Chapter 49 - Dean’s POV

There are days when I wake up and still could not believe I’m married to the woman of my dreams. Sky was a gift I did not expect to have but loved fiercely when I received it. The odds of our paths crossing were a million to one. And I couldn’t thank the heavens for creating the circumstances to bring us together.

Who would have thought two broken-hearted folks who went to Malta for a slice of paradise and peace would end up finding each other? Love was the least in my mind then, but Fate brought her to me, wearing a sexy sequined dress, and drinking herself silly.

My lips curved into a smile when I remembered how we first met. I stroked her hair, which spread around her back. Some of it draped on my chest. Her breathing was deep and rhythmic. She’d always fall asleep after making love. Sometimes she’d doze off while we talked.

My hand found its way down to her stomach. Her belly is now showing, and I loved stroking her bump. I missed these when she was pregnant with Jax, so I made sure I’m present in everything about her and her pregnancy. There was not a doctor’s visit that I missed. The sound of our baby’s heartbeat was the best sound I heard in my life. Sky’s sexy moans came a close second.

I closed my eyes and joined my wife in her sleep. We have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, and I’ve been looking forward to this one. Today, our baby is big enough to know his or her sex.

After breakfast, Sky and I dropped Jax off at my parent’s house. They enjoyed having Jax around. Mom enjoyed dressing him up while dad enjoyed playing Legos with him. They’ve postponed their annual vacation to wait for Sky’s delivery and to spend more time with their grandchild. I had to always remind them not to spoil Jax.

After dropping off Jax, Sky and I drove to her OB GYN clinic. She could not control her sleep ever since she got pregnant. Like now, she dozed off again. I had to stop at the side of the road to recline her seat and make sleep more comfortably.

Arriving at the clinic, the nurse took her vitals before helping her change into a patient gown. She’s having her 4-D ultrasound today and I’m even more excited than her. I wait for her in the ultrasound room, feeling butterflies having a party in my stomach. The excitement I felt now was even more intense than watching my businesses’ stocks behave in the market.

Sky lay down on the hospital bed and the doctor put a lubricant on her stomach before moving the probe around her belly. The doctor talked us through what’s on the screen. Seeing my child inside Sky’s body never felt to melt me.

Sky and I made that child. My mind still could not wrap around the idea that I have created a life with her. Of course I knew the science behind it but seeing our child inside her makes me forget about the science. I’m always in awe of the miracle before me.

“Do you want to know if you’re having a boy or a girl?” the doctor asked.

“Yes.” I answered and Sky only smiled.

The doctor continued to move the probe around Sky’s tummy while her eyes focused on the screen we all looked at.

“Oh, there it is! You see this part?” the doctor asked, pointing to a dark area of the screen. “You’re having a girl, congratulations!”

“Yes!” I could not help but shout and do an air punch. Sky looked at me, smiling. She did not know how happy I was to know we’re having a girl. The last time the Aguilar line produced a girl was six generations ago. I’m sure my father would be as happy as I am.

“Thank you, Sky.” I said, kissing my wife after we left the clinic. She only smiled at me.

“I’m glad you’re happy we’re having a girl.”

“I am, love. It’s beyond words.”

We drove to a quiet restaurant before picking up Jax. I know that having a moment with my wife once the new baby comes would be a novelty. So, I wanted to squeeze in as many moments with only just the two of us as I could.

Seeing how hands on Sky is with our son, I know that once our daughter is born, our couple’s time would have to give way.

“Dean, I recommend we attend the same seminar Stefan gave me when I was pregnant with Jax. I learned a lot from there and it prepared me for Jax’s arrival, not only physically but mentally.”

“OK. I’ll ask him about it. By the way, did Joey tell you already?”

“That she’s pregnant?”

“Yeah.”

“Nope, but I guessed it. Vince is extra careful with her, and she’s had a distinct glow.”

“They’re postponing the grand wedding for now, but they’d have a civil wedding first.” I said before drinking my juice. “Joey will tell you about it, for sure.” I added. In the few months I lived with Sky, I had a fair share of how unpredictable pregnant women are. She’s been emotional lately and would cry about almost everything.

I had to work extra because I wanted to be there when Sky delivered. She was alone when she had Jax, so I wanted to make up for that and be with her every step of the way for our daughter.

I have just finished taking a quick shower after getting home from work. Sky stood in front of the bathroom door when I came out.

“Change into those clothes, Dean, and put that bag in the car. I’ll just take a quick shower and I’ll meet you in the car,” she said and went into the bathroom without waiting for me to respond.

I did what she said. What is my wife up to? I sat in the driver’s seat, singing along to the song on my playlist while my fingers tapped on the steering wheel. Sky signaled me not to get out and open the car door for her.

As soon as she sat in the passenger seat, I fastened her seatbelt. She was talking to somebody on the phone so she could only smile at me.

“Where to, love?” I asked, smiling.

“Did you bring the bag I told you to bring, love?” she asked instead of answering my question. I nodded my response.

“Perfect. Could you bring that over to the back seat, so you don’t need to open the trunk later?” I frowned at her request, but I did what she asked.

“Thank you, Dean. Now, let’s go to the hospital.”

My mind blanked at the mention of the word hospital. She does not have any checkup today so why are we going there?

“What’s wrong, love? Did something happen? Are you in pain?” I asked in succession.

“Dean, you need to relax. I need you to focus. Can you do that, love?” she talked to me like she was speaking to Jax. I took a deep breath before nodding to her. “Perfect. OK, so I need you to focus on driving, OK?” Again, I nodded.

Only when we were approaching the hospital’s entrance did she tell me her water broke while I was in the shower earlier. It felt like my soul left my body with what she said.

“And you were so chill the whole time like we were going on a picnic?” I snapped at her. Her water bag broke, and she’s only telling it to me now?

“I did not want you to panic, Dean. You need to stay calm and be on top of the situation.”

I threw my key to the valet and carried her out of the car as soon as we arrived at the hospital. Her doctor already waited at the entrance of the emergency room with a wheelchair ready.

They wheeled Sky into the delivery room. I looked more panicked than her, and she was calming and assuring me everything will be alright. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Nurses come and go in her room, checking for her contractions.

I do not know how long we were in there but as the hours passed, Sky looked more and more distressed. She groaned like a wounded animal, and it tore me apart. I did not know what to do. The lessons from the seminar I took to help me prepare for this moment, forgotten.

Only Sky’s face twisted in pain, was in my mind. I felt so useless. I wanted to help her with her pain but could do nothing. She held on to me for strength. Her hand squeezed mine.

I’m getting a vasectomy after this. There’s no way I’d let Sky go through the same ordeal again.

After a while, the nurses wheeled her out of the room to prepare her. They too helped me prepare.

Entering the delivery room, Sky’s pale lips were the first I saw. She looked exhausted.

I stood beside her and held her while she delivered our baby girl. I held her hand as she pushed our little girl out. Seeing her bring the product of our love into this world made me see Sky in a different light. Her strength and courage were beyond words. This might be the most unglamorous state I’ve seen her, but I fell in love with her over again.

Sky smiled as soon as our daughter’s cry filled the room. Nurses immediately placed her on top of her mother’s chest. Our darling girl, who wailed like a firetruck, became quiet when she found her mother’s breast. It’s a sight that I will forever hold in my heart. It’s the purest and most tender expression of love I’ve seen in my life.

Like we have all imagined, the birth of our princess brought us indescribable joy. Like Jax, Sofia Ysabel took from me. From her dazzling blue eyes and her tuft of red hair.

“Another redhead,” Sky complained. Faye, as we called our little darling, smiled at her mother, revealing her dimpled cheek. “This one looks like you again.”

All I could do was chuckle. What can I do, my genes are dominant? “We’ll make another one who looks like you next time,” I said, kissing her forehead as I tried to soothe her.

Of course I only said that. I’m serious about getting a vasectomy after seeing what Sky had to go through to bring a life to this world.

We stayed in the hospital for three days. Our family and friends congratulated us on the new addition to our family. Jax took his new role as a big brother and was super protective of his sister. He would let no one touch her unless he saw them disinfect their hands. He also sternly reminded every visitor not to kiss his sister.

My father was the happiest for Faye’s arrival. He could not get enough of his granddaughter. I had to shoo him and mom away just so Sky could rest.

I bought a house outside of the city as a push gift for Sky. She loved the towering trees around the house, while Jax loved the swimming pool. For me, I loved going home to a warm home where my wife smelled like garlic because I knew our dinner would be sumptuous.

Our life, just as I promised, was never perfect. It was far from perfect, but I love it the way it is. I loved our fights and squabbles because the after-fight sex was always mind blowing. Every day, Sky, Jax, Faye and I were learning from each other. We’re building our family one day at a time, and I love every moment.

“Thank you, Sky, for giving birth to our daughter,” I said, kissing her mouth.

“You owe me a vacation,” she said, her eyes twinkling.

“Anywhere, Love.”

“How about Malta?”