Irresistible

Chapter 20

Toris POV

I was almost asleep when I got another contraction.

"Patriiiiick." I moaned.

"I'm right here, baby." He said.

"Why won't the baby come out?!" I cried.

"It's almost over." He said.

"How do you know?" I demanded.

"Because it can't be much longer. Youre 7 centimeters." He said.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Not important." He said.

"What time is it?" I repeated.

He ignored me.

The door opened and Pete came in.

"Pete!" I exclaimed.

"Yo!" He said, just as excited.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Don't answer her-" Patrick said.

"Almost 4 o'clock." Pete said at the same time.

"4?!" I cried.

"Damn it, Pete." Patrick said.

"What? Why cant Tori know the time?" Pete asked.

"Because it'll make her yell again." Patrick told him.

"That's mean." I said.

Patrick sighed.

"I'm sure it's almost over, Charlotte." Pete said with a hopeful smile.

"It better be." I said.

A nurse came in.

"Let's do another check." She said.

"That's my cue." Pete said. He left the room.

"Oh, good news." The nurse said.

"What?" I asked.

"You're 10 centimeters. You're about to become a mom." She said.

Suddenly I was panicking.

"But, are you sure the baby is ready? Dont you think it needs more time?" I asked.

"Baby, it's ready. I promise." Patrick said.

"But-" I began.

"I promise." He cut me off.

"I'm scared." I blurted.

He took my hand and kissed it. "Don't worry, baby. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

*****

I screamed in pain as the doctor told me to push. I was pushing as hard as I could, and the pain was too much. I felt weak.

"Come on Tori, breathe." Patrick coached me.

"Okay Tori, let's push again in five seconds." The doctor said.

Five seconds was not long enough.

"Push!" The doctor cried too soon.

I gritted my teeth and squeezed Patrick's hand as I pushed as hard as I could.

"Okay. Here we go. The baby's head is crowning." The doctor said.

"You're doing great, baby. Keep going." Patrick said.

"Breathe." The nurse reminded me.

"Push!" The doctor cried.

Suddenly I felt the most surreal feeling, and then I heard crying.

"Shes here." The doctor said.

"It's a girl?!" Patrick exclaimed.

"A beautiful baby girl." The doctor confirmed.

I looked up and saw the most perfect angel with the bluest eyes and the blackest hair.

My daughter.

Everything blurred after that.

"Tori?" Patrick asked.

"What's wrong?" The doctor said.
"Her blood pressures dropping, and fast." The doctor said.

I tried to say patricks name, but I couldn't form the word. I couldn't speak at all. I couldn't see anymore. I couldn't breathe.

My baby. I needed my baby right that minute.

But they wouldn't give her to me, and I couldn't ask.

I could hear Patrick yelling my name, but it sounded like it was far away.

I wanted him. I wanted my baby. Why couldn't I get to them?

Suddenly everything faded away, and I was out.

***

Patricks POV

They made me leave the room when Tori passed out, and now I waited. The baby was okay, healthy and happy. But I had no idea about her mother.

"Mr. Stump?" A nurse asked.

I was on my feet.

"Is Tori okay?" I asked.

"I...I'm afraid I don't know. But I thought you'd like to see your daughter." She said.

My daughter.

But was she even mine?

Of course she was.

I followed the woman to the nursery and went to the baby.

"I'll give you a minute." She said.

I started down at the baby, the same way I had looked down at Declan nearly a year ago.

God, had it been that long since the birth of my son?

I would never say this aloud to anyone, but the baby looked just like Will. Her true father.

What if Tori died today? What if I was left alone with this child that wasnt even truly mine? Would I ever tell her? Would it be wrong to keep it from her? Would she have a better life not knowing about the man who fathered her?
And what if Tori lived? Would she choose to tell her?

I didn't think so.

Would I even be allowed to keep the baby if Tori died? I was not her father, and tori and I still hadn't gotten married. I had no legal right to this child.

Maybe I should walk away. And not get too attached. I could figure out how to be her father if her mother lived. Until then, I should leave.

Then the baby opened her eyes. Something about the way she looked at me reminded me so much of Tori I began to cry.

The baby did too. And I picked her up and held her.

"Don't cry. Dont cry, baby girl. Daddy's here. Ive got you." I said.

She kept going. So I sang to her. "I don't know where you're going but do you got room for one more, troubled soul."

It worked. She calmed in my arms and then stared at me.

It didn't matter who her sperm donor was.

I was her daddy.

And i always would be. No matter what.