Appetite For Destruction

-050

HAPPY POV

An hour later I stood next to Evie as she prepared too push. I'd always loved and respected this woman but watching her prepare to birth my son had given me a whole new admiration for her. Her eyes were closed and hair slicked back in a coating of sweat as she breathing through another one, one hand grasping my hand and the other held Gemma's.

"I need to push, I have to push" she growled and I watched as her stomach got extra tight and her face screwed up as she pushed down.

"He's crowing!" The doctor called and I felt like I was watching a movie in slow motion.

The next push I glanced down at her bottom half and I knew my eyes were wide as I saw my sons head half out, I know it's a natural thing but holy fuck it looked messed up. She pushed hard again and he slipped fully out, I couldn't believe what I'd just witnessed. They quickly placed our son on her bare chest and I felt my emotions take over as my eyes stung with tears. My beautiful wife and our freshly born son laying in front of me was a sight I never wanted to forget, his cry was loud and strong and she looked down at him like he was made of glass.

He had a full head of dark hair and a face that mirrored Evie's, he was tiny but I counted ten fingers and ten toes and that's all that mattered. I lent down and placed a passion filled kiss against Evie's lips before pulling back and looking down at my son.

"Little Harlem Jackson" I whispered and I felt Evie nod.

"He's perfect" she mumbled as she rubbed his face gently.

Before long they took him to check all his vitals, he was super early so they wanted to make sure his lungs were fine. After weighing him and checking him over they wrapped him and placed him back on Evie's chest. Gemma and I stood either side staring down at this tiny human in awe.

"Okay so he weighs a fairly chunky five and a half pounds for his early delivery, lungs and sucking reflex seem fine. We'd like to keep you in a few days but we think he should be fine to go home with you when we do release you"

I'd never felt so much relief as I heard those words, he was healthy and happy.

—

Later that evening they'd moved Harlem and I to our own room, I'd finally showered and was in a fresh set of pj's awaiting a visit from my brother to meet his nephew. Happy had to split to go help with something, it'd sounded urgent but I hadn't asked. I wasn't ready to pop my new mom relaxed bubble yet.

Harlem laid on a blanket on the bed in front of me, dressed in a tiny blue romper that was swimming on him but until I could get to the shops it'd have to do. I couldn't believe Happy and I had grown something so pure and tiny, I couldn't stop staring at him, taking in every ounce of his perfection. He had full lips that mirrored his fathers, tiny finger nails that looked fake they were so perfect and a head of the softest black hair I had ever felt.

I was brought back to reality by a knock on the door, I turned to see Jax entering slowly "hey big brother" I smiled at him and stood gingerly to wrap my arms around him.

"What's his name?" Jax whispered as he scooped the baby up who looked even tinier in his arms.

"Harlem Jackson Lowman, after the best big brother I could've asked for" I beamed at him and he chuckled.

"You give me more credit than I'm worth, I'm not even sure who I am lately" he sighed as he looked down at Harlem in his arms "Tara split this afternoon...stole the boys and took off"

"Oh shit, where would she go?"

"I don't know honestly. She can't go far, the trial is soon and Abel's doctors and stuff" he looked like a man stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"She's scared Jax, can you blame her after the last two years shit show?"

He ran a thumb across Harlem's face "yeah I know, but everything I've done has been for her and the boys"

"You're going to find your way Jackson, and Tara will find hers. She loves you, your sons love you and we love you" I reached out and rested my hand on his "what was it you used to tell me? Put your big girl pants on and handle your shit"

We both laughed as we looked down at the newest member of our family "he's beautiful Evie, you done a good job"

"Yeah well I mean he's got two lookers for parents, it was inevitable he was going to be beautiful" I teased.

"You're a dickhead" he rolled his eyes.