No More Heartache: The MORE Duet

by Anders, Tarrah

  It's mid-January and the air is crisp. I rented a few space heaters to place around the deck and I just made sure we have enough propane for today’s festivities. While I shower, Sterling and Sammie had shown up and transformed our backyard. It looks like the jungle and baby animals threw up in various parts, I snuck up on Tatum from behind and wrapped my arms around her, my lips pressed to her neck and I could see the goose bumps erupt all over her skin.

  “People are starting to arrive, but all I want to do is take you into the bedroom and lock us away.” I whisper.

  “There’s plenty of time for that later.” She smiles patting my hand that is atop her belly.

  * * *

  She was right, later we had plenty of time. Tatum had started on maternity leave right after the baby shower. Every morning, she woke me up with sex in some shape or form for the next two weeks. I’ve been working my ass off with the strip mall job, making sure that I am as caught up as I could be. I make all the notes available on our server at the office in case I need to take time off.

  We have roughly a week to go before Tatum delivers the baby and we’re lying in bed together after some slow love making.

  I lay on my side with my palm over her belly, my ear is against her warm skin and our daughter is kicking me in the cheek.

  “People keep asking me if we have chosen a name, and I realized that we have never discussed it.” I murmur against her skin.

  “I haven’t really thought about it much, I always figured that could come later, but we are a few weeks away. What would you like to name our daughter?” She asks softly with her fingers running through my hair.

  “I don’t want her to have a geezer name like ‘Esther’.”

  She laughs. “Those names are making a comeback, just so you know.

  “Yeah, but my grandma’s name was Esther and all her friends had those names. I can’t look endearingly at my daughter when she has a name that my gran and her friends had.”

  “What about Betsy?” Tatum says after a moment.

  My breath hitches. I look at her, she’s smiling and I feel like I can see my soul within her eyes. I don’t think I’m breathing, but I have no words to say.

  “Max? Did I lose you?” She whispers licking her lips.

  “You would want to name our daughter after my ex?”

  “I know how much Betsy meant to you, and in a way I think it would be good to carry on her name in some way.”

  “You are amazing.” I lean in to kiss her softly.

  “So you would approve of that name?” She asks hesitantly.

  “I don’t want you to feel obligated to choose that as a name. This is our life together, I want it to be a name that you love as well. Just the offer alone, has me falling in love with you all over again. But we don’t need to name our baby after Betsy.”

  “I don’t feel obligated. Listen, the name is a feisty and fun name. It’s not like I’m settling for a name. I want the name to have meaning. In one way or another, Betsy has had a part in our relationship and who you are today, the man I love, the father of my child.”

  “How about this, we choose a few other names, keep Betsy as an option but when she is born, we choose the name that we feel best resembles her. I’ve heard that sometimes that’s how people do it. They just know once they hold the baby.”

  “So then we can put Esther on the table?” She smiles.

  I poke her in the side, where I know she’s ticklish as she folds into me. She kisses me on the cheek and moves to get off the bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need some pineapples.” She walks out of the room.

  I lay on my back, fold my arms under my head and smile.

  Life couldn’t be better.

  37

  Tatum

  All of a sudden I’m thrown into a pool, but it’s a warm pool and it feels like the water is thick as I catch my breath and pull to the surface. I start to wade through the water, but it’s endless and I don’t see an end anywhere. The palms of my hands trail over the surface as I still in my spot. Suddenly, arms are grasping mine and shaking. In the distance, I can hear my name being called by Max, he seems frantic almost manic. Suddenly, my eyes open and I realize that was all a dream. Well, most of it was. Max’s face is hovering over mine and his hands are on my arms.

  “Oh thank God. I think your water broke, or you just peed on my dick.” He says.

  I take a moment to return to my senses and I feel like I’m sitting in a tub, except I’m sitting in a puddle in our bed.

  “Oh gross, great. My baby juice is all over the bed and it’s going to be so gross, ew.”

  “That’s what you’re worried about? The bed?” He asks getting out of bed and removing his wet boxers.

  He walks into the bathroom and grabs the hand towel and wipes his legs.

  “We were spooning when all of a sudden, wetness happened. I thought I had peed, but instead it was your baby juice.” He explains as I openly stare at him.

  I start to move to get up and suddenly Max is right in front of me stopping me.

  “What are you doing?” I ask.

  “Won’t the baby fall out if you stand up?” He asks so innocently.

  “Max, you read some of the books, you know that’s not how this works.” I smile, pushing him aside and removing my baby juice soaked shorts.

  “What do you want me to do?” He asks.

  “Call labor and delivery, the number is on the fridge. Let them know my water just broke, and they will let you know if there’s a room open.”

  “What if she comes before I get off the phone?”

  “Then she will, but I seriously doubt it. Sometimes it will still take hours for the actual labor part. I’m going to jump in the shower, and wash the baby juice off.” I smile.

  Max leaves the room as I turn on the water in the shower. I step under the spray and relish the moment of quietness. There won’t be too many of these soon. A moment later, Max comes into the bathroom.

  “They have a room, they said to check in within an hour, but we can take our time. You doing okay?” He asks as he pokes his head into the shower.

  “I am. Do you want to join me?” I ask trying to give him my most seductive voice.

  “I’m not fucking you right now Tate. I might hit the baby’s forehead.”

  “I’m not asking for sex silly. I just want to enjoy the last few moments where it’s just us. Where it’s quiet and where we can take a nice shower without having to clean throw up, milk or poop off of us.” I smile.

  “Poop? How would we get poop on us?” He asks as he removes the boxers he just put on.

  “Projectile poop. Or blowouts. I hear those are pretty crazy sometimes.” I know that I’m freaking Max out a little, so I continue. “Sometimes, its pee too. My mom used to say that even though I didn’t have a wiener that I would stream my pee like I did as soon as she took off my diapers.”

  “This sounds awesome. We might need to put puppy pads all around the house. Or just get rid of carpet all together and put plastic everywhere.” He says as he lathers himself and myself up with soap. His hands slowly run the length of my body, he started from the top and now he’s kneeling. He kisses my belly and moves his body back up.

  “I’m going to miss your pregnant belly.” He whispers as he kisses my neck.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Might have to knock you up real quick again. We can have like ten babies. That’s like over 10 years of pregnant belly.” He smiles as the spray of water washes all the soap off our bodies.

  “What am I, a mule?”

  “No, you’re much prettier,” he smiles, kisses me, and retreats from the shower. I can see his shadow as he dries off, and he gathers my towels and places them over the shower curtain. A moment later, I emerge from the bathroom. Max is sitting on the bed, back in his boxers just staring at the bathroom doorway, staring at me.

  “We’re going to be parents Tate, in hours.” He whispers.

  I
stand directly in front of him and look down, my hands on his shoulders.

  “Are you going to be okay babe?” I ask.

  “I may be in shock. So, if I look out of it, just tell me what to do.” He admits.

  “I can do that. I’m going to make sure that I have everything I need in my hospital bag. Can you get our phone chargers and my eReader charger?”

  We arrive at the hospital 20 minutes later, after we’re lead back to our private delivery room, Max starts looking anxious again.

  “How you doing?” I ask him.

  “I’m fine. You? Stupid question, you’re going to have a baby… holy shit.”

  “The doctor said I was only 5 centimeters dilated, there might still be some time. I know it’s the middle of the night, but why don’t you call everyone. Let them know we’re here, and we’ll call or text with updates.”

  Max nods and pulls out his phone.

  I suddenly feel a cramp and I remember my breathing. Max is on the phone with his mom and pales when he sees me clutching onto the hospital bed. He rushes to my side, but I shake my head and continue breathing.

  “Yeah, We just got here. No, stay home. I’ll let you know if we need you guys. Can you call Davis…? Okay, thanks dad…. Yeah I will…. Okay, you too…. Thanks…. Alright, okay… bye.” He hangs up and then starts to scroll through his phone again. He locates the contact and presses the screen as he puts the phone to his ear. He looks at me and gives me his lopsided smile that melts my panties.

  “Hey. Yeah, Tate is going into labor. No, stay home… we’re at the hospital…. no, stay home…. Hello? Hello?” He drops his phone and looks at me.

  “So um, I think Dane and Sterling are coming here.” He says sheepishly.

  I laugh, because I knew that would happen, I hoped that it would. He needs them here to keep him calm. I can only do so much.

  “Can you hand me my phone?” I ask after the last cramp goes away. He places the phone in my palm and I shoot off a text to my parents and Sammie. I don’t want to wake them, and plus my parents wouldn’t wake up from a phone.

  Max is on a web browser on his phone. “Whatcha doing?” I ask.

  “I’m buying us a new bed. You know, one that doesn’t have baby juice all over it.” He smiles.

  * * *

  10 Hours later, Max and I are proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. She just came out and the doctor is handing Max the scissors to cut the cord. He has tears in his eyes, and he’s shaking from the excitement that he uses both hands to do the task. The nurse instructs me to lower my gown for skin to skin contact, Max helps me as the baby is placed on my chest.

  I look into her eyes, and she is the most precious thing ever created. Tears are falling from my eyes as Max leans over the bed and coo’s at the baby.

  “Hi Betsy.” I whisper to her just loud enough so I know Max can hear me say it.

  Epilogue

  Max

  Tatum popped a baby out of her and now we’re proud parents of a baby girl. Betsy Marie Hunter was born on February 11th, at 1:05pm. She was 7 pounds and 9 ounces, and 21 inches long. She came out screaming, and finally settled when she was laid across Tatum’s chest. It was love at first sight, and I’m man enough to admit that I cried.

  Tatum is amazing in all ways, and I have no idea how she did it. I was a ball of nerves from the moment her water broke. I read all the books that she did, I knew how the whole labor thing would somewhat go, and as soon as the moment came, everything that I read was non-existent. Tatum was so freaking calm that it was beyond scary, and she did well with dealing with me.

  Even though I told my family to not come to the hospital they did. The delivery room was full up until she started going into active labor. I insisted that for the delivery it be just us so we can experience the moment together, to have the moment we became a family of three as a private moment. However, once we gave the clear, everyone piled back in. Photos were taken instantly, and I’m sure that little Betsy is posted all over social media within minutes of meeting her.

  Tatum officially named the baby Betsy. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first when we were discussing it – but as soon as I held her I could feel that that was her rightful name. I cried, like a lot. There are also photos with tears in my eyes on social media, I’m almost sure of it.

  Dane and Sterling eventually left the hospital room to meet the bed delivery guy at our house; they also purchased us new sheets, the really good kind to put on our new bed for when we arrived home. A bassinet, that wasn’t previously in our possession also sat next to Tatum’s side of the bed with a bow on it when we arrived home as well. Sterling had been hiding it at their home until the time was right, luckily the baby juice getting all over our previous bed aided in her surprise gift.

  We’ve officially been home for a week. We haven’t slept a full night, but we couldn’t be happier. Tatum’s parents finally came for a visit as soon as we got home, and after her mother hit on me, she basked over her granddaughter. My mother has been over every day, she’s helped Tatum with general housework, making sure we have an ample supply of easy to reheat meals and to make sure the house stays somewhat clean. I took parental leave for three weeks as well so I can stay home and do whatever a new dad is supposed to do.

  I learned firsthand what a blow-out diaper is as well as the incredible pee stream of a newborn. Tatum is breastfeeding and it seems like that’s all little Betsy wants when she’s not soiling a diaper or sleeping. I can’t blame her, Tatum’s breasts are pretty great. She switches between using bottles and the boob, so I have a chance to feed her and have some daddy and daughter bonding time

  I want to do the right thing and make an honest woman out of Tatum, but I can’t for the life of me come up with a good enough way to propose to her. I’ve googled and asked Dane but I’ve been coming up short. I purchased a ring for her right around the same time of our baby shower, so I was definitely ready to do it then but I knew I needed a grand gesture, not like she was expecting one. I thought about tying the ring around Betsy’s wrist or foot, but I didn’t want to chance the string getting too tight and injuring her or her putting it in her mouth and then accidentally swallowing it. Then suddenly it hit me.

  I powered on my laptop and hit search. My eyes dart around the website and then I find what I’m looking for. I select purchase, and now I only have to wait around anxiously for 3-7 business days for my item to arrive. This will be a long 3-7 days.

  * * *

  I’m staring into Betsy’s eyes while Tatum is napping on the couch beside us.

  How did I get so lucky? How did my life do a complete 360 in the span of a year? Betsy coo’s as she looks up at me, I haven’t been able to get enough of her. There is a truth the fact that babies smell heavenly, as I can’t stop smelling her head. Her cute little chubby thighs, I just want to take a bite out of, and her cheeks, yeah I want to constantly pinch them.

  The past two weeks have been interesting to say the least. There’s been a lot of crying from Betsy at all hours of the day, along with some frustrated and sleepless parents. Thankfully, we’ve had the help of Sterling, Sammie and my mother. Tatum’s parents came down, but her mother didn’t seem to know what to do with a newborn. (I wonder how she managed when Tatum was a baby). Being a new parent is daunting as well as it is amazing. I’m learning as I go, and all the stuff I read in the books are just words, I’m figuring it out first hand as I go.

  Tatum on the other hand, motherhood seems to take to her quite well. While at moments, it looks like she’s about to blow a fuse, she reigns it in quite well. She seems to be the calming factor in our little family, if Betsy is screaming, I don’t know what she does, but Tatum calms her. It must be her scent, or the smell that boob milk is inches away. Regardless, Tatum is a pro.

  My package came in the mail yesterday afternoon to the office and figuring now is the best time since Tate is sleeping to get along with my proposal plan. I slowly and quietly get up from the couch, and bring Betsy int
o the bathroom to run her bath. I love these father and daughter moments with her, she looks up at me like I’m her whole world, even though I’m sure I’m some blurry mess to her right now. Since I haven’t showered yet, I run the bath with enough water for me to sit in with her pink plastic baby bath tub as well. Tatum had just fallen asleep, so I know I’ve at least got an hour, so I take my time in the bath with the baby. After we’re both clean, I quickly dry off as she’s just hanging out in her baby bath, giggling and flailing her arms.

  I bring her into our bedroom and lay her on the bed; I dry her off completely and put the lotion that Tatum likes on her body, so she doesn’t get dry skin. I kiss her forehead several times and make funny faces and noises at her, this is something I can’t help but do. I unwrap the package and dress Betsy. I inspect my work and smile. I pick up Betsy and we go into the kitchen to grab something to eat.

  The house is quiet aside from the small noises the baby makes in my arms. I’ve become excellent at doing tasks one handed, I’m sure I can grab the baby carrier and make use of both my arms, but I like to hold her, especially against my skin in hopes that her smell rubs off on me. I’m mumbling random things and talking Betsy through on how to make a sandwich when I hear Tatum moving around on the couch. I see her head peek over the couch, her beautiful dark brown hair askew from her nap.

  “Whaaryadoin?” She mumbles, obviously still half asleep.

  “Making some lunch. You want a sandwich?” I ask. My heart is beating fast, I feel like it’s hitting the baby in the head.

  “Hmmm. Food.” Her eyes are half closed and she lazily smiles, with her head perched atop the couch cushion.