Love Lasts Forever

decisions, decisions

I sit on the couch, a cushion wedged firmly behind my back, and feel the familiar flutter of my baby's kicks. Demi, my two-year-old, is engrossed in a cartoon, her little fingers clutching a plush dinosaur. Taylor and Nico are napping in the other room, their small bodies bundled in blankets. Charlie takes a seat next to me, his eyes clouded with thought.

"Okay, Harps," he says, running a hand through his messy hair. "We need to talk about who you want in the room when you give birth."

I groan. "Why is it always so complicated? It should just be simple!"

"It is your decision," he insists, his voice light yet firm. "You're the one doing all the hard work. I want you to be comfortable."

"Right, but I just don't want any drama," I reply, biting my lip. "I just want it to be... peaceful, you know? Like my last two births."

"Peaceful? You're giving birth, not hosting a tea party!" he teases, nudging me playfully.

"Yeah, well, I still want the right people there." I take a deep breath, running through potential names in my head. "Okay, so I definitely want my mom. She was great last time."

"Of course. Your mom should be there," Charlie agrees. "What about my mom? She usually talks a lot, but she really means well."

I nod, knowing how supportive she can be. "Yeah, that could work. And I want Cecily. She helped me so much with the twins. She'll know what to say, or when to be quiet."

His laughter fills the room. "What about Kayla?"

"Absolutely not," I say, shaking my head vehemently. "I love that you want your family involved, Charlie, but Kayla would be a nightmare."

"I can't blame you for that one," Charlie admits, rolling his eyes. "But she's gonna throw a fit."

"Then she can throw her fit elsewhere. I just can't handle that kind of negativity while I'm in labor," I explain, clutching my belly as another kick surprises me. "I just want to focus on the baby, not the family drama."

"Okay, so we have your mom, my mom, Cecily, and me," Charlie recaps, leaning back in his seat. "That sounds good. No drama."

"Perfect! I'll text Cecily now." I grab my phone and shoot her a message.

Charlie leans over to steal a glance. "You know she's going to be so excited."

"More than my own mom!" I chuckle. "Once when I was in labor with Demi, she practically raced to the hospital. I thought she might trip over the threshold!"

Cecily's reply pings back almost instantly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'll bring snacks!"

"I knew she'd be on board," I say, laughing. "Snacks are the secret to a good birth experience."

"Just like a good party!" he says and leans over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Don't get crazy with the party planning, okay?" I smile, feeling lighter already.

"Scout's honor!"

As we sit there basking in our little moment, Demi suddenly beams up from her dinosaur. "Mama, what about the baby? Is it a boy or a girl?"

I stroke her hair. "We don't know yet, sweetheart. Maybe a surprise!"

"A surprise!" she echoes, bouncing in her seat. "Like a big present?"

"Exactly! Every baby is a special present."

"Can I help?" she asks, her big green eyes wide.

"Of course, you can help!" I laugh. "You'll be the best big sister ever."

"I can help with the twins too!" she declares, firm in her new role.

"Yes, you can! We can all be a team," Charlie adds, looking at me with that beautiful smile of his.

"Just not Kayla," I remind him, which makes us both crack up.

"Definitely not Kayla," he agrees, and I can feel the stress melt away already.

Looking down at my belly, I whisper, "You're going to be so loved, little one."

And in that cozy moment with my small family, I know we're ready for whatever comes next.