Embracing Us (Embracing Series)

by Delisa Lynn

“Hey baby, the nurse said that I’ll probably have Greyson within the next couple hours. I’m already dilated eight-centimeters. Did you see Nik anywhere? She and Brody should be here by now.”

  “No, I sent a text to Eric and told him we were here.”

  “Okay good, I left my phone over there. Evan sent me a text and said they were on their way over. Liam, I’m sorry that we have to share this day with him. I promise you, I’ll never do anything like this again. I was dumb and wasn’t thinking and I just needed to be close to him.”

  “Stop! I know you won’t do it again. You were never his Lila, you have always been mine. He may have kept you company and gave you what you needed, but you have been mine and will always be. Now let’s get ready to have our son.” I say as I kiss her. There is a knock at the door, and I look over and it’s Evan and Tatum.

  “Sorry, to interrupt y’all. We will just sit in the lobby, I just wanted to let you know we were here.” Evan says in his southern tone.

  “Evan, you and I need to talk, but not in here.” I seethe, and I see the look Lila is giving me. She looks at me and shakes her head no.

  “Okay, we can talk when and where ever you want. Also, Tatum picked these up for you, Lila.” He says as he hands Li a bouquet of pink and purple daisies.

  “Thank you, Tatum, they are beautiful. It’s nice to meet you, I wish it was under other circumstances. And you men can talk after the baby is here. I don’t want any drama today. I fucked up and you both know it was wrong. You can’t blame Evan, I’m the one that perused him” Lila says as she wipes a tear from her face.

  “Lila, baby don’t cry.” I whisper in her ear. I feel like an ass, but I’m ready to rip his goddamn head off his shoulders.

  “You’re welcome, it’s nice to meet you too. I agree there shouldn’t be any drama today. Evan knows you aren’t happy with him Liam, and hell, I would punch him too if I were you. But not today, this is going to be a great day for all of us. Lila, is it okay if I hug you?” she asks. A smile spread across Lila’s face and she nods yes. Tatum walks over and gives her a hug and kisses her cheek. “Everything will be okay, so don’t get upset about anything. Okay?” she says to Lila.

  “Thank you Tatum, that’s a pretty dress. One of my favorite colors is pink.”

  “I can see that, thank you. It is one of mine too. Would you like some time to talk with Evan? Liam and I will grab some coffee. If that’s okay?”

  Lila looks at me, and I shake my head and run my hands through my hair. Then look at a very nervous Evan standing next to the door. I know he’s harmless. But I can’t look at him knowing he had sex with my wife, knowing she was married. Hell, it’s as much Lila’s fault as his, just like she said.

  “Okay, we will be back. Tatum, shall we?” I ask as I motion towards the door. We walk out into the hallway and she smiles at me. She seems so nice.

  “I’m sorry, I just thought they should talk a little. I told him not to lose his temper, he isn’t a mean guy and doesn’t yell much. But he knows that she is hurting as much as he is. So I think it will be okay. Just so you know, if the baby is Evan’s we would never take him from y’all. We know that you are good people. So let’s just make the best of this until we see what the test says, okay?” she asks as she leans in and hugs me. This girl likes to hug.

  “Thank you, it was taking everything I had not to knock the shit out of him. I’ve been so pissed off at him and her lately. I know they had something special at one time, but why the hell after I was back and she was married to me would they sleep together. I just don’t get it.” I say as I run my hands over my face. “You know that day you guys came to see Lila in the hospital, I knew then that they slept together, it was written all over his face. Then when she woke up and I told her she was pregnant, that same look confirmed my suspicions.”

  “Liam, I know that he will always love her and she him. They helped each other through a rough time, he was hurting and so was she. He was in love with me and she loved you. But you were gone and I was in a really bad relationship, I couldn’t get out of. I can’t say, why they did it. But I know that the love they shared, wasn’t just a college fling. She helped him, and he helped her heal from losing you and then her best friend. He gave her what you couldn’t. I try to understand myself, why they did this to you and the only thing I can think of, is that was her way of finally saying good bye, to him and their past together.”

  “I know he helped her a lot. I hate to admit it, but I’m glad she had him to get her through everything. Damn that’s one hell of a goodbye gift.” I say with a sarcastic laugh.

  “Just try to be easy on her, she seems like she is hurting about it and knows she messed up. Life is too short, love her with everything you have and I know she loves you, hell the way she looks at you. I’ve seen pictures of y’all and your family is beautiful.”

  “Thanks Tatum, you have a good point.” I say as I walk in the cafeteria with her. Wondering what my wife and Evan are talking about.

  LILA

  Liam and Tatum, walk out and leave Evan and me in the room alone. He is standing by the door and hasn’t said anything to me yet. I can feel him staring at me, I don’t know what to say. Tatum is so sweet, no wonder her and Nikki have become friends. Who wouldn’t like a sweet southern belle like her? Her baby bump is showing, and she kind of looks like me.

  “Evan, you can come over here and sit next to me. I’m not going to bite you or anything.” I say laughing, he just smiles and walks over to the chair next to the bed, not taking his eyes off of me. He sits down and places a hand on mine.

  “Sweetheart, why didn’t you call me sooner? If he’s mine, I’ve missed out on your entire pregnancy. You know I would have been here for you and the baby. Tatum would have understood my commuting back and forth. She likes you, ya know. She and Nikki are good friends. Lila, can I touch your stomach, I mean if that’s okay.”

  “She is super sweet, I think we will get along just fine. Of course you can touch it, I know he’s huge. The doctor said he already weighs close to ten pounds. He is going to be a big boy. The girls were so small when they were born. I never imagined having a child that big. I’ll be honest with you Evan, I didn’t call because I wasn’t sure what to do, when we slept together you wasn’t seeing Tatum, and then when I woke up in the hospital Liam told me the two of you were there. I didn’t want to mess up your life.”

  “My child would never mess up my life darlin’, you should know that more than anyone. I would die for a child of mine, regardless who the mother is. If this is my baby, you and Liam will have to get used to me being around. I will not walk away from him, ever. He will know me, and Tatum and the rest of the family. He will come to Birmingham during the summer and spring breaks. I won’t take him from you, and I won’t allow you to take him from me. Ever.”

  “I know Evan, I was wrong. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I just couldn’t. I never meant to hurt you and keep you away from the baby, I promise you that. Will you please forgive me?” I say as I start to cry and I see unshed tears in his eyes. Normally I would feel some sort of attraction when I’m around him, but right now I don’t. I think my feelings that I had for him have finally faded.

  “Don’t cry, darlin’ I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just crushed, and feel like I’ve already missed out on so much. I missed all of your doctor appointments and the sonograms. But that all changes today, you understand me. Today will be a start of a new friendship between the four of us. If he is mine of course. Will they do the test after you deliver?”

  “Thanks Evan, I’m just tired and feel so damn bad about everything that I kept from you. Yes they will, the doctor said she would send someone in to swab you and Liam, then the baby. It normally takes weeks to receive the results but we will get them today.”

  “Okay good, I’m sorry for the way I acted on the phone. I was just shocked and surprised that you hadn’t told me sooner. But I’m here now. Thank you for calling me. I’m going to find Ta, will you be okay?” he
asks as he squeezes my hand. I still didn’t have any emotional feelings toward him.

  “I’ll be fine, thank you Evan. It means a lot, and I won’t keep anything from you again.”

  “Thank you.” He says as he leans over and kisses my cheek. I can feel my contractions again. Evan walks out of the room and I want to just break down and cry, but I didn’t. I was strong for my little man, I didn’t want to cause him any stress.

  I was finally over Evan, of course I may be having his baby, but I’m over him. As I lie here staring at the picture of Addison with Nikki and me, I start to pray. I prayed like, I’ve never prayed before. If God would answer any of my prayers, I would like for this one to be answered. Then I talk to Addison, she always seems to appear when I really need her too.

  “Ads, if you can hear me, please talk with God and let him know that I’m sorry for everything that I have done. We all make mistakes, but my family shouldn’t have to be punished because of my actions. I love my husband with every ounce of my being, and I would do anything in the world to make him happy. Addison, if you have any pull up there, please let Greyson be Liam’s. He can’t be Evan’s. I have hurt both men so much. I can’t hurt them like this anymore, it’s not fair to them. I promise I will never hurt either of them again, I will never be dishonest with my husband or myself ever again. I will live the rest of my life making up for what I have done, and to make everything right.

  “Addison, please I need your presence now more than I ever have. Please watch over all of us, guide the doctors and nurses into helping me have a safe birth and that Greyson will be perfect. If he isn’t Liam’s then I guess he was meant to be Evan’s. I love you Ads, I wish things were different and you were here. But I know I can’t see you, but you can see and hear me. Will you hug my daddy for me and tell him his pumpkin misses him. I’m sending you butterfly kisses, sweets.”

  “Lila, it’s me Nurse Becky, are you okay sweetie? I know what’s going on and we are going to perform the DNA test as soon as you deliver. We can go ahead swab the fathers now. If that’s okay. Also do you want them both in the room while you deliver?”

  “Okay, can you get my husband Liam, and ask him to come in so I can speak to him? Thank you.” I need to talk to him and see what he thought I should do. I know he doesn’t want Evan in the room, but what if it is his baby, then he would miss his birth.

  “Hey beautiful, is everything okay? How did it go with Evan? Nikki, Brody, Meg, Kade, and Ashton are all here. Eric is doing rounds then he will be down here. Do you need anything?” he says as he slides in bed with me and put his arms around me.

  “I’m okay, and the talk with Evan went well. I think he understands why I waited to tell him. Nurse Becky said that she can go ahead and test you and Evan and then test Greyson once he is delivered. Which by these contractions will be very soon. Do you want him in here when I deliver? I don’t know, if he is his then I’ll feel awful that he missed out on his birth, but if he isn’t, then it would be wrong to you.” I say as tears stream down my face. Liam leans over and kisses me.

  “If you want him in here, then that’s fine. But I won’t leave your side. I’m in here regardless. Understand?” he says as he kisses me again.

  “Okay, maybe you should go have your test and let me think about it, can you send my friends in please. I need girl time.”

  “Yes, I’ll send them in. You want more ice chips?”

  “Please, I thought you would never ask.” I say laughing. I was having contractions every ten minutes, but I put a smile on my face and went on trying to figure out what to do.

  “Hey bitch, why is it that you are getting ready to pop out a ten pound linebacker and you look beautiful as ever? Seriously did you do your makeup?” Nikki says as she hugs me.

  “I always look this good what are you talking about.” I say laughing and kiss her cheek.

  “Megs, what is that on your neck? Is that a fucking hickey?” I ask as she and Nikki both burst into laughter. “What, I know what a hickey looks like. You both know I dated Ashton and we all know he is the king of them.” I say rolling my eyes.

  “Well it must be an Ellis thing, because Kade did it and we aren’t even having sex. He just did it. I had to wear a scarf to work today, who wears a scarf when it’s this hot outside? People thought I was crazy.”

  “Okay, on a serious note. Do you two think Evan should be in here while I deliver? Liam says he doesn’t care, but what if the baby isn’t Evans, he shouldn’t be in here. Isn’t that odd, my ex-lover and my husband both in here watching me give birth.”

  “I hope you shaved, you wouldn’t want them seeing any bushes.” Meg says laughing. I threw my ice chips at her and stuck my tongue out.

  “Yes, miss hickey, I did. You see my beautiful Band-Aid right here on my knee?” I say holding my leg out. “There was no way I was coming here looking like a gorilla. You never know who is looking at your hoo-ha.”

  “Well, I’ll have to remember that when I go into labor,” says Nikki.

  “Girls, I don’t know what to do. I think he should be in here, but then I feel it would be wrong to Liam. Why couldn’t I just keep my panties up and none of this would be happening. I have ruined everything. Oh fuck, shit these contractions aren’t stopping. Omigod, they are hurting, and it feels like they are coming faster and harder. Please get the doctor and Liam.” I looked at both of them staring at me. “Go, now please.”

  “Okay, I’ll go. Nikki you stay here with her.” Megs says as she runs out of the room.

  “Can I get you anything sweets, you need more ice?” Nikki says as she rubs by back.

  “No, I just need to deliver Greyson. Oh Nikki, they hurt. Where is the doctor?” I say just as Dr. Brewster, Megs, and Tatum walk in the room. Why did she bring her back in here with her?

  “Okay Lila, looks like your little man is ready to be welcomed into the world. The only problem is, he is ready and your husband is on the other side of the hospital having is test performed. We will have to start without him.”

  “Umm, okay can my friends stay with me?” I ask as I grab both of their hands. I see Tatum standing in the door.

  “Come on young lady, get in here, we have a baby to be delivered now.” Nurse Becky says to Tatum.

  “Lila, should I stay or go. It’s your call darlin’.” Tatum says as she stands next to the door. Fuck, I just want my husband, I didn’t know what to say.

  “Yes, get in here.” I say, she runs over and stands next to Nikki, Megs looks over at Nikki and all three look at me smiling.

  “Okay, bitches, if you had a baby getting ready to be pulled out of your hoo-ha you wouldn’t be smiling like that.” I whisper yell as they all start laughing harder. Tatum wets a rag and lays it on my forehead, and I have a death grip on Meg and Nikki’s hands, they aren’t going anywhere.

  “Lila, I’m going to count to three and I want you to give me a good push okay?” I shake my head at the doctor. “One, Two, Three. Now push.”

  “Omigod, where is my Liam, I need him. I can’t do this without seeing his handsome face.”

  “Lila, look at me, you have to do this love.” Nikki says with tears streaming down her face.

  “I need Liam, he said he wouldn’t leave me.” I cry

  “Lila, I can see his head. Just a couple more pushes and we will have us a baby. Okay on the count of three again. One, Two, Three. Push, Lila, push.”

  “I can’t, it hurts. Omigod. LIAM.” I scream.

  “Lila, look at me, he will be here. You are breaking my hand girlfriend, now deliver my nephew so I can spoil his ass.” Meg says as she runs the rag over my face.

  “Okay, one more pu-push,” I whimper.

  “Yes, Lila one more and he will be here, who wants to cut the cord?” The doctor asks. I look at my friends and they just stare and don’t answer.

  “I will, if that’s okay?” Tatum says.

  LIAM

  “Evan, come on. They just told the nurse Lila’s in labor. I have to get back ov
er there.”

  “Oh fuck, let’s go. I think we are finished here.”

  We both run as fast as we can, we are on the opposite side of the hospital. The elevators are slower than molasses. We are both running, and almost knocking people over trying to get to Lila. She will kill me if I miss the birth of our son.

  Lila

  What the hell, she wants to cut the cord. Oh well, if she really wants too, and Liam or Evan aren’t here, then I guess it’s okay. Kind of weird considering this may be her future husband’s baby, oh maybe that’s why she wants to do it, so she can be closer to Greyson. At this point, I was just ready to hold my son, I didn’t care what else was going on.

  “O-kay.” I say with a loud cry

  “One, two, three push Lila.”

  “Holy hell and all things pineapple, I’m never having another baby. I can’t do this again.” I hear my baby crying, he is here…my baby is here. The doctor lies him on my chest and I forget about all the pain I just went through. He has a full head of blonde hair and the bluest eyes, I’ve ever seen. He stared in to my eyes, “Welcome to this crazy world Greyson Lain Ellis. I love you more than you will ever know.”

  “Okay, Ma’am, if you will cut the cord so we can get this little guy cleaned up and weighed for his momma.” Nurse Becky says to Tatum. She takes the scissors from her hand and looks at me and smiled. Then cuts the umbilical cord that’s attached my son and I. “Thank you, now I’ll give him right back momma, I promise.”

  “Lila, baby, I’m here. I’m so sorry we went to do the test and I didn’t think about you going into labor. I missed our son’s birth, baby I am so sorry.” He says with tears in his eyes.

  “It’s okay, I was upset but these three ladies made everything okay. Tatum cut the cord.” I say looking at her smiling. She, Nikki, and Megs were standing with Nurse Becky and Greyson. There is a knock on the door and it’s Evan.

  “Come in, he is here already. You can stay in here though.” I say as he walks in and kisses Tatum. It didn’t even bother me, he is hers and she is his. I am Liam’s and I finally realize that.