Ella’s green eyes grow wide, then instantly mist. Her sweet smile stretches from ear to ear as she lovingly cradles her belly, then leans her forehead onto my chest. “Oh, I’ve been so wrapped up in my vanity, I’d almost forgotten how special it will be to have my sweet girl with me.”
“Well, it’s only fitting. She was at our wedding too—even if we didn’t know it at the time.” A small smile tugs at my lips as I remember the day I officially made Ella mine. I gently press a kiss to her forehead, feeling a sense of gratitude and love wash over me. We were married three months after our first date, and four weeks later, we discovered that she was six weeks pregnant.
Looking back, we should have seen it coming and I’m still stunned I didn’t knock her up much earlier. I was so eager to create this beautiful life with her by my side, I still believe I somehow willed our Eleanor into existence. And in three short weeks, she’ll be here.
Ella gracefully slips her feet into her shoes and strides confidently into the hallway, a determined look on her face. "Today is going to be amazing," she declares with a sense of fierce determination. "I refuse to let anything steal my joy. Let's go, sweetheart."
I grab the cap, gown, and purse that Ella has absentmindedly left on the bed and join her as we head downstairs. But halfway down, she abruptly stops in her tracks.
"What's wrong?" I ask, concerned by the sudden change in her demeanor.
Ella turns around and points back to our bedroom. "My bag."
I quickly assure her, "No worries, I've got it." I wave her small clutch in front of her to ease her concerns.
“Not that one.” Ella shakes her head and points to the stair she's standing on. "I need my hospital bag. My water broke."
My heart skips as a beat as two weeks of Lamaze classes flash before my eyes. I promised myself I wouldn't panic, but my mind goes blank as I try to remember what to do first. "Right, right. It's go time. Just sit down and I'll grab your bag."
"Don't worry, Grant," Ella reassures me with love in her voice. "It's going to be okay. Our Eleanor is coming."
As I frantically race upstairs to find Ella's hospital bag, memories flood my mind—the excitement when we packed it last week, the anticipation of meeting our baby girl. And now she’s finally on her way into the world. After a few minutes of searching, I locate the bag and hurry downstairs.
"Our little girl is coming." Ella smiles as she breathes through a contraction. "Looks like she couldn't wait to make an entrance."
I can't help but laugh at Ella's humor, even in this intense moment. "I swear, she's already taking after you—always finding a way to avoid having her photo taken."
THE END
