Michelle squeezed Nick’s hand and forced herself to push one more time, shrieking at the top of her lungs as she did it. Soon, another wail erupted through the room.
The doctor offered a congratulatory smile and shook their hands. “Mr. Carter and Miss Rudolph, you have a baby girl.”
Nick grinned at his girlfriend and wiped the tears off her face as the doctor handed the baby to her. “You did it, sweetheart.”
“I…we have a baby. She’s our little girl,” she said, barely above a whisper. “She’s beautiful.”
“Yeah, she is. She looks just like her mommy.” Nick let a tear escape his own eye before kissing Michelle gently.
“Katelin Ann Carter.”
Nick leaned his head against his girlfriend’s and stared at the precious bundle in her arms. As he touched Katelin’s cheek gently, he took a deep breath. “Shelle…” he said nervously.
“Yeah?”
Without hesitation, he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and knelt down before her. “Michelle Kristen Rudolph, will you marry me?”
“Are…are you serious?” she breathed.
“I’m dead serious, Shelle. I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he whispered in her ear. “A few weeks ago, I was watching you sleep, and I saw this picture in my mind. It was a picture of my future, and you were in it. I saw Katie in it, too. We were a happy family, and it was just perfect. I want my life to be like that. I want you to be my queen and Katie to be our little princess. Will you marry me?”
“Of course I will!” she exclaimed.
He kissed her on the forehead and slid the ring on her finger, and then they looked down at the baby. “Hear that, Katie? Your mommy and daddy are getting married,” Nick said in a child-like voice.
She laughed. “You are so adorable. I’m gonna love watching you interact with her.”
A young nurse stepped into the room and gently took Katelin from Michelle’s arms. “I’m just going to get her cleaned up. I’ll be back in a few moments.” As she walked back, she paused and turned around. “She’s beautiful. Congratulations.”
Just after the nurse left the room, Jane and Bob burst in, followed by the Carter kids, Joey, Jenny, and Laura. “We got here as soon as we could!” Jane exclaimed. “Is it a girl or a boy?”
“It’s a girl,” Nick replied. “Katelin Ann Carter. She’ll be back in here in a few minutes.” He looked down at Michelle’s hand and gestured for her to lift it up.
“What is that on your finger?” BJ squealed.
“We’re getting married!” Michelle cried.
Everyone crowded around the happy couple and shared a group hug.
After everyone had seen the baby and Michelle had drifted off to sleep, Nick sat alone with her in the hospital room. This was the happiest day of his life, without question. He had a little girl and he was marrying a woman.
“Nick,” she whispered. He looked up. He hadn’t known she was awake. “Are you still here, Nicky?”
“Of course I am, baby. I wouldn’t leave you if my life depended on it,” he replied, kissing her cheek.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I’m thinking.”
“Me, too. She’s so beautiful, Nick. I never thought something so beautiful could come from me.”
“I did.”
“We’re gonna be so happy together, you and me and Katelin.”
“I know.”
She yawned. “I love you,” she said before closing her eyes again.
“I love you, too, baby. I love you, too.”