Chapter seventy-seven

“What do you think?” Ajax asked as he outstretched his arms in our new home.

I had to do a spin in the foyer to take the space in.

“It’s huge!”

“We’re going to fill it with children!” he barked out a laugh.

The baby kicked furiously.

“Someone’s active today,” Ajax commented.

“And I’m exhausted. Take this, please.” I handed him my purse.

That was how exhausted I’d been lately, I couldn’t even carry my own purse. I didn’t participate in most of the packing. I packed most of the baby’s things that was all.

“I’m guessing you’re too tired for a tour,” Ajax asked, raising his brow.

“I want to see the baby’s room,” I said eagerly.

“Okay, come here.” He went behind me and covered my eyes.

“Trust me?” he asked.

“Like you have to ask,” I replied.

He chuckled and led me through the house. It felt so foreign. The old house was so smaller but warmer. It felt like home. This house was cold and quiet until Gobby bellowed from somewhere outside.

“Damn chicken, couldn’t we get a dog?” Ajax grumbled.

“A dog would eat Gobby,” I said.

He sulked but we continued walking through the house. It smelt clean like bleach and lemons but then Ajax opened a door and the scent of fabric conditioner and lavender completely took over.

I smiled.

“I hope you like it,” Ajax said in my ear.

He uncovered my eyes and I took it all in. Pink and white painted walls, a crib in the corner and the rocking chair Ajax took months to make. There was a pink dresser near her bed for all her things. I stepped inside and noticed the pictures of Ajax and me on the wall and another one of the ultrasound.

“Ajax…” I sobbed. “It’s perfect.”

“No, Delanie don’t cry.”

“These are happy tears!”

He pulled me into his arms and squeezed me as gently as he could.

“You two are my world. It’s more than anything I ever wanted.”

I dried my tears and started inspecting the room. We did a lot of baby shopping I wanted to see all the clothes again. Ajax sat in the rocking chair as I pulled out clothes from the drawer and breathed in the new clothes smell. I could imagine Ajax and his daughter in that rocking chair. A part of me loved to ruin the perfect family we were creating by thinking about General Maximus. What if he came back and asked for her? We could have a DNA test but I feared it would come back positive and she wouldn’t be Ajax’s baby.

Then I thought about the beautiful connection they shared. The baby kicked followed by a sharp pain in my lower back.

“Ouch!”

“What’s wrong?” Ajax jumped to his feet.

“Pain…ouch!” I cried.

“Delanie, what’s going on?” he panicked.

The pain went as quickly as it came.  “I’m fine maybe I should lie down.”

“Fine.” Ajax led me to our room which was bigger than our old room. It had a huge walk-in closet and a master bathroom. There was a baby monitor on the bedside table. Ajax was prepared I was thankful to my friends for helping out, especially Shaina, she didn’t miss a beat.

“There’s someone I want you to meet after you have the baby,” Ajax said gently.

He massaged my thigh but a feeling of unease crept up on me.

“Do you remember our conversation about your Dad?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. He was a bad man.”

“You don’t know that. You know what everyone else has told you.”

“If it’s the same thing then it has to be true. You remember the paint on the wall in my studio?”

He sighed heavily. “There’s always more to a story…”

A sharp pain stabbed my side and jolted forward.

“That’s it we’re going to the hospital.” He got up and marched out of the room.

Where was he going? I’m dying over here! The pain got worse and my breathing got faster.

“Ajax!” I panted heavily. “Oh, I think she’s coming.”

***

“I can see her Del!” Ajax said.

“Just once more and you’ll have your baby girl!” Shaina squealed.

I just wanted it all over with! My legs were in the air, I was drenched in sweat and I craved sleep. I heard her scream for the first time and everything changed.

“She’s beautiful,” Ajax said.

I couldn’t see anything.

“Good job, Delanie,” Shaina said.

I wanted to see her so badly despite the different sensations I was going through. I couldn’t see her but she hadn’t stopped crying. Relief washed over me so did exhaustion but once the tiny baby wrapped in a towel came to me in her Father’s arms I was overcome with peace.

***

“She couldn’t wait another moment to meet us,” Ajax whispered.

He held me in his arms while our daughter Annika slept in her bed. Shaina was satisfied with the way we were both doing so she promised to discharge us in the morning.

“She’s so precious, Ajax. She has your eyes,” I said, stroking his arm.

He laughed softly. “I can’t wait to take her home, but you must be tired. I’ll let you sleep.”

“Okay.”

He leaned in and kissed me. He left us. I couldn’t sleep I just wanted to watch her. My beautiful baby girl. I climbed out of bed and stood over the baby's bed. She wore the outfit Ainsley bought her.

“Excuse me?” A male voice spoke gently.

I looked up and gasped.

A tall man, about six foot two stood in the doorway. He held a bouquet of California poppies mixed with white lilies. I’d never seen this man before. The man was dressed in leather boots, dark jeans and a leather jacket over a black t-shirt. If I had to guess his age I’d say around forty.

“Is this Delanie’s room?” his voice cracked.

I nodded.

“Who are you?”

“There’s no way to tell you this, but I’m your Father.”