Page 35 of The Awakening (The Morton Family Saga #3)

Ellie

Gavin and I had lived on the ranch for five years.

It was wonderful being so close to our loving family, but it was also overwhelming at times.

I had moments of feeling like I was back on the compound, where everyone knew everyone else’s business.

There were many days I had to remind myself that this was different.

Ben was Gavin’s shadow. He couldn’t go anywhere without his son following. Cattle were Ben’s passion, and the men of the Morton ranch were more than happy to teach him everything they knew.

New Dream Homes was busier than ever. We had gotten exposure from some news articles and television segments, so I was getting calls from all over the country to book builds and give walkthroughs of our model homes.

I stood at the fence, watching Kate work with one of the young barrel riders. She was so patient and focused on making sure the girls were learning proper techniques, not just speed.

A warm arm wrapped around my waist and rubbed my very pregnant belly. Leaning back into my husband was something I never got tired of.

“How are my girls doing?” He asked as he nibbled at my neck.

“Tired. Ready to meet each other.” I sighed as he wrapped both arms under my baby bump and gently lifted to take the pressure off my back.

“Well, her daddy is getting anxious to meet her too,” he whispered. “I hope it’s not much longer.”

“Me too, baby.” We watched the horse run, his muscles powerful and beautiful.

“Happy anniversary.”

“Gavin, it’s not our anniversary until tomorrow,” I said, shaking my head.

“Oh, how quickly you forget, my love. Today is the day I set this entire thing in motion. Forced you to fall in love with me.” He let out a little chuckle.

Turning in his arms wasn’t easy anymore, and I longed to not have this barrier between us.

“You did more than force me to fall in love with you. Gavin, you saved me from things I have tried not to think about over the years.” Closing my eyes, I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Until the day I stumbled into your cabin, I was sure the only thing for me in life was death. I will be forever in your debt for that night.”

Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him. Just as our lips met, my stomach cramped like someone had punched me, and I let out a groan.

“Well, that wasn’t quite the reaction I was expecting.” Gavin frowned.

“Your daughter will be making her appearance today, I think.” Squeezing my eyes shut, I breathed through another contraction.

“Are you serious?” Gavin’s eyes were wild. He scanned the yard.

“Yes. It’s time.” Nodding, I walked around him and headed to the house.

“Kate, we have to go. Ben is with Tyler,” Gavin yelled over to his sister-in-law.

“I’ll get him. Good luck,” Kate called.

I turned and waved, wishing she could come with me, but she and Tyler would keep Ben occupied.

Gavin drove to the hospital like he was in a high-speed chase. Laser focused and on a mission. The doctor had warned us that this delivery may be difficult given the trauma I endured after the accident, so we needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

At the hospital, the nurses had me registered and in my birthing room in less than fifteen minutes. Now we just had to wait for the doctor.

“Hi, Elyse. Looks like it’s time for you to have this baby.” Dr. Caver walked in, looking at a chart.

“I think so.” I grinned. I felt good. The epidural was doing its job, and I hadn’t felt a contraction for half an hour.

“I’ll just do a quick check, and if all is good, you’ll have this baby soon.

” She rolled a stool to the foot of my bed and folded the blanket up over my knees.

Her mood went from friendly to all business instantly.

“This little girl is impatient and has quite the head of hair,” she said. “You’re ready to push.”

The nurse helped her prep the bed for delivery, and then Dr. Caver was giving out instructions.

“Okay. The nurse is going to hold one of your legs so you don’t have to do all the work yourself. And Gavin, you’ll hold the other.” She gestured to him, and he mimicked the way the nurse looped an arm under my knee. “I’ll tell you when to push.”

I had completely missed Ben’s delivery. When I arrived at the hospital, I was taken to the operating room and put under anesthesia so they could take Ben and fix the internal bleeding the accident had caused.

When the doctor signaled, I grabbed Gavin’s hand and pushed with all my might.

“That’s good. Stop for a minute.”

My heart rate raced while I waited for further instruction. I wanted to know what was happening, and I felt like I was off in Lala land.

“One last big push.”

I bared down with all my might, and what felt like seconds later, the cry of our daughter reverberated through the room.

“She’s perfect.” The doctor beamed as she placed the baby on my chest.

I couldn’t help my tears. Everything around bringing Ben into the world had been traumatic. The joy I should have experienced had been taken from me. But this was perfect.

Gavin squeezed my hand and stroked our daughter’s cheek with the back of one finger while tears flowing down his cheeks.

“Do you have a name picked out?” The nurse asked quietly.

“Hallie Sandra.” Gavin and I said in unison.

“That’s beautiful.” The nurse replied as she reached to take my daughter off my chest. “We have a few things to do, but I promise I’ll return little Hallie in a few minutes.”

With Hallie in the nurse’s hands, Gavin leaned downed kissed me. “Good job, Momma.”

My heart was about ready to burst. Five years ago, I’d run from people who were supposed to care for me and love me. But I had run to a man who actually did.

My family hadn’t tried to contact me in all these years.

But I had sent the baby announcement to them when Ben was born anyway.

And I would do the same with Hallie. They might not care that they were missing out on their grandchildren’s lives, but I wasn’t going to be the one that made it okay.

So, every chance I got, I would let them know.

Life wasn’t always easy, but it was far better than where I’d come from.

Gavin broke our kiss and smiled at me. “How many times are we doing this?”

“Kissing or the babies? Because I will happily kiss you for the rest of my life. But I think we’re at our limit for babies. They won’t outnumber us if we stick to two.” I yawned.

Gavin kissed my forehead. “Rest, my love, I will check on Hallie.”

I nodded and closed my eyes, quickly succumbing to sleep.

Out of despair, I ended up with the most beautiful life. I felt like a butterfly who had just emerged from its chrysalis. Unfolding its wings and taking flight for the first time.