- - - - - One Month Later - - - - -
~ Killian ~
Killian lay in bed that night staring at the ceiling. Not being able to sleep was a normal thing for him, but there was another reason why he couldn't sleep tonight. Tomorrow was a big day for him and Audrey. It was the day where their baby girl would come into the world.
Audrey decided that she wanted to do a homebirth. They didn't have the best memories the last time they were in a hospital. And Audrey felt most relaxed and comfortable being at home. Dr. Shepherd, who was closely monitoring Audrey and the baby, agreed that home birth would be a viable option. So they set on a date, got all the equipment ready, hired a midwife-nurse, and set aside a hospital transport just in case.
Tomorrow was the D-day and Killian was too nervous to sleep. He kept checking the clock to see if the hour hand had moved. Audrey seemed like she was nervous too. It was about eleven-thirty at night and she was usually asleep by now. But tonight, she wasn't even in the bed. Audrey was taking a long time in the bathroom doing her skincare routine or something like that.
"Hey, Kill," Killian heard Audrey's yell.
"Yeah?" he yelled back.
"I think you should come in here,"
Killian immediately got up to his feet. He could feel something was wrong. Audrey's sounded uncertain and scared.
"What's wrong?" he said as soon as he got to the door. Audrey was standing in the shower area holding onto her nightgown.
"I think I either peed myself or my water just broke,"
Killian's eyes widened instantly. He saw the bottom of her dress was drenched in water. It took Killian a split second before he knew what he needed to do.
"I'll call Dr. Shepherd!" he said as he staggered out of the room. He was racing for his phone and dialing haphazardly.
The next thing he knew, Killian was yelling at the doctor telling her to come quick. He also called the midwife-nurse, who luckily lived nearby, to come right this moment. Killian even called his parents and Audrey's dad and anyone else he could think of. At this point, Audrey was sitting down on the floor of their bathroom, trying to steady her breathing.
Killian rushed up and down the stairs to get everything ready for her. He got her ice chips, towels, blankets, water, and everything else she might need. Killian was scrambling. The baby wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow, but it seemed like it had other plans. Everything was quiet and calm just minutes ago, but suddenly everything changed.
Caspian was right. Life is what happens when we're too busy making plans.
Luckily for them, their midwife-nurse came within the next few minutes. And not long after that, Dr. Shepherd arrived. By the time Dr. Shepherd got to Audrey, she said that Audrey was fully dilated.
Killian had heard many stories and read many books about pregnancy and the delivery, but nothing could've prepared him for this. He thought this thing was supposed to take hours, or days even. But no. Everything was happening so fast. After about twenty to thirty minutes later, Killian heard a whole lot of screaming followed by the sound of a baby crying.
To this day, it was still the most hauntingly beautiful sound Killian had ever heard.
On May 22nd at 12.55 AM, their baby girl was finally born into the world. She was perfectly healthy and beautiful. The moment Killian held his baby girl in his arms, he felt his entire world was turned upside down. He never knew he could fall in love so fast. He'd do anything in the world for this baby girl.
Audrey was absolutely tired and drained after this whole ordeal, but when it was time for her to hold the baby in her arms, she turned bright and energetic. The nurse helped show her how to breastfeed and soon enough, the baby was latching onto her mom. She didn't want to go anywhere else.
Killian stared at Audrey and their baby and tears were pooling in his eyes. He never felt so warm and so happy on the inside. Audrey was such a warrior and this baby was heaven-sent. He never thought he could feel so much about something so little. Killian leaned down and kissed the top of Audrey's head as she was breastfeeding.
"You're so amazing. I love you so much," he whispered to her ear.
Killian wanted to keep holding her in his arms, but when his parents and Audrey's dad arrived, he knew he had to share her. Maxwell cried tears of joy when he held the baby in his arms. He never thought he'd still be alive to see this day, but he was. John Vanderbilt, who Killian never saw smiling, couldn't drop his smile even for a second. But his mom was the worst one of all. She was crying and laughing at the same time as she held onto the baby, and she refused to let her go. Killian was convinced she might end up taking the baby home with her.
Needless to say, it was an emotional moment for everyone. Audrey was also still reeling from the delivery. Lying on the bed, she had tremors and chills, as well as painful discomfort on her lower area, as to be expected. Luckily, Dr. Shepherd said she wouldn't need any stitches. Killian sat by her side and puthis arm around her, wishing somehow that could ease her pain. Audrey rested her head on his chest and she watched as their parents cuddle their little baby.
"Oh, look at her, she's so precious," Anna kept gushing as she stared at the baby's little face. At this point, the baby had woken up, and she was staring blankly at all the faces in front of her.
"She came a little bit earlier than expected, huh?" John was still smiling, it was a weird sight for Killian.
"She's just too excited to see us," Audrey replied.
"Have you two settled on a name yet?" Maxwell asked.
Audrey and Killian exchangeda knowing look.
"Yes," Audrey nodded her head. "Her name is Grace Roselyn Huntington Vanderbilt,"
Killian nodded his head in agreement. That was his baby girl's name. They picked Grace' because it was a memorable place for them, the place where everything started. And Roselyn was Audrey's mother's name.
"That's a beautiful name," Anna said.
"It's quite a mouthful, but we like it," Audrey giggled. She glanced at Killian again and he smiled in agreement.
Yes, we do.
"Oh, look at her. She's so beautiful," Anna gushed again. "Look, John. She has her daddy's eyes,"
"Why, yes, she does," John agreed and laughed.
Killian hadn't got a chance to look deeply at his daughter's eyes yet and he wondered if what his mom said was true. This made his heart double in size. Killian was so curious, he peeled away from the bed and stepped closer to baby Grace. Anna saw him coming and she showed Killian what she was talking about. Baby Grace had the most beautiful blue eyes he'd ever seen. It was as deep as the sea.
~ Audrey ~
Audrey was still feeling some pain and discomfort, but the meds and vitamins Dr. Shepherd gave her were helping, so did the cold compresses. The sun was now rising over the city but the baby just fell asleep. Baby Grace slept while holding Killian's finger. Killian held her in his arms as rocked her gently from side to side.
"You know you can put her down, right?" Audrey stifled a laugh as she watched her husband. Killian was standing andpacing around the room, his eyes were glued on baby Grace.
Audrey saw the way Killian looked at thebaby and her heart was melting. His eyes were glassy and his gaze held volume.
"Hey, Kill," she said.
"Yeah?" Killian still didn't lift his eyes away.
"If you wanna take a DNA test, I wouldn't mind—"
"Why are you still talking about that?" Killian's eyes shot up at her. He looked somewhat irritated. "I told you, I don't need that. She's mine,"
Audrey glanced downand sighed.
"But I saw the look on your face when your mom said something about her eyes…" she said cautiously. She was watching him closely back then, and she saw the look of uncertainty in his eyes.
Killian let out a deep breath and sat down on the bed.
Audrey looked up at him to study his expression. Killian really looked convinced.There wasn't a shred of doubt in his eyes.
"Besides, one look at her eyes and I already know," Killian said as he stared at the little sleeping baby."This is my baby girl and I'd give the world for her,"
Audrey finally got the confirmation she was looking for. She nodded her head meekly and dropped the subject. This was the last time she ever asked Killian about a DNA test. It was never brought up ever again.
Audrey then took a few minutes to go to the bathroom, but when she was back, she found Killian already asleep on the bed, still with baby Grace in his arms. Audrey stepped closer to get a better look. This was the first time she saw Killian sleeping in months.
Audrey let out a smile. She turned off the bedside lights and climbed to bedslowly as to not wake her husband and daughter. She then pulled the duvet up to cover both Killian and Grace, and then she kissed the top of his head.
You two are my world now. I love you so much.
Audrey laid her head on her pillow and snuggled close to Killian. Killian looked so peaceful as he slept, and baby Grace looked comfortable too. Audrey couldn't drop her smile even for a second as she drifted into sleep. It was the most heartwarming sight she ever saw. The pain of giving birth, as excruciating as it was, was nothing compared to this. She'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Hopefully someday soon.
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