Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“ M rs. Houghton, you’re doing so good,” Dr. Josephs said happily, but Jill didn’t feel like she was doing a good job. This felt like it was taking forever, but she sure didn’t want to complain when Lena’s sister, who was an OB/GYN in Sweet Bloom, had flown out dutifully every month for a quick visit and to check on her.

And it didn’t hurt that Lena was pregnant too. The two of them practically had personalized care, which made Jill feel much better about being pregnant at forty years old. Lena hadn’t delivered yet, so Jill was getting to experience this first out of the two of them.

“Give me another hard push,” Dr. Josephs instructed again.

“I’m trying, but I’m so tired,” Jill admitted between pants, bearing down with all of her might and squeezing her husband’s hand.

“You’ve got this,” her sweet Babe said encouragingly – only drawing her aggravation.

“I do not have this,” she spat as she sucked in another breath and pushed as hard as she could again. “If I had… this… then…Ohhhh…”

And instinct took over.

Jill strained and pushed as hard as she could, her body trembling as a rush exited her, followed by a very irate shriek in protest. Her husband dropped her hand, causing her to look up at him in surprise. His profile was one of shock, awe, love, and bewilderment, and her eyes followed his.

“You’ve got a boy – and he’s a big little fella!” Dr. Josephs cried out happily, holding up the fattest little baby that Jill had ever seen. Big ol’ red cheeks with deep dimples, and there were rolls of fat on the little legs, arms, and tummy. He looked like one angry pissed-off Cabbage Patch Kid – complete with a tuft of brown hair sticking up in the center of his head.

“He’s freakin’ beautiful…” her husband wept – and Jill began sobbing as they lay the infant on her chest. “My little linebacker,” he chuckled, causing her to look up at him. “And we’re agreed on the name?”

“Warren Edwin Houghton – yes. I love that he has both of our names, even if you aren’t fond of your first name. Warren suits him so much, and just look at him! He’s pretty solid and barely three minutes old,” Jill wept, laughing. Her hand was caressing their baby’s beautiful head, counting the fingers and toes and marveling at how so many fat rolls could be so utterly breathtaking. “Now we can tell Logan, ‘ My kid will beat up your kid’ – and actually mean it instead of having those bumper stickers bragging about their A+ students.”

And everyone in the delivery room burst out laughing.

“Oh, Jill,” Houghton said humbly as his hand moved into her line of vision, trembling before her as he touched their son. “He’s so darn gorgeous, and that shriek – I’ve heard that before. That’s you when I leave the empty ice trays in the freezer.”

“Which is why you received an icemaker that sits on the counter for Christmas,” she laughed, sharing the joy of their banter and treasuring this moment for all it was. All of the pain, all of the time spent apart, all those moments where they struggled were gone. They were one, focusing on their miracle before them, who had arrived and was more breathtaking than anything she had ever seen.

“I’m… I’m just at a loss for words,” her husband said gruffly, his eyes shining with pride and tears. “I love you so much – and I am so grateful you ever gave me a chance, Jill. You’ve made me happier than any man has a right to be.”

“How could I say ‘no’ when life began the moment you smiled at me.”

“Sheesh, you’re gonna make me cry,” he chuckled, making her laugh openly as she grinned at him.

“You are already crying, mister.”

“You don’t have to tell everyone…”

“Trust me, they know.”

“All right you two,” Dr. Josephs interrupted, smiling. “We’re going to take this little man and get him cleaned up, run a few tests, and…”

“I’m coming with my son,” her husband interrupted immediately, and Jill nearly purred aloud as she saw the gruff army medic in him suddenly rise up to take care of business. “If we are doing a prick, I want someone experienced who knows what they are doing – not some wet-behind-the-ears nurse on her first round of the night. That’s my boy…”

“Calm down there,” the nurse swaddling their son made the mistake of blowing off her husband. “Your son is going to be fine.”

“I know he is because I’ll show them how it’s done…”

Jill just sat there and watched it all unfold as her husband took off after the nurse, giving her instructions as he walked directly behind her, like a guard dog nipping at her heels. Gosh, she loved her man and how protective he was. He was going to be an amazing father.

“Bring on the next twenty years, my sweet Babe.”

If you enjoyed Tying the Knot with her Sweet Scrooge , jingle all the way through the festive season with ELEVEN more Christmas novelettes that are like little bites of sweet and swoony delight. These heartwarming and feel-good romances feature second chances, enemies turned lovers, fake dating adventures, and more, all wrapped up in the cozy merriment of the holidays. Plus, there’s a cookie recipe in each book!

Keep reading for a special recipe featured in Tying the Knot with her Sweet Scrooge .