One minute to midnight

December the 31st, saying hello to 2013 and goodbye to 2012. No matter what up's or downs, we all spend the last few hours with our loved ones, sealing it with a kiss at midnight. But for me, not only is it the last day of the year, its the last day of carrying our little one..we hope anyway, I'm 9 months pregnant and i have everyone i need in my life. *knock knock*, 'you okay in there baby?' Aston asked as i was soaking in the bath, 'yeah, the doors unlocked', opening the door he sat himself on the toilet with the lid down, 'any twinges?', 'nope' i smiled weakly, he frowned checking his watch for the fifth time today. For some strange reason Aston is dying for me to have this baby by the 1st of January, the only reason he has gave is it will be a nice start to the year, and even though thats true, there must be something more to it. 'Im going to cook us something to eat, how long will you be?', 'okay, il get out in five minutes' i said slouching down further fully enjoying myself, 'okay' he giggled, 'come down when you're ready' he smiled kissing me gently. After laying under the bubbles another fifteen minutes i finally got out and wrapped a big bath towel around me, pulling the plug as i went back to the bedroom. Smelling all sorts of herbs wafting up the stairs i hurried along moisturising and putting on some underwear before my night dress and gown, combing my hair down my back. 'Are..oh there you are' Aston smiled standing at the bottom of the stairs, 'sorry, it was too nice' i giggled, 'you deserve all the rest you can get, il bring your food to the table', 'thank you', walking over to the ready made table i looked around the room. Its not what i expected considering its new years eve, and we have guests tonight, 'Ast?', 'yeah?', 'i thought you were decorating the house?', 'well i was going to call them and cancel', 'what? why?', 'well if anything happens a house full isn't going to be good', 'i don't think anythings going to happen tonight babe', 'what you don't feel any different at all?', 'not really, maybe a little but no twinges or anything', 'ooh' he sighed, 'it doesn't matter, they wont be long' i smiled holding my bump, 'i know but..' he shrugged, 'they want to see you too' i giggled, he then caved in kissing me with a smile, 'are you sure you want everyone here though?', 'il be sitting down no matter who's here, and its new year, i wanna see everyone', 'okay, il arrange it' he smiled, 'as long as you do sit down', 'i will, promise'. After a quick dash back to the kitchen he brought out two plates and a side, 'this looks amazing', 'il give anything a try', finding it cute how much he really wants this baby here today, i ate my whole plate of curry, rice and popadoms. 'That was just as amazing as it looked, thank you', 'you're welcome' he smiled, sipping my glass of orange juice he got up clearing the plates before i can even attempt to, 'il give you a hand', 'no you're fine', 'its only a few plates', 'exactly, go and get your glad rags on', 'hmm..', 'goo..', 'okay, im going', 'il be up in a little while'. Doing as i was told i made a start on my hair, blowdrying it to my loose natural curls and pinning it to the side in a messy but classy bun. Applying my make up minimal everywhere apart from my eyes i was soon ready to pick a dress, 'no..no..ugh..for god sake' i sighed, 'what are you sighing at minnie moaner?' Aston asked opening the bedroom door, 'i cant pick anything to wear, i look humungous in everything', 'no, you look 9 months pregnant' he said flicking through the wardrobe, 'what about this?', 'i doubt it will fit', 'well this one then? i only you brought you that a couple of weeks ago', 'hmm, il try it on' i said taking a pink chiffon embellished dress, Aston zipping up the back i looked in the mirror, 'see, whats wrong with this? you look beautiful', 'hmm..' I mumbled smoothing it down, it is gorgeous. Strapless, detail around the bust hanging loosely over my bump but all in the right places rather than making me look massive, it shapes. 'Okay..where are my shoes?', 'you are not wearing six inch heels', 'im not wearing kitten heels', 'just wear flats, or none, were in the house after all', 'il see', 'you will see if i catch you wearing heels' he teased kissing down my shoulder, i just giggled. 'Im going to have a shower', 'alright' i smiled finishing off the last little details, jewellery and perfume. Checking the time its 6.00, everyone due to arrive at 7.00, its not going to be a huge night, just a few drinks with special people. Right on queue the doorbell rang, the house now decorated, drinks at the ready and me and Aston both now suited and booted, we let everyone in. 'Hiya babe, come in' Aston greeted Rochelle, 'hey guys', 'hello you' i said giving her a hug, 'you look amazing babe', 'thank you, so do you miss', 'how are you feeling babe?' Marvin asked, 'Okay, no change from last time you saw me though I'm afraid', 'ooh never mind' he said giving me a kiss on the cheek, sharing lots more hugs and kissing with friends and family as they walked through the door, i finally got to sit down. 'Do you want a drink babe?' Aston asked, 'please', 'pop or juice?', 'il have a coke', 'is he looking after you then?' Siobhan asked sitting next to me, 'so well, he's been amazing' i smiled, 'he just wants everything perfect, you should have heard him worrying to me last week', 'worrying? I'm fine, he doesn't need to', 'i think he's been online too much, he knows things about labour only doctors should know', i just giggled as he walked over, 'thank you', 'are you okay?', 'yeah great' i smiled. 'Bruv?' Oritsé called over holding up a can of beer in one hand and amaretto in the other, 'nah I'm good' he said shaking his head, 'are you not drinking?' I asked, 'i might in a bit', 'why not? I don't mind', 'no i wanna be able to drive', 'theres enough people here to drive us if anything happens', 'no i wanna take us', his mind set i gave in. As soon as he disappeared i got talking to his mum again, 'he's so desperate for me to give birth tonight', 'has he said why?', 'just that it will be a nice start to the year, but he's too keen for it to be just that', 'i don't know love, he hasn't said anything to me. Maybe he is just excited?', 'maybe'. Stretching my legs i walked around the house saying hello to a few people, my bump putting a hell of a lot of weight on my pelvis by now, but i cant work out why I've had no twinges? I just feel really heavily pregnant! 'Ooh hello you' Aston smiled as i walked in the kitchen, 'hey' i said before kissing him, 'you okay?', 'yes' i giggled, 'i know you're worrying babe, but il tell you if anything changes', 'promise?', 'i promise', 'okay, il stop asking now' he giggled as i wrapped my arms around his neck, 'i love you', 'i love you too baby, both of you, so much', 'always' i whispered against his mouth, feeling his tongue against my lips i parted my mouth for him to explore, the passion we share over and over again never getting repetitive, always being different and sending tingles through my body head to toe. 'Have you got any..malibu..sorry' Rochelle giggled stumbling through the door, 'its alright babe' Aston laughed, 'theres some over there' i smiled, 'i didn't realise you were in here, sorry', 'its alright, it was just a kiss', 'I've caught you at worse' she teased, 'don't..' I laughed remembering when me and Aston first got together, 'i swear you knew' Aston winked, 'now would i spoil her chance considering she was dying to get In your pants all..', 'Roch!!' I laughed with them, 'the feeling was mutual' Aston giggled down my ear as we followed her back to the living room. As Aston disappeared with a work friend i looked down to my swollen feet, 'ouch..' I mumbled to myself, 'ahh..' I gasped again as i felt a strong kick in my bump, 'steady you' i giggled holding my stomach, checking the time again it doesn't look like Aston is going to get his wish. Looking around the room for a seat I'm out of luck, but spotting Ast again i perched myself on his lap, 'my feet are killing me' i frowned lifting them up to show him, 'do you want me to take you to bed?' He asked, 'noo, i don't want to go out of the way of everything', 'babe they don't look good', 'they will go down in a bit', 'do you want my seat?', 'am i giving you a dead leg?', 'no i was just thinking of your comfort' he giggled, 'I'm comfy here' i smiled leaning back on his shoulder as his hands are around my stomach. Feeling a few niggles i wondered if Aston can feel it, and if i should say? I did promise. But before i can even debate on it i have no choice, 'Oooh fuck' i moaned clutching myself in a sharp pain, Astons lap now soaked, 'woaah, shit..', 'Ast..', 'no its okay, its okay' he reassured standing me up, groaning in pain i held onto the couch as he held me steady, 'il get your bag', 'noo, Aston please don't leave me', 'alright, alright I'm here, Con go and get the bag!', 'where is it?', 'in the wardrobe' i moaned through another pain, everyone now panicking i started to panic gripping onto Astons hand. 'Deep breaths, everything will be okay, il get you to hospital', 'it hurts Aston', 'i know babe', 'no you don't, you really fucking don't' i cried leaning onto him. 'Here!' Conor said passing the bag, 'il sort everything here, go, just get her to the hospital' Siobhan demanded, 'keys?!' he called searching his pockets, 'here!' Marvin said throwing them, 'come on you' Aston said helping me outside and in the car, buckling me up before jumping in the drivers seat. 'I knew we shouldn't have called everyone over, you should have been in bed resting', 'Ast..', 'this isn't how its supposed to happen', 'Aston!', 'you need..', 'Aston i love you but please shut up!' I shouted, 'just get me to this hospital', he just giggled with me as i groaned. Fifteen minutes later we pulled up outside the hospital, luckily finding a car park space straight away we rushed inside and the doctors soon sorted us out. 'Deep breaths Mrs..Merrygold?' the nurse questioned recognising Aston, 'no..', 'not yet' Aston said still holding my hand, 'Smith', 'just take deep breaths, we'll check you out just now and go from there', 'her due date is today' Aston added, 'we've got all the information we need Mr Merrygold' she smiled. Laying on the bed with my legs bent and Aston by my side the nurse checked me out, 'Ok, you're three centimetres', 'what does that mean?', 'theres a way to go yet', spotting Aston check the time i laid my head back trying my best to relax. 'Il get you some gas and air', 'get me everything you've got', fighting my way through an hour of contractions the nurse returned doing the same procedure, 'well done, you're doing amazing', 'how far now?', 'seven, but you're getting there', 'i want this baby now' i groaned, 'just breathe through the contractions and time will fly' Aston reassured, and it did, because ive learnt by now Aston is always right. 'Right, its time to go down to delivery', 'what?! what already?', 'it happens love, you're already ten centimetres', through all the drugs i let everything take course, ignoring the fact of being wheeled through to delivery with people around me, although im glad of the curtain being pulled around us as we stopped, 'are you the partner?', 'yes, he cant go anywhere' i said gripping Ast's hand tighter, 'im not baby, im here', taking in as much drugs as i can i did exactly what i was told. 'Im so scared' i said to Aston beside me, 'don't be scared, everything will be fine', 'promise?', 'i promise, and you know i never break promises', i just smiled before taking another dose, 'you look like you've pissed yourself' i laughed looking at his wet crutch, he just laughed with me pushing my hair from my face. From then on i listened and pushed when told, the epidural working wonders i was pain free but exhausted from all the effort, 'i cant..', 'yes you can, i know you can', 'just one last big push', gripping tighter than ever i pushed as hard as i possibly could..falling back on the pillow at the sound of crying, my whole body is relieved. 'Congratulations, you have a baby girl', dazed at Aston crying beside me and the baby laying across my chest for a few seconds i sobbed with happiness, 'where are they taking her?', 'they're just cleaning her up babe', 'i didnt see her properly..', 'she's beautiful, she really is, im so proud of you', 'i love you', 'i love you too' he said kissing me. 'Ast..', 'what? whats wrong?', 'nothing, look' i nodded to the clock on the wall, 'excuse me? what time was she born?', '11.59 Mr Merrygold', i just giggled as he beamed back at me. 'Here she is, she's beautiful, congratulations' the nurse smiled walking over with our baby placing her in my arms, with Astons dark eyes and skin, and my nose, she really is gorgeous. 'Are we sticking to the name?' I asked, 'she is perfect for it', 'Mia it is then' i smiled with him, 'Ast, why were so you so keen for her to be born on the 31st?', 'its the day we met', 'i didn't..i..', 'it doesn't matter, but thats not all, i wanted to ask you something after she was born', 'what?' I asked as he reached in his pocket, 'now theres all three of us, a new year, new things, you've gave me everything I've ever wanted, and i love you so much..', 'Ast..' I whispered, 'take our last name, and marry me?', 'Aston..oh my god' i gasped, 'of course i will', the relief on his face as he heard my answer made me wonder why he would think id say no, slipping the most gorgeous ring on my finger i looked at the three most important things in my life, my baby, my fiancé and my perfect ring, 'i love you Aston', 'i love you baby', 'and happy new year' i smiled, 'happy new year gorgeous, our year' he smiled as we kissed ten minutes past midnight.