(End)
Two years later
"Why did I ever decide to do this with you." Karen moaned into her hands as she took in her reflection in the mirror. If she had ever felt ugly at any moment in her life, now was probably the worst.
Ashton walked around to his wife, wrapping his strong arms around her waist. "I think you look cute." He replied kissing her cheek. She didn't break away from his embrace, but laid the back head of her head against his hard chest.
"You know, I stopped taking your word when it comes to how I look after you tried to convince me that I could wear a plaid shirt with polka dot pants. So thank you, but I still think I look like the whale that swallowed Jonah."
He chuckled, releasing her. "Someone's been reading their bible," he smiled as he searched around for his shoes. When he finally found them he slid them on. "And don't worry, honey," he said sweetly, "I honestly don't think you look as bad as you're saying. Besides, being pregnant should be a wonderful moment. You should be happy."
"I am happy," she replied, "Just...big." She poked at her stomach, causing Ashton to laugh.
He grabbed her hand and reached for his cane. "Well, come on Mrs. Whale, we have a baby shower to attend." He joked, pulling her in the direction of the door.
She grabbed her jacket, reluctantly following after him. "Ha ha. Where do you ever come up with it?" She asked sarcastically as he shrugged.
"Learned from the best." He shot her a wink and she shook her head in amusement.
"Whatever. But seriously, don't you think it's a little too late to be having a baby shower? I'm already eight months pregnant."
He opened the front door of the house so she could go through first before shutting it behind him. "Come on, it's going to be a wonderful experience." He assured her as they stepped into the black limo waiting at the end of the driveway.
- - -
"Looks like your husband is going to be good with kids." Kevin commented as he watched Ashton try to help Eve braid her hair. He popped another piece of candy into his mouth, chuckling when Ashton finally finished.
Karen took a bite of her cake. "When I first found out that I was pregnant, I thought he was the one that was going to freak out and lose it, but he acted like the saints had just won the super bowl." She watched as Ashton said something into Eve's ear, causing her little face to light up as she laughed.
"I'm happy for you."
She turned to her brother and smiled. "Thank you..for giving me the kick I needed to go and fix things." She replied.
He took a sip of his soda. "Anytime," he smiled before sitting his soda can back against the table. "Uh-oh, Eve at six o'clock." He said as their now nine year old sister came barreling towards them, with Ashton in tow.
"Karen, Kevin!" She grinned happily, her brown eyes glancing up at them.
Karen laughed at her excitement. "Yes, Eve?" She questioned.
Eve pointed to her messy braid, or at least that's what she thought it was. "Mr. Foster made my hair look like Elsa. Do I look cute?" She said cutely, twirling around. Kevin held his hand over his mouth, trying his best not to burst into laughter.
"You..you - um, look," he choked and Karen elbowed him in his side to quiet him.
"You look so beautiful Eve, why don't you go and play with your friends while I talk to Mr. Foster for a little bit."
"Okay." She released his hand and skipped over to the group of other girls who were playing outside.
Karen glanced up at Ashton. "So, you're a beautician now?"
Ashton took a seat beside her. "That bad, huh?"
She shrugged. "Wouldn't give it an A plus, but I guess I can give you an E for effort." She pushed his hair from out of his eyes. "You're going to be a great dad."
Ashton smiled and grabbed her hands in his. Before he could reply Kevin groaned loudly.
Karen snapped her head to the side. "What's wrong?"
Kevin shook his head. "Nothing. Just stepped in some water. I have no clue where it came from, but wait a minute," he said looking under the table before quickly sitting straight up.
"Karen, your water broke." He said frantically. Karen rolled her eyes at her brother as she held up her cup.
"My water is just fine, Kevin. I didn't spill it."
Kevin shook his head, this time with wide eyes. "No, your water broke. How do you not feel that? You're going into labor!" He shouted, too freaked out to actually move.
Karen turned her head to her lap and shrieked. "Oh my goodness, the baby's coming!"
Ashton's face paled. "What?" He asked glancing in her direction.
"The baby's coming! I need to get to the hospital." She pushed herself up. Kevin and Ashton scrambled out of their seats.
"I'll call 911." Kevin yelled as he reached for his phone.
Karen huffed. "Don't call 911, just take me to the hospital."
Kevin looked up from his phone. "How?" He asked, feeling more overwhelmed than she was. She hit the back of his head as Ashton grabbed her arm.
"In your car, how else?" She said irately.
- - -
After several hours of labor, the baby was finally out and Karen was tiredly holding her baby against her chest as Ashton and Kevin looked on.
"I can't believe she had a girl." Ashton said in awe. Kevin rubbed the back of his neck as he watched Karen's doctor standing outside the room, holding his face in pain.
"I can't believe she socked her doctor in the face." He said in disbelief.
The small baby stirred in Karen's arms and she smiled. "Ashton, she's so beautiful." She cooed. Ashton sat down on the side of the bed and held out his arms.
"Can I hold her?" He asked nervously. Karen placed a kiss on the babys' head and placed her into Ashton's hands. She looked up at her father sleepily, her tiny eyelids opening and closing every now and then.
"What do you think we should name her?" Karen asked quietly, watching the pair. Ashton felt a tiny hand wrap around his finger and he felt his heart swell with love.
"How about Carlee?"
"Carlee." Karen said it aloud once, testing it out. "I think that's a beautiful name."
Ashton looked lovingly at his wife. "And I think that you're a beautiful woman." He replied, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
She smiled, laying her head against his shoulder. "Nice try, but you're not getting another one any time soon." She said, nodding to the baby in his hands.
"Had to try." He gave a shrug. "What about in two years?" He offered.
She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand as she glanced over to her baby girl and then to the love of her life. "Make it three years and I'll see what I can do."
Ashton laid an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. He had an amazing wife and a beautiful baby. He really couldn't think of anything else that could make him happy. He used to think that losing his sight was a curse, but maybe it was just a blessing in disguise. If he had never lost his sight, then he wouldn't have met Karen. Karen was the love of his life. The woman that God had specifically made for him. She was everything. She was his sight.
"I think I can agree with that, as long as you promise to stand by me forever." He replied.
And as they say, the rest is history.