Saturday, June 8th, 2019

Layla's POV

"Layla and family, welcome back to New York." Shane's pilot, Jimmy, just announced that we had landed safely in New York. Oh my gosh, I am beyond tired. And, it doesn't help that Logan is four days late.

After taking the seat belts off myself and Braelyn, I asked Austin, "Do you mind watching Braelyn for the next week or more? I am really tired, and Logan is playing games with my organs."

"It is not a problem, Layla."

"Lollipop, how would you like to spend some time with your daddy for a few weeks?"

"Okay, mommy." Austin grabbed his and Braelyn's luggage and exited the plane. 

Mr. Jimmy came out of the cockpit. "Hope you all enjoyed the flight."

"We did. Thank you very much for flying us back. Braelyn, go say thank you."

She ran over Mr. Jimmy. "Thank you."

He picked her up. "You're welcome. Would you all like to see the cabin before you leave?"

"We would love to." 

As we walked to the cockpit, he mentioned, "I apologize in advance for not introducing myself before. I remember your family flying on the plane before."

"That's okay. Flying a plane is serious. We understand."

"Welcome to the cockpit."

"Hey Marsha, this is Layla and her daughter. Marsha is my co-pilot." Mr. Jimmy stated.

"Hi Layla and daughter. Welcome aboard. What is your daughter's name?" Marsha asked.

"Her name is Braelyn."

"Braelyn, how would you like to take a picture in the captain's seat?" 

She looked over at me to ask if it is okay. "You can, Lollipop."

"My mommy said it is okay."

Mr. Jimmy sat Braelyn down in the captain's seat. Marsha placed her pilot's hat on Braelyn. "Captain Braelyn reporting for duty."

That got, both Braelyn and I to smile and I snapped a picture with my phone. "Thank you both so much for allowing us to come up to the cockpit. Time to go, Lollipop. I'm sure your father is wondering where we are. Thanks again."

"You're welcome. I'm going to be leaving too, Jimmy. I'll see you next time. I'll walk with you ladies."

Meanwhile, it is taking me forever to even take a step to get off Shane's plane. Braelyn held one hand, while the other was on the railing. Marsha was right behind us.

Austin's POV

Poor Layla. She looked worn out and moved very slowly getting off the plane. Logan is probably playing with her insides like they are toys.

"Where were you guys?"

"Braelyn and I followed Mr. Jimmy to the cockpit. And, she even got to sit in the captain's seat. This is Marsha, Mr. Jimmy's co-pilot."

"It is nice to meet you, Marsha. I'm Braelyn's father, Austin."

"It is nice to meet you, Austin. And, nice meeting you both, Layla and Braelyn. Enjoy the rest of the day." Then, Marsha made her way to her car.

"Look at the picture mommy took, daddy." Layla took her phone out and showed me the picture.

"That is awesome, baby girl."

"Lollipop, be a good girl for your daddy, okay? I'll text you the picture, Austin."

"Okay, mommy."

"Thank you, Layla."

Braelyn gave Layla a hug and kiss. "Bye, mommy." Braelyn gave Ryan a hug and kiss too.

"Layla, I hope you feel better. I'll bring Braelyn tomorrow for a visit."

"Thanks, Austin. I owe you."

"Nonsense. It is my responsibility to help take care of Braelyn. And, you're welcome. I'll call before I come over."

I had already put Braelyn's bag in my trunk, so I picked her up and put her in the car seat. Then, I got in the driver's side.

"Lollipop, would you like to stop at McDonald's before we go home."

"Yes, daddy. I want chicken nuggets."

"Okay. To McDonald's we go."

***********************************************

Nolan's POV

The guys came over and helped Jewel and I fix up Lily's nursery. When I told them that I was having a daughter, they gave me the same reaction of shock.

"I got to hand it to you Nolan. You are taking being a father seriously. We are proud of you."

"Thanks, Michael."

"Although it took us a while to get the crib and chest together, the room turned out great. Lily has plenty of uncles that are going to love spoiling her."

Eric is right. She is going to be very spoiled. And, not just by them. She is going to have the best of everything.

"Thank you, Nolan for letting me pick the baby furniture and for decorating Lily's nursery. But, you didn't have to do that. This is your house."

"Believe me, yes I did. Besides, I am a lousy decorator and I wanted Lily's room to be perfect."

Jewel and I went shopping for things for a nursery at my house throughout the past week. Yes, you heard right. I even went with her to the last doctor's appointment. Every time I look at the sonogram that I was given, my love for Lily grows and makes me want to keep pushing forward to change my ways. By me focusing on Lily and Jewel over the last few months, I have not had the desire to revert to my old ways. I am committed to changing.

As we walked downstairs, I noticed Jewel was clutching her belly. I grabbed her hands and helped her down the steps.

"Are you okay?" Once we were downstairs, I walked her over to the couch. The guys were resting up after finishing the nursery.

"My lower back is hurting, and I just had a contraction. I think Lily is primed and ready for her debut."

"Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

"No. The doctor said that if my contractions are five minutes apart, that is when I should go to the hospital."

"Okay. I'll time them if you have any more throughout the day. Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

"I'll take a bacon double cheeseburger, onion rings, and a milkshake."

Should she be eating that? She gave me a dirty look the last time I questioned her food choices. "What would you fellas like to eat? I am going to order from my favorite carryout place."

"I'll take a cheesesteak with everything and provolone cheese, onion rings and a milkshake. Thanks for the idea, Jewel." Eric said.

Michael added, "I'll take the same thing as Eric."

"Okay."

*****************************************

The food came thirty minutes later. We all ate our food and watched television.

Eric and Michael made their way home around 9:00 pm. I looked at Jewel again. "Another contraction?"

"Yes. Do you mind if I spend the night here? I don't want to drive back to Yonkers and something happens."

"Of course. I have several spare bedrooms." Jewel let me hold her hand while we walked up the steps. 

I let Jewel rest in the room right across from mine. She pulled the covers back on the bed, laid down, then pulled the covers over her.

"I'll come back to check on you." 

The pains and aches women go through to have a baby is tough. Women deserve an award. After leaving Jewel, I went to my room and watched television.

***************************************

Sunday, June 9th, 2019

5:00 am

"Nolan? Nolan?" I woke up to someone tapping me and saying my name.

"Nolan, are you awake? I really need to go to the hospital now."

Hospital?! I shot up out of the bed and Jewel was bent over in pain. Lily will be born any minute now.

"I already called my family and they are on the way. I called your parents too. They also have my bag and Lily's diaper bag. Oh my gosh, here comes another contraction."

I threw on a pair of jeans, shirt and shoes.

"Let's get out of here."

I grabbed her hands and we made our way down the stairs. Then, out the front door.

"I'll drive my Mercedes. The seat is lower to the ground."

I clicked my keys to open the door and start the truck. Jewel felt another contraction. I need to get to the hospital fast. Once she was secure, I got in the driver's side. Then, we were on our way.

******************************************

1:30 pm

Nolan's POV

"Mr. Grant, your wife is now 10 centimeters! Follow us to the delivery room!" I had my hospital scrubs on. Two nurses wheeled Jewel to the delivery room.

The doctor was ready and waiting for Jewel. 

"Jewel, put your legs up for me so you can push your daughter out."

"Now, take a deep breath. Then, on the count of three, push for me."

Jewel took a deep breath. As she did, I grabbed her hand.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"OH HAVE MERCY!!!"

While Jewel screamed from pushing, I screamed in my mind because of the grip she had on my hand.

*********************************************

2:30 pm

After an hour, the doctor said, "You're doing good, Jewel. We see the crown of your baby girl. Take a deep breath, and on the count of three, push!"

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"You're doing good honey, keep it up!"

  *********************************************  

4:30 pm

"Jewel, excellent push there. Another push or two like that and your baby girl will be out. Take a deep breath, and on the count of three, push!"

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"OHHHHHHHHMMYYYYYYYYOOOOUUUCCCHH!!!!"

Jewel started really perspiring, so I grabbed a tissue and started wiping her head. 

"One more big push and your daughter will be here. On the count of three, push for me mama."

"Hang in there, Jewel. Our baby girl will be here soon."

If looks could kill, I would have been dead. She not only glared at me but grabbed both my hands and squeezed the life out of them. "Oh my goodness! Dang, she has a grip!"

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

  "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" 

"WAAH!!!"

 "Nurse Denise, note the time of birth as 6:00 pm, June 9th, 2019. Dad, would you like to cut the baby's umbilical cord?"

The nurse gave me the scissors and I cut Lily's umbilical cord. 

"Mr. Grant, the nurse is going to take your daughter to be cleaned and weighed. She will bring her right back. Jewel honey, there was some tearing, so I am going to thoroughly wash my hands and stitch you up. Then, we can wheel you back to your room. I'll be right back."

Shortly after the doctor stitched Jewel, the nurse came back with Lily. "Jewel honey, we wheel you back to your room." During the past two months, Jewel bought a baby doll and taught me the correct way that I would hold Lily. She is perfect - brown eyes, cute button nose, a head full of hair, and looks like a mini Jewel. 

"Welcome to the world, Lily Diamond Grant."

******************************************

7:30 pm

Layla's POV

"Layla, your contractions are how far apart now?"

"It's show time, Sugar. They are now 5 minutes apart. And, boy are they hurting."

"Everything is already in the truck. Give me your hands. I'll help you up." As soon as I stood up, another contraction came. And, this one was more painful than the last.

"OH MY GOSH, THAT HURT!!!"

I did my breathing techniques like I did when I was pregnant with Braelyn. Hopefully, that helps. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I had to stop because Logan is showing off. "GOODNESS GRACIOUS, LOGAN!!!"

Ryan already had my truck started and passenger door open. He came back inside the house. "Give me your hands, Layla." I grabbed his hands and squeezed the life out of him. I knew it hurt.

"Easy on the hands. I need to drive."

"Sorry, but the pain is off the chain."

He helped me in the seat, closed the door, went to the driver's side and sped off to the hospital.

**********************************************

In between breaths, I sent a mass text to everyone.

Mom: "We are on the way!!"

Bliss: "We will be there as soon as we can!"

Kam: "Me, Día and Rocco will fly out to New York in the morning!"

Valerie: "We will be at the hospital shortly!!"

Josh: "Katie and I are on the way!!"

Austin: "Braelyn and I are on the way!"

**********************************************

As soon as we pulled up to the hospital, I actually saw my parents and Ryan's parents entering the hospital.

I rolled my window down. "MOM!! DAD!!" Ryan stopped the truck in front of the hospital. My dad ran inside to grab a wheel chair.

My mom opened my door and helped me slide out of my truck. "Layla, you may want a lower SUV for when you go home with Logan." I sat in the chair and continued taking deep breaths. "CAN WE WORRY ABOUT THAT LATER?!!" I screamed as we entered the hospital. Ryan ran in shortly after.

In between breaths, "My....name.....is......Layla......Meyers ...and...my....husband....is....behind....me!! Get this little boy out of me!!!!"

"Mr. Meyers, follow me with your wife!!!!"

***********************************************

8:00 pm

Ryan's POV

After quite a bit of fussing, Layla is in her hospital gown and laying down on the bed. "Breathe Layla. Breathe."

She was hot! Through clenched teeth, she said, "Do me a favor and SHUT UP?!!! Thank you!"

The doctor came in Layla's room. She walked over to Layla to check how many centimeters Logan is. "Your baby is now seven and a half centimeters. We have the epidural ready for you when you reach eight and a half centimeters."

Then, the doctor left Layla's room. "I'll be right back." 

I stopped at the nurses station. "Excuse me, which way is the waiting room and how long are the visiting hours?"

"The visiting hours for the maternity floor is 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. And, the waiting room is straight down the hall and on the left."

"Thank you." I followed the directions the nurse gave me and walked into the room. My parents, Layla's parents, Josh, Katie, Victoria, Braelyn and Austin were all there.

"Layla is currently at seven and a half centimeters. I checked with the nurse and she said the visiting hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm."

"That means Logan may or may not be born by 9:00 pm. We will probably have to come back in the morning." Olivia sighed as she replied.

"Is my mommy okay?"

"Mommy is going to be fine, princess. Logan is ready to be born. He is giving mommy fits." Hopefully he comes soon because Layla is not happy at the moment. Women deserve awards for the childbirth pains they go through.

"I'll send you all a text if Logan makes his appearance tonight. Well, I better get back to Layla. See you all later."

8:30 pm

"You are at nine centimeters, Layla. We are going to take you to the delivery room, so Mr. Meyers, please follow us to the delivery room." Two nurses then entered the room and rolled Layla to the delivery room.

"Baby boy, please oh please don't be stubborn for mommy."

The delivery room was not far. It was actually on the same floor.

"DANG CONTRACTIONS!!! Logan Christian Meyers, stop playing!!"

While on the way to the delivery room, I did a double take because I thought I just saw Nolan holding a baby. "No way!"

"Focus, Ryan. Focus on Layla and Logan."

By the time we got to the delivery room, Layla was nine and a half centimeters.

9:30 pm

Layla's POV

"Ten centimeters! Let's go people! Let's get ready to deliver us a baby! Layla, get read........."

"I already know the drill. Had my daughter almost six years ago. Take a deep breath, then you count to three and I push." My legs were in position for me to push. I am so ready to get this little boy out of me! "Give me your hand. You are going to experience some of this pain too."

I was not in the mood for anybody's mouth.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

I snatched Ryan's hand and squeezed the life out of it.

"Looks like your baby boy is ready to come out. His head is already showing. Take a deep breath. Push when you are ready."

I took a deep breath, counted to three, then pushed again.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

I turned my head to him and asked, "What are you crying for?!!"

"The Kung Fu grip you got on my hand."

Men! "Give me the other hand then, gosh man!!! Crying because of hand pain?!!! How about the pain I am in?!! Suck it up, man!!!!!"

11:30 pm

Oh my gosh, I am wiped out, but not much longer. So, I gave myself a pep talk. "Okay, Layla you can do this. Take a deep breath, count to three, and push."

One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The doctor then says, "About two more pushes should do it, Layla. Doing a great job, mommy."

Oh my gosh, I am tired. But, I need to muster enough energy to push Logan out. We are almost at the finish line the doctor said. So, I gave myself a pep talk again. "Okay girl, take a deep breath and count to three."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!!"

  "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" 

"WAAAHH!!"

"Relax now, mama. Your baby boy has arrived. Nurse Debbie, note the time of birth and date. Time is now 12:20 am and date of birth is June 10th, 2019."

We suddenly heard a loud thud. 

"Looks like dad passed out. We will have him taken back to the suite." Two male nurses came in with a hospital bed, picked up Ryan and placed him on the bed. Then, wheeled him back to my room. "Layla, you did have some tearing, so I am going to stitch you up. Nurse Debbie is going to take your son to be cleaned and take his vitals."

"Okay. Thank you."

*******************************************

Narrator's POV

After 30 minutes, Layla and Logan were resting comfortably in the room. An hour later, daddy finally woke up. He noticed Layla and Logan were asleep, so he didn't wake them. But, he stood there admiring his family. He became overwhelmed with tears to finally have his baby boy born. 

There was a rocking chair in the room, so he sat there and sent a mass text to everyone that Logan had arrived. Then, he decided to get a little rest before Logan would make his presence known by crying and before the family comes to visit.

*********************************************

10:00 am

Ryan's POV

Layla told me that I passed out right after Logan was born. I guess I was too excited that he is finally here. 

I stepped out of the room for a few minutes. I saw Braelyn, Austin, my parents, Olivia and William walking my way.

"Hey, Logan decided to make his presence known after 12:00 am. And, you will not believe what happened. I passed out right after he was born. Layla and Logan are sleep right now."

"Ryan, you are not the only one. William did the same thing when Layla was born. He did when Braelyn was born too." Olivia mentioned.

As we were talking, suddenly Austin said, "You all are not going to believe who I am looking at. Turn around."

When we did, we saw Nolan. I knew that was him I saw last night!

He was walking our way when he saw us. I just had to ask him.

"Nolan, what are you doing here?"

"If you must know, I am taking my daughter for a walk."

We all said in unison, "Daughter?!!!" 

******************************************

Thank you for reading chapter 28.

1. Baby room for Lily is courtesy of Can Stock Photos - © Can Stock Photo / Bialasiewicz

And, thank you for your comments and votes.