Chapter 24: Epilogue
*Seven Months Later
*
Chloe held her stomach and breathed out, “Fuck! Benjamin, wake up.”
“Go back to sleep, baby.” Benjamin muttered.
“Wake the fuck up. The baby… it’s time.”
Benjamin shot up in bed and widened his eyes. “Now?”
“No, it’s a test.” Chloe smacked his head and growled, “Of course now, dummy. We’ve got to get to the hospital.”
“Shit. Just relax, baby… deep breaths.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a baby screaming to get out.” She hissed and grabbed her overnight bag.
Benjamin was in a state of shock as he frantically scrambled to get dressed. Chloe was waiting impatiently at the front door as he grabbed the keys. Benjamin sped down the road with his flashers on swerving through-traffic. He pulled into the hospital and parked at the emergency exit and slammed on the brakes as he parked the car.
“God, it hurts.” Chloe whimpered as Benjamin helped her out of the car. He picked her up gently and carried her inside. He placed her into a wheelchair and rolled her to the front desk.
“I need to see Dr. Alvarez.”
“If you’ll just fill…”
“Fuck you. She’s about to…”
“Nurse, I’ll take it from here.” Dr. Alvarez said, “Come on, let’s get you into a room.”
Benjamin rolled her into a room and sighed, “Was she fucking serious? I’ve been here a million times.”
“Sorry about her. She’s new.” Dr. Alvarez said as he hooked an IV to Chloe. He motioned for a young nurse to come forward, “Check her vitals and how far she’s dilated. I’ve got to grab Chloe’s chart.”
The nurse hummed as she checked Chloe’s vitals and her to see how close she was. She widened her eyes and yelled, “Dr. Alvarez, the baby is coming. Now.”
Chloe squeezed Benjamin’s hand, making him wince. He brushed the hair out of her face and whispered, “You’re doing so good. Deep breaths. In and out.”
“Push, Chloe.” Dr. Alvarez said as his team worked on delivering our child. Chloe’s screams could be heard throughout the entire hospital as she pushed.
“Benjamin,” she whimpered, “I can’t…”
“Look at me, baby. You can do this… be my strong girl. You can do it.”
“One more push, Chloe. I can see the head.” Dr. Alvarez said.
“Ahhh… shit.” Chloe screamed, pushing one final time.
Dr. Alvarez smiled as he took the baby in his hands as the nurse wrapped it in a blanket. “Congratulations! It’s a boy. Would you like to cut the cord, Benjamin?”
“Yes.” Benjamin said taking the scissors from him and cut the cord.
Dr. Alvarez handed the baby to Benjamin and said, “I’ll give you guys a moment before we take him and get him cleaned up for you. Name?”
Chloe whispered, “Trey Colton Grayson.”
Benjamin cupped Chloe’s face and kissed her, “I love you, Chloe… love you to the moon and back.”
Chloe whispered and closed her eyes, letting exhaustion take over. “I love you, too… Benjamin.”
Even through all the darkness and sadness Benjamin and Chloe endured, they still found their way back to the light. A lost soul found his way back to the light. Leading him back to her… his beautiful Princess.
With Chloe’s father behind bars awaiting his death, they can finally move on and start their lives in peace. Justice is being served to the those Chloes father hurt. Everything is perfect… just the way it should be.
They faced their demons and moved forward, but Colton and Jenna’s battle is just beginning.
***preview of Paying The Price: Sinners and Saints Book 2***
Dear Jenna,
Benjamin and Chloe came to see me today. You weren’t there. I wanted to see your beautiful face, baby. I hoped and prayed you would come. I miss how we used to lay under the stars and hold each other. The way your fingers traced my chest. How your breath fanned my neck as we confessed our love to each other. I know you still love me. I still love you… I’ll always love you. Till my last breath, baby. Benjamin and Chloe are getting married. My sister asked me to walk her down the aisle to give her away. She’s pregnant.
I dreamed of you last night. We laid under the stars, baring our souls. Our breaths against each other as I made sweet love to you. I told you how much love you. You told me you love me back as we got lost in the moment. How I wished I was there with you… to watch our child grow inside you. Do you miss me? Do you think of me as you rub your swollen belly? Yes, darling. They told me the news. That you’re carrying my child. All I’m asking is to give me a chance… to prove to you I can be a good man. Let me show you I can be the man you fell in love with. Benjamin and Chloe are coming again next Tuesday. It would mean so much to me if you came. I want to see your face staring back to me. I want to know you still care about me. That you still love me as much as I love you. I need you, baby. Hope to see you soon.
P.S. Please, forgive me for hurting you. Don’t give up on us.
Love,
Colton