♥ CHAPTER 25 ♥

Anthony Cooper.

Eight Months Later

Things between Hilary and me have improved a lot since that day in court when I became a free man. The next day, the newspaper reported the truth about the lies my crazy ex-wife spread about me. Many people who were once my friends came to apologize. I’m not a man who holds much grudge like Hilary; I forgave them, of course, but I want them far away from me. My parents also found out about everything and tried several times to talk to me, but I don’t want to hear from them. I want to live my life with my beautiful fiancée.

Hilary only wants to get married when our baby is born. Yes, a boy. I was very happy about this; I would have been happy if it were a girl too because I’m sure she would be like my beautiful fiancée, a hardworking woman who doesn’t bow down to anyone. I’m so happy with the family that God has given me. I’ve been through many things and humiliations, but I haven’t changed who I am—humble and sincere.

One thing I’ve reflected on is that a lie can ruin someone’s life, even a small, simple lie. But I’m grateful for the hell I went through because it led me to find the love of my life, my true love. I would give my life for Hilary and our child. I will protect my family from all harm.

10:58 AM – Hilary’s House – New York, USA.

"How are you, my love?" I asked as I massaged her foot.

"I’m fine, just feeling even more overweight." I rolled my eyes. "Don’t roll your eyes at me, Anthony."

"Love, stop it. You said eight months ago that people who care about beauty standards are trash."

She sighed.

"I just feel more overweight, not that I’m upset about it."

I looked at her and laughed.

"You look wonderful, no matter if you’re skinny or overweight. To me, you’re the most beautiful person in the world." I kissed her foot, making her laugh.

"It tickles."

"But be honest with me, how do you really feel?" She sighed.

"In pain. My feet hurt, my back hurts too. Sometimes the baby kicks so hard. Remember what happened last week?"

"Yes. But it wasn’t your fault if you wet the bed."

"Don’t say that; it embarrasses me greatly."

"My love, it’s practically normal. You don’t have to be embarrassed about any of it."

I applied pressure to her foot, and she moaned.

"Did it hurt?" I asked, concerned.

"No, do it again." I applied pressure again, and she sighed. "That feels good."

"I’m glad I’m helping you."

"You always help me, dear. I’m sorry for yelling at you yesterday."

She yelled at me for asking too many questions.

"No, I think I would have yelled at myself too. I understand that I’m being very protective. I just want to make sure everything is okay. You’re carrying our child, and it’s my duty to help you. Whenever you need me, I’ll be here."

"I know, love. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep. You woke up and stayed talking to me even though you were tired." I smiled remembering that.

"Of course, I wouldn’t let my beautiful fiancée stay awake alone."

I continued massaging her feet and then her thighs.

"I really appreciate Dylan helping me with the company. Just imagine, if I didn’t have anyone I trust, who would take care of my business? I’d have to close the company until I’m better." It was a rhetorical question. "I’d have to shut it down."

"You’re not sick; you’re pregnant." She smiled.

"I know, it was just a way of speaking."

She sighed.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"Just some pains coming."

"Should we go to the hospital? The doctor said the baby could come early."

"I don’t think so, not yet. The real contractions haven’t started."

"Okay, let me know if anything changes."

"Hmm." I noticed she was getting sleepy.

I kissed her knees and got up.

"Sleep, my love."

"I’m sleeping so much."

I ran my hand through her hair gently.

"You’re pregnant, and it’s normal to feel tired. Rest a bit."

"Stay with me."

"Of course."

I lay down beside her, and we cuddled. I kissed her neck and soon fell asleep too.

****

“A-Anthony!!”

I opened my eyes to see Hilary shifting in bed.

“What’s wrong, love?” I quickly sat up.

I frowned as I felt the bed was wet.

“M-My water broke!” She said, then let out a groan of pain.

“Damn it!”

I jumped out of bed, grabbed the bag from the wardrobe we had prepared, picked her up in my arms, and headed out of the room.

“It hurts so much… Damn!” She buried her face in my neck.

“Breathe, love.”

I set her down to open the door and helped her get to the car. I threw the bag in the back seat and helped her into the front seat, then quickly got in on the other side.

“It hurts so much, Anthony. Damn, it hurts.”

I started the car and headed to the hospital.

“Breathe, love, just breathe. We’re almost there.”

“It hurts!!”

She gripped her hands so tightly they turned red.

“Damn it!”

I accelerated the car even more, praying to God that the streets weren’t congested. I turned left to take a shortcut and was startled by her loud scream.

“Damn it, it hurts… Anthony, hurry up!”

“I’m going, love. I’m going!”

Now I was getting nervous. I sped up and thanked God when I saw the hospital in the distance.

“We’re almost there, love!”

She was breathing rapidly.

I continued driving, parked the car, quickly got out, and opened her door to pick her up in my arms.

“It hurts so much, Anthony.”

I ran into the hospital.

“Please, help us!! She’s having the baby!!!” I shouted, catching the attention of the nurses.

They quickly came with a stretcher. I placed her on it, and they wheeled her into the delivery room.

“Anthony!” She held my hand.

“I’m here, my love.”

“What’s your relation to her?” The nurse asked.

“Fiancé,” I said.

“You need to come with me. You’ll need to put on scrubs to enter the delivery room.”

I followed her, still very worried about Hilary.

“Here, sir. You can put these over your clothes.”

“Thank you.”

I put on the scrubs quickly and followed her into the delivery room. I heard Hilary’s cries of pain and quickened my pace to her.

“I’m here, my love,” I said as I entered the room.

“A-Anthony!”

I held her hands.

“Ms. Carter, I need you to push really hard.”

“You can do it, my love.”

She screamed as she pushed with all her strength. I bit my lips hard as she squeezed my fingers tightly.

“Push harder, Ms. Carter!”

“Ahhhh!!!”

She was sweaty and breathing heavily.

“The head is already showing, push harder.”

“I-I can’t.”

“Hey, you can do it, my love. Our baby is almost in our arms, push harder.”

She closed her eyes and pushed.

“Ahhhhhh!!!”

We soon heard the sound of a baby crying.

“He’s born.” My eyes filled with tears as I saw my beautiful son.

“Here, daddy.” The nurse placed my baby in my arms.

I looked at my son; he has my skin color.

“He’s so beautiful.” I placed him in Hilary’s arms.

“Hi, my little angel.” She kissed his head, not caring about the blood.

I kissed her forehead.

“I love you so much, Hilary. Thank you so much for this family.”

“I’m the one who should thank you,” she said, exhausted.

“She needs to rest, sir. I’ll clean the baby and take him to the room.”

“Thank you.”

She took the baby from Hilary’s arms.

“I’ll clean her up and take her to the room,” another nurse said.

“Okay.”

I sighed and left the delivery room, taking off the scrubs they gave me.

I have a family now. Today is the happiest day of my life. I feel like the luckiest man in the world.

I’m going to do my best to take care of my family.

PENULTIMATE CHAPTER