When we hung up, I hurried and took the rest of the food to the nursery. I wanted to surprise Cobie by having a picnic on the rug in front of Londyn’s crib that was designed to look like a picnic blanket.
“Gage? Where are you?” I heard Cobie yelling from downstairs.
“Upstairs. Come here really quick, I have a question.”
I heard Cobie huff as she walked up the stairs.
“You made me hurry home so you could ask me a question?
Cobie
He was unbelievable. I had to hurry here just to come upstairs for some dumbass question.
My mom was walking down the hall beside me, a goofy smile on her face. Then I saw it. Gage was sitting on a picnic blanket, shirtless with a cowboy hat. But what was more amazing than that was he was sitting in Londyn’s nursery. It looked like he was sitting in the field behind my mom’s house.
Stopping in my tracks I covered my mouth with my hand and gasped, “Oh my God!”
The room was beautiful. The walls were an antique white on the top but the bottom was covered with golden wheat, field grass, and wild flowers. The crib I had picked out was in the corner. It had lace skirting the bottom. Opposite the crib was the rocking chair my mom had used for Larkin and I. How had I not seen that missing? The dresser was across from the large window over-looking the back yard. Sitting on the dresser was an antique looking lamp with a light pink lamp shade. There was a few classic books stacked next to the lamp and on the other end there was a stuffed pony. The changing table was what I was gripping onto so I didn’t fall over. Looking up I saw soft clouds on the ceiling and a crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the room with strands of pearls draped around it.
“How? I thought you had to go to New York?” I asked, shocked.
Gage smiled and slowly shook his head. “I didn’t. I just needed to get you out of the house so I could get the people in here to do this.”
Turning my head to look at my mom I accused more than asked, “You were in on this?”
She just smiled, letting her eyes twinkle.
Gage patted beside him, “Want to have a picnic?”
Instead of sitting beside him I sat on his lap. “Thank you so much. I love it.”
“Anything for you and Londyn, you know that.”
My mom blinked back her tears. “I’m going to go home and let you two have some time together.”
Gage said, “Thanks for the help.”
“Anytime, honey. Love you guys.” My mom blew a kiss on her way out.
“Love you too, mom.”
“So you really love it?” Gage asked a little nervous.
“More than you could ever know.”
Gage pulled me close to his chest and kissed me. “I want you happy, Cobie. I would do anything.”
“I’m beginning to realize that.”
And, I was. Gage was different from the guy I had sex with that night in his office. This Gage cared. This Gage wasn’t empty. This Gage looked happy.
My phone started vibrating and Gage jerked away. “Sorry, scared me. I wasn’t expecting that.”
Pulling my phone from my pocked I saw a text from Larkin.
Larkin: Jenna’s in labor. I’ll keep u updated. Luv u sis
Me: Sending lots of love and hugs.
I showed Gage my phone and said, “The twins are on their way. I hope Jenna and Larkin finally decided on names.”
“Knowing Jenna, it should be more like ‘you hope Jenna decided on their names.’”
Laughing, I said, “You’re probably right.”
A few minutes later I got another text from Larkin.
Larkin: C section. I will be a father of 3 in less than an hour.
Me: Good luck. Saying a prayer for mommy and babies.
Larkin: holy shit. 3 kids. I’m leaving the hospital with 2 babies. I think I need a shot
Me: Relax big brother. If you can handle wild child Evalyn Grace, these two will be a piece of cake. Love you. Send lots of pics.
On September twenty sixth at eleven thirteen in the morning my nephew, Nash Kevin was born weighing five pounds. Three minutes later my second nephew, Knox Henry was born weighing five pound nine ounces. And, according to Larkin, they looked identical.
11
Gage
“Gage!” I heard Cobie yelling my name from upstairs. She had been in a bad mood all day. I took it upon myself to disappear. I had come downstairs to work out, and well, mainly to avoid being Cobie’s punching bag.
“Cobie!” I yelled back, trying to be funny.
She had been losing strength the past month and I wanted to keep her as happy as possible. We only had nine days left before Londyn was supposed to make her appearance, until then, keeping Cobie happy and healthy was my main concern.
I knew she was dying. I wasn’t ready to face it so instead I focused on her wellbeing and our babygirl. I didn’t want to think about the future or how Cobie wouldn’t get to watch our daughter grow up. Life wasn’t fair.
“No, Gage. I need you. I think it might me time.”
She had been saying that for weeks now. She was just done being pregnant and ready to meet our daughter. The first few times I listened to her and took her to the hospital only to be sent home a few hours later and we were told she was having Braxton Hicks contractions. They were just ‘fake’ contractions to get her body ready for the real thing.
Rolling my eyes I yelled, “And why do you think that?”
Cobie waddled to the edge of the stairs, gripping her stomach. Her face was red and her eyes were filled with anger.
“Oh I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fluid that just covered your office floor, or the constant flow running down my leg. Or maybe it’s the killer contractions I have been having every three to four minutes for a few hours now. Maybe that’s why I think it’s time. How about you get off your ass, get our shit and drive me to the hospital.”
Oh shit. This was real. And I was not about to argue with a very pregnant lady who was in pain and pissed off.
On the ride to the hospital Cobie called her mom who said she would meet us at the hospital. Larkin and Jenna were next. They told her to keep her legs shut until they were at the hospital with their three kids, who were excited to meet their new cousin. How three month old little boys were excited to meet another baby was beyond me but it made her happy so I went with it. Next, she called my parents who were booking a flight while still on the phone. They informed Cobie she was not allowed to have their first grandbaby without them being there.
Arriving at the hospital, Cobie was immediately taken to a private room. Last time we were in the hospital there had been a small incident with the paparazzi and a few fans. I had made arrangements that day to have personal security for our room. I wanted this to be special. I wanted memories that I could cherish forever.
“Ugh! This hurts. This hurts so bad. Can I have an epidural now?” Cobie practically begged the nurse.
Her nurse was older and gave Cobie a sympathetic smile. “I need to check you first sweetie. You need to be at least three centimeters to get the epidural.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed her nurse pushed her blanket back and shoved her legs wide. Scooting so I was no longer in firing range I ran my hand across Cobie’s forehead. “I’m so sorry I did this.” I truly was. She looked like she could kill me but kept her mouth shut.
“Good news. You are right at three centimeters so I will go ahead and order your epidural, should be here within thirty minutes. Three centimeters down, seven to go.”
The nurse pulled the blanket back down and stood, pulling the glove off her hand before walking out of the room.
Cobie flopped her head back. “I’m only three centimeters? I have to get to ten. This will never happen.”