“What!” I shout.
“We’ve got time. I haven’t had a contraction yet. It could be hours, but as I said, I want to be ready.” I pull the shower door open and join her.
“Then I’ll be ready too.”
Thirty-six hours later, our son, Joshua Paul Leblanc, the third was born. Tatum did amazing, but she’s sleeping now. I use this time to hold Josh and make him promises. Promises I hope I can live up to. This must be how my dad felt when he was handed me. Though he was thirteen years older than I am now, he must have thought he could do everything. This moment brings me closer to the memory of my dad. The air kicks on, and I could swear I feel something behind me, but of course, there is nothing there when I turn to look. Logically, I know it was nothing but the cool air, but for some reason, I feel like my dad was standing over my shoulder looking at his grandson.
“Hey, daddy. Whatcha thinking about over there?” Tatum asks from her place on the bed. I was so lost in my son that I didn’t realize she had woken up.
“Nothing,” I say, trying to wipe the tear from my eye but am unsuccessful.
“Liar. Keep your secrets then. Let me hold my son,” she says, chuckling. I watch as she uses the remote to put the bed into a sitting position.
I hand him to her. She kisses each of his tiny hands before kissing his forehead.
“You look good holding him,” I tell her looking down at my whole world.
“You did too. You know he was so worth it.”
“Worth what?” I ask, confused.
“The pain, the wait. Everything,” she replies dreamily.
“I don’t know about the pain. I have to take your word for it, but the wait. The wait was nothing now that he’s here.” She smiles up at me, and I smile back at them. “I love you, wife. More and more each day,” I say, leaning down to kiss her.
“I love you too, husband. More than you’ll ever know.”
My whole life changed the day I met her. I didn’t know where we’d end up, but the ride has been memorable, to say the least, and it’s not over yet.