Chapter 82: Double the Birthday
The summer sun rose early and hot, casting a golden hue across the ranch as the week ticked toward Asher’s fifteenth birthday. The air was buzzing with preparations, balloons stashed in closets, a new fishing rod hidden behind the couch, and whispered conversations about favorite desserts.
But Kinley hadn’t slept much the night before.
She sat at the edge of the bed that morning, one hand resting over the hard curve of her belly, her face tight with something between discomfort and guilt. Travis stirred beside her, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“You okay?” he asked, voice groggy.
“I think… I think she’s coming,” Kinley whispered, glancing at him nervously. “Travis, what if it ruins Asher’s birthday?”
Travis blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “Kin, the boy’s been talking about becoming a big brother since we announced you were pregnant. You could give birth in the middle of his cake and he’d call it the best present ever.”
Kinley wasn’t convinced. “Still. He only turns fifteen once.”
“And he’ll never forget this one,” Travis said gently, reaching over to squeeze her hand.
By noon, it was clear this wasn’t a drill. Contractions were regular and growing stronger. Travis made the calls, helped Kinley into the truck, and dropped Asher off with Caleb and Dustin in the barn.
“I’m sorry,” she said again as he helped her buckle in.
Travis smiled at her like she hung the stars. “You’re giving our son the best gift he could ask for. He won’t forget it. Neither will I.”
Back at the ranch, Asher paced the living room like he was the one going into labor.
“She really said today?” he asked Jordyn for the third time, practically bouncing.
Jordyn grinned. “Yep. Looks like your birthday might be a double feature this year.”
“That’s so cool,” Asher said, eyes wide. “She’s gonna be born today. My birthday. I get to be there, right?”
“Soon as she’s here,” Harper promised. “You’ll be first in line.”
He beamed. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”
That evening, in a quiet hospital room with the last streaks of light fading from the windows, Kinley gave birth to a healthy, pink-cheeked baby girl.
“She’s perfect,” Travis said thickly, brushing damp hair from Kinley’s forehead as their daughter let out her first fierce cries.
Kinley laughed through tears. “So is her brother.”
Travis kissed her gently. “He’s gonna lose his mind.”
They named her Emery Grace Delgado.
And when Asher walked into the room an hour later, his smile lit up every corner.
Kinley immediately started in, “I’m so sorry your day turned into…”
“Are you kidding?” Asher interrupted, holding the baby’s tiny hand with awe. “This is the best birthday of my life.”
“You really don’t mind sharing your day?” Kinley asked.
“I think I like it better this way,” he said softly. “Now she’ll always be part of it.”
Kinley wiped a tear from her cheek and reached for his hand. “You’re gonna be the best big brother, Ash.”
“I’ve had the best practice,” he said, glancing at Travis with a quiet grin.
The room fell into an easy silence. New life, full hearts, and two birthdays to celebrate for the rest of forever.
The room was calm and warm, bathed in soft light as Travis cradled his newborn daughter in his arms. Kinley, exhausted but glowing, watched them both from the bed, her heart feeling fuller than she ever thought possible.
Asher hadn’t left the room in over an hour, still in awe that his baby sister had chosen his birthday to make her grand entrance. He’d joked it was the best gift he'd ever gotten, though he quickly added that he wouldn’t mind if she shared her cake with him each year.
Travis sat beside him now, Emery swaddled and content in his arms, her tiny face scrunched in a sleepy frown. “She’s got your scowl,” Travis teased gently.
Asher rolled his eyes with a grin. “Great. A tiny version of me running around. This family’s in trouble.”
A soft knock at the door pulled their attention. Harper peeked in, still in her scrubs, her hair pulled back but her eyes bright with affection.
“Mind if I come in?” she asked, stepping in slowly.
Kinley smiled. “Not at all. I was hoping I’d see you before your shift ended.”
Harper stepped closer, eyes falling instantly to the newborn in Travis’s arms. “I heard she timed her arrival perfectly. A birthday twin,” she said, glancing at Asher.
“Best surprise ever,” Asher said proudly.
Harper bent slightly to get a better look at the baby. “She’s beautiful, Kin.”
“She’s perfect,” Kinley whispered, the emotion catching in her throat. “We named her Emery Grace.”
Harper’s eyes welled just a little, one hand resting on her own round belly. “Emery Grace,” she repeated softly. “She’s going to be so loved.”
Travis stood and carefully handed Emery over to Kinley before moving to give Harper a gentle hug. “You’re up next,” he said with a wink.
Harper chuckled, brushing a hand over her stomach. “Don’t remind me. I was supposed to go first, remember?”
“Well, you always were fashionably late,” Kinley teased.
Harper laughed. “If he doesn’t make an appearance soon, I might just evict him myself. I swear he’s trying to claim squatter’s rights in here.”
The room filled with quiet laughter.
Kinley looked at her friend, eyes tender. “Thanks for being here, Harper. It meant a lot… having you here when she came.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Harper said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “It’s been a long year for all of us. But this… this feels like the beginning of something good.”
Travis pulled Asher in close with one arm, ruffling his hair. “She couldn’t have picked a better brother.”
Asher rolled his eyes again but didn’t hide his smile. “Yeah, yeah… I’ll keep her in line.”
Harper gave one last smile as she checked her watch. “Alright, I better get going before the next nurse comes hunting me down. But seriously… congratulations, you guys. She’s amazing.”
“Thanks, Harper,” Kinley said softly.
As Harper stepped out, her hand instinctively settled over her belly again. Her baby boy was coming soon, she could feel it in more ways than one. And in that quiet hallway of the hospital, she took a deep breath.
One more miracle on the way.