A Baby Changes Everything

May

Greer was miserable.  She was exhausted.  She had not been able to sleep well for days.  Presley was running out of room.  It was the day of graduation.  Greer didn't want to go.  She just wanted to lay in bed all day, but Hudson would not hear of it.  Greer was set to be the class valedictorian and Hudson was not about to let her miss it.

Hudson came in the room and asked, "Are you okay?  Do you need anything?"

Greer rolled her eyes, "To go into labor so I don't have to give this speech."

"You are going to do great.  We are almost graduates.  Then all we have to worry about for the next couple of weeks is waiting on Presley to get here.  You are going to rock your speech.  Now let me help you up.  We need to be heading to school."

Greer let him help her up and then she got finished getting dressed.

Greer waddled up onto the stage after they called her name.  She got up on the stage and said, "Hello everyone.  Welcome class of 2019 and those that care about them.  This year has been a long and interesting one.  I can't hide the source behind why my year has not gone as planned anymore.  My baby girl is due any day now.  This year has taught me many things.  Forgiveness and love are two of the most important things a person can have in their life.  This year I have made new friends and reconnected with old ones.  I've also been thinking about all the things that I hope to teach and show my daughter.  I want her to love and feel loved.  I want her to know that life does not always go as planned, but everything happens for a reason.  Classmates, remember as we move into the next phase of life that you will always have someone in your corner.  This year I have found out who really loves and cares about me.  I've had my eyes open to true friends and family.  An unplanned pregnancy will do that for a person, but I wouldn't trade finding out who truly cares and loves me and my little girl.  I was never the most popular and loved girl in school.  I've learned new things about myself and I've finally learned that I can't do everything alone and I'm happy that I don't have to any longer."  She took a deep breath and then she felt it, her water broke right there on stage in front of hundreds of people.  She chuckled and said, "And it seems that my daughter wanted to be the highlight of my speech.  Congratulations class of 2019.  I'm off to start the next phase of my life.  I'm in labor."  She groaned as she saw Clara and Hudson come rushing to help her off the stage.

Hudson said, "G, Presley is finally ready to meet us!  Lets get you to the hospital.  Mom and dad are going to meet us outside.  We are so much closer to meeting our girl."

Greer looked up at him with tears in her eyes, "It hurts and I'm scared."

"It's all going to be okay.  Presley is going to be here so soon and it will all be over.  I'll be here if you need anything at all.  I'm not leaving your side.  I have so much to make up for and this is where I really start.  I can't wait to meet our daughter and I'm going to do everything that I can to make this as easy as I can."

Greer groaned again as she felt another contraction.  Hudson scooped her up in his arms and held her to his chest as he carried her to the car.  Clara said, "I'm driving.  H, get in the backseat with her."

Hudson kissed her head and said, "You are a champ.  Just keep breathing for me.  We'll be to the hospital soon."

Grace and Ethan followed them to the hospital.

Greer was lying in the hospital bed.  She had just been admitted.  She was exhausted.  They checked her and she was already eight centimeters.  She was too far along to get an epidural.  She was not happy about it and Hudson felt terrible.

Hudson was rubbing her back.  He said, "Breathe, G."

"This hurts.  I hope Presley is happy being an only child.  I don't think I can ever do this again.  I hope your next girlfriend is good with giving birth if you want more kids."

"Stop.  There is no other girlfriend.  Presley is more than enough for me.  Just a little while longer."

Grace came in and asked, "How are you doing, Greer?"

Greer told her, "This hurts so badly.  She is ripping my body apart.  I can't believe I didn't know I was in labor sooner.  Now I can't have a freaking epidural and the sound of Hudson breathing makes me want to strangle him."

Grace chuckled and Hudson went pale.  "Honey, that feeling will go away soon.  Just a little while longer."

"Please stay.  I don't care what Hudson says.  I need you here."

"I'll be here as long as you want me here."

"Thank you."

Three hours later it was time for Greer to push.  Hudson had one hand and a leg and Grace had the others.  Hudson said, "G, you have to push.  Presley is ready to meet us."

"I'm so tired.  I can't do this."

"You are so strong.  Just a little bit longer to get our girl."

Greer gave it everything that she could.  Then they heard a cry.  Greer smiled and fell back against the pillows.  Hudson rubbed the sweat from her face.  "She's here and she is perfect."

The nurse laid her on Greer's chest as Hudson cut the chord.  Greer said, "Hello beautiful girl.  I've been waiting so long to meet you.  I'm sorry for everything I put you through while you were in momma's belly.  I'm so glad you are healthy.  I'm going to do everything that I can to make sure that I can give you the best life that I can.  Now it's time for you to meet your daddy and Nana."

Hudson carefully took Presley and said, "Hello pretty girl.  I'm your daddy.  I'm going to do everything that I can to make sure that you have the best that I can give you.  I can't wait to teach you all the fun stuff."

Grace looked over Hudson's shoulder with tears in her eyes and said, "She is so beautiful.  I can't wait to spoil her rotten."

The nurse came over and told them, "I need to take this one to get tests run.  Then I'll bring her right back as soon as I can."  She took the baby to have tests run.

Grace said, "I'll go tell Ethan and Clara that Presley is here.  I'll bring them to you once you are in your new room."

Greer told her, "Thank you for being here."

"Any time, sweetheart.  You did great."  She hugged her and left.

Greer said, "Thank you for being here.  I'm sorry that I was so terrible to you."

Hudson replied, "Your body was going through so much.  I'm so proud of you.  Our daughter is perfect.  We have so much hard stuff ahead of us.  We are going to be the best team possible.  I can't wait to see what is ahead for us and our girl."

The two of them went to Greer's new room and waited for their daughter to be returned to them.