Happily Forever After (Book 4 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 32

Author's Note: This is the final chapter, but I'm doing a sequel so be sure to stay tuned for book #5 in the Nemi Forever series.

Nick

Winning an Oscar was pretty incredible, but what made it even better was that my wife was there with me for the entire thing. With every smile she gave me, with every touch I felt & with every look, I thanked God that she was still there with me. Since thinking for an hour (at least that's what everyone tells me, even though it felt much longer) that Demi was dead, I have become a little protective. Some may call it paranoid or overprotective, but I call it being smart. I did install a new security system. Best one on the market. I kept a closer eye on Demi as well. I made sure she wasn't alone, but that was also because she was getting bigger by the minute & could go into labor at any moment. I was trying not to drive Demi crazy. I tried not to hover. I didn't want her to feel smothered. Everything I did, I tried to do it without alarming her much.  

The week after the Oscars, I found a birthing coach to come to our house to prepare Demi & I for labor. Demi was insistent on going natural, unless she had to have a c-section. So Dr. Anderson gave us some numbers of birthing coaches who would come to the house. He suggested it, since Demi wanted no drugs. Dr. Anderson assured her that they could provide her with an epidural that contained no narcotics, but Demi was insistent. Unless she had a c-section, Demi did not want any drugs. And even then, she only wanted something for numbing her, not pain medication afterward. 

We set up a spot to do our birthing instruction in our enclosed sun room, overlooking the pool. The birthing coach, Pamela, was amazing & made it fun for us. We practiced breathing & relaxation techniques & she taught me how to massage her to help with the pain. She gave us so much useful information, it made Demi & I much more confident in what we were doing. Granted, Demi would be doing most of the work, but my role was just as important. Demi was also feeling more hopeful that she'd be able to do this without drugs. 

That night, Demi was lying beside me in bed, resting a magazine on her belly as she read it & I was checking sports stuff on my phone. I looked over at her, when I didn't hear her turn any pages for a while. She had dozed off. I smiled, watching her adorable face as she slept, her head tilted to one side & her mouth hanging open a little. I saw the magazine move a little & it startled me. I carefully picked the magazine up & laid it on the other side of Demi, who was still sleeping. I leaned on my elbow & I placed my hand on her stomach. I watched in amazement as some part of one of my babies moved under Demi's skin. It was the coolest thing ever. I had seen Kevin's videos of his babies inside Dani, but when it's your own baby, it's a whole different experience.  

I laughed out loud when I saw what looked like a foot push Demi's skin out. Demi's eyes fluttered & she looked at me, a little confused. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." I was grinning, but couldn't take my eyes off her belly.  

"What are you doing?" She asked, moving her head back & forth in a daze & then propping herself up on her arms.  

"Watching our babies." I smiled, then let out another laugh when I saw a wave of movement on the side of her belly. 

Demi giggled as she moved her body so she was leaning against her pillows. She brought her hand up to rest on the other side of her stomach. "I think this is a butt." She said, giggling. 

I sat up & peered over her large middle. I touched the tiny bump that was sticking out a little. It was hard. "How do you know it's the butt? Could be a head." 

"Could be. I think they're running out of room in there." Demi sighed. 

I laid my head on her belly, with my face turned toward Demi. She reached up & played with my hair as she smiled, lovingly, at me. I listened, closely, at the sounds in her belly. I could hear a few gurgles, which could have been Demi's stomach or intestines. I felt a few nudges on my cheek, making me smile, instantly.