Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“If she’s anything like you, she already has me wrapped around her fingers.”
“Like a true Bishop.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
KAITLYN
FOUR MONTHS LATER
"She's the spittin' image of you," Payton says as we stare down at the blond-haired, blue-eyed baby girl in my arms that we would, without a doubt, do anything for.
The unconditional love I've always heard about didn't make sense until the moment I found out I was pregnant. But seeing her, finally meeting the little one who's kicked me late at night and given me heartburn, is a feeling I can't explain.
"She looks like both of us," I correct. "But she does have your brooding eyes and my nose."
"And I'm willing to bet, your snarky personality and sass."
"Oh, without a doubt." I laugh, rubbing my finger over her soft cheek.
Twenty-four hours ago, I was miserable and begging Payton to put me out of my misery.
The How to Induce Labor article Payton found had a list of ideas to help do that very thing. And I did all of them.
Eating spicy foods.
Bouncing on a yoga ball.
Going for long walks.
And when those didn't work, we went back to how it all started.
Sex. Lots and lots of sex.
I told Payton he put this baby inside me, so he had to help get it out.
Sex hadn't been comfortable in my final month of pregnancy, but nothing was. Everything I ate gave me heartburn. Sleep was nonexistent, which made me exhausted and irritable.
And although nothing about my labor was easy, we have a beautiful nine-and-a-half-pound baby girl. Hours of slow progress meant not being allowed to eat. Eventually, the doctor broke my water, and that was when the real pain started.
Miserable didn't even cut it.
The pain was unbearable.
Pushing for two hours nearly made me pass out. At one point, I tried to tag Payton in so we could switch places. I was done.
But in the end, it was all worth it. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if it meant meeting our little girl.
"Kaylee Bishop Jamison, you've already stolen our hearts," I tell her.
"That's for sure." Payton leans down and presses his lips to the top of her head, then looks at me. "So when can we try for number two?"
I shoot him a death glare. "Never thought I'd say this but keep your dick away from me for at least two months."
Chuckling, he scoops Kaylee out of my arms and rocks her. "Your mama couldn't stay away from my dick even if it was on fire and shooting fireworks."
"Payton!"
"Just wait until I tell her all about how you begged and seduced me to knock you up."
"You better not, and that's a lie. I was perfectly content findin' me a sperm daddy."
He narrows his eyes, holding Kaylee closer. "Thank goodness she came to her senses, right? You picked me to be your daddy."
I can't even deny how cute they are together.
My family takes turns visiting and holding the baby for the next several hours. Grandma and Mom soak up as much time as they can, then we take a handful of pictures.
Hadleigh's due any day and is on bed rest, so she couldn't make it. Ivy stayed home with the twins since they're only a couple of months old and on strict sleep and feeding schedules.
The hour-long drive back and forth would've been a lot for them. However, my brothers came and met their niece.
Once it's quiet and everyone's left, Payton's phone beeps with a message. He reads it, then looks at me.
"She's here."
He puts Kaylee in my arms, then leaves. Moments later, he returns with his mom.
I met her for the first time at Easter dinner two weeks ago. He finally reached out to her after New Year’s to share the news, and when she found out she was going to be a grandma, she cried. That was all it took for her to finally ask for help so she could leave her abusive husband.
Days later, Payton moved her into an apartment in Eldorado and helped her file for divorce. Then a couple weeks after, he introduced her to Kat, the bakery owner in town, and she was hired on the spot. Now his mom delivers baked goods and helps with inventory.
From what we’re told, she loves it, and Kat says she's a great helper.
Payton couldn't be happier to have his mom back in his life.
"Oh my goodness," Carol gushes. "What a doll."
I place Kaylee in her arms. Her adoring smile is contagious as I watch her with her first grandchild.
"How’re you feeling?" she asks.
"Meh. Like I just pushed a baby out of my vagina."
She chuckles. "It'll feel like that for a bit."
Carol stays for an hour, sharing stories of when Payton was born and what he was like growing up. Between him being the shy kid and me being the adventurous tomboy, it'll be interesting to see who Kaylee favors.