âCourtney's P.O.Vâ
"Five...four...three..."
I squeeze Alexa's hand as the moment of reveal gets nearer and she turns to grin at me.
"One!"
Both Alex and Julian kick their soccer ball and they explode to reveal white bits of tissue paper.
Everyone complains while Alex and I turn to send each other confused glances.
That is, until Steven and Lucas run out of the house in nothing but an adult diaperâSteven with two tiny pigtails at the top of his head, his diaper being the color pink; Lucas's diaper being the color blue.
They run their way towards us and I wait in anticipation when they keep switching places.
Boy ... no, girl ... boy ... girl ... boy ..?
Alex and Julian wait patiently while Alexa and I start to lose our patience.
Finally, Steven makes his way towards me and Lucas makes his towards Alexa.
They stand in front of us and my eyes widen when Steven shoves a pink pacifier into my mouth, while Lucas stuffs a blue one into Alexa's.
"Courtney's having a baby girl and Alexandra's having a baby boy!"
I pull out the pacifier from my mouth and admire it in my hands.
My eyes water as everyone cheers and Alex instantly runs over to hug me. Julian hugs his wife and I wipe my tears as I grin happily at my husband.
"We're having a princess-champ!" Alex cheers loudly before he kisses me.
I laugh as I wrap my arms around his neck and press my forehead against his.
"I love you so much."
He grins, "I love you more."
We turn our attention to everyone celebrating and I grin when I see little Sebastian making his way over to us.
Emily chases after him and I instantly engulf her into my arms when she has him hoisted up on her hip.
"Congratulations, Courtney! I'm so happy for you!"
"Congrats, tia (aunt)!" Sebastian cheers and I thank him, leaning down to kiss his cheek.
"He's so big already. I still remember when he was only a little bundle in your belly."
She nods, "He's turning six in a couple of months. Can you believe it?"
I look down at the little boy in her arms. "Sebastian baby," I begin, squishing his chubby cheeks. "Please stop growing."
He laughs, "I'll try not to, tia."
Damien's arms go around Emily and I watch him put his face between his wife and son, earning a kiss on each cheek.
He smiles over at me and gestures to my growing stomach, "Congrats, boyfriend thief."
I laugh, "Oh, get over it and focus on making my best friend the happiest woman alive, would you?"
Arms encircle my waist and Alex kisses my cheek, "How about I try to make you the happiest woman, instead?"
"You can try."
He spins me around in his arms and I wrap mine around his neck, pulling him closer. He kisses the tip of my nose.
"Maybe Emily will be the happiest woman, but I'm already the happiest man."
"That's arguable." Damien speaks up and Emily laughs, handing Sebastian over to him. He instantly takes him and lifts him onto his shoulders, making his son grin from ear to ear. He enjoys that a little too much. I'd like to see the day he weighs double his weight and asks for him to keep doing it. It's a recipe for constant back pain.
"Damien, I swear if you drop him, I'm getting a divorce and leaving with him." Emily threatens. That causes Damien to frown and she laughs, leaning up to kiss his lips. "I'm kidding, love. I would never."
He sighs, "Thank the heavens."
Alex catches my attention again when he rubs my belly and I look down to see him kneeling in front of me. Instantly, I remember the day he proposed to me two years ago. Although it feels like it was just yesterday.
~~~
"Courtney Salazar."
I walk up the stage to receive my degree. My bachelors degree and ticket to become an elementary teacher.
My family instantly stands to cheer at the top of their lungs and I raise my diploma in the air, grinning from ear to ear as a happy tear slips down my cheek.
My focus then goes over to Alex sitting at the very front of the crowd.
He suddenly stands, ignoring the complaints from the staff. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion as I watch him walk onto the stage.
I look up into his eyes when he stands in front of me. He grins, "I told you you were next, didn't I?"
"Alex..." but before I can finish asking what he means, he bends on one knee and my hands fly up to cover my mouth.
Pulling out a black velvety box, he begins, "Courtney, you're the most gorgeous girl I've ever laid my eyes upon. If god made anything better, I'm sure he'd keep it for himself. From the time you've been by my side, I've made bigger progress than I have in my entire life. So, can you please accept my last name as a replacement for yours?" He opens the box to reveal a diamond ring. "Courtney Salazar, will you be my wife? Will you become Courtney Mendoza?"
I feel everyone's attention on us as I cry, looking down at him with my hands still over my mouth. Composing myself a bit, I finally nod my head and he stands.
I offer him my left hand as I muster up the courage to speak, "I would love to become your wife, Alex."
He grins at me as he slides the ring onto my finger before he bends down to capture my lips with his. The crowd cheers.
"Congratulations, you two. I wish you both nothing but endless happiness." The principal tells us and we thank him, before we step off the stage.
He kisses my lips once more before he goes back to his seat and I go back to mine, staring at the ring on my finger in disbelief throughout the rest of the ceremony.
~~~
I snap back to reality when I feel Alex lifting my shirt and smile at him when he leaves a gentle kiss on my bump.
"I'll live the rest of my life giving you two all my love."
He stands again and I instantly capture his lips with mine, smiling against his lips.
"And I'll live mine returning the favor every single second of every day."
He smiles, putting his fingers through my hair as he pecks my nose.
A sudden crash coming from inside the house catches our attention and we all instantly run inside.
Steven is on the floor, the two-story cake right beside him. He smiles up at us sheepishly, "I slipped..."
We all turn towards Alex, knowing the exact words that will come from his lips.
"Damnit, Steve!"
***
"My little girl is gonna kick ass in soccer."
Julian laughs, "My son is gonna be the best player out there."
"Keep on dreaming." Alex disagrees, "My princess will be the biggest champâ"
"Guys,"
They both turn their attention over to me and I try my best to control my breathing.
"The baby's coming early."
They instantly jump out of their seat and rush over to me. I take one of their hands in each of mine and squeeze when a contraction hits me.
"Breathe, baby, breathe." Alex soothes me, brushing my hair away from my face. Julian groans when I squeeze his hand harder, cutting blood circulation.
"Gee, are you still not over the breakup?"
"Shut up, Julian." I hiss, my vision impaired by the pain.
Simultaneously, Alexa lets out an ear-piercing scream from inside her room just as I feel moisture pool up beneath me.
"Julian, the baby!" She cries out and I let go of his hand to let him attend his wife, taking Alex's other hand.
He helps me up and I let him lead me out of the house, grabbing the diaper bag that we prepared in advance.
Julian follows us out with Alexa and we all enter Alex's carâAlexa and Julian sitting in the backseat while I sit on the passenger seat.
Alex offers me his hand during the car ride and I happily squeeze when another contraction hits me, the worst one yet.
"You just had to get me pregnant the moment you lost your virginity, didn't you?!" Alexa curses Julian, letting out another scream.
"We're almost there, Alexa. Just breathe."
"What do you think I'm doing?!" She snaps at her brother and I sob, shifting in my seat.
"Alex, oh god, this hurts so much..."
He turns to me swiftly and frowns, squeezing my hand for comfort.
"I just need to push."
"Just a few more minutes, baby. You're doing great."
"You couldn't keep your dick in your pants, could you?!" Alexa keeps arguing with her husband.
"But I did for many years..."
I let out a pained scream when another contraction slams into me in full force. Alex immediately pushes down on the accelerator. "Fuck, baby, I'm so sorry!"
"If this child even thinks about disrespecting me, I swear toâ holy fucking shit!"
"Desiree darling, I love you," I murmur, tasting salt as I place my free hand over my stomach. "But I need you out of my body now."
"Ow, that hurts!"
"Shut up, I'm in bigger pain!" Alexa screeches. "A few nail piercings are nothing!" The last word comes out in a high-pitched tone.
I lean my head back on the seat and try my very best to focus on my breathing, closing my eyes as the car ride continues.
Dear god, please help me out of this alive.
***
After what felt like forever, I finally watch the nurse clean the slime off of my baby before she hands her over to me. I look down into her brown eyes and run a finger along her swollen cheek, a tear sliding down my own.
"She's beautiful."
I look up to see Alex smiling down at our daughter and I silently agree, kissing her tiny head. I offer her my index finger and another tear leaves its socket when she grasps onto it.
"I'm already in love." I sob, "She's perfect."
He gets onto the hospital bed behind me and wraps his arms around the both of us. His fingers caress the skin of our daughter, looking past the temporary wrinkles and admiring her permanent beauty.
"Thank you for carrying and having my child..." He whispers into my ear.
Exhausted, I lean back against him and focus my attention on Desiree when she begins to smack her lips.
"I think she's hungry."
A nurse approaches and guides me through the steps of breastfeeding. She makes sure Desiree is positioned properly and I look down at my daughter in admiration as she drinks my milk.
I ask the nurse for privacy and she nods before stepping out of the room.
"Alex..." I warn when I feel his member pushing against my lower back.
He chuckles, "I can't control myself when I'm around you, sue me." He pushes my hair aside and I bite my lip when he kisses my exposed shoulder.
"Stop that..."
"Do you really want me to..?"
There he goes with the same question that always ends up with me giving the same response.
"No."
He continues his evil torture as I feed our daughter in our arms and I silently apologize to her for her sex-crazed father.
"I want to wait a year before we even think about another child." I speak up and he laughs, trailing his kisses up my neck and along my jawline.
"I agree."
"Alex, listen to me."
"Hmm?"
"Stop it."
Thankfully, he leaves one last kiss on the nape of my neck and I turn to glare at him when he finally pulls away.
"Is sex all you think about?"
"Not necessarily."
"Not necessarily?"
"Yeah." He confirms with a nod of his head.
I roll my eyes, fixing my attention back to my bundle of happiness. She's still happily drinking from me.
When she's finally done, she pulls away and I fix my hospital gown.
At that very moment, the door opens and a crowd of people pile into the room. Perfect timing.
"Courtney sweetie, oh my goodness." My mom ushers, the first one to reach my side. "How are you doing?"
I smile, "I'm fine, mom. Just tired."
She kisses my forehead before she fixes her attention on Desiree. "Can I please hold her?"
"Of course." I carefully hand her over to her. Her eyes instantly fill with tears at the sight of her granddaughter.
"She's gorgeous."
I watch two of the most important people in my life and smile, loving life.
"Tia, can I hold her next?" I look down at the little boy tugging at my gown. "I promise I won't drop her."
Damien scoops him up from the ground and sets him down on the bed beside me.
My mom looks at me for approval and I nod my head. She hands the baby over to Sebastian and instructs him on how to hold her properly.
"She's so small!" He admires.
I laugh, rubbing away a stain from his cheek with my thumb. "You were once this small." I inform him and he turns to me, wide-eyed.
"Woah, really?"
I nod, "Just a tad bit bigger, but yes."
He looks back down at her, grinning.
"That means you will grow up to be my size one day!"
Desiree only looks up at him and blinks.
Emily approaches, "Can I please hold her now?"
"Is that even a question, Em? Of course you can."
She takes Desiree from her son's arms and he instantly reaches his arms for Damien, silently asking to be carried. Obliging, Damien carries him onto his shoulders.
Alexander's (remarried) parents walk into the room a few moments later and Mary instantly rushes over to hug me. "Where is she?" She looks around and her features light up when she sees her in Emily's arms. "Oh my goodness!"
Emily smiles as Mary grabs her from her arms and I turn to see Alexander's dad awkwardly standing at the far corner. I then switch my attention over to my mom and see that she's standing all the way across from him, playing with the ends of her hair.
I guess marrying your ex-stepbrother has its consequences...
Guilty, I bite my lip and meet my mom's eyes. I mouth a 'sorry' to her and she waves a dismissive hand, walking up to Mary. They admire their granddaughter together.
I turn my head and Alex immediately dips his head to kiss my lips, moving my hair away from my face.
"I love you so damn much and I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying it."
I smile and kiss him again, "I love you too."
"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing it, either." He mumbles, burying his face in my neck before he leaves a gentle kiss on my skin.
I then watch as Julian walks into the room with his phone in hand, pushing past everyone in order to get to us.
"Are you with them?" The familiar voice of Alexandra speaks up.
"Yes, I'm standing in front of them."
"Perfect, is it on speaker?"
"Yes."
Raising an eyebrow, I stare at the phone. What is this about?
"Alex, what time was little Des born?"
Confused, he hesitantly replies, "Five thirty-six, why?"
"Ha! Declan was born seven minutes earlier!"
"Oh my god..."
"I'm the oldest and now my son is older than your daughter!" She bursts into a fit of laughter and Alex simply groans in annoyance.
Mary raises an eyebrow, "Alexandra, who told you you were the oldest?"
The line is silent for a while before she whispers, "I'm not..?"
"No, sweetie." Mary tells her, "Alex was born three minutes before you."
"Wait, what? Aw, hell yeah!" Alex cheers, throwing his fist up in the air.
Alexa grumbles, "Damnit, dad!"
"Your names confuse me!" Walter reasons and everyone in the room starts to laugh at the family's antics.
Looking past the single consequence, it's more than rewarding to marry your ex-stepbrother.
Not that I would recommend it.
â¿ââ¿ââ¿ââ¿ââ¿ââ¿
Aaaaand that's it!
Kidding, kidding! As promised, there will be extra chapters. I'm planning to make one extra chapter for each character, all in their own point of view.
Including: Courtney, Alexander, Emily, Damien, Julian, Alexandra, Steven, and Lucas.
That will add up to eight extra chapters!
PS: the adults will be included in some of the chapters, so you don't need to worry about them being left out!
Sorry for the mistakes.
â¤ï¸Much Love with Hugs & Kissesâ¤ï¸
Kimmy Herz ð