I'm A Twenty-Two Year Old Widow And I'm All Alone...

My Little Miracle

Chapter Fourteen... My Little Miracle

After I'd alerted Ryan and Chelsea about my water breaking, we all climbed into the car along with the two kids. We picked up mom on the way, and dropped Nathaniel and Anastasia off at Chris' house with his wife. Chris came with us.

I was taken through to the labour ward straight away, and Ryan, Chelsea, Chris and mom all insisted on sticking around. In fact, they argued about who was gonna stay with me when the baby was being delivered.

"Okay, Carrie!" Dr Blight, the doctor I had been seeing for the last couple of months, said loudly. "You're already eight centimetres dilated."

"That was quick!" I gasped, having just had a contraction.

"Her contractions are already only three minutes apart," Ryan said firmly.

"It's gonna happen any minute now, isn't it?" I sighed. "My waters broke an hour ago! This is one bloody quick labour!"

"Not all labours are several hours long, Carrie," Dr Blight smiled. "You're one of the lucky ones, I'd say."

"Thanks, I think," I breathed.

I laid down and watched as Ryan, Chelsea, mom and Chris started arguing again over who got to stay in the room. The nurse had asked me to choose two who could come into the room, but the other two would have to wait outside.

"I'm staying in here with her, Chris!" Chelsea said loudly. "And I think Ry should as well. Because he's been more supportive towards Car, and you really haven't."

"I wanna be there, too, Chels," mom sighed. "She needs me."

"You three pick," Ryan offered. "I'm not family. I'm happy to wait outside."

"Ry, no!" Chelsea argued. "Carrie wants you in there."

"I wanna be in there, too!" Chris whined. "Chels, you don't need to be. You've got a kid!"

"So do you!" Chelsea retaliated.

"Oh, my God!" I groaned, the contractions getting closer and more instense. "I want you all in there, but I'm not allowed to because the nurse is a bitch!"

"Forget it, I'm gonna wait outside," Chris surrendered. "You sort it out, Car."

"I'm going in there, Chels," mom said firmly.

"So am I!" Chelsea demanded.

"If Lucas was here, neither of you would be!" I screamed. "Quit fighting over it! I'm having a baby here! Can't you just cut the crap?!"

They all fell into silence immediately. I sighed, taking a deep breath.

"I want you in there, Ry," I gasped. "Chels... I'd really like to have mom there, if you don't mind. I'd have you both if I could."

"It's fine," Chelsea sighed. "You might scare me off wanting more kids in the future, anyway."

"Thanks," mom whispered.

"No more arguing," I said firmly.

It was only another hour, and I was in the delivery room. Ryan held my left hand, and my mom held my right.

"This freaking hurts!" I screamed as I pushed.

"Almost there, Carrie!" Dr Blight smiled. "Just one more push."

"No more," I gasped. "No more..."

"The next contraction is only a few seconds away," Dr Blight said firmly. "Are you ready?"

"No!" I shouted, but pushed on the next contraction that came anyway.

The next thing was the most beautiful little baby scream I'd ever heard. Tears welled in my eyes, and I breathed heavily in relief. My baby was here.

"It's a girl!" Dr Blight announced, placing the amazingly warm, beautiful little baby on my chest. She had beautiful brown eyes, and her dark curls were all wet. She looked like Lucas.

"She looks like her dad," I cried hard, mom hugging me.

"She's beautiful, Carrie," mom smiled. Ryan was grinning from behind mom.

"Hello, Larissa Jade," I smiled at my daughter.

"Larissa?" Ryan asked.

"When we were trying for a baby, I suggested the name," I explained. "And after we'd discussed names, it was the only girls' name that Lucas liked. I'm not sure why, but she's definitely a Larissa."

"It's not a common name, either," mom smiled. "My first granddaughter!"

I couldn't stop crying. I had a beautiful little baby girl. The first daughter born in either mine or Lucas' families.

It was emotion I'd never experienced before. The joy of being a mother.

"I think Larissa's already picked Aunt Chelsea as her favourite," Chelsea smiled as she held her only niece for the first time.

"Athena's coming in the morning," I told her. "And Lucas' parents are, too. I told them they could come tonight, but they didn't want to intrude."

"And Mel's gonna give you a run for your money, Chels," Chris grinned. "But Uncle Chris will always be the favourite, won't he?" he added as Chelsea handed Larissa over to him.

"She's gonna be so spoilt," I smiled.

"She already is," Chris laughed.

"I'm gonna have to go pick up Ana soon," Ryan sighed. "I'll bring her up here in the morning. It's a bit late now. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Thanks, for everything," I said seriously, kissing him.

"Larissa's beautiful," he complimented. "Just like her mother."

I couldn't contain my smile as Chris handed my little girl back to me. I was falling in love with Ryan, and I could tell he was falling in love with me as well.

Larissa was born at 5.14pm, and everybody went home at around midnight. My 8 pound 13 ounce newborn daughter slept peacefully in her bed next to mine in the hospital. My head was filled with dreams of Lucas and I together, and dreams of Ryan and I together. In a perfect world, I'd still have Lucas with me.

And Ryan, sadly, wouldn't be a huge part of my life.

But Ryan understood, as he wished the same to be with his wife Angela.

It was hard to believe that my baby, my daughter, was finally here with me.