Anticipation

BECCA

^~EIGHT MONTHS LATER~^

Breathe, Rebecca, breathe. I am so tired of this false labor pain. For the past week, it has been happening daily. It is setting me ablaze.

I am nervous and angry because it is messing up my everyday activities. I am trying to work; I promised Justin and Lisa to finish editing her book by the beginning of November. And I thought that I would be able to pull it off. Fuck!

I get up from the couch, setting my laptop aside. I need to finish three chapters. Three fucking chapters!

I go to the window and stare at our backyard. Suddenly I feel so lonely. I want to cry. Yeah, these mood swings are exhausting. Where is Logan? His practice should have been finished a long time ago. I sigh when I hear my phone ringing. Lisa. What can I tell her?

“Hey, Becca. How are you?” Lisa’s deep voice fills my ears. For the past six months, I have become very close friends with her. And not only because I am her editor.

“Hey, Lisa. It’s nice of you to call me. I am pretty good. I almost finished your book.”

“Really? Oh my, you’re the sweetest, girl. I hope you aren’t tiring yourself because it’s not how I want my book to be ready.”

“No, nothing like that. I take it very slow. You don’t need to be worried.”

“I hope so because you know that I don’t want to argue with my boyfriend because of you.” We started laughing almost at the same time. Yeah, even if Drew was with her, he was acting like a mother hen with me.

“How is Drew?” I bit my lower lip. This pain was becoming stronger and too often for my liking.

“He’s fine. New York is pretty good for him. Though he misses you and Logan, he even said that as soon as you give birth, he will be flying to Philly. Because he wants to be a godfather for this child.”

“If he thinks that this role might go to anyone except for him, then he’s delusional. Ouch.”

“Becca? Are you alright?”

“It’s just… I have been experiencing false labor pain for almost a week, and today it became more intense.”

“Maybe because it’s not false labor pain this time?” I fell silent. What if she was right?

“Lisa, may I call you back? I need to call Logan.”

“Sure thing, Becca.”

“And please, don’t say anything to Drew.”

“Of course! Don’t worry about it. Bye!”

I ended the call and placed my hand on my big belly. I can’t say that I gained a lot of weight, though. My mom said that it was like that with her too, so I wasn’t worried.

I felt good, and my pregnancy was going very calmly and healthily. I hadn’t even felt morning sickness. I was filling my days with happy events and the people I love.

Two weeks ago, my parents came to visit us, and a week before that, Logan’s parents visited. A month ago, Lily and John stopped by before their trip to Europe. And also, there was Logan, my loving and caring husband. I think I need to call him.

“Hey, love, I know that I promised to be home earlier. But I went to the gym and kind of forgot about the time. I am already in the changing room.”

“Can you be a little quicker?”

“Think so. Why? Is everything okay?” I heard as his voice changed; it became more serious in an instant.

“Well... I think that I may give birth tonight,” I bit my inner cheek. It was becoming hard for me to concentrate.

“I am on my way,” Logan ended the call, and I closed my eyes, counting to ten. Yes, now I am sure that it will be today. And something was telling me that Lisa won’t keep her promise.

I met her six months ago when I went to New York. Justin invited me for dinner with a very promising author. He said that I would like her. When I stepped inside the restaurant and saw him, my eyebrows furrowed instantly.

The girl beside him was beautiful, and she also looked a lot like me: long brown hair, a fit body, full lips, and round blue eyes with thick eyelashes.

We stared at each other and started laughing. Justin was very proud of himself; he was sure that Lisa and I would have a lot in common. And he was right.

We started working together, chatting almost daily. We always had a lot of things to discuss. Even our tempers were nearly the same. One day, I invited her to visit me, and she eagerly agreed. It just happened that Drew also came to visit.

The moment they saw each other, I just knew that they would be perfect together. He was very sweet and considerate of her, and she couldn’t resist him. I confessed to her what kind of relationship Drew and I had. I wasn’t hiding a thing from her, and she accepted that.

She understood that he and I will always love each other, but only as friends. Besides, she saw how happy Logan and I were together, so she knew that I wasn't a threat to her. And Drew did everything on his part for her not to feel any doubts.

Four months ago, Drew relocated his business to New York, and they started living together. I loved watching them. He was happy and in love with Lisa. And it meant that I was happy too, knowing that he has someone who will always be there for him.

I stayed at their place a few times, and looking at their interactions, I could tell that they are together for good.

Ouch. I think I need to start packing my things. I sauntered to the hallway. The stairs to the second floor looked like Everest. And besides, I heard that going up and down the stairs could only speed up my labor activities. And I don't need that. Not when I am alone in the house.

I bit my lower lip and looked at the things we prepared for our baby. All that I need to do is change my clothes. I sat on the stairs and felt my eyes prickling with tears. I know that Logan was on his way. I know that everything will be fine. But still, I sobbed, caressing my belly.

When I felt my baby kicking me in the ribs for the first time, I was so surprised and happy. But Logan's reaction was priceless. He was beyond happy; he couldn't stop kissing me and my belly. He was praising me and saying kind words to our baby. I was smiling like an idiot this whole time.

My mom and Alicia weren’t happy with our decision not to make a big event out of our wedding. Mom said, with tears in her eyes, that she was dreaming about seeing me in a gorgeous white dress like Kate Middleton walking down the aisle.

But I stayed true to myself. I had no desire to make a fuss on my wedding day. We tied the knot in a small ceremony at Drew’s house by the lake. I couldn’t stop crying when Logan read his vows to me.

I honestly was incredibly happy to have this man as my hubby. His love for me was enormous and pure, just like mine for him.

“Rebecca?” Logan opened the door and rushed inside. He wasn’t expecting to find me sitting on the stairs. “How are you?”

“Ready to explode?” I said, and he laughed, relaxing a little. He knew me too well. If I was able to joke around, it meant that the pain was bearable. “Can you go upstairs and bring my hoodie and my sweatpants?”

“Of course! Everything else is already packed. So now we just need to pack you and go to the hospital. I already called Dr. Davis. She’s waiting for us to come.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and tried to get up, but Logan didn’t let me. He placed his finger on my lips and shook his head. I sighed and stayed put.

Logan helped me with everything, and forty minutes later, I was already in my room at the hospital. Dr. Davis was a very nice and funny woman. She made jokes only to help me relax. She confirmed that my labor had started. I glanced at Logan. He was calm and collected, smiling at me.

But as I saw how he started chewing on his lower lip when he wasn’t looking at me, I realized that he was nervous. Who wasn’t? All of this was entirely new for both of us.

Two hours later, the labor pain started intensifying. Dr. Davis left Logan and me alone for some time. He sat on my bed and started rubbing my back with his hand as I lay on my right side.

“How are you?”

“I've had better days, but I am trying to focus on my goal: to see our beautiful baby. Am I crazy for thinking that she will be beautiful?” When we found out that our firstborn would be a girl, Logan had this look on his face, which I call, “I told you so.” He was so proud and happy.

“Our girl will be the most beautiful baby in the world because she will take after you. And everyone knows that Logan Jones’s wife is drop-dead gorgeous.”

“I love you so much…” I sobbed, and happy tears started streaming down my face.

“Hey, hey, Becca. I love you more and more every day. I will do everything for you. Everything. Just name it, and I will do it. I will give you whatever you want.”

“So please, seeing you crying breaks my heart. And I am already on the verge. I am nervous as fuck. I wasn’t that nervous at the fucking Super Bowl.”

“Language, Mr. Jones.” I turned my head and saw Dr. Davis standing in the doorframe. She smiled at us. She came closer and waved her hand at Logan. He stood up and walked to sit beside me. “Let’s have a look, Rebecca. Something is telling me that you’re almost ready.”

I can’t say that it was easy. I felt pain. I was sweaty, and I even cursed a few times. I was squeezing Logan’s hand so much, I thought I would break it. These four hours were exhausting, and a few times, I was even ready to give up.

But when I saw our precious daughter for the first time and heard her little cry, I knew she would bring a lot of happiness and love to our family. That she will tie Logan and me even stronger and closer than we already were.

“Oh my God, Rebecca, she’s so beautiful. She’s like an angel.” Logan was holding our baby in his arms. He was staring at her with evident admiration and tenderness. His brown eyes were shining with happiness.

“She’s just like you with those beautiful emerald eyes and that brown hair. I never knew that newborns could have hair.”

“Mr. Jones, I think you should google it. I am kidding, Logan.” Dr. Davis placed her hand on his shoulder and then turned to me.

“Rebecca, you did an amazing job. You almost hadn’t needed my guidance and my advice. You were a real pro. And I am sure that your daughter won’t be your only child. For some of us, it’s just natural.”

“Of course, she won’t. We want to have a big family.”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Logan. But I very much appreciate the enthusiasm. I will leave you alone for a while.”

Logan sat near me with our baby. I was tired, but I moved to give them space. Indeed, she was so beautiful.

“Rebecca, you were perfect. Not only tonight. You were perfect for the whole pregnancy. You were so much stronger than me. I was nervous, and I was itching.

“I never had doubts about your abilities, but you surprised me. My wife is the most amazing woman in this world, and she will be a perfect mommy for our baby.”

“Does she look like Evangelina to you? I thought about other names, but this name suits her perfectly. Or not?” I placed my fingers on her cheek and caressed it with my fingertips. Her skin was so soft.

“This name is perfect for our baby girl. We could call her Eva or Angelina, or Evangelina.” Logan turned his head, locking his eyes with mine.

With each passing day, I love this man even more than I loved him the day before. I can’t get enough of him even now. Maybe our tender but passionate lovemaking caused my labor to start four days before it was planned.

I bit my lower lip, hiding my smile. Logan smiled at me and pressed his lips to mine. This kiss was long and calm, and it gave me a little strength. I was tired, and I was ready to fall asleep.

“Will you stay with me?” I whispered, laying my head on his shoulder.

“Of course. I won’t leave you alone. You were so brave and so strong, but you need to rest.” Logan’s phone buzzed. I held out my hands, and he put our little bundle of joy into my hands. “Ooookay, you definitely need to rest.”

“Why?” I couldn’t take my eyes off my beautiful daughter. I was dying from a desire to breastfeed her for the first time. I felt as if my breasts were becoming hotter and heavier.

“Drew is already at the airport. He’s still in New York, but it’s just a matter of time.”

I was right, Lisa couldn’t hold her tongue. But I wasn’t angry. I felt so peaceful.

“And our parents are also on their way. I called Mom when I was driving from the gym, and I guess she called yours. Did you know that they became besties?”

“Yeah, Dad told me. So, soon we won’t be able to spend even a little time alone.”

“You know me. I won't be afraid to tell them that we love them, that we appreciate the support, but that we want to spend more time alone.”

“Last time, it caused you problems with both of our moms.” We laughed. I still remember the hurt expression on my mom’s face.

“God knows how happy I am that Lil is expecting now too. It will take at least my parents off our backs. For a while.”

“You can dream…” I yawned.

“Logan, come with me and take your little daughter. We will check her up, and I think you would want to be present while Rebecca has a chance to rest a little.” Dr. Davis stood in the doorway with a smile on her face.

Logan walked over to me and gave me a little kiss on the forehead. Then he took our baby from my arms and followed Dr. Davis. He was so natural at it. So fatherly and so tender.

My heart was ready to burst with joy, but I needed to catch some sleep. I felt my eyes closing. When I drifted off to sleep, I was the happiest woman on earth.