43. Tucker

“Do I really have to go to school today?” Riley whines.

“Yeah, sweetie, you do. It’s your first day of second grade. I thought you were excited about school. What changed?”

“Mommy hasn’t had Duke yet. Now I won”t be able to be there or hold him right away.” She crosses her arms over her chest, a cute little pout on her lips.

“Mommy might still have Duke when you’re home. You’re not in school all day long and you have the weekends off.”

“Oh! I didn’t think about that!”

“What’s with all the yelling?” Skylar comes around the corner, rubbing her swollen belly.

Sometimes I still find it hard to believe this is my life. I’ve finally gotten everything I’ve ever wanted. I have the woman I love by my side, a beautiful daughter and a son on his way. It’d be great if he could come a little faster though. I’m just as anxious as Riley is.

“You can”t have Duke if I”m not home.” Riley pins Skylar with a serious look.

“Sweetie, I can”t control when he comes. When he’s ready to come out, I can”t stop him.”

“Sure, you can. Just cross your legs or something.” She nods her head once like it will work perfectly.

“I think you’ve spent too much time watching birth stories on TV with Mommy,” I grumble under my breath.

“Morning!” Ma steps through the front door, shutting it softly behind her. “How do you feel, Sky? You look like you’re about to burst.”

“I feel like it. I”m ok though, just some back pain. I guess carrying thirty pounds of baby does that though.”

“The back pain was awful with this one.” Ma throws a thumb in my direction.

“We actually need to get going or I”m going to be late.” Skylar glances down at her watch before gathering her things.

“Aren”t you coming to school?” Riley’s wide eyes lock on Skylar.

“I will be, but first I need to go to the doctors so they can check on Duke and make sure he’s growing like a good boy.”

“But you’re not having him yet, right?”

“Not yet, sweetie. I’ll do my best to keep my legs crossed.” She winks.

Ma frowns at me, confusion written all over her face. I can”t help but chuckle.

“Thanks for taking her, Ma.” I press a kiss to her cheek. “Have a good day at school, Riles. And no getting in trouble.” I smirk when she frowns up at me.

“That wasn’t even my fault and you know it!”

“I know, princess. You keep showing those boys your right hook.”

“But only if you told the teacher and they didn’t help you! Otherwise, you’ll get in trouble!” Skylar butts in before I nudge her out the door.

“Skylar… you’re in labor.” Dr. Harry sits down on the little stool. “You’re already seven centimeters dilated. Duke could come within the hour.”

“But I haven’t even had any contractions.” Skylar looks from the doctor to me and back again. Fear is written all over her face, clear as day.

“What about your back pain? Can”t that pain be contractions?” I grip her hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Yes, it can. I think we should get you to the hospital and hooked up to monitors. Duke’s coming and fast.”

“No! I need to keep my legs crossed! I promised Riley!” Skylar’s frantic eyes search mine.

“Baby, listen to me… you can do this. Riley won”t give a shit once she sees her brother for the first time.”

“I”m scared, Tuck.”

“I know you are, but I”m going to be there with you every step of the way.” I brush a strand of hair away from her face. She nods her head with a watery smile.

“You did so well, baby,” I whisper, leaning down and pressing a kiss to Skylar’s sweaty forehead.

“Tuck, do you want to hold him while we get Skylar all cleaned up?” Claudia, our nurse, brings my son over to me.

“Of course. I’ll always take my little guy… Hey, buddy. Look at you! I think you look just like your mama.”

I settle on the side of Skylar’s bed so she can get a good look at our son. Tears stream down her cheeks the second she lays eyes on him.

“We did it, Tuck. He’s perfect.” She runs a finger down Duke’s cheek.

“You did it, sweetheart. I didn’t do shit.”

“Do you ever wonder if the baby we lost was a boy or girl?”

“Every day of my life.” I press another kiss to her head.

“Let’s get the three of you into a room before Miss Riley storms the labor floor. I hear they’re having a hard time keeping her out.” Claudia smiles at us.

As soon as we’re settled into our room, Riley comes racing through the door, dragging Ma behind her.

“I held her off as long as I could,” Ma says apologetically.

“I need to see him!”

“Slow your roll, girl. Go wash those hands. You can”t touch the baby if your hands aren’t clean.” I point in the direction of the sink and watch as my daughter frowns and stomps over to it. You’d think I just ruined her entire day by asking her to wash her hands. “Use soap!” I add, earning myself a scowl.

“There, happy?” Riley glares at me, moving closer to Skylar and Duke.

“Very. He’s sleeping right now.”

“Maybe you can hold him for a few minutes.” Skylar sits up a little, holding Duke out to me.

Ma gets Riley settled on a chair and props some pillows on her lap. I squat down in front of her and gently place Duke in her arms, not fully removing my own hands. Riley’s a mature kid, but I”m not sure I trust her to hold a newborn completely by herself.

“He’s so cute,” Riley whispers. When she peeks up at me, I lose it. Tears are trickling down her cheeks, so many different emotions are written across her face. “I love him so much, Daddy. I’ll always protect you, Duke.”

I peek over at Skylar and find one hand over her chest, the other covering her mouth. She’s been a mess of emotions since she got pregnant, but this is so much more. This is seeing our family become whole.

“Knock, knock! I hear there’s a new dude in town!” Colton pushes through the door, a bright smile on his face. His arms are loaded with gift bags, balloons, and stuffed animals.

“What’s all of that?” Skylar gestures to his full arms.

“Did you really think I’d let you have a baby and not bring you presents? What kind of best friend do you think I am?” Colton shakes his head, placing the gift bags on the floor. He puts the stuffed animals at the foot of the bed and ties the balloons to a chair.

He steps behind me, staring down at Duke. He doesn’t say a word, just stares. After a few minutes he settles onto the edge of Skylar’s bed. I gesture to Ma and she takes my place so I can talk to Colt and Sky.

“Damn, Skysky, I didn’t think it was possible for a boy to be that cute. Especially one that’s half Tucker, but you did it, Mama.” He presses a kiss to her cheek.

“Thanks, Colt.”

“How’s it feel to be a mama?”

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet. Logically I know he’s mine, but I don’t think it’s sunk in fully.”

“It will take a few weeks. But when it does, you’ll cry like a baby.” I sit on the other side of the bed, taking her hand in mine.

“Thank you, Tucker,” she whispers, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

“For what, darling?” I swipe the tear away with my thumb.

“For giving me the life I’ve always wanted. For making me the happiest woman in the world. For making me whole again.”