Extraction

13 - Oliver Rake

_____________

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Jane

2014

"It's a boy! Congratulations!"

"Holy FUCK.", I squeezed Tyler's hand, crying out. Tyler's squeeze ceased as he looked away from me.

"It's him, Jane. It's our boy.", his voice broke, making me start crying as well. He stood up and moved to the doctor, who wrapped our son in a soft towel. He handed the crying baby to Tyler, his back towards me - I couldn't see his reaction.

"Come to me darling.", I murmured to him, making him slowly turn around. The sight before me made me break into tears all over again. Baby Rake. Baby gardening tool.

I giggled into my tears at my own thoughts. Tyler's forehead was gently pressed against the baby's, his eyes shut. I extended my arms out for him and seconds later, he set him in between my arms.

I breathed in and out, counted from one to three and then back from three to one. I couldn't believe he was mine. I couldn't believe he was there. Our little love. Our little Oliver.

Tyler moved to stand behind me and set his chin on my shoulder, our eyes both on the little baby in my arms. Eyes of happiness and joy. Tears kept falling down, even when we shared our first kiss with him there.

"Mr and Mrs Rake, sorry to interrupt you.", a nurse spoke, making us look at her.

"We need to do a checkup for the baby. Nothing major, just to make sure he's healthy and that everything is alright. And uhm, do you have a name?"

We looked at each other. I nudged Tyler with my head. "Say it.", I whispered to him.

"Oliver.", he said, making me smile. I nodded at the nurse and then placed a kiss on my baby. Tyler moved around and took Oliver from me, handing him to the nurse.

"Mrs Rake?", another nurse walked in. "We need a checkup for you too. Nothing to worry about.", her smile put me at ease, making me nod. Tyler understood he had to leave.

"I'll be waiting outside, yeah?", he squeezed my hand and leaned down to press his lips against mine. "I love you so fucking much."

"Mhm love when you talk like that.", I murmured against his lips. "It'll take half an hour, darling. Why don't you grab yourself something to eat and drink, hmm? I'm sure you need it.", I caressed his cheek.

"Always looking after me.", he muttered and straightened his back. He winked at me and nodded at the nurse, leaving the room. God, I loved him.

_____________

THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA
Jane

May 2018

Afghanistan. Second tour. They really wanted to get us killed out there. Third tour was starting later this year, because of the demand from the political side of things. I didn't fucking know and I wasn't going to take part of that anyway. Oliver was growing and the last thing he needed was his parents leaving him every few months.

"Man, first tour was what? Six years ago? A lot has changed since.", I said, leaning on Tyler. We were on our way home, we haven't seen Oliver in a whole month - it was exhausting.

"I know right.", he snickered. "We got married.", he started off, looking at me sideways, making me smirk. "We got pregnant."

"I got pregnant, man.", I punched his arm. "Give me credit for carrying our child for nine months and bringing him into this world.", he laughed at my words.