Page 124 of Playing It Forward

Terri grasps my hands and squeezes. “What if I can’t do this?”

I kiss her forehead. “You can do this. You can do anything you put your mind to.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip. “I don’t know.”

“I do know. You’re the woman who tricked the entire offensive line into wearing pregnancy weight simulators for an entire day.”

“I didn’t trick them. Tanner claimed being pregnant wasn’t a big deal. I was teaching him.”

I snort. “You taught him all right. He’s now terrified of Alaia getting pregnant.”

“It’s his—” She cuts off with a scream.

“Okay, mamma,” Dr. Reynolds says. “Time to push.”

“You got this, sprite.”

“What if I’m a horrible mother?” she asks between pants.

“Impossible.”

“But my mom.”

“Isn’t here. I am. Believe me.”

She glances up at me. “Okay,” she whispers before grunting as she pushes.

“Good job, mamma. Keep it going.”

Terri glares at the doctor. “Call me mamma one more time, Jasmine.”

Jasmine doesn’t bother looking up from her task. “And you’ll what? Walk away? Don’t think so.”

The chatter dies after their exchange. Terri’s too busy trying to bring our baby into the world to yell at her friend. Although she does tell me I’m a flying pirate who should walk his own plank a few times. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing.

“This is it,” Dr. Reynolds says an hour later. “One more push.”

Terri is drenched in sweat. Her hair is matted to her head. Her face is red. And her eyes are full of pain. I wish I could take her pain away.

“Come on, Sprite. I can’t wait to meet our little mermaid.”

Her nostrils flare. “Then… you…can…push…her…out.”

“She’s coming!” the doctor shouts.

Terri screams and her hand squashes mine as she pushes one last time.

“Here she is,” the doctor mutters. She stands with the baby in her arms. Our baby. Tears well in my eyes.

And then the baby cries. It’s the most beautiful sound in the world. My knees wobble, and the tears are no longer in my eyes. They’re running down my cheeks, and I don’t care.

“Welcome to the world, baby Sirena,” Jasmine mutters before placing the baby on Terri’s chest. I draw my finger down her perfect little nose.

“She’s perfect.”

Terri smiles at her. “She is.” She glances up at me. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you stayed.”

I brush the hair from her face and kiss her forehead. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. You’re worth staying for.” I glance down at our little girl. “And with Sirena here now, we’re a family.”

♥♥♥