Exclusively Hers

1 - Last days of freedom

March 25th, 2005 @ Montegremory Hospital 
Omni-POV

       
    “Ah!” A woman by the name of Margaret Payne is currently undergoing one of her hardest, but most beautiful trials in life. Her reddened and freckled skin was clammy with sweat, allowing her fiery, ginger hair to stick to the nape of her neck.

She certainly wasn’t at her best appearance-wise, but the burly man holding tight to her hand didn’t seem to mind. Her devoted husband.

“You’re almost there honey. Breathe, breathe.” He couldn’t decide which he should look at. The birth of their little girl or his amazing wife bringing her into this world. His gaze was constantly torn between the two.

Margaret wanted to tell him how much she loved him as despite this being painful, it was an emotional moment for them both. She could only focus all of her attention on breathing and only pushing when the contractions came. She wanted to take their little girl home with as little tears in her womanhood as possible.

Her wide, brown eyes looked up to her husband’s soft blue ones and they seemed to soften even further in understanding. Nicholas was a buff man who was still handsome even nearing his prime age with short, blonde hair and a sharp chiseled jaw.

Back when he met Margaret when they were only young teenagers, he was quite popular among the women. Gossip, of course.

He never had a player stage as he had always been a family oriented boy due to how his mother raised him.

“Alright momma, one more big push for me!” The doctor called from between her legs and the couple nodded to each other.

“You can do this, remember to breathe.” Margaret took multiple breaths as she prepared to give a big push, gripping Nickolous’ hand in an iron-like hold.

“Ahh!”

“Here she comes!”

“She’s almost there honey, you’re so amazing.” Margaret could only nod rapidly, her veins bulging with the effort to push out the last of their daughter. Eventually, loud cries filled the room and Margaret released a loud breath as the relief of her child sliding out of her all at once was too good.

She dropped her head back, gathering her labored breaths as Nickolous pampered kisses along her sweaty forehead. “You did great, baby.”

She gave a tired smile, her chest filling with warmth at the cries of their child. The desire that was crossing both of their minds were answered when a nurse held the small bundle out for Margaret to hold. Gathering her into her arms eagerly, they both gasped in utter awe at the product of their love. She wasn’t supposed to be here, but she was and they couldn’t be happier.

“What should we name her?” Nicholas whispered, still in a trance stricken by their doe-eyed baby. Margaret stared at her daughter, her heart seeming to have already decided.

“Hope.”

Fall of 2022, @ Payne residence
Hope’s POV

   
    The phantom-like tingling that told me we were pulling in the drive-way woke me from my slumber, my hues of hazel staring back at me in the glossy window as I yawned. Everyone always wondered how I would age since my parents have such opposite features with my mother being a red-head with brown eyes and my father being a natural blonde with blue eyes.

And then there is me in all of my abomination glory with strawberry blonde hair that my mother cut to my shoulders every year and my light hazel eyes that only seemed to make the freckles I inherited from my mother more visible.