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.”

“On the bright side, hopefully my parents, Larkin, and Jenna have time to make it here.” That earned me a fierce glare and a few loud huffs.

Once she was given her epidural she was able to sleep for a few hours. While she was sleeping her mom and my parents had arrived. I filled them in and we all sat watching Cobie, as if she was going to disappear or the baby was going to crawl out of her belly button.

Cobie abruptly sat up her eyes wide. “Um Gage? I think I need to go to the bathroom. Will you get the nurse?”

Scrunching my face I said, “They put a catheter in when you got your epidural, its fine. Just pee.”

Her eyes got even wider as she shook her head slowly. “I don’t mean pee, Gage,” she gritted out.

Both my mom and hers stood at the same time. My mom looked at me, “I think she needs to be checked again. That may be baby Londyn causing the pressure she is feeling.”

Hitting the nurse call button I asked for Cobie to be checked again.

“Well sweetie, ready or not your baby is on the way. I will start setting everything up and page your doctor.” Cobie’s nurse typed into her computer before grabbing things out of cabinets and pulling shit up to the bed.

I took that brief moment to check my phone. I was hoping Larkin or Jenna had text me letting me know they were close.

Just as the nurse was attaching some strange looking bars with pedals to Cobie’s bed her doctor came through the door. “So I hear early morning is the best time to have a baby.”

This was it. This was the moment we had waited months for. We were about to become parents. Shit was about to get real.

My dad gracefully excused himself when the nurse started pulling the blanket off her and putting her legs in the strange bars.

“Hmm. Now I see.” I said out loud, not thinking.

All eyes shifted to me as the nurse gave a small laugh and said, “I’m guessing you’re talking about the stirrups? They help hold her legs in place while she pushes.”

Giving her a thankful smile I nodded.

“Ok, now Cobie we are going to wait for the next contraction. When I say push I want you to put your chin on your chest and push like you haven’t poo’d for days. I will count to ten then you can take a breath.” Cobie’s doctor took a seat at the foot of her bed and watched the monitor. “Everything looks good, you have a contraction building. Get ready and push. One…two…three…four…five…six…seven…push hard…nine…and ten. Deep breath, we’re going again. Push…two…three…”

“Wait! No baby until Aunt Jenna is here!” Jenna came busting through the door, Larkin close behind.

Cobie smiled but kept pushing as her doctor counted. “…and ten. Ok let’s take a break.”

Larkin stopped just inside the door, but Jenna came right up beside me, kissing Cobie’s cheek. “Told you I wouldn’t miss this.”

Cobie let out a sigh of relief. “I tried holding out but I swear it felt like I was going to shit my pants.”

Holding her hand I watched as another contraction started building and her doctor instructed her to push.

At four twelve in the morning on January third, the most beautiful little girl was born. Londyn Hope Tucker came into the world, lungs in full swing. She weighed six pounds nine ounces and was twenty inches long.

Absolute perfection- just like her mom.

The nurse wrapped Londyn in multiple pink and white striped blankets. Once she was bundled up the nurse picked her up. Looking at me and asked, “Daddy, would you like to hold your daughter?”

Reaching out the nurse sat my daughter in my arms. Snuggling her close I felt my tears burning in my eyes. This was my forever. This was my happiness. In that moment I knew what unconditional love felt like. Looking down at my small beautiful little girl I saw all the promise in the world. She made everything ok. Holding her in my arms I found peace.

Londyn blinked her eyes a few times before they finally locked with mine. She had Cobie’s dark brown, expressive eyes. Staring into her eyes, I realized everything I had been through in life was to bring me to the point I was at now. If Jenna wouldn’t have left me Cobie and I never would have happened. Londyn never would have been born. She was my purpose in life. For her I would do anything. Placing a tiny kiss on her nose I whispered, “Hi Londyn Hope, I’m your daddy.” She wiggled around, getting a hand free. She stuck her little fist in the air, as if she was searching for mine. Holding my large fist up I lightly bumped hers. She opened her small hand and wrapped her five itty bitty little fingers around my pinky. She already had me wrapped. Softly kissing her hand I said, “Daddy loves you more than the moon and the stars. You’re safe babygirl.”

Larkin was at my side. He sat his hand on Londyn’s tiny body. “She’s perfect man.”

Looking up I couldn’t help but smile. “Just like her mom.”

“Would you like to meet our daughter?” I asked Cobie. The doctor was finally done cleaning her up and was saying his congratulations.