Smiling sweetly to hide her pain and tears, my mom glanced back at Gage who was talking softly to Jenna before she said, “Sweetie, he’s tough. He loves you. You have a new baby, a bond that can’t be broken. Gage is going to love you and that little girl always. Even if you’re here,” my mom’s voice softened as she said, “Or when you’re gone.”
There was a knock on the door before my nurse poked her head in. “I wanted to check your pain and make sure everything was ok.”
Looking at my sleeping newborn I replied, “We’re perfect.”
“Ok, well if you need me just use the call button. If not I will be back in an hour or so to check in.”
“Thank you,” I said as she shut the door.
Larkin bent over and kissed the top of my head. “Not how I expected to see my baby sister but shit she’s cute. If you’re up to it the waiting room has been taken over by the Tucker and Nayler posse who all are waiting to meet Miss Princess.”
Looking around the room everyone looked tired but I didn’t want to turn people away from meeting my pride and joy. “Of course not. Tell them Londyn is happy to meet everybody.”
Larkin left to gather everyone from the waiting room. Gage was still off to the side talking to Jenna, who had a huge smile on her face. If I didn’t know any better I would think they were a gorgeous couple. Jenna was looking at Gage and listening closely to what he was saying.
“Knock knock baby mama,” Sadie said as she came through the door. “Let me see that baby.”
“Shit, hide the baby. This crazy lady doesn’t need anymore.” Jinx joked as he walked in behind Sadie.
Sadie stuck her tongue out at Jinx as she came up beside my bed. “Little late for that,” Sadie said nonchalantly.
“Huh?” Jenna and I asked at the same time.
Tyler laughed. “Yep, baby Hampton number four is on its way due in September.”
“Damn you two. Do you ever not have sex?” Jinx asked, faking disgust.
“So how many kids do y’all need before you get married?” Larkin asked.
Sadie shrugged. “I don’t want to be fat when we get married. We kept saying after each baby that we would get married but super sperm over here keeps knocking me up. I put my foot down this time. After I threw that damn stick with the two pink lines in his face I told him no more. Four kids was enough. Hell Frannie isn’t even three yet. We will have four kids under four. It’s time he wraps before he taps.”
The entire room busted into laughter. It must have startled Londyn because she started squirming and whimpering.
“Shh. It’s ok baby. Mommy’s got you. Are you getting hungry?” I cooed at my daughter.
Gage jumped from the rocking chair and was at my side. “Is she ok? Do I need to get the nurse?”
Laughing lightly I said, “Everything is ok. I think she’s just hungry. I’m going to try to feed her and maybe we can attempt sleep?”
“Well, I can’t help with the feeding. God didn’t give me boobies. Do you want me to ask everyone to leave? I can tell them they are welcome to come back this afternoon.”
“I think that sounds good. I just don’t want to upset anyone.”
“Co, they will understand. Don’t worry. Just feed our baby and I will take care of everything else.”
After everyone left Gage pulled the rocking chair up to the side of my bed. He sat there watching Londyn and I as she ate. I could tell something was bothering him and he was too afraid to say anything.
“Just say it.” I blurted out.
Gage’s eyes widened slightly. He scrubbed his face with both hands and let out the breath he had been holding. “I don’t want to talk about the future but at some point we are going to have to.”
Sighing I said, “I know. I was looking forward to this day but deep down I was dreading it. I knew once she was here it would be the beginning of the end. Neither of us want to or are prepared to deal with this but this is our life. We have to, not for us but for Londyn.”
Gage bounced his eyes from Londyn to me. “This isn’t fair. I thought I was ok with what our future held but now that it’s happening I’m realizing I’m not. I want Londyn to have her mom and I want you to be by my side helping me raise our daughter. I love you, Cobie. I want us to be a family. I want to give you your dream wedding. I don’t have a ring,” he paused and got down on one knee. My tears stinging my eyes. “But, this is me asking you to marry me.”
“I won’t let you do that. You have sacrificed so much already. When you get married Gage, I want it to be to the girl who stole your heart and be the girl you are so in love with all you see is her. She is out there, waiting. She will accept your past and see all the amazing qualities you have.” I spoke through my tears, forcing myself to agree with what I just said.
“Cobie, you stole my heart. The moment you told me you were having my baby I was yours. I would do anything to make all your dreams come true. You accepted who I was and you opened your heart and life to me. You could have lied or hid from the fact that I am Londyn’s daddy but you trusted me despite the way I acted. I want to marry you Cobie.” Gage raised himself back into the chair. His voice was soft, his eye pleading.
I blinked back my tears and moved my eyes from Gage’s handsome face to our daughters beautiful face. Looking at her for a long time I didn’t say anything.
“Ok.” I said simply. Then trying to get the mood shifted to something lighter I joked, “You’re the one telling Larkin.”
Gage hopped from the rocking chair and kissed my temple. “Deal.”
12
Gage
“Larkin, where you at?”
I walked into his moms house. Cobie was home and resting with Londyn. Now was my chance to talk to Larkin and hopefully he wouldn’t knock my head off.
“Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at your house helping my sister?” Larkin came walking down the hallway, hands on his hips.
“They’re sleeping. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Let’s go downstairs. Jenna just got the twins asleep. She would kills us both if we wake them up.”
I followed Larkin down to the finished basement and sat on the couch. He sat across from me in the chair.
“Ok, so what is going on?”
I looked Larkin in the eyes and I said, “Cobie and I have decided to get married.”
I watched as Larkin turned to stone. “Why? Why would you want to do that?”
“I love her.”
“You love her?”
I nodded. “I do. I want her to have her dream wedding. She has told me every detail she has had planned since she was little. I can give her that. We would be a true family.”
“You’re marrying my baby sister to make her dream come true?”
“No, Larkin. I’m marrying her because I love her. Her dream coming true is just an added bonus.”
I could see the wheels in his head turning. “I never pictured you marrying my baby sister but if it makes her happy, then I’m happy. I approve.”
“I wasn’t looking for approval, Larkin but thank you. She never dreamed of having some huge wedding, just close friends and family so I was hoping we could have the wedding in a few weeks. I’m going to need your help.”
Larkin smiled. “Anything for my sister.”
On February fourteenth, I married the woman I loved, the mother of my child, the girl that had became my best friend.