My Brother's Best Friend

38

I get up and see a note from Ryder, saying that he left for work and that he loves me. I smile at his sweet way of informing me instead of texting. I put the note into my journal, like all his other ones, and get up which is very difficult with my now 8 and a half month belly.

I just stay in Ryder's shirt that is now not so much oversized at the stomach part. I waddle downstairs in our home and make myself a cup of tea and some breakfast. I hum, finally being able to enjoy what I want to watch without comments being thrown at me.

Ever since I left my parents' house Ryder made sure I ate and drank well throughout the days and then my pregnancy made me have cravings. Cravings that Ryder fulfilled even if it was 2am or he just got back from work, exhausted.

I stand up and wash the dishes before I start cleaning up. Halfway through I realize that I'm suddenly very out of breath so I have to sit down for a second. As I lean back into the couch, my hands on my very big stomach I feel something, something going down my legs.

I look down and my eyes widen when I realize there's water dripping down from between my legs.

My water just broke.

I start panicking and pick up my phone, calling Ryder. He doesn't pick it up and I try again but yet, no success again. Then I try the other number. He picks up on the fourth ring.

"Hey kid. Do you need something or the baby?" Uncle Ricky asks as he speaks into the phone.

"Rick, my-my water broke." I gasp out and I hear some very fast rustling on his end of the line.

"You what?" He almost shouts. "Okay. Okay. Breath, you're home yeah? I'll go there." He starts rambling as I hear a car door shut close and then the engine starting.

"Ricky, where's Ryder? He isn't picking up" I say, taking deep breaths in and out, trying not to focus on the constructions.

"He's in a meeting. Little fucker" he grumbles but stops when I tell him. He is driving fast, really fast. I can hear the tires screeching and then suddenly a car parking outside the house. The door flies open and he looks around for me frantically before seeing me.

"Oh thank god. You got the bag?" He looks at my hands and when he finds them empty aside from my phone he nods. "I'll get the bag." He mumbles and walks upstairs, I assume into the nursery.

He loads me up in the car, saying I need to keep breathing. He drives to the hospital and the nurses wheel me into the private room Ryder has been paying for the past few weeks so it's for sure I'll have a separate room than the other pregnant women.

I'm in a hospital gown now and breathing frantically in and out, groaning in pain. The baby is early, 5 weeks early to be more precise.

The door to the room flies open and in rushes a very worried Ryder. He spots me and strides to my side, holding my hand before kissing my forehead. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. My phone died and by the time I charged it enough to turn it back on I just saw your missed calls."

I'm not mad at him. He is here and that's all that matters. I squeeze his hand in pain, I realize when I look around for the nurse and doctor that uncle Ricky has left to give us some privacy.

The nurses tells me to start pushing after they checked how much I'm dilated. It hurts, it hurts so much. But Ryder hold my hand and cradles my head, kissing it and whisper to me sweet things.

I'm in labor for at least 4 or 5 hours when suddenly with one last push I hear baby crying. I gasp and look up immediately to make sure the baby is okay. I feel Ryder kissing my temple and squeezing my hand. "You did it my love. I'm so damn proud of you"

The nurse brings the baby over in a blanket and I extend my shaky hands. "Congratulations." She smiles before leaving to give us some privacy. Ryder sits next to me on the bed and we look at each other knowingly.

We decided to not know the gender until the baby is born so we are excited right now. I look at the baby then gently lift the blanket and I hear Ryder let out a small gasp.

It's a girl.

I look to my side and find him with teary eyes as he stared down at our daughter. I lean over and kiss his cheek, keeping my forehead pressed against the side of his head. He takes off his shirt, leaving him shirtless and he leans back on the bed, opening his arms and looking at me silently, asking for permission.

I put her in his arms and he instinctively pulls her closer to his chest, softly kissing her head and cheek. I lean back as well and we just stare at her, our eyes full of love and joy. He turns to me, swallowing big to hold back the crack in his voice. "I love you so much." He whispers, not wanting to wake the baby up.

"I love you" I mouth back to him, my cheek resting on his shoulder. After a few hours, Ryder ordered me some pasta and garlic bread sticks from my favorite restaurant while he held our daughter, rocking her and softly talking to her.

Then, we called in uncle Ricky and abuela who he called as soon as we I went into labor. Grandma asks me if I am alright and makes sure I have everything before looking at her great granddaughter and she gasps. "She is beautiful."

Uncle Ricky is holding my hand and looking at me. "You okay kiddo?" He asks quietly and I nod. He hasn't looked at nor held her yet so I call Ryder over and put our daughter in Rick's arms.

He takes in a sharp breath before looking down at her. He strokes her cheek, mumbling "Truly beautiful."

"What's her name?" Asks Abuela and we look at each other with Ryder before saying together.

"Rose"

Rick looks at us before back down at Rose and then he repeats this one more time. Before he lets out a soft chuckle, and I can see the unshed tears in his eyes. He nuzzled his nose against hers and we see her eyes fluttering open.

Blue eyes.

Just like her father's.

Ryder lets me lay on top of him while abuela and Ricky are busy with Rose. I kiss his chest before looking up at him. "Not so bad of a family huh?" I ask teasingly.

He claims my lips in a quick and deep kiss. "Not bad at all."