Everything I Wish For (Lupine Valley #5)

23. Epilogue

Lauren

“Fuck you, Brad! I can’t believe you did this to me!” I scream out as the doctor keeps telling me to push after being in labor for the last twenty-six hours. How the hell do women do this everyday?

“I’m sorry baby, but you’re so close. I see her face!”

“Shut up, I want you to be able to see her whole damn body.”

Another contraction rips through me, and I push hard, determined to make this the last one count.

A loud cry fills the room and I sag back into the bed, relieved to finally hear the sweet cries of our daughter.

The nurse places her on my chest and Brad leans down to the two of us, placing a kiss on my lips.

“You did it, L.”

The nurses finish cleaning her up and I get to really look at her for the first time.

“She’s so ugly!” I cry out laughing. “But she’s also the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”

Brad leans down to kiss her on the head. “What are we going to name her?”

“Madison Rose.” I say quickly. A name that wasn’t even on our list of agreed upon names.

“I love it. It fits her perfectly.”

I’m glad he agrees. For some reason this name feels just right.

We found out we were pregnant on New Year's Eve. Our pretend relationship gave us more than realizing our own feelings for each other. I was nervous to tell Brad but he was over the moon excited and was there for every single appointment.

We moved in together almost immediately. It just made sense. And then on Valentine’s day, we bought the old farmhouse next door to his parents. It needs a ton of work and we still aren’t done so we won’t move in for a long time, but it’s been so fun to remodel and start a nursery for our baby girl.

“I need to go tell our moms. And they’re going to want to come back right away.” Brad breaks our blissful moment.

“Five more minutes?” I pout at him, “I just want five more minutes with us.”

“You got it, L. Anything you want.” He kisses my forehead and sits on the edge of the bed with me and Madison.

Eventually we couldn’t hold them back any more. Once the nurses and doctors were gone, Brad went to the waiting room to get our mothers.

They’re still just smitten with themselves for getting us together. They refuse to admit that my idea of fake dating was really the catalyst and say that we almost ruined all of it. So therefore, any credit they would have given us is gone.

“I need to see this little nugget!” Mom creeps in the room with Miriam behind her.

“Oh mylanta. She’s just so darn beautiful. Look at those cheeks!” Miriam gushes over her.

“What’s her name?”

“Madison Rose,” Brad answers Mom.

Too soon, they have her in their arms and I already feel a loss without my baby.

Daddy comes over beside me and drops a kiss to my forehead. “How’s my girl doing?”

“I’m blissfully happy.” I smile up at him. “Don’t you want to see her?”

“After. I want to check on my baby first.” He winks at me and sits next to me. “Glad that boy kept his promise.”

“What do you mean?” He doesn’t answer but simply nods to the other side of my bed.

When I look over, Brad is down on one knee with our moms behind him. A little onesie on Madison that says Will you marry my Daddy?

The tears start to fall on my cheeks before Brad even asks me anything.

“L, I waited so long to ask you this question. I was going to ask you on Valentine’s Day, but then you surprised me with this beautiful daughter of ours and our dream life in that farmhouse. And I knew you would feel like I was only asking because of her. So I waited, and bid my time, like we always do. But I can’t wait one more second to make you mine officially.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” I reach out for him to hug me since I can’t get up yet.

“He didn’t even ask you yet!” Mom says.

He leans into my ear, “Will you be my wife, Lauren Bradshaw?”

“Yes!” I say once more. “Can we do it today?”

“Absolutely not. You are goin’ to heal up and have a proper wedding.” Momma rushes in to say.

“We can go to the courthouse as soon as you’re ready, gorgeous,” Brad whispers so that neither of our mothers can hear us.

And I can’t wait.