Expect the Unexpected

Welcome Baby

The next few months went by relatively easily.  Dempsey and Tatum were soaking up their last few months as a family of three.  Oakley was thriving and seemed pretty excited every time anyone talked about the baby.  They only hoped it was that way when Lilah arrived, which at this time could be any day.

Dempsey had forced Tatum to take time off.  She hated feeling like an invalid, but chasing a toddler and being extremely pregnant was exhausting enough without adding work to it.  The bookstore promised that she could continue to work there.  Dempsey was setting it up for the kids to go to the on campus daycare whenever Tatum got back to work.  Tatum was taking some online classes.  Her professors were very understanding of her situation and were willing to work with her.  

The only thing that bothered Tatum the most was feeling disconnected.  Dempsey, Sophie, Elyse and Scott were all on campus.  Sophie had even found a boyfriend.  The small group seemed to like him, but Tatum had yet to meet him due to time conflicts.  He was on the football team with Dempsey.  Then the others had met him at their many lunches on campus.

On this particular day, Tatum was very uncomfortable.  Oakley was all over the place, but he was a normal, curious little one and a half year old.  He came over to her and said, "Dada?"

Tatum sighed and said, "I know you wish dada was here to play with you, but dada had school today.  I wish I could be more fun, but your little sister is making me really tired.  She'll be here soon though."

Oakley climbed up on the couch with her.  He rested his head on her stomach and just sat with her.  Tatum loved these little moments with him.  That's when she felt her first contraction.  She sighed.  She couldn't let Oakley see how upset she was.  She quickly text Dempsey and then called her mom.  They had it set up that she would take her to the hospital if Dempsey was in classes.

Tatum was writhing on the bed.  Oakley was with Sophie, Scott and Elyse in the waiting room.  Tatum said, "I can't believe I let you do this to me again.  It hurts.  Get her out of me.  I want my body back.  You are never touching me again.  It's not fair.  I'm only eighteen and have two babies."

Dempsey kissed her head and said, "I am so proud of you.  You will never know how proud of you I really am.  You are a wonderful mom and a total rock star at this whole pregnancy and having babies thing.  Oakley and Lilah are so lucky to have you.  Just a little while longer before we get to have our girl in our arms.  Just hold on for a little bit longer.  Squeeze my hand and break it.  Bite me.  Curse at me like a sailor.  I don't care.  I wish I could take all of this away from you.  You deserve so much better.  I owe you so much.  I love you with all my heart."

Tatum cried and told him, "I'm sorry.  I don't mean any of this.  It just hurts so bad.  I love you and I love our babies.  I'm so glad you are here."

Dempsey kissed her head, "I love you so much. Just a little bit more pain for so much more joy to come into our lives."  The doctor came in and checked Tatum over. 

The doctor said, "It's time to push.  You are going to have a baby very soon."

A half an hour later Lilah Grace was lying on Tatum's chest.  She kissed her head with tears in her eyes.  She was perfect.  Dempsey leaned over and swiped the hair out of Tatum's eyes.  He said, "I don't tell you enough just how much you mean to me.  You have given me two beautiful children.  You've been there for me for some of the hardest times of my life.  I can't imagine my life without you, Oakley and Lilah.  I can't tell you just how much I love you in words right now.  Seeing you in the pain that you have gone through to have our babies and knowing the pain that I have put you through in the past.  It is just not right."

Tatum was crying more at this point.  She told him, "I love you.  I'm sorry for the things that I said to you.  I promise I will let you touch me again, but not for at least another four or five years, because apparently every time you look at me I get pregnant.  I think we have enough babies for the near future."

Dempsey laughed as he leaned down to kiss her again,  "But you have to admit we have beautiful babies.  I can't wait for Oakley to meet Lilah.  He's going to love her.  I can't believe she is finally here."

"Thank you for sticking by me even though I have been such a pain.  I know things have been hard for us, but I can't thank you enough for loving me.  I don't deserve it."

"I'm the one that doesn't deserve it.  I love you so much.  I'm so ready for this week off from classes to spend time with you and Oakley."

"I'm so glad we are going to have you home with us for a while.  Oakley and I miss his daddy while he is at school."

"And I miss you guys, too.  I better go out and get our boy and tell everyone about our girl before they lose it.  I'm going to bring him in first so we can introduce them and have a little time for the four of us before the flood gates open."

"Okay.  I'll be right here snuggling with our girl while I can."  Dempsey kissed both of his girls again.

Dempsey came back in with Oakley in his arms.  He said, "Oak, your momma and I want you to meet someone."  Dempsey sat on the bed and said, "Oak, this is your sister, Lilah."

Oakley said, "She pretty!"

Tatum smiled and said, "She is, isn't she.  The two of you are going to be best friends."

"Hold baby!"

The parents chuckled.  Dempsey told him, "Let mommy help you.  Then daddy wants a picture of my favorite three people."  Tatum was so happy to have her world right in front of her eyes.

As Dempsey was getting ready to snap the picture Lilah started crying.  Oakley held his ears and said, "Loud!  Stop baby!"

Dempsey laughed and said, "This is our new life.  This is the perfect representation of our new family life.  We'll have to try for another picture later."

Sophie popped in and asked, "Can we please meet her?  I can't wait any longer."

Tatum said, "Come in at your own risk.  Our little girl is cranky.  Her brother is not too happy about it and my  husband thinks it is hilarious."

Everyone came in to see them.  They were fawning over the new baby.  Oakley said, "See me!  See me!  No baby!"

Scott came over and said, "Hey little man.  Come see Uncle Scott and Elyse.  How are you?"

Tatum mouthed, "Thank you." to him.

Dempsey wrapped his arms around Tatum and said, "I know it is hard, but it is going to be fine.  It's all going to take some getting used to.  We are in this together for the long run."

"I'm so glad I have you.  Oakley is going to need us both.  We have to make sure that we help him through this.  He is so used to being the center of our world.  This is huge.  I was afraid this was going to happen."

"It will be okay.  He is going to get through this.  We are going to get through this.  Just like always we have to expect the unexpected."  Dempsey kissed Tatum and held her as they watched their family love on their children.