survived so much already and I think it has only made our bond stronger. I promise to always be your light in the darkness and I promise to stand by you. I can't wait to finally call you my husband and wake up next to you every morning until we're old and grey. But before we are old and grey I can't wait to see you become the most amazing dad."

Stopping my vows I hold my hand on my tummy and smile.

"Your turn, Brody."

"Ava you stood by me in my darkest of times, even when I saw you as a stranger, you were there for me. I may not remember all of our time together but we will make many new memories together and I will ways fight for you. I promise to love you and only you until my last breath."

I interrupt Brody not being able to help myself.

"Brody I can guarantee you will not only love me. One day you will love our children.”

I can't keep it in any longer, I lean forward and whisper softly. "That day will be here sooner then you think Brody Cooper."

Still holding my hand to my tummy I wait for Brody to understand what I have just said. His eyebrows rise slightly as he stares at me open mouthed again.

"Ava do you take Brody to be your husband?"

"I do."

"Brody do you take Ava to be your wife?"

"Oh shit, yeah I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

***

I watch Paige run around in circles as she dances with Jo and Jeremy. She is such a cutie with her blonde curls and they all look so happy. Jeremy is so obviously smitten with his two girls and I am so happy for him…for all of them.

All of the formalities are over and it’s now time to have fun and let our hair down. Brody is standing beside me, his arm wrapped around my waist and gently caressing my stomach as we watch our friends and family carve up the dance floor. He still seems to be in shock and once again he leans down and whispers in my ear.