Epilogue
12 Years Later
Charlotte let out a groan as another contraction gripped her. At her side, Ben smoothed back her damp hair, murmuring words of comfort.
"You've got this, lovey. Noah was a breeze, remember?"
His words were meant to comfort, but Charlotte gritted her teeth, nails digging into Ben's hand. "No... he fucking... was not," she panted through another contraction, clinging to Ben's steady presence. As it eased, she met his eyes with an apologetic gaze.
"I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely.
"You're fine, love." Ben pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. "I'm here for you."
As Charlotte's contractions increased, her grip on Ben's hand tightened. The nurse checked Charlotte. "Almost fully dilated, hon. On the next one, push with all your might."
Charlotte braced herself, gathering every ounce of strength. She bore down, a raw scream tearing from her throat. Dimly she was aware of Ben's encouragement.
"One more big push!" the nurse called.
Charlotte pushed until black spots swam in her vision. Then, a slippery body emerged and the room filled with cries. Charlotte collapsed back onto the hospital bed, her chest heaving with exertion and relief. Tears of exhaustion and overwhelming emotion welled in her eyes as she gazed at the tiny, squirming bundle that had just entered the world.
Ben's face was a mix of awe and elation as he leaned close to Charlotte and their daughter on her chest, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You did it, love. You were amazing," he whispered.
Charlotte found the strength for a watery laugh. "Never again," she murmured weakly.
"Understandable," Ben chuckled.
The nurse smiled warmly at the family. "Would you like to try nursing?" she asked Charlotte gently.
Charlotte nodded, still gazing lovingly at her daughter. The nurse helped position the baby, and she rooted around before latching on.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" the nurse inquired. Charlotte met Ben's eyes and they smiled, recalling their discussion months ago.
"Tate Alison Danielle," Charlotte said softly. Ben stroked Tate's downy head, pride and protectiveness surging through him.
A nurse brought Charlotte and Ben's excited 2-year-old son Noah with Grandma Anna. "Baby?" Noah asked, peering at Tate in fascination through a mop of brown hair that fell into his brown eyes.
Charlotte beamed, guiding Noah's small hand to gently pat Tate. "Say hi to your sister, Noah."
Tate grasped Noah's finger sleepily. "Baby sister!" Noah giggled in delight.
Anna stood at Charlotte's bedside, smiling warmly at her grandbabies. "How are you feeling, fragolina?" she asked softly.
"So tired but so happy, Mamma," Charlotte murmured, leaning tiredly against her mother.
"I'm so sorry, Lottie," Anna whispered as the delivery room door burst open and Charlotte's siblings and their children to flood in. Ollie and Layla's nine-year-old, Daphne, somehow managed to push her way closest to baby Tate.
"Aunt Lottie, can I hold her?" Daphne asked, brown eyes wide and shining with excitement. "Please?"
Lizzie and Henry's ten-year-old, Mikayla, stood next to Daphne as she said, "I'm older, I get to hold her first!"
"Hold on," Ben, ever the patient one, interjected. "Mik and Duck, I haven't even held her yet. And I was a part of making her."
"Uncle Ben, gross!" Fourteen-year-old Declan complained, his nose wrinkled his nose at Ben's remark.
"One at a time, girls," Anna soothed. She turned to Charlotte. "Fragolina, why don't you rest while we pass little Tate around?"
Charlotte looked hesitant but was fading fast. She nodded, gently placing Tate in Ben's waiting arms. His face shone with devotion as he cradled his daughter close.
Noah climbed onto the bed, snuggling into Charlotte's side. She smiled sleepily, wrapping around him. Within moments, her eyes drifted shut.
Ben passed a cooing Tate to Daphne first, showing her how to support the baby's head. Daphne grinned from ear to ear, captivated.
When it was Mikayla's turn, she gazed down with wonder. "She's so tiny and soft!"
Declan and Sawyer, Mikayla's twin, each took a short turn to hold Tate before Layla and Lizzie cooed over their newborn niece.
"We should feed the kids now," Henry said to Lizzie.
"Mmhmm," Lizzie responded, too taken with her niece to use actual words.
Anna nodded in agreement with Henry's suggestion. "Let's get the kids settled for lunch." Anna gently ushered the younger ones out of the room, assuring them that they could spend more time with baby Tate later.
Lizzie reluctantly handed the now sleeping Tate to her father. Meanwhile, Noah nestled closer to Charlotte, his breathing growing steady as he drifted off to sleep beside his mother.
With the room now quiet and Noah asleep beside her, Charlotte stirred from her own slumber, blinking her eyes open slowly. She glanced over at Ben, who was still cradling Tate with a smile on his face.
"Hey," she whispered, her voice hoarse from sleep.
"Hey love," Ben replied softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. "How're you feeling?"
Charlotte stretching, feeling the lingering exhaustion from the birth but also a profound sense of contentment. 'Tired but happy," she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "And you?"
Ben's smile widened. "The happiest man alive," he declared, his gaze shifting to Tate. "I never knew my heart could feel so full."
A warm feeling spread through Charlotte's chest as she watched Ben with their daughter. She reached out, gently brushing her fingertips against Tate's tiny hand. "She's perfect," she murmured.
"She is," Ben agreed, his eyes never leaving Tate's face. "Just like her mom."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying the presence of each other and their two sleeping children. The room was filled with a sense of peace and contentment, a feeling they knew would stay with them long after they left the hospital.
Eventually, Charlotte's eyelids grew heavy once more. "I think I could get used to this," she whispered, already drifting back to sleep.
"Me too love," Ben replied, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Me too."
YOU ARE READING
breathe
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