Forever & Always || Redlyn

Name?

"Honey?" Ashlyn groaned. Big Red paused the movie they were watching. Their family was on a vacation (not far from home or doing much because of Ashlyn's pregnancy), and they were watching the movie once Hazel went to sleep.

"Yeah?" Big Red asked her, moving his head off her shoulder.

"I feel really... going to have a baby, right about now." She managed a weak laugh at the way she worded her sentence.

"Like, really, really... like need to go to the hospital? The due date's in, like, 3 weeks..." he looked at her stomach.

"Hospital." She nodded.

"Oh God— I'll go get Hazel, um, wow this is different when you already have a kid... do you need help to get ready and go, or?"

"No, I'm good." She made a weak smile and put on her shoes as he went and waked Hazel, who then started crying. He tried his best to ignore it, leading his wife to the car. He buckled Hazel into her seat as Ashlyn got in her own. Lastly, he got in and started driving. He glanced at Ashlyn.

"You okay?" He asked quietly.

"I'm okay." She nodded. He offered her his hand, which she took and tightly held. A minute passed. "Oh!"

"What?" He asked immediately.

"Water broke."

"Oh gosh... just hang in there. We'll be there soon." He promised. She squeezed his hand tightly, closing her eyes. "Deep breaths." He reminded her, who did as he said.

"Mommy?" A tired Hazel asked.

"Mommy probably doesn't wanna talk right now sweetie, but I can." Big Red forced a smile, despite his nerves, as he glanced at his daughter through the mirror.

"What's so wrong with Mommy right now?" She asked.

"Your sibling's gonna be born soon, she needs to get to the hospital. She's fine though." He assured her. He glanced over at Ashlyn, who currently was not fine. Of course, when it came to a toddler, it was easier to say Ashlyn was fine than that she would be. "Love, we're almost there."

"I know." She nodded.

"And once it's over we'll have another wonderful, beautiful kid." He smiled.

"Yeah." She smiled slightly. "I love you."

"I love you." He kissed her hand. "And... we're here."

Ashlyn had fallen asleep almost right after she had given birth, which then left Big Red sitting in a chair beside her. He was mostly updating their friends on what had happened. EJ had picked up Hazel and watched her while Ashlyn was in labor. They were currently on their way over, along with some others.

"Hey..." Ashlyn mumbled weakly, not immediately remembering what had happened only an hour earlier.

"Oh, good, you're up." He gently sat next to her. "We've got a wonderful baby boy, can you believe it?"

"I'm so happy. And tired." She started to sit up to hug him.

"Just lie." He smiled at her, giving her a hug while she was lying down. "2nd kid."

"2nd kid." She repeated, smiling back at him. "Where is he?"

"I think we'll see him in a little, but they always have their stuff to do and you were asleep, so... yeah." He pecked her cheek. "And your family will be here soon, mine too, and some friends later."

"When will Hazel and EJ be here?" She yawned.

"Probably first."

"Good."

"Yeah." He kissed her forehead. "Ugh, could you be any more perfect?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" She laughed lightly.

"I don't know... we're on the same page all the time, with wanting kids and raising kids. And you're just so amazing to be around all the time and— well, you know. Basically just everything in my wedding vows— which, yes, existed despite the fact we were both crying throughout them—" she laughed. "—but... with even more experience. Family experience."

"Yeah." She smiled widely. "Come 'ere, I wanna give you a kiss." He leaned over to kiss her, which she returned. They sat there for a few silent minutes, before the new baby was given to Ashlyn. It was just the 3 of them in the room.

"He— wow."

"Yeah." Ashlyn agreed, nodding as she held the baby in her arms. "Name?"

"Too distracted right now." He told her, smiling at his new son.

"Good, I am too." She briefly glanced at her husband, grinning, before looking back at her son.

"Look!" EJ lifted up Hazel for a better view of her new brother.

"What's his name?" Hazel asked as EJ set her down.

"We're not sure yet." Big Red told them. Ashlyn nodded weakly, half asleep but enjoying the time nonetheless. He rubbed her cheek with his finger, having been holding her face already. For whatever reasoning, they both found it comforting. She was almost using him as a pillow.

"Ash, how are you?" EJ asked as Hazel went over to Big Red, who lifted her up to sit on his lap.

"Just really exhausted, but not in much pain." She told him, yawning.

"Congratulations guys, you're amazing parents." EJ sat down.

"Yeah!" Hazel agreed. Big Red kissed her cheek, smiling.

"Thank you." He and Ashlyn smiled.

"So have you guys thought about any names?" EJ wondered.

"We had thought of some in advance, but none of them feel right, and I'm a little tired to think of any right now. But I'm also generally not the best at names." Ashlyn responded. EJ nodded. "Anyways, when will Mom and Dad be here? Any idea?" She asked her cousin.

"Nope." He shrugged.

"What about your parents?" She asked Big Red.

"I mean, probably soon, but no idea." He shrugged. There was a brief silence. He realized part of the reason she was asking. "You can sleep until they get here, we don't have to talk." He kissed her forehead. She smiled.

"Thank you."

"Hazel, could you go sit with Uncle EJ for a minute?" Big Red asked. She nodded with a smile before doing as instructed. Big Red held his newly born son, taking him from Ashlyn. She shifted to be more comfortable, holding onto his arm (instead of hand because of his hood on their son).