Tatted Cowboy (19 page)

“I love you,” he tells me through kisses.

“I love you, too,” I sob.  “I’m so happy, Luke.  So,
so
happy.”

“Me too, sweetheart.  Me, too.”

He wipes me clean and then pulls me into his arms.  His fingers trace lazy circles over my lower stomach, while mine blindly trace the tattoos over his chest.

“Gran’s gonna be pissed when she finds out we’re pushing back the wedding,” he says softly.

I smile.  If anyone is more excited than me about our wedding, it’s Gran.  She has been on our arses for months – first to set a date, then to start planning. 

“Yeah,” I agree.  “But, I’m thinking a new baby might soften the blow a little.”

One Month Later

I slide on my strappy, wedge sandals and grab my lip-gloss from my handbag.

“I’ll be ready is a sec,” I yell out to Luke, who’s waiting patiently by the front door for me.

“I bet,” I hear him mutter.  I don’t reply though, I swipe on my lip-gloss, toss it back in my handbag and sling the strap over my shoulder.

“Ready,” I say, walking towards him. 

“Good.  Let’s go.”

Fifteen minutes later, we walk in to The Cow and Calf and head straight in to the restaurant.  Everyone is already here by the looks of it, so I throw a quick wave to everyone but make a beeline for Gran.

“Happy birthday, Gran.”  I lean down and kiss her cheek.

“Thanks, love.  Just another day really.”

“No it’s not, Gran.  If it’s your birthday, you should celebrate – always.”

She pats my arm, agreeing to disagree.  Gran didn’t want to make a fuss over her birthday, but I insisted.  I called up Mum and Dad and asked them come up to Pine Creek for the weekend.  Then, I spent the afternoon on the phone inviting Maude, Ava, Jeremy and Oscar, Edie, Jackson, Olive and Max, Jules, Clay and Banjo.  Plus, I invited Ava’s parents, Rhonda, Skip, Dory, Sienna and Zeke.  I did ask after Mr and Mrs Henley, but they’re off caravanning so they couldn’t make it.

Not only did I hire the restaurant for the night, but I also asked the kitchen staff to cater a set meal for the night to make it easier for everyone, but especially the waitresses.  Soon after we arrive, they bring out plates of roast beef and roast chicken along with trays of baked vegetables.

“How are things at the salon going, darling?” Mum asks from across the table. 

“It’s going great.  I’ve been so busy, which is fantastic.  I’ve got bookings a couple of months in advance for weddings, engagement parties and the girls who are doing their debutante ball asked me to do their make-up, as well.”

“That’s fantastic!”

“Yeah, it really is.”

“Olive, no! Max! Don’t touch that,” I hear Edie saying.  I look over and see Olive and her little brother, Max, who are both the spitting image of their daddy –olive skin and dark hair – creating havoc. Max is toddling around trying to grab glasses from the table.  And behind him, egging him on, are Olive and Banjo.  He is the sweetest little boy, and the perfect combination of Jules and Clay.  Tonight, Jules has shaped his dark blond hair into a mohawk, and he just looks simply adorable.  When he smiles, the dimple he inherited from his father appears in his cheek and you just want to squeeze him!

I can’t wait until mine and Luke’s little baby is playing with them.

Luke gives my thigh a squeeze and we both stand.  Using my fork, I tap on my glass to get everyone’s attention.

“I just wanted to say a few words, if you don’t mind.  Firstly, I’d like to wish my beautiful Gran a very happy birthday.”  I pause while everyone agrees, raising their glasses and cheering
here here!
  “You’ve always been there for me, Gran, through the best times in my life, through the worst time, and through all the times in between.  I love you so much.”  I swallow my tears and keep going, while Luke gives my hand a squeeze in encouragement.  “Secondly, I’d just like to thank all of you for coming out tonight to help Gran celebrate.  It means a lot and I hope you all have a great night.”  Luke hands me Gran’s gift and I lean over to pass it to her.

“Happy birthday, Gran.”

“Thank, love, but you didn’t have to get me anything, you know that.”

I smile, knowing she would say that.  “Go ahead and open it,” I encourage.

“Just while Gran is opening her gift, Luke and I would just like to quickly let everyone know that we are pushing back the date of our wedding. We haven’t decided on a new date, yet, but as soon as we do, we’ll let you all know.”

Just as I finish speaking, Gran gasps, loud and clear.

“Oh! Oh my.  Oh!” she stutters.  She looks to me, then to Luke, then back down at her gift and back to me again.  Tears glisten in her eyes.  “Is this … Oh my. Oh.”

I start laughing.  “Happy birthday,” I whisper.

“What is it?” A few people ask at the same time.

Stunned, Gran holds her gift up for everyone to see.

In her hand is a beautiful, delicate China teacup.  On the front, I had our first ultrasound picture printed.  Above the picture are the words:
I’m going to be a Great Gran.

“Oh my god! How exciting.  Congratulations.”  Edie, Ava and Jules all round the table to hug Luke and me.  They kiss our cheeks and swat away their tears, deliriously happy for us.

Next up, my parents come around to hug us.  We’d already told them earlier in the day, not wanting them to find out tonight with everyone else.  Of course, they were ecstatic, and can’t wait for the baby to arrive.  As soon as we told them, Mum jumped online and started browsing baby shops!

After everyone has congratulated us, all of the boys go into the bar to share a celebratory drink with Luke, while all the girls stay at the table to talk babies.

Through it all, Gran clutches my hand, and each time I catch her eyes, she gives me a smile and dabs the wetness running down her cheeks.

“I’ve never been more happy, love.  I’m so happy for you I could burst.”

“I love you, Gran.” I wrap my arms around her and hold her close.  “I love you,” I repeat on a whisper.

“Love you, too, love,” she chokes out.

6 Months Later – Luke

“You’re all set, man.  Just keep the cover on it for a few hours and keep it dry.” I hand John, my client, an instruction sheet on how to keep his new tatt clean and then I send him out to Bella so she can take his money.

“Cheers, bro.  See you next time.”

I shake his hand and walk back into the room to clean up.

I’ve just finished wiping down the bench and discarding the disposables when my mobile rings in my pocket.  Pulling it out, I see Laura’s name flashing across the screen.

“Hey, sweetheart, everything okay?”

“Hey, babe,” she replies.  Her voice sounds tight and I immediately start to worry.  Her due date was yesterday, but since there has been no sign of the baby, and because she has felt well enough, she worked today and yesterday.  I didn’t want her to.  I wanted her to stop work the minute I found out she was pregnant, but she insisted.  Today, she was taking it easy, doing a few waxes and a pedicure.

But, the doctor said any day now.

“I think it’s time,” she says, her voice sounding strained.

“Fuck.” 
Fuck! 
I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm.  As I run through the shop and out to my ute, I try to keep my voice level and calming for her. “Okay, sweetheart, keep calm.  I’m on my way.  You at home or the salon?”

“Salon.  Oh shit!”

“Oh shit, what?  What’s oh shit?”  I pull onto the road and hightail it to her shop.

“Oooh, they’re just getting stronger now.  It’s eased now.” I can hear her relax through the phone.

“I’m nearly there, sweetheart.  Nearly there.”

I pull up out the front and leave the ute running as I race inside.  “Laura?” I call when I don’t see her in the front part.

“In here,” she shouts back.  I race into the private room and see her bent over the massage bed, her arms stretched out, bracing her.  Her hips are swaying, and she’s breathing deep and loud.

“Hey.  Hey, baby, you okay?”

“Yeah, let’s just get to hospital.”

I lift her into my arms and carry her out to my ute.  I bundle her in, strap on her seatbelt and then we start the two-hour drive to Darwin hospital.

When we arrive at the hospital, I wheel into the Emergency zone and shout for someone to help.  Laura is sweating and moaning through each contraction, which are coming almost fucking on top of one another. 

A nurse comes out with a wheelchair, and once Laura is in it, we take off down the corridor to the Labour and Delivery part of the hospital.

“You doing okay, sweetheart?” I ask, wiping her forehead with a warm washer. Fucking hell, I don’t know what I’m doing.  I hate that she’s in so much pain and where the fuck is the doctor with the drugs?!

“I’m okay.” She tries to smile, but doesn’t succeed. 

The nurse comes in, all cheery and I want to smack her upside the head.

“Okay, Laura, let’s see how you’re doing.”

Just as Laura opens her legs, she lets out an almighty grunt and cries out.  “
I’ve got to push!
”

Holy fuck!

Fucking fuck.

Shit.

“Oh wow, I can see the head.  Let me call the doctor.”  The nurse jumps up and runs to the door, calling for help and then she returns to quickly pull out the instruments she needs.  The room becomes a hive of activity and I’ve never felt more out of my element than in this moment.

“Okay, Laura, let’s have this baby.” She smiles from her position between Laura’s legs.

Laura grips my hand like a deadly vice.  “Luke,” she pleads her voice suddenly sounding scared.

I get down in her face, my nose touching hers and I fight the urge not to break down.  “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.  You can do this.”

“I’m scared,” she cries. 

“I know, I know you are, baby.” Fuck, my heart is breaking for her.  “But, you got this.  You got this, baby.  I’m right here, all the way.”  I clear my throat and ignore the burning in my eyes as I say my next words softly, so only she can hear.  “Let’s make Gus a big brother, baby.”

“Okay,” she sobs.

She sits up, her face suddenly turning determined, and she looks at the floor across the room as she pushes with all her might.  My hand turns white from the grip she has on me, but I don’t even feel it.  I hold my breath with her and pray to God this doesn’t take long.

“Come on, Laura, you can do this.  One more big push.  Now!” the nurse instructs.

Laura pushes and then she slumps back on the bed, clearly exhausted. 

“The head is out. Good work, Laura.  Now just a little push.  That’s it.”

I lean down and kiss her tears away. 

“Good job, sweetheart,” I say, just before a high-pitched wail fills the room and I turn my attention to the end of the bed where the nurse is lifting our baby from between Laura’s legs.  She lays the baby on Laura’s chest and I swear to god, my heart explodes in my chest.

“What have you got, Dad?” the nurse asks, grinning.

I peek in between the baby’s legs.  “A girl,” I choke out.  “We’ve got a baby girl,” I repeat, telling Laura.  I bend down and kiss them both repeatedly.  My tears fall down and splash onto our baby girl’s face, mingling with Laura’s.  I’ve never felt so much love in my life.  I never even knew this kind of emotion existed.

It’s soul consuming.

“She’s so beautiful,” Laura coos.

I couldn’t agree more.  Both of my girls are the most beautiful creatures in the world.

***

Later, while Laura is taking a shower, I look down at the baby girl sleeping peacefully in my arms.  She’s wrapped in a pink blanket, only her little face sticking out the top.  I brush my hand over the downy blonde hair covering the top of her head and then lift her up to meet my lips, so I can place a kiss on her soft forehead.

My eyes move to read over the birth announcement card displayed in her hospital crib and I read the words for the hundredth time today:

Ella Marjorie Stewart

7lb 2oz

Father:
Luke 
Mother:
Laura

I’m a father.

Laura comes out of the shower and sits down beside me.

“She’s so beautiful,” she murmurs, stroking Ella’s cheek.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world because the two most beautiful girls are mine,” I tell her honestly.

She smiles, lighting up so much it almost blinds me.

“I love you, Luke.”

“I love you, too, Laura.”

Looking down to Ella, Laura says softly, “You’re the luckiest little girl in the world, baby.  You’ve got the best Daddy and a special big brother who’s always going to look after you.”  A tear falls from her eye and lands on Ella’s cheek.  Laura chuckles and swipes it away.  Then, she looks to me and says, “And I’m the luckiest Mummy in the world.  Thank you for loving me, baby,” she whispers.