Chapter 96

Derek

I barely pay attention to the traffic lights as I rush over to the hospital. I call Dr. Leona to make sure she’ll be with Esme while she gives birth, but otherwise, everything happens in a blur.

I should have known the baby would try to come when it’s vital for everyone. I just hope Bea and Tris are okay. Esme said they’d been taken to a day room. But I’m worried about all of them.

I burst through the doors of the ER and rush the front desk. “Maternity ward? Er, wait, maybe the day room? My girlfriend is about to give birth, and my daughters are in the day room.”

The woman behind the desk nods. “Our day room is on the third floor. Take the elevator down the hall and follow the arrows. Then, head to the maternity ward waiting room on the fifth floor.”

I nod as fast as I can. “Perfect, thank you.”

If smoke could come from behind me as I run, I’m sure the fire alarms would go off right now.

I need to get the girls first. I don’t want to leave them in the day room while I walk around the waiting room in a daze.

Once I get there, I see the girls playing with some dolls.

“Daddy!” Bea cries excitedly. She and Tris come running up to me.

“You here to get your girls, I assume?” The man who runs the room asks.

“Derek Anderson, yes, these are my girls.”

“Daddy, Esme’s having her baby!” Bea vibrates excitedly.

“I know, that’s why I’m here.” I look at the man. “Do you need anything?”

“Just some ID,” he confirms, so I pull out my license quickly.

“Great. Good luck to Esme on her birth,” he states, a single nod coming from him.

I take the girls hands in mine. “Come on, let’s go wait for Esme.”

We move toward the maternity ward, but the girls start asking me a bunch of questions.

“I think Esme wet herself,” Bea admits. “Her pants had a big stain.”

“That happens when a baby is coming,” I assure her.

“Esme was yelling really loud,” Tris’ lip quivers.

“She’s in a bunch of pain. Her belly is so big, she’s done growing the baby so now she’s got to have it.”

Bea looks back up at me. “I still don’t get how the baby just shows up.”

“I promise you’ll find out next year where the baby comes from.” Oh wow. Bea will learn about the birds and the bees. She’ll be in fifth grade. Esme’s about to give birth, and now I have to think about my eldest daughter learning about puberty.

“What about me?” Tris asks.

“When you’re older, honey.”

Once we reach the waiting room, I park my girls in front of the television. It’s playing the Disney Channel, perfect for them while I find out where Esme is.

I approach the desk. “Excuse me, I’m looking for Esme Thorne?”

“Family only,” the receptionist says back without looking up.

“I’m her boyfriend.”

And the man gives me half an eyebrow raise. “Sorry, sir. But family only. Your girlfriend is in good hands. Once the baby’s born, they’ll allow you back.”

“Wait, I can’t be there with her?”

“Not unless you’re married. And judging by your entourage, I don’t think leaving them behind is a great idea.”

I glance back at my daughters, sighing with defeat. “Okay, fine.”

I go back behind the couch the girls are sitting on, quickly pacing with a thumping heart. I thought I’d be there when she gave birth. All these months where I thought I could hold her hand or cut the umbilical cord. Instead, I’m anxious and doing laps in the waiting room.

The real question on my mind, however, is marriage. I wasn’t going to ask her just yet. But knowing she’s about to bring a tiny child into this world, we basically spend most of our time together, and I’m searching for a large house for the—soon to be—five of us; I figure maybe I should ask sooner rather than later.

I haven’t thought much about the proposal. Sure, I want Lily, Annie, and Angie to be there. But I know the girls would want to be part of it in any way.

I’m overthinking this. I don’t even have a ring yet. Hell, I don’t know what kind of ring Esme would even want.

Guess Annie and Lily are going to be helping me more than I thought.

Hmm. She’s going to be here for at least a day or two. Maybe I’ll wait until she gets home.

I pull out my phone to text her best friends and her mother. “Esme’s in labor. I’ll keep you up to speed on the baby. But I need to ask you all something first.”

I text my own parents, who’ve only just met Esme recently, the same thing.

As I send messages, I concoct a simple yet succinct proposal for the woman I love. I know the last thing she’ll be expecting is this. That’s what makes it perfect.

We can have a long engagement. That part doesn’t matter to me. I just want her to know that there’s no question about spending the rest of our lives together.

I think she’ll be happy with my ideas.

It takes five long, grueling hours. But finally, after falling asleep with the girls in the waiting room, a nurse calls my name.

I bolt upwards, nearly smacking my head against the wall. The girls don’t move, thankfully.

“Derek Anderson?” The nurse questions. “Esme Thorne sent me out to get you.”

I nod excitedly. “Is she okay? Is the baby okay?”

“Yes, they’re both okay,” he assures me.

“Healthy baby? Eame’s got no health issues?”

He chuckles. “I can see you’ve done this before. Nothing that we’ve seen is grounds for worry. But I’ve been summoned to retrieve you and your girls.”

I feel bad waking them, but I also know they’ll get upset if I don’t bring them back with me. “They’re allowed to come back?”

“Just so long as they’re careful.”

Slowly, I wake Bea and Tris from their sleep. It’s after ten now, so they’re a bit cranky. But what I say brings them back to life.

“You guys want to meet your sister?”

We follow the nurse back, and I hold their hands with pure excitement. “Do you guys think you know what the name is?” I question them.

“No,” they respond together.

“Me, neither.”

Then, we’re walking through the door, and Esme appears in her bed, holding a blanket wrapped in her arms.

“Esme!” my daughters squeal, rushing over.

“Careful now,” I remind them.

“It’s okay,” she assures me. “You guys, look who I have here.”

Born 10:41 pm at six pounds, nine ounces, the pink cheeked baby breathes easily in her arms.

“What’s her name? Tell us!” Bea bounces. “I don’t want to wait anymore.”

Esme looks over at me, then to the girls before returning her gaze to the blankets. “Bea, do you remember when we were in the flower shop, and I told you my favorite flower?”

My eldest nods.

“Guys, meet Orchid May Thorne.”

My heart screams at this adorable name. Her favorite flower, her little girl.

“I think I’m in love,” I whisper.

I lean down to kiss Esme’s head. She’s still sweaty, but I haven’t seen her so happy in months.

“The birth was fine. It just took a while, even though the contractions were already eight minutes apart when we got in here.”

“What took so long then?”

“Dilation. And probably the same stubbornness that her mom has.”

I reach down and touch the back of her head.

“Do you want to hold her?” Esme questions.

I don’t say anything, but she hands over the baby anyway. For the first time in five years, I hold a tiny baby girl in my arms. It’s something akin to magic. She babbles as I hold her.

“Still a natural dad,’” Esme gushes.

“Can we hold her?” Bea asks.

“Let’s give Esme a minute first,” I push. “But if she’s okay with that, then of course you can.”

I hand back Orchid to her mom. “You did it, babe.”

She shakes her head. “No. We did it. Orchid is here.”

“And she’ll always be loved no matter what she thinks.”

Yeah. I’m proposing to her as soon as possible.