Redemption(65)

I hovered in the water on my knees with Dan inches from me on the outside of the pool. His touch had been an irritant an hour ago, but now, his fingers on my arm, the way his hand cupped my shoulder in support—it was the only thing keeping me from losing my mind. I’d tried to keep my discomfort to myself, but I was sure it was written all over my face. I reached between my legs knowing the baby was close. Exhaustion settled in, and I knew it was time. “The head is about two knuckles deep.”

Annie sat straight up, and we waited for Meegan’s instructions. When she asked Annie if she still wanted to catch the baby, my friend almost jumped across the room. I sat back against the edge of the pool, Dan on one side and Brett on the other, while Annie climbed in. I clutched a hand from each man and dropped my head back between my shoulders when I pushed. Dan’s cheek touched the side of my head, and he whispered words of love and affirmation in my ear. Annie stared between my legs with her hands in the water. I braced myself on Dan and Brett’s forearms and struggled with one final push. I felt the shoulders pass, and then the baby slipped into the water, and I collapsed back.

Dan moved behind me to hold me while Brett cut the cord once Meegan gave the sign that it was time. Annie had handed me the precious baby, and tears streamed from my eyes. I missed my son. I hadn’t held another baby since he’d passed away. I wanted to sob, to tell her how special this was—but it was no longer my moment. The time and the baby belonged to Annie and Brett. Meegan helped rub the baby’s back and little bottom bringing color to the skin, but time seemed suspended.

Brett leaned over to ask Annie if it was a boy or a girl. She’d gotten exactly what I’d hoped for—a minute that was just hers to hold a secret with her child. Something no one could take from her. Annie got to be the one to tell her husband. “A girl.” Her breath hitched when she touched her forehead to his.

My heart swelled with pride when I heard Brett’s hushed voice. “We have a daughter.”

I’d been able to give them that. The little piece of heaven Meegan now held was my offering back to the world, an attempt to right my wrong.

An hour or so later, Meegan had gotten me comfortable on the couch, the guys had cleaned up the birthing pool, and Annie sat with her little girl in the recliner and held my hand across the empty space between the furniture.

Her lazy grin was aimed at me. Her head rolled on the back of the chair. “I will never be able to tell you what this baby means to me. Thank you.”

I blinked slowly and tried to give her a bright smile but missed the mark. “I’m going to miss having her with me every day. I hope you’ll let me come love on her.” I was. But not for the reasons Annie assumed. I’d been able to offer protection and nurtured a child who couldn’t take care of itself. Instead of extinguishing a flame, I’d brought that little life safely into the world where Brett and Annie would adore her and fuel her fire.

“Actually, Brett and I wanted to ask you and Dan a question.”

I tried to sit up a little straighter to hear her better.

“We’d like for you to be her Godparents.”

My hand formed a fist, and I rested it on my chest as I fought off more tears. “Of course. I’d be honored.” I leaned back on the couch determined to maintain my composure. The hormones were a bitch to fight against. “But you might want to name her first.”

“I have a name in mind.”

She hadn’t shared a name with me, not even any they were considering. They had both been adamant they wanted to meet the baby before giving it a name that didn’t suit the child. I rolled my eyes but loved that about Annie. She thought everything through, every tiny detail.

Before I could pry into her secret, Dan and Brett joined us. They’d helped Meegan out, and everyone appeared to enjoy the calm. I had no idea what they were doing and didn’t have the energy to ask. I was sore and tired, and I just wanted to lay here with my thoughts.

When Dan took a seat on the coffee table next to me, and Annie and Brett sat perched like they were waiting for a show, I sat up unsure of what might happen. Concern marred Dan’s features just before he dropped his head, and his knee bounced feverishly in front of me. I had no idea what was going on, but I was more than a little freaked out.

Dan sat like every other guy, with his legs spread and his forearms propped on his thighs, and finally lifted his head to make eye contact before he spoke.

“Penny.” His voice shook with uncertainty and fear.

“From the moment I showed up on your porch, I was at the right house, just looking for the wrong woman. Thankfully, God saved me from myself when he led me to you.”

He took a deep breath, and I glanced to Annie, baffled. She offered me nothing more than a shrug and just kept watching.

“There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by since our chance encounter that I could imagine spending the next without you. My sun rises and sets in you. I knew months ago that I wanted to propose but didn’t want you to feel pressured to do what you’ve spent the last nine months doing. But your selfless sacrifice only confirmed what I already knew—you are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

He looked down and cracked the little black box he’d concealed with his large hands. With shaky fingers, he took the ring from the velvet. He got down on one knee, looked me straight in the eyes, and asked the question I’d longed to hear. “Will you marry me?”