Is It Worth It? (Sequel to 12th Avenue)

50

LAUREN

I walk around the nursery, gently touching the stuffed animals and furniture as I go. Elijah follows in, behind me and sits in front of the crib. I do a little prep to the nursery by adding some padding around the inside. The room walls are pink and gray, while the crib is white with the padding, pillow, and blanket bring pink and gray. The curtains are pink along with some stuffed animals and mobile. The reclining chair for when me or Mani come to feed, is gray, along with the dresser, nightstand, and wall decorations.

I look at Elijah and smile to myself, thinking about my next little baby girl coming soon. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I'm excited, ecstatic, happy, joyful, etc. Raelynn is gonna be my fourth kid so I'm not really that nervous. A little bit though for Normani, this is gonna be her third kid but only her second time giving birth so my mind is on her. I just want everything to be right.

"You excited for your little sister baby?" I ask him.

He smiles at me while nodding eagerly, "I want her to come now!"

I pick him up, balancing him with my arm. I kiss his cheek and he kisses mine before wrapping his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.

"She's gonna be here soon," I smile.

Normani walks in with a smile while rubbing her belly. She waves at us and Eli waves back.

"How's the finishing touches going?" She asks, looking around.

I smile at her and do a little twirl with my arm out.

I say, "Nursery is complete."

"It looks good," She groans while leaning on the wall.

"You okay mommy?" Eli asks.

"Yes baby I'm fine. Just regular pain," She says.

She takes a deep breath and I walks over to her, holding her sides and rubbing them slowly.

I back her out the room, towards our bedroom, "Go lay down if you want."

She places her hands on my shoulders and shakes her head.

"No, I'm fine."

I look at her and soon she looks down at her pants and I follow her gaze. The wet mark is evident but it takes my brain a minute to register. Before it could even begin to, Mani claps.

"The baby's coming," She smiles with excitement.

"The baby's coming! She's coming!" Elijah yells.

I watch her face scrunch a little bit in pain and I put Eli down.

I say to him quickly, "You and Maiyah go put your shoes on now!"

"Amaiyah! Amaiyah, the baby's coming!" He yells while running down the hall.

I turn to Normani and get ready to move down the hall, "Okay, I'm gonna pack the bag quick!"

She stops me before I could take the first step and I look at her impatiently.

"Stop Lauren," She says softly.

I ask, "What?"

She lets out a slight groan and laughs.

"I pushed out twins my first go, I'm alright. There's no rush," She says.

"Are you sure? What about the pain?"