“Thanks, Mrs. Maizie,” they hollered back in unison.
The back door of the studio opened, and a gorgeous blue-eyed man strode in. The last five years of working on the farm and teaching high school P.E. and basketball had only made him bigger and stronger. He was even more attractive than the boy she had fallen in love with.
“Good morning, princesses,” Christian said to the girls, who raced to high-five him. Then he made his way to Maizie and planted a kiss on her lips.
Five years later, kissing him was still her favorite thing to do.
“Are you ready to go?” He asked, tugging at the collar of his blue polo shirt. Two hours coaching basketball, and he was ready to trade the stiff clothes for a t-shirt and jeans. And who said city boys couldn’t work as hard as farm girls?
“No, I’ve still got time,” Maizie protested, but even as she said it, the pain bubbled up again and she stifled a scream.
“You are one stubborn woman.” He shook his head and gave her the same smile she’d fallen in love with over five years ago.
“I have to be to keep up with you.” She poked him in the side.
“Right. Well, in that case, it’s time to go.” He bent over, scooping her up in his arms, and trotting past the girls and their moms.
“Wait, Christian, I’m not ready,” she breathed, the fear more terrifying than the pain.
“I know, but we will do this together,” he said, gently situating her in the truck.
“What if we lose him?” She’d asked the same question multiple times in the last several months, fighting the fear that never fully left her.
He took her face between her hands. “We can’t predict the future, and we can’t relive the past. But right now, all we need is hope. And love.”
He cupped her chin, kissing her long and hard until she was persuaded she could do anything in the world.
“Okay, let’s do this,” she breathed.
He hopped into the truck next to her and turned left down Main Street. “I hope you don’t mind, but my mom and sister are waiting at the hospital. And your mom.”
“Of course. The more the better.”
“Good thing you said that.” Christian bit his lip.
“Why?”
“Because, Grandma, Grandpa, Lindsay, Jayce, and a few of your aunts are there as well.”
“They all beat me to the hospital?”
Christian smiled over at her as he shut off the truck. “You know we can’t wait for you forever.”
“Just for that, I’m keeping this baby in—OWW!”
“What were you saying?” He smirked at her.
She gripped his neck and allowed him to carry her inside. “Get me the drugs.”
“Anything for my princess.” He kissed her cheek and walked her past the family gathered in the lobby.
She looked at the faces of those she loved as she passed. Her younger brothers, who were both taller than her now and were kind of handsome for stinky teenagers. Her mom and dad, who’d devoted everything in their life to her. Her grandparents, who’d built a legacy through their love. Christian’s mom and sister, who had moved down here four years ago to be closer to them. Jayce and Lindsay, who even though they weren’t dating anymore, were still best friends to each other and to her. She still held out hope for them.
“What’s with the hold-up? Let’s get this show on the road.” Jayce hollered as Christian carried her past.
Maizie stuck out her tongue at him. “I’d like to see you push a baby out of your—”
Christian cut her off with a kiss. It was totally unfair that he had learned how to shut her up all those years ago.
