The Probability Of Not Loving You

Epilogue (unedited)

Ava clutched Alex's hand tightly calling out for her mother. He held comfortingly, running his fingers over her knuckles and telling her that her mother was at home waiting for her. No matter how many times, he did this, it didn't get easier. Alex was filled with fear up until the final moment where he heard his child cry and Ava gave out. She always came back to him as per their agreement.

The first time that she lost all strength in her body, he had gone into a panic and after doing it for the fifth time, you would have thought it would get easier. It never did. 

The nurse cleaned their son and then handed him to Alex. Ava's hands were already stretching out to meet them.

Alex smiled. "I guess this is Reed."

Ava kissed the top of the baby's head, too exhausted to speak. "Don't you dare leave."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

The nurses waited for Ava to fall asleep— Alex's wife had a big mouth but had zero affinity for pain. It took all of a minute before her eyes were closed and she was snoring away. At that, Alex took his baby boy and handed him for extra checks. After the third baby, labour was easy for them. It never lasted more than three hours of which Alex was glad. He had heard that labour could last as long as twelve hours and he certainly didn't know how other men did it.

Ava woke up after two hours of rest, and stared at the gorgeous man beside her. "I know you were aiming for eleven, but I think I'm done."

Alex smiled. "You dared me."

"You win!" Ava exclaimed. "Having  said that, you do realise that when it comes to child birth I have the rough end of the deal."

"Are you saying that our children are problematic?"

"They are my children! Of course, they are problematic." Ava said with conviction. "He was two weeks early," she said looking over at the child within her husband's hold. "Did the doctors say anything?"

"He is healthy, don't worry."

She reached for his hand and squeezed. "I love you Alex."

"I know, it was written in the stars."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Those were the delusions of a child."

"Our girls giggle whenever I tell them that story."

"Because you embellish the truth."

"Did you or did you not write it in your journal with your own hand?"

Reed moved his mouth making suckling sounds. Alex stood up and gently placed the baby over her chest. His heart tightened as Ava put her breast in their's mouth and all he could do was smile. For a brief moment, all her focus was on their son while she twisted her body, despite the ache, and fit him around.

When her eyes lifted, she grinned. "You are looking at me."

Alex leaned over the bed and pressed his lips against her forehead. He stayed like that for a moment, just taking her in. "You turned me into a boyfriend, a husband and father. You give me purpose, Ava."

Her heart swelled with joy and pride. No matter how many years went by, she only loved him more. The thought that they might have never had all of this made her cling to it even more. "It's when you say things like that I end up begging you to put a baby inside of me."

Alex chuckled, sitting back. "But you said we are done, love. You always say it's the last time and then you chase me down and you're the one who ends up on your back."