Usnavi March 2016
Vanessa and I have been planning our wedding these last few months. We thought about waiting until I graduate law school, to get married. We both decided we don't want to wait that long. We are planning our wedding for December. She will only be a semester from graduation at that time. We are both ready to finally be married to each other.
I am studying for my first big test in law school when Vanessa comes in the apartment all giddy.
"Amor, what has you all excited?"
"I got some news this week. Only, I want to wait until we can tell our family all together. Can you call your parents and see if they can come over tonight. My moms can come tonight if yours can come."
I give her a look but nod. "I will call and ask."
She leans down and kisses me. "Thank you. I have to get to class. Text me as soon as you know their answer. I love you Usnavi."
"I love you too Vanessa."
Later that evening, my family and Vanessa's parents are all in our little apartment. She has made us all dinner.
"Vanessa, what is the big occasion?" Daniella asks.
"Well, this news is a little unexpected but I am excited to share it with you. Usnavi, I want you to open this."
She hands me a little bag. I pull out a little onesie. I hear cheering but stare at it in shock. After a moment, I feel arms wrap around my shoulders and link in-front of my chest.
"What do you think of being a Daddy again?" Vanessa asks.
"Really? You're pregnant?"
"Yeah. I found out last week and I was confirmed early this morning. I am eight weeks along. I am due in September. I know this wasn't planned, but I hope you are happy."
I turn in my chair and wrap my arms around her. I read my head on her stomach and cry.
"Usnavi, are you happy?"
I kiss her stomach and nod.
"I can't believe it. We are having a baby! I... I don't think I have ever been so happy."
Vanessa bends down and kisses the top of my head.
"I love you Usnavi."
"Javi, bud, are you excited to be a big brother?" I ask. We both turn and see him sleeping on his plate of spaghetti. I walk over and gently pick him up and wipe his face.
"Let's get you to bed buddy. We will tell you in the morning."
Vanessa walks over and kisses him on the head. "I'll go tuck him in. Your mom looks like she wants to hug you."
Vanessa takes Pip and mom walks over and hugs me tight.
"I am so happy for you Usnavi!"
"Thank you Mama."
"How do you feel about being a father of two?"
"Scared as hell. Also, more excited then I can even explain. I adore Javier, but I missed out on so much with him. I can't wait to be there for everything with this one. I'm scared, considering I'm not even done with law school."
"No one is ever completely ready. We weren't ready when you came to live with us. We had only been married a few months, but we made it work. You and Vanessa will do the same. Also, you have help from us and her parents. I am available to babysit any time you need. I was going to wait to tell you guys, but this is my last semester of teaching?"
"Why?"
"Budget cuts. They're going to one music teacher for the school. I want to focus on the twins after school and now, I guess I'll focus on my grandchildren."
"I'm sorry mom. I know you love your job."
"I'm okay. School has been tough lately anyway and I haven't been loving it much. I never had to work. I did it because I enjoyed it but that joy has faded."
Usnavi September 2016
I roll over in bed and Vanessa is sitting up.
"Amor, are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just Braxton hicks. Plus, baby kicked me in the ribs all night. Every time I lay down, I can't get comfortable."
I sit up and massage her lower back. She groans in pleasure and leans back into me.
"Only another week and we will meet our little one."
"Yes. I can't wait. Javi was not this big."
"You know, the doctor says I can help move this along. Do you want to try?"
She laughs and leans her head on my shoulder. "Sure."
I start kissing her neck as I massage her lower back. My hands work their way up and around. She melts into me.
"Lay down Amor." I say between kisses.
As she lays down, we hear Javier yelling "mommy!"
"Shh, maybe if we are quiet, he will go to sleep."
"Mommy! I hungry Mommy!"
We both groan, knowing the moment is over.
"I will go get him some breakfast. You come out when you are ready," I tell her.
"Thank you." She says kissing me.
Later that day, I head home after my last class of the day. Javier is at mom and dad's, so I take some time to get some studying in. After about thirty minutes of studying, Vanessa comes in and looks miserable.
"Amor, are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just been having contractions on and off all day." She says breathless sitting beside me at the table.
"Do we need to go to the hospital?"
"No, but we probably should start timing them. I feel like it will be soon."
My eyes go wide and she laughs. She takes my hand and gives me the most reassuring look. "Breathe Navi. I have been through this before. Let's go to your parents, tell them what's going on, and spend time with Javi. When it is time to head to the hospital, we will get a cab from there. My doctor is at the hospital closest to their apartment anyways."
I nod and a contraction seems to hit at that moment. Her face contorts in pain and she squeezes my hand tight. I jump up and am beside her in a second. I rub her back and remind her to breathe. When it is over, I kiss her and go to gather our hospital stuff.
Early the next morning, it is finally time to head to the hospital around 3 am.
"Mom, dad; Vanessa and I are leaving. We will see you guys later," I whisper.
Mom rolls over and sits up. "What?"
"Vanessa and I are headed to the hospital. It's time to go."
Mom wakes up instantly and stands up. She walks out to check on Vanessa, who is mid contractions. She walks over and grabs her hand until the contraction subsides."
"Good luck sweetheart."
She kisses Vanessa and then me before we go.
"Everything will be okay baby. Call us when the baby is here?" She tells me. I hug her tight and nod.
"I will mom. Thank you."
The moment we get to the hospital, Vanessa's contractions seem to speed up. After being in the room for nearly an hour, and waiting on the epidural, her doctor checks her.
"I'm sorry Miss Ortega. You are nine centimeters dilated. It is too late for an epidural now. It is time to get ready to push."
"What! I was only six centimeters when I got here an hour ago!"
"You progressed quickly. I am going to ring for my team. Try not to push until we return."
The doctor leaves and Vanessa looks at me and starts crying.
"I can't do this without an epidural. It already hurts like hell!"
I grab her hand and bend down to kiss her.
"You got this. I am right here and not going anywhere. Squeeze my hand all you need."
She leans into me and groans in pain as another contraction hits. All I can do is hold her and be there for me. It hurts my heart seeing how much pain she is in and knowing there is nothing I can do to stop it.
An hour later, Vanessa is crowning.
"Almost there. I can see the top of their head. You are doing so great Amor!"
"What can you see?"
"Our baby has your beautiful black hair. Now, push so I can see the rest of it."
I kiss her deeply and she screams as she pushes the head out.
"Only a few more pushes and you will have your baby Miss Ortega," our doctor says.
"I'm so tired!" Vanessa cries.
"I know, but you got this. Soon, we will be a family of four."
On the next contraction she pushes and screams. The moment the baby is born, she collapses back on the bed. I kiss her and hold her.
"You did it Nessa! Our baby is here!"
"You have a beautiful little girl," the doctor says, placing our daughter on Vanessa's chest.
I hold Vanessa and we both cry.
"Good job Amor. You did amazing."
She turns to me and kisses me, tears rolling down her face. "Thank you Navi. Thank you for our daughter."
An hour later, after holding our daughter and bonding, Vanessa turns to me.
"Would you like to hold her now?"
My eyes go wide and she laughs.
"You'll be fine. You won't hurt her. Remove your shirt and come here."
I remove my shirt and she makes room for me in the bed. I lay beside her and she places our daughter on my chest. The baby squirms and then settles on my chest. Tears feel my eyes as I hold my daughter.
"Oh my god, she is so tiny. I forgot how small they are at this age. She actually seems smaller than Mari and Jaime were."
"You're just bigger. Trust me, she wasn't that tiny coming out."
I laugh and turn to Vanessa. "You did amazing."
Around eight, we finally call our parents. Mom and dad bring Javier right away. I am waiting in the waiting room when they arrive. Javier sees me and runs to me.
"Daddy, is my baby here?"
I laugh and kiss his cheek. "Yeah. The baby is here. Let's go meet the baby."
"Do I have a baby brother or baby sister?"
"You will see in a moment. First, let me hug Abuelo and Abuela."
I set him down for a moment and hug my parents.
"How is she?" Dad asks.
"Vanessa is exhausted but is doing amazing. Come meet your newest grand baby."
We walk back in the room and Vanessa is holding the baby. When she sees Javier, her face lights up.
"Javi, baby, come meet your sister."
I pick up him and place him next to Vanessa. Pip looks at them with so much aww. He gently touches the baby's back.
"Mommy, what is her name?"
"Her name is Iris. Iris Lilliana Delavega."
Mom looks at me with tears in her eyes. I smile and she hugs me tightly.
"I love you mom. I couldn't think of a better woman to name my daughter after."
Mom kisses my cheek. "Congratulations son. I am so proud of you."
