PROLOGUE
My heart batters in my chest from the thunder blaring outside.
Sounds of screams and rainfall crash against the window.
Then Brityn screeches to the top of her lungs and I grimace from the painful noise.
"He’s coming! He’s almost here!”
With adhesion clinging to her neck, Brityn heavily pants and I hold my breath.
Both of her hands grip the railing for stability as sweat collects on her forehead.
As the nurse encourages her to push through the pains of labor, Spencer clutches her hand.
“One last push!” All three of us wait in anticipation while Brityn writhes in pain. “Now!”
Brityn screams even louder than before and I grimace as her face turns a dark shade of purple.
Then…
Beautiful cries fill the room and a pair of tiny lungs makes his presence known. “There you go! Atta girl!”
Brityn falls against the pillows and I rush to her bedside; squeezing her hand.
“You did it.” She gives me a weak thumbs up as her eyes shut and she rests on the bed.
Exhaustion weighs down her face and her muscles as her grip loosens. "A beautiful baby boy.”
The Doctor smiles and wraps the little boy in a blanket, while, Spencer sniffles and tears come down his face.
You know they’re a man when they cry at their son’s birth...
Zayn pats Spencer on the back who holds his seven-pound newborn in his arms.
“Congratulations bro.” A warm smile graces my lips and highlights the joy on my face.
Spencer takes a blue cotton cap from the nurse and delicately places it on his son's head.
“Ana?” Brityn croaks and squeezes my hand as I turn all of my attention to her.
Purple bags develop beneath her eyes as her beauty lies hidden underneath the skin.
“Can I hold him?” She asks and I nod my head; kissing her forehead.
Spencer happily walks to her bedside and gingerly passes her their baby. “Our son, babe.”
Spencer cradles Brityn's cheek and kisses her, which causes me to turn away and give them some privacy.
“It’s official. I have no more earwax left.” Zayn chortles and I giggle before facing him.
“It was worth it.” I drape my arms over his shoulders and stand on my tippy toes.
Pressing my lips against his soft pair, Zayn’s arms encircle my waist and hold me upright.
"Spence wanted to do something here,” He whispers and I pull my eyebrows together.
Just when I prompt my question, Spencer takes a velvet box out of his pocket. “Holy shit.”
I gasp as Brityn takes the box from his hands and opens it, watching her face transform.
Her eyes widen like satellites while her mouth gapes apart and my throat becomes dry.
A gorgeous oval-shaped Diamond ring steals the center of attention.
“Marry me?” Spencer implores as a tear sheds down Brityn’s face and she nod's her head.
“I’ll marry you.” She smiles as Spencer returns the gesture and places the jewel on her ring finger.
“I feel so single right now.” I giggle and Zayn grunts.
“Woman you have me.” With that, he snuggles his head into my nape and cradles my waist with his arms.
“That’s all I need.” I warmly smile and kiss his cheek.
“I love you.” He adorably agrees by groaning and tightening his grip. “I love you more.”
I lean on his shoulder and shut my eyes to savor the moment. “That’s gonna be us soon.”
His breath tickles my ear and I frown as the mere thought of having children terrifies my inner demons.
“If fate allows that for me.” I feel my chest tighten whilst a sharp pain resides there.
“Don’t think like that Angel,” Zayn says and purposefully repositions me in his arms.
“It’s all I can think about. What we can have. What we can be.”
I comb my fingers through his greasy hair which hasn’t been washed in three days.
“It keeps the nightmares from escaping my mind,”
I dubiously admit and the grim look in his eyes forms a lump of guilt in my throat.
They are forcing me to lock gazes with the floor and count the aimless tiles.
“Why did you keep that from me?” He wiggles his arms around me when I try to break away.
“Because I knew you’d react like this. You’d worry about me like you always do-“
“Why is that such a bad thing?” Zayn interrupts me and I gulp. “I don’t want you to worry about me.”
I shut my eyes before a tear can escape the rim and inhale sharply to maintain the moisture barrier.
“I’m always going to worry. It’s what I do and I do it because I love you.”
“I know you do.” I grin shyly and rest my head on his strong chest; inhaling his sweet scent.