More Than Just A Name

by Jaxon, Lynn

  By the time Gage and I walk out of the bathroom, I see a nurse checking Meredith to see if she’s making progress. All I can say is she better be. Her contractions seem to be coming closer and closer together. She keeps yelling at me for telling her when I can see a contraction building on the monitor, but it’s just so fascinating. Gage did not like seeing his mom in pain, so he decided to go and sit with our family in the waiting room. The nurse announces Meredith is now dilated to five and can get her epidural. I’ve never been so relieved.

  The anesthesiologist walks into the room, smirking when he sees Meredith with a death grip on my hand, growling at me.

  “Why did I let you do this to me? We were just fine having only one child. You’re never touching me again!”

  “Baby, I’m sorry. I know it hurts. Look, Dr. Barnes is here to put in your epidural,” I grit out through the pain. I think my hand is broken. Meredith must’ve developed some superhuman strength.

  The look on her face is like angels have arrived. “You’re my hero. I can’t take much more.”

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Brooks. I’m going to take good care of you. Have you had an epidural before?”

  Another contraction hits, so all Meredith can do is nod while she blows out breaths and squeezes my hand some more.

  “Do you have any questions for me?”

  “No! Just put the damn thing in before I kill somebody.”

  He gives me a knowing smile, then turns back to Meredith. “Mrs. Brooks, I need you to sit on the edge of the bed and put your feet up on this chair. Lean forward and be as still as possible. I’ll have this over with before you can blink an eye.”

  I’ve never seen Meredith like this. It would be funny…if it were happening to anyone but me.

  I’ve found that saying soothing words only pisses her off, so I shut my mouth and grind my teeth against the pain in my hand.

  I have to admit, it freaks me out a little seeing that needle and catheter inserted into her back. But within ten minutes, my happy, sweet, loving wife is back.

  She looks at me, sweat on her forehead, a small smile on her face. “I’m so sorry I’ve been such a bitch. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “It’s okay, baby. My hand will heal,” I joke, shaking it out and flexing it.

  She swats my arm. “I love you, you big baby. You try pushing a watermelon out of your penis, then you can talk to me about pain.”

  All our family and friends are here, waiting for sweet Brianna to arrive. Now that the epidural has taken effect, Meredith is all about having visitors. The “three amigos” walk in with so much pink, it looks like Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants blew up. Katy, Amy, and Jill huddle around Meredith, giving her the support that only best friends, who are more like sisters, can give.

  My mom is on the verge of tears, and if I’m being honest, I think my dad and Evan are, too. They love Gage, but can’t wait to experience being grandparents and an uncle from the beginning. Meredith’s parents sit on either side of Gage on the couch in the corner, showing him all the love and attention he is used to getting.

  When the doctor comes in, everyone gives her their love and best wishes, then leaves the room. Gage gives us both one more kiss before walking out with his grandparents.

  After checking her, Dr. Ryan looks at us and smiles. “Are you two ready? Meredith, you’re dilated completely and the baby’s head is right there. I can see a head full of blonde hair.”

  Meredith smiles, tears forming in both our eyes.

  “Do I have time to let everyone know?” I choke out.

  “Sure. We need to get a sterile field set up anyway. Be sure and wash up when you come back into the room.”

  I think the entire hospital could hear the happy shouts when I rush into the waiting room and say, “It’s go time!” Then I run back into Meredith’s room, quickly wash my hands, and stride up to the bed.

  “Your little girl is very impatient, Mr. Brooks. I don’t think it will take more than a few pushes before she makes her appearance.”

  “I love you, Meredith. I’m so proud to be your husband.”

  “I’m the lucky one, Nash.”

  “All right, Mrs. Brooks. Dad, help hold up her legs. Mom, focus on bearing down. On the count of three, I want you to push.”

  Three contractions and sets of pushes later, our beautiful little girl enters the world, lungs operating at full force. She’s absolutely beautiful, just like her mother. A head full of blonde curls, ten perfect fingers and toes. Her birth was the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life. I have no words to describe it.

  The doctor places Brianna on Meredith’s chest and hands me the scissors. “You ready to cut the umbilical cord, Daddy?”

  Pride fills my chest when I look at the miracle I helped create. “I’m ready.” I cut the cord, then look at Meredith, tears falling down my cheeks. “We did it, Meredith. We made this perfect little girl.”

  I watch them weigh, measure, clean, swaddle, and place her back on Meredith’s chest. Time seems to stand still as I watch my wife cradle our child in her arms.

  I’m startled when she quietly says, “Your turn, Daddy.”

  She holds the baby out and I take her gingerly, then kiss Brianna on the head and whisper, “I promise to be the best daddy ever. I promise to love you, take care of you, and protect you from all the bad of this world. You have completed our family. I love you so much.”

  This takes me back to the day I married Meredith and the promises I made to Gage.

  I promise to be your daddy the rest of our lives. I promise to love you and show you, in both my words and actions, just how much you and your momma mean to me. I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, take care of you when you’re sick, and play all the PJ Masks you want.

  I snap out of my memory and look up to see Meredith holding her phone, snapping pictures. When Brianna starts to fuss, her mom holds her hands out. I place the baby onto her chest, and Brianna immediately starts to root around, latching on like a champ. This girl knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. Just like her daddy. The day I saw her mother in that club, I knew what I wanted and went after it. I didn’t know then that one night would forever change my life.

  Thank you

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read, More Than Just A Name.

  I’d love to hear from you.

  Contact Lynn

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  More from Lynn Jaxon:

  Just As I Am

  http://mybook.to/JustAsIAm

  Acknowledgments

  My readers:

  Thank you so much for taking a chance on me. I continue to be blown away by the outpouring of support. I will never forget it.

  My family:

  To my wonderful husband… Thank you for supporting and encouraging me, for allowing me to spend so many hours on my computer or with my head in a book, for supporting my passion for reading and writing. You are my rock!

  To my three wonderful children and two precious grandchildren… You are my world. Thank you for all your support.

  To Mom and Dad… You have always supported my dreams, for which I am grateful.

  To my extended family… Thank you for supporting me and not thinking I am crazy. I love you all so much.

  Kaylee Ryan:

  Thank you for being such an amazing friend, for everything you have done and continue to do to support me. You are my glue, that’s for sure! You rock! Love ya!

  Kahlen Aymes, Sandi Lynn, Kathy Coopmans, T.K. Leigh, Kate Stewart, and Jennifer Burrows:

  Thank you all for your friendship, support, encouragement, and willingness to always help me. You’ve all been such an inspira
tion.

  My beta team:

  Amy, Belinda, Jamie, Stacey, Amber, Jennifer, Kristi, Mom… Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy lives to read and give me input on this book. I hope you’ll continue on this journey with me. Your encouragement, feedback, and support mean so much.

  My wonderful reader’s group, Lynn Jaxon’s Reader’s Lounge:

  Thank you for all your support, for helping spread the love, and for your encouragement! You are amazing!

  My bloggers:

  Thank you for sharing, reading, reviewing, and helping spread the word to this wonderful book community.

  My editor, Kim Young:

  Thank you for editing my book and making valuable suggestions. You truly blew me away.

  Love Affair With Fiction:

  Thank you, Jill Sava, for doing such an amazing job on my cover reveal and release blitz. The list could go on and on about how much you’ve done for me. You are a rock star!

  All my love,

  Lynn Jaxon