He kept his lips zipped, but they tipped up slightly at the corners. My heart fluttered, and I cleared my throat. I needed to get this out. This man, who’d grown to be so important to me in such a small amount of time needed to hear what was in my heart.
“You are also the kindest, most gentle and understanding man I know.”
“I try.” He shrugged, and I swear I saw a wee bit of pink tinting his face.
I distracted the butterflies in my stomach by sliding my hands down his rock-solid arms and weaving my fingers with his. I glanced down at how perfectly they fit together.
We were a perfect fit.
My gaze drifted up until my eyes met his. Swallowing the ball of nerves suddenly lodged in my throat, I said, “I’m sorry for everything I said in the hospital. I didn’t mean it.”
His gaze softened. “I know.”
My eyes sprang wide. “You do?”
He nodded.
“Do you know I love you, too?”
“I have fer a while.” His thumbs stroked the backs of my hands, and his gentle smile warmed every part of me.
I blinked. “Well, this was easier than I thought.” My own smile grew bigger as excitement for our future took hold. “I changed my mind. I want it all.”
“I was counting on that.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and love, and I couldn’t hold myself back any longer.
“Matthew Michael McGinnis, will you marry me?”
“No.”
I sucked in a sharp breath. “No?”
“I can’t say yes right—”
And just like that my water broke.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“That’s it, Tiffany, push one more time for me,” Dr. Joy said. “Don’t hold back. Give it all you’ve got.”
As the contraction grew to its peak, I pushed hard and screamed harder. “I hate you, Matthew McGinnis.”
“I know, love, it’s okay.” He held my hand and didn’t let go even when I dug my fingernails into him.
“I see the head. You’re doing great,” Dr. Joy said as the contraction passed. “When the next one comes, I want you to push as hard as you can, okay? I think this one will be the one to push him out.”
“Okay.” I’d been at this for hours.
I’d spent half the night yelling, crying, and screaming at Matt. I hated him. I loved him. I didn’t want to ever see him again. I didn’t want him to ever leave my side. Through it all he kept rubbing my forehead with a cool washcloth and holding my hand and massaging my back and walking me around the room, taking whatever I dished out.
We didn’t speak of him turning down my proposal.
I was in too much pain of another kind.
I stared at the spot and focused on my breathing like I’d been taught with Matt during Lamaze classes. “Oh, God, here comes another one.” I gripped his hand once more and started pushing hard.
“Push from your abdomen, not your face,” Dr. Joy instructed. “You’re going to break blood vessels in your eyes and that won’t help your baby enter this world.”
I concentrated on what she said and ignited my core like I had back in our cheerleading days. I was a strong woman. I could do this. Pushing with all my might, I suddenly felt a whoosh and then no more pain.
The whole room grew silent for a moment until a strong cry pierced the air.
Matt whooped, and I cried, while Dr. Joy cleaned the baby off and set him on my chest where he settled in peaceful and quiet. He was a big boy for two months early. In that instant, I fell in love like I had never loved anything before.
He was utter perfection.
I looked up at Matt, and he was crying. He touched the baby’s face, and then leaned down and kissed me on the lips. I guess I didn’t have to have it all to be happy, I thought, but the ache in my chest grew.
“Can we call him Declan after me Da?”
“That sounds perfect.”
My mind snapped back into focus when another contraction hit me. Dr. Joy handed the baby to a nurse to tend to.
“Okay, mama, let’s focus on bear cub number two.” She gave me a slight smile.
I gave her a slight laugh. She’d heard me say that hundreds of times referring to the boys. My laughter died when another contraction came on faster and harder. My body shook. This baby felt like he was twisting and turning and kicking his way into the world. I would have thought the second child would be easier.
I cursed and screamed and yelled at Matt again.
