Burke resumed the position he was in before the doctor came in. "You can do it, Kinsley," he whispered. "It's painful now, but you'll get through it, and then we'll have our son."
Nodding, I believed everything he said.
The nurse returned and handed me a few pills with a small cup of water. She checked the machines out of habit and left us alone. Hour after hour, I labored. After the epidural, I felt better, more like myself, and Daisy and I chatted while Burke made phone calls.
"What has he said to you?" Daisy asked.
"Just that I can do it, and that soon we'll get to hold our son."
Daisy smoothed the sheet around my leg. "I have to admit, he surprises me all the time. One minute he's all scary and seems almost threatening, then suddenly he's soft and sweet."
I nodded. "That's the problem I have. Right now, he's like he was when we were together in Chester. This side of his personality is exactly why I fell for him."
"I can see why."
"But it won't last. I'll do or say something to set him off, and he'll call me a shrew again."
Daisy smirked. "You're not a shrew, though I can see why he might think so. You two are oil and water most of the time, and you love to egg each other on."
"I know," I said with a sigh. Though I was mostly numb from the waist down, I still felt discomfort when a contraction hit, causing me to wince.
"Have you spoken to your parents?"
"I tried, but they won't take my calls. Apparently, they're pissed at me for running away." I rolled my eyes. As though I was a rebellious teen instead of a grown woman.
"Fuck's sake, that's not what it was like at all."
"I know, but they have their heads in the sand. They always have. I would've suffocated if I had to spend another year in that house. And then I really would have run away."
"They're too comfortable with their lives, I suppose. Some people enjoy monotony."
We fell silent as the door opened, and Burke sat at my other side. "This is completely up to you, Kinsley, but my family would like to come."
The very thought of being in the same room as Carson made me push back into the pillows in a panic. "The last time I saw your parents, your father threatened my life."
"I know, and that's why I said it's up to you. They know how I feel."
"What do you want?" If I said no, would they blame me? Would they be angry with me? Would Burke resent me for not allowing his parents to meet their grandson?
"I want it to be your decision, but if you're afraid of what they might think, I'll tell them it was my choice. You don't have to see them if you don't want to."
His words of assurance helped me decide. "I don't think I could stand seeing your father, but maybe your mother can come. Only after the baby is born, Burke. Not right now."
"Absolutely." He kissed my forehead and left the room again, phone already in his hand.
Daisy watched him walk out the door. "I can't quite believe they're that type of people."
"Mr. Gallagher is, and his wife makes excuses for him."
"That's crazy."
I nodded.
Though it took several more hours, Burke only left my side for a few brief moments. When it finally came time for me to push, Daisy left the room. Burke assured her she could sit in the waiting room with Wyatt, Caden, and Logan.
I focused entirely on the act of pushing the baby out of my body. I knew others were in the room, and I knew Burke encouraged me and kept his eyes on me the entire time. When the doctor announced our boy had arrived and a tear rolled down Burke’s face, I fell just a little more in love with him.
"He looks perfect, Mom and Dad." Dr. Smith set Finn on my chest, and my world condensed down to nothing except his tiny face.
