Her eyes light up, and she spends the next few minutes detailing everything she wants to eat and then changing her mind.
I listen patiently. I love taking care of her, especially now that in a few days, our lives will change forever.
“I thought Aidan was coming over.” she says suddenly, forgetting about the food. “Is he coming?”
“Yes, later.”
Her voice softens. “How is he?”
Hurt. Heartbroken. Enraged. Ever since Liz left the play and him, flying across the country to work on movie projects, he’s reverted almost to his lowest point. “He’s a little sore, but seeing you wil
l cheer him up, I’m sure.”
She laughs. “Because I look like a hippo.”
“Because he loves you and can’t wait to meet his nephew.” I put my arm around her. “And…you look like a sylph.”
“Liar.”
“Never.”
She grins then scowls. “You promised me food.”
I spring into action. “I’m on it.”
Esmeralda is in the kitchen, and with her help, I make up a platter for Rachel. She likes to nibble at a variety of things at the same time, and it amuses me to watch. When I return to the living room, she’s standing beside the sofa, a look of horror on her face.
I drop the platter. “What? What is it?”
Horror turns to wonder. She looks at me, eyes wide. “I think my water just broke.”
The next few hours are a blur. I get the bags and get her down to the car. She insists she’s fine, but I don’t let her hand out of mine.
At the hospital, her doctor is already waiting. I’ve prepared for this for months, but my nerves are shot as all the professionals do their jobs.
I make all the necessary calls, parents, Laurie, her brother Dylan, Aidan. Soon, the waiting room is full of family.
Breathe, Landon.
Inside the delivery room, I clean up and scrub up then wait, holding Rachel’s hand as the contractions come.
It’s an easy birth. The hours fly by, for me at least, and when they put my baby in my arms, I’m the one doing the crying.
“He’s beautiful,” I blubber. My emotions are a mess.
Forceful, ruthless, single-minded…
Cold, heartless, unfeeling…
Hotel magnate.
All that is washed away the moment I hold my son in my arms.
Landon Court…Dad.
Husband, lover, dad.
That’s who I am.