Chapter 55: Bonus Chapter 2

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LYDIA HERRINGTON

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It says positive.

My eyes dart over to my reflection in the mirror, my hand instantly going to caress my stomach. There's no baby bump or sign of me being pregnant right now, but the fact that there's a small life growing inside of me, causes a frenzy of emotions to whirl in my mind. I'm ecstatic, on cloud nine knowing the fact that this is something Ridge and I created.

A single tear falls down my cheek, but I do not bother wiping it away. These are happy tears. I'm happy to know that I'm carrying our baby in me. We hadn't really planned it, since we both were at a good place in our life career wise, but I'm not disappointed at all. And I hope Ridge mirrors my happiness.

The sound of the room door opening, followed by footsteps thumping against the floor captures my attention.

"Sweetheart, I'm home," Ridge's usual warm voice reaches my ears. Smiling to myself, I pick the test in my head and walk out of the room. There he is, removing his shirt, looking tired as hell. Today's shift must've been a tough one. I can see it on his handsome, yet pale face.

"Hey," I whisper and take a few steps towards him.

"I'm so tired rig- have you been crying?" In long quick strides, he's right in front of me, his hands grabbing my face in a firm yet tender hold. The pad of his thumb wipes away my tears.

I retrieve the positive pregnancy test from my hand, and open my palm to put it right in front of him. His eyes widen slightly when he notices the two pink lines on it. He picks it from my hand, very delicately and stares at it.

"This has two lines?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Which means- which means that you're pregnant?"

"Yes," I whisper.

"We're going to be parents? Oh my god, fuck, I'm going to be a dad? And you're going to be a mom?"

"Yes Ridge. We're going to be parents and you're going to be a dad, and I'm going to be a mom," I giggle at his cute expressions. He looks awestruck.

He launches towards me and wraps me in his embrace, burying his face in my neck. I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head agaisnt his shoulder. I feel wetness on my neck, making me snap my head up. Good god, he's crying. I manage to pull his face away from my neck and beckon him to look at me.

"Ridge, honey? Why are you crying?" I wipe his tears away, cupping his face.

He places a kiss on the innerside of my palm, smiling bright, "I'm so so happy to know that. I cannot believe we're going to be parents soon. Thank you so much for giving me such a beautiful early birthday present. I love you. I love you so much." He peppers kisses all over my face, making me giggle.

"Well, it's not my fault that your pull out game isn't strong enough," I comment making him pull me close to him.

"It's not my fault that my wife is so gorgeous," he murmurs against my ear, kissing it softly. "I just happen to lose control when I'm with her."

Chuckling, I push him away and take a step back, "Not right now. I'm hungry."

"What do you want to have?" He asks, unbuttoning the remaining of his shirt before discarding it on the floor. "I'll make something for you."

"I'm in mood for some spicy Indian food," My mouth waters at the mere thought of the spicy chicken and curry melting in my mouth. "But it's pretty late right now. Desi's must be closed by now. "

"So? You get what you want," he steps towards me, circling his arms around my waist. "We'll go for a long drive and find a good Indian restaurant for you. Even if it takes us all night."

"I love you," I wrap him in a hug, feeling the urge to cry. These damn emotions are all over the place.

"I love you more baby. Both of you."

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"Ridge, it's hurting! So bad!" I cry out, holding my six month round pregnant belly, as a wave of pain surges through me. Our dog, Scotch, rests himself against my feet, rubbing his head against my leg, a habit he's got from Whiskey.

I hear the clatter of utensils, before Ridge frantically runs out of the kitchen, eyes alarmingly wide and worried. He kneels in front of me, holding my face in his hands, "Baby? What's wrong? Where is it hurting? What do you want me to do? Do you want to go to the hospital? Or should I call Caroline here only?"

I wince, closing my eyes in pain. "Everything hurts. My stomach, my legs, my back and my head too. It's too much."

"I'm so sorry baby. I wish I could take the pain away.  I'll get pregnant in place of you next time," he replies cheekily, rubbing my hand in soft, circular motions.

"What the fuck Ridge?" I laugh loudly, despite being in pain, "That isn't even possible."

"Ah, there's my beautiful wife and her beautiful smile," he grins cheekily, pecking my lips. "Caroline said that it's normal to have pains and cramps so tell me what I can do to get your mind off it?"

I bite my bottom lip, closing my eyes, feeling the pain in every part of my body. "I want you to lay down with me."

"Of course," he whispers and scoops me in his arms, leading us towards our bedroom, Scotch trailing behind quietly. He kicks the door open with his foot and then walks towards the bed and carefully puts me down on the plush mattress.

Scotch jumps on the bed, nuzzling his nose against my stomach. I run my hands through his fur, making him bark loudly. Ridge closes the door and lays down next to me, so that we are face to face. I entwine my fingers through his, resting them against my stomach.

"I've been thinking about a few names, you know," he mutters, making me arch an eyebrow at him. The pain has eased down a little, but it's still there.

"I haven't really. All I do is eat non stop," I chuckle.

"Well, you are eating for two people, so it's justified baby," he bends down to peck my forehead.

"Tell me about the names," I urge him to speak.

"For a boy, I like the name Dane or Damon," he tells me, giving me one of his dimpled smiles.

"Hmm, Dane is better," I nod, "And if we have a girl?"

"Lyss."

"That's my mom's name," I whisper, tears lining my eyes.

"I know sweetheart, that's why I want our daughter to be named after her. I know how much you miss her everyday." He pulls scoots close to him. I mean, as close as we can get with the baby bump and Scotch in between.

"I love you so much," A few tears escape my lips. I sniffle quietly, caressing his cheek with my hand, then skim my hand further to his hair, playing with the long strands. "You're the best."

He leans forward and captures my lips in a soft kiss. I pull away abruptly when I remember something.

"What? Are you in pain again?" His voice comes out frantic.

"No, I just remember Bruce begging me to name our kid after him," I chuckle.

His eyes widen in disbelief before he rolls his eyes, "Hell no. I'd rather name my child after Whiskey or Scotch. We cannot handle another Bruce in the family."

"Wait till Bruce hears it."

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"RIDGE, MY WATER BROKE!"

"What?" I hear him yell, and then I see him run towards me, kneeling right in front of me, "I was not ready for this. Oh my god, what am I going to do?"

"Get the baby's bag from our room and drive me to the fucking hospital. That's what you will do," I demand, gritting my teeth as the pain from the cramps intensifies. "And all of this has to be done faster."

"Okay, okay, good. Right, I will get the bag and take you to the hospital but you need to breathe okay. You're freaking out and it's not good for you or our baby. Don't freak out okay-"

I shake his shoulders a little aggressively, making him stop, "Honey, you are the one who's freaking out, not me."

"Fuck, sorry. I'll get the back," he blushes a deep shade of red, pecks my head and runs in the direction of our room and within a few seconds runs out with the bag and his car keys. Effortlessly, he picks me up and walks out of our house, closing the door behind him. Scotch has been living with dad and mum from the past few weeks for safety purposes so there's no need to keep the main door open.

He sets me in the backseat of the car and hurriedly gets in the driver's seat, dialling Caroline's number through the car's stereo system.

"Caroline, where are you?" he asks as soon as she picks up.

"I'm at the hospital right now, why? Is everything alright with Lydia? You sound breathless and tense." Her soft voice bombards him with the questions.

"Lydia's water broke so I'm driving her to the hospital right now, I'll meet you there in five," he tells her and hangs up before she can speak. He takes a sharp left turn and then another left and then we are parked right outside the hospital.

He gets out of the car and comes to my side and picks me up, running inside. Within the next few minutes I'm in the delivery room, with Caroline standing between my legs.

"You're just 4 cm dilated right now honey, good going," she tells me.

The door opens and Ridge walks in, "I called everyone. They'll be here soon." He takes the seat next to me, and grabs hold of my hand.

Thirteen hours. That's how long I'm in labour before Carolina finally asks me to push. It hurts so much and I'm so tired that I just want the baby to pop out of my vagina already.

"Aaah," I scream, loudly.

"Breathe baby, you need to breathe," Ridge murmurs softly, while I squeeze his hand to the point where I just might break it. But he doesn't seem to care.

"What do you think I'm trying to do? Drive a fucking car?" I snap, as another wave of unbearable pain washes over me.

"Lydia, I can see the head, darling. Just one last push," Caroline exclaims.

Ridge chuckles and bends forward, kissing my sweaty forehead, "I love you."

"That's why all of this is happening," I hiss, pushing as much as I can. And then I hear the sounds of soft shrieks and cries.

"Congratulations! You're blessed with a healthy baby girl." She holds my baby in her arms, all covered in fluids and blood. I throw my head back on the bed and sigh.

"You did it," Ridge whispers, kissing my face repetitively.

"We did it," I correct him, letting him wrap his arms around me.

"Here's your beautiful baby, all cleaned up," Caroline hands me my baby. I look at her, and I swear my heart jumps out of my ribcage when I finally see how beautiful she looks. Her eyes are closed and her small chest heaves up and down as she breathes softly. Her pink lips part slightly, as she breaths. She has soft brown hair. Just like me.

"She's beautiful. Just like her mother," Ridge whispers in my ear, kissing her head tenderly.

"Welcome to the world, Lyss Meanders." I kiss her head, smiling through the tears.

"She looks like you," Ridge mutters.

The door bursts open, followed by a loud commotion and noises.

"She looks like me guys! What are you saying!" Bruce yells.

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I only have 16% battery left. But this chapter was begging me to finish it. Hope you guys liked it!♥