by Holt, Leah
Twice I had it hanging in the balance, twice I could have fallen into a wakeless sleep.
And now, my life belonged to her.
Avni was my heart, my breath, and for the rest of my days she would be my world.
Epilogue
Levi
“I am so happy to finally be home.” Flopping onto the couch, T jumped into my lap, wildly kissing my face.
“T! Get down, let Levi relax.” Lifting the dog, Avni set him off to the side. “I want to snuggle up onto your lap.”
“Ah, so you're jealous of the little guy?” Scooping an arm around her waist, I rubbed her belly. “You know, he hasn't seen me in months. I've seen you everyday, even when I didn't ask for it.” Chuckling, I pressed my hand tighter against her stomach. I loved feeling our baby inside her, it was amazing.
Knowing that my child, our child, was growing inside her, and would be here so soon was mind blowing. I took every chance I could to feel her small body move, and roll inside Avni's stomach.
Strange bulges would lift across the skin, morphing into a tidal wave from rib to rib. It was beauty in the purest form. Avni had never been more beautiful, more sexy, or more gorgeous to me.
Her giant belly was incredible, and seeing her bare stomach carrying our baby, it did things to me that I couldn't explain.
Sliding my palm across her smooth skin, I hugged her into my chest. Her engorged breasts squished against my face, smothering me in her soon to be motherhood. “So, we're home, and finally alone.” My fingers slipped up her shirt, teasing the edge of her tit.
“We sure are, aren't you lucky to be home cuddling with a whale.” Nestling her chin against my head, she rubbed her hands over my shoulders.
“Whale? Hell no! You look incredible, you're fucking glowing. I love this look on you, you're so damn beautiful.”
“Yeah, I don't think so. I have a purple road map tattooing my stomach, boobs that will never look the same, and cankles. I have cankles, no ankle, no calf, just a swelling mess of cankle.”
“Stop it, you're carrying a baby. You're carrying our baby, that makes you hotter than the world's most famous supermodel. No one looks as gorgeous as you do right now, no one.”
Straddling her legs over my lap, I yanked her down hard. Her fingers dragged through my hair, twirling around thick clumps with need. “You really think that?”
“Fuck yeah, I can't believe you don't see how amazing you look.” Tracing the dip in her spine, I squeezed her ass. “You feel that?”
“What?”
“That?” Jerking my cock muscle, I pushed it into her ass.
“Yup, I feel that alright.” Giggling, Avni ground her hips down. “I'm glad to see you can still be turned on by me.”
“Avni, I love you. And you will always turn me on.”
Placing soft kisses across her chest, I tickled my hands up her back. Her head fell backwards, eyes rolling into her skull.
“God, I've waited for this for too long.” Flipping her head forward, her eyes fixed on mine. “I've missed you, Levi.” Her hands slipped over my neck, squeezing my nape.
“Love, I've done nothing but miss you for months. And now we're here, we're alone, and I'm aching to touch you all over.”
“Alone... Hold that thought.” Avni jumped from my lap. Well, to be more honest, she shifted her swelling belly awkwardly as she hoisted herself backward off my lap.
Picking up T, she walked to the bedroom and dropped him inside. The door made a quiet, promising click, as she closed it tight. “Now we're alone.”
The feral need to claim my woman again took hold, grinding into my muscles and turning me rigid. “Thank God for that. It's bad enough there's a tiny person listening from inside your stomach.”
“Don't say that. You want this to happen right? If I even so much as think about the baby inside me, it won't. She's already kicked me a couple times, and that's reminder enough that she's there.” Holding her hand against her side, Avni pursed her lips. “I'm already uncomfortable and huge. Let's not make this awkward, and get me thinking this might be something she'll remember when she's thirty.”
Laughing, I pulled her down onto the couch. Peeling her shirt over head, I stared at the most exotic woman who ever graced my eyes. Avni really was fucking gorgeous.
Her stomach bulged out, the hardened balloon housing my baby was proudly on display. Running my fingers across her belly, I kissed her gently. “Baby, the only ones remembering this is us.” Each kiss softly hit her skin, small goosebumps jetted out and broke the surface.
“I love you, Levi.” Avni's back arched off the couch, her thighs pressing together firmly. “It's been so long since I've felt you, since I've had you inside me.” Biting her lip, a sultry look flooded her warm face.
“Is that what you want? Me inside you?” Her head nodded a soundless yes, eyes veering down the bridge of her nose. “Is your pussy aching to feel me slide deep inside?”
“Yes, I need you, Levi.” Her hands gripped her outer thighs, nails dragging up forcefully as her legs split open.
My hands climbed her ribs, reaching her tits. The tumidity of each breast crested the trim of her bra, screaming for me bite and nibble the tender flesh. Popping the rivet in the front, her tits spilled out as she inhaled a quick breath.
Each nipple had grown, deepening to a dark tan. Twirling my tongue over the hardened beads, Avni moaned loudly. Her body was shaking already, trembling under my touch, my caress, my sensual kisses.
Tugging on her tits with my teeth, I rolled each nipple between the ridges. Her moan grew louder, more intense. And my cock jolted to life, twitching against my briefs to be set free.
“I've needed you for so long, Avni. I can't tell you enough times how much I love you.” My hips gyrated into the warming center of her thighs. Her pussy pushing back and melting beneath the fabric.
Grabbing my hair, Avni yanked my lips onto hers. Her tongue danced inside my mouth, wrapping wildly around mine. Her moans turned into hard purrs, each one smoldering my brain with carnal need.
Her chest rose faster and faster, fingers eagerly trying to tear my pants open. Sliding the button free, her hand drove inside, squeezing around my cock.
Clinching my jaw, a deep grunt fell from my lips. The feel of her fingers wrapping tightly around my shaft made my entire body quiver.
I was a fuse, a live wire ready to explode. Tearing my jeans down, her eyes widened. An inviting smile dangled on the corners of her lips.
Slipping my fingers into the edge of her pants, I couldn't stop the raw desire from taking hold. I ripped her legs free, throwing her leggings to the side like unwanted trash. Her glistening pussy awaited my eyes.
The hair had grown in some, spreading over her lips and up in a triangle across her extreme lower belly. “Sorry, I can't really see it anymore for cleanup.”
“It's beautiful.” An animalistic growl highlighted my voice. “You are so fucking gorgeous, you're my woman. My perfect, incredible woman.” Pushing her thighs open, I licked her trembling flesh.
I could feel her body shivering beneath my tongue, each lick was met with a jolt of her hips. Twining my fingers into hers, I lifted her from the couch and bent her over the side.
Cupping her belly as I climbed up behind her, I whispered into her ear. “This is us, this will be always be us. No matter where life takes us, no matter what gets thrown our way, this will always keep us connected.”
Teasing my swollen tip around the entrance to her wet heat, I could feel the warmth of her pussy against my cock. She was soaked and hungry, pushing her ass backwards trying to force me inside.
Holding her ass cheeks, I glided my finger around her asshole. Avni was on fire, her entire body was rocking and swaying as I twirled my finger around the tight hole.
The moan she let free was intoxicating, eating away my ears with each breath she forced out. “Fuck me, Levi. I need you to fuck me.” Twisting her neck over her shoulder, Avni peered at me under a canopy of lashes.
/> My pleasure. God I've waited way too long for this.
Stretching my fingers under her neck, I pushed the head of my cock inside. Her body was ready to absorb me, eating up my length as I pressed in further. Her pussy was juicy, drenching me in her thick wetness.
“Avni, fuck.” The words tumbled off my tongue, mixing in with a rumble from my lungs. The deep growl broke free as she sheathed my entire hard member, her walls tightening and milking me with each push.
Harder and faster I penetrated her angelic form. Her head fell towards the arm of the couch, resting on her hands. “Mmm, ah, Levi.” Avni's fingers gripped the fabric, nails digging into the foam beneath. “Ah, Le—Mmm, Le—,” she moaned louder, her hand jerking back and grabbing her stomach.
Her wet pussy kept seeping, flowing in juice as it poured from inside. Fucking her harder, I thrust in as far as I could, till my furry base was buried in her ass.
“Levi, ah! Stop, stop!”
Coming to a halt, I pulled out instantly. “What? Are you okay?” Looking down, her pussy was drenched, the couch below was drenched, and Avni was holding her belly.
“I... I don't know. I have a cramp.” Turning to her side, she curled up into a ball. “It really hurts, fuck it hurts.”
“Is it the baby? Should I call the ambulance?” My head began to rock with worry and fear. Fear for Avni, fear for the baby.
She wasn't due for another week, it was too soon for the baby to come. Right?
“I don't know,” she said, unrolling her body. “It stopped.” Rubbing her lower belly, she pushed herself up. “Why is the couch so wet?”
“That's just you, Princess. All your sweet, sweet juice.” Winking, I rubbed her back. Avni looked bewildered, eyes opened as wide as they could go.
“Levi, I think my water broke. Maybe I'm going to into labor.” Standing, Avni paced around the living room. “Did my water just break?”
“Shit, did I hurt you? Did I just hurt the baby?” Jumping from the couch, I threw my pants back on. “Get dressed, I'm taking you to the hospital. What if I just hurt the baby?”
My nerves were suddenly shooting off in every direction. I couldn't think straight, couldn't move normal, couldn't walk gracefully. I had turned into a fucking mess.
Maybe we shouldn't be having sex, maybe it's too close and I just put the baby in danger?
“Levi, I'm okay. It stopped, I'm not uncomfortable anymore. You didn't hurt the baby. I'm sure she—” Avni's voice went from normal to a deep, painful groan. Her hands gripped her stomach as she leaned into the wall for support.
“Lift your leg,” I spat, aiding her by grabbing her foot and jamming it into her pants. “We're going to the hospital.”
Nodding, Avni took in heavy breaths. Her lips were thin and tight against her face, her brows knitted in concern.
I wasn't taking any chances, and I wasn't going to let her talk me out of it. We were going to the hospital. End of story.
Helping her into the car, I jumped into the front seat. Slamming the key into the ignition, I barely waited for the car to start before letting my foot fall like lead onto the pedal. The hospital wasn't far, a ten minute drive from the apartment at best.
Outside I was trying to stay calm, and relaxed. But inside, I was a torrent of knots and boulders crashing inside my gut. “Are you alright? How are you feeling?”
“Just drive, I'm alright. I promise, I'm okay.” Avni's breathing had grown shallow, her body tensed and tightened with each cramp that squeezed her insides.
“We're not far, do you want to call your mom?”
Shaking her head yes, Avni fumbled around with her phone. “Mom, Levi's taking me to the hospital. I have really bad cramps, I might be in labor.” Her mouth turned razor thin as she nodded softly to her mother on the speaker. Stuffing the phone back into her purse, another wave of torment hit her.
Punching the door, Avni yelled. “Fuck!” A deep painful grunt exploded from her lungs as her eyes closed tight.
“We're almost there. What did your mom say?”
“She's laughing at me. Says the baby decided to come a little early.”
The baby is coming? The baby is coming... Oh my God... The baby is coming!
The tires squealed as I turned into Grace Memorial Hospital. Throwing the car into park at the main entrance, I ran to her door and threw it open. Holding Avni's elbow, I tried to walk with her slowly into the double doors.
But I really wanted to lift her over my head and run her inside.
As the glass slid open to let us in, I lost it. “Help! Someone help! She's having a baby, we need someone over here now!”
“Sir, calm down.” A woman with short curly hair rushed up to us. “Are you having contractions, Miss?”
Avni's lips had formed a tight circle as she nodded yes. “I... I think so.”
“Follow me.” The woman grabbed a wheelchair and helped Avni into it. “Sir, how long has she been having contractions?”
“I, I don't know. A half-hour, maybe less. Is she going to be okay?”
“Yes, she'll be fine. But by the look of you, you won't be. Are you normally green?” Giggling, she held her card to the sensor, and took us into the delivery ward.
We had been there a few times before. While I was still recovering in the hospital, they let me head down there for a few lamas classes with Avni.
But to be honest, in that moment, everything they had told me flew right out the window.
I couldn't think of one damn thing that they had said us. Nothing.
And I wished I could, maybe I could help her if I could remember one stupid thing they taught us.
The only thing standing out was the very interesting, mind altering video of a live birth. Those images will stay with me forever.
I don't even think half the shit I saw in Afghanistan compared to the sight of what I saw in that video.
Avni keeled over in the wheelchair as another contraction came in harder and stronger. That one was the worst yet. But with what was about to come, it was nothing.
Ten hours, ten long hours of watching my love curl, curse, and yell. Avni had dilated quicker than they expected. The nurse said it was because our little girl was ready to meet us.
Our little girl. Wow, I'm about to be a dad.
Breathing through my nose, I tried to stop my heart from racing. My entire body was shaking, tingling, burning, from an eager and exciting fear I couldn't understand.
We were about to bring a new life into the world. A new life into our world. A little piece of heaven was about to be laid into our arms. And the excitement was one I could never fully explain.
“Alright, Avni. I know it hurts, but you need to breathe through it.”
The look of the devil coated Avni's face, her lip turning up in anger. “Breathe through it?” Her voice was hoarse and rugged. “How about you fucking breathe through it!”
I waited to see if her head was going to start spinning. Avni had asked for an epidural, they had given it to her. But it wasn't working, she said she could still feel everything.
The doctor checked the baby and realized she was in a position they called, 'Sunny side up.' Our little girl was facing up instead of down.
So the back of her head was putting pressure on Avni's spine. The epidural was a waste of time, her legs were numb but the intense pain hitting her spinal cord was not.
Avni's hands twisted against the bed rails, the small bolts doing everything they could to keep the arms in place. I felt useless, a waste of space inside that room.
There was nothing I could do for her, nothing I could do to take the pain from her. This was a task only Avni could complete. And for that I felt horrible.
I never wanted to cause her one ounce of pain in her lifetime. But this, this tied my hands. I couldn't stop it, and it killed me inside.
“Avni, you need to give me one final push! Come on, one more!” The doctor yelled, bending over at the end of the bed. Plastic goggles fitted his face, hair hidden unde
r a baby blue cap.
With one final gasp, Avni screamed louder as she bared down on her hips. Her shoulders gave way, and she fell back into the pillow with labored breaths.
The room fell silent for what seemed like eternity. In the deafening silence, I could hear everyone's heartbeat.
Or maybe it was just mine, beating the inside of my head.
A high-pitched scream broke the thick air. “Congratulations, you have a healthy baby girl.” Holding up our newborn, Avni burst into tears as the doctor laid the baby onto her chest.
My eyes welled up, the small cry of our child breaking through my fuzzy mind. Looking down, Avni was coddling our perfect baby.
And she was beautiful.
Her large eyes blinked rapidly, head floating around the room as she cried the deepest, newest cry of life.
Pressing my finger into her hand, tears clouded my eyes. “Phoenix, you are even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.”
The creation from our love, the new life that had risen from the ashes of our former world; she was finally here, our little Phoenix.
My heart hurt, my body ached. Not from pain, not from sadness...
It was from a love that was so insanely strong, it caused me to hurt all over.
Lowering down to Avni, I kissed her forehead and whispered into her ear. “You are the strongest person I know. This child is lucky to have you for her mom, and I will make everyday of the rest of your life, just as amazing as the day before. Thank you for this.” Brushing her hair back over her ear, I held her in my arms. “I love you.”
Tear filled eyes peered up at me, her face delicately snuggled into the new life we had just brought into the world. “I love you too, Levi.”
Her mother had told me once before, she had whispered it so kindly, and seriously into my ear. “Avni loves you, Levi. But she doesn't realize it yet. Trust me, I know my daughter.”
She became my everything. My love, my air, my life.
The mother of my child, the woman who held my heart in her hands.
She made me a better person, she brought me back from death.
And I could never thank her enough for that.