Chapter 11

“YOU’RE WHAT?!”

It was Shane who yelled. Holy crap, I never knew he could yell as loud as that. I jumped slightly afraid. He came in front of me and kneeled in front of me. He asked me if the baby was Mark’s. I just nodded and I burst out crying and Shane held me in his arms, rocking me softly. The others came and gave me a group hug, which made me laugh through my tears. Everyone was really mad at Mark after I told them what had happened.

“Mark’s a eejit!”

I raised my eyebrow when Kian commented. He shrugged saying it was true. The lads told me how much he had changed since he started going out with Lou. He would sometimes stay out all night long. I begged them not to tell Mark about the baby. I wasn’t ready – not just yet. Miriam tucked my hair behind my ears and gave me one of her special cousin hugs, which made me feel loads better. I confessed to everyone that I was scared out of my mind. I had just turned 20 years old recently. How the hell was I going to provide for the baby. And would I make a good mother?

The lads said that they would gladly help me out if I needed money, which was nice of them, but I said no thanks. I wanted to do this on my own. Suddenly Nix grabbed my hand and told me seriously that I wasn’t alone. Not anymore. This baby was going to get four dads instead of one which made everyone crack up. His eyes sparkled in amusement as he smiled. And Ashley piped up saying that the baby was going to get about four mothers. I sent her a mock angry glare. She backed down and said one mother which made us laugh again. I was glad that I had support just when I needed it the most. Telling Mark was the hardest thing to do. I wondered how was he going to react when I told him.

Unfortunately, I didn’t tell him, at least not yet. I’m about 7 months pregnant now. I look like a beached whale! I can’t even see my feet! And my back kills! It’s not funny! Try being pregnant and see how you like it when your baby kicks 24/7. I’m in the delivery room at the minute. My contractions started about 4am today. Freaking agony!! Never again am I getting pregnant!!!

During the labour, I somehow managed to kick the doctor between his legs hard when I had a contraction, I literally screamed in pain. Then again so did he but I was the one giving birth dammit not him. Luckily, I had Ashley and Mir with me. The doctor and the midwife told me only one was allowed to stay – I gave them an evil look and they immediately said they could stay. Problem solved. However, the labour itself took ages! I didn’t give birth until the next morning at 8.25am. 16 and half-hours I was in the delivery room for. There had been complications since the baby was in breech position, which were feet first instead of head first.

I had given birth to a baby boy. He looked like his father – especially his blue eyes. He didn’t want to open his eyes at first but he took one look at me and calmed down reasonably. The midwife told me she had to put him in an incubator too keep him warm since he was born early. Obviously, the lights in the room had to be dimmed as it was too bright for a new-born baby. A nurse stuck her head in and said my huge family asked to see me. I was slightly confused then it clicked – Ash must have told the guys and the other girls. Damn her! I told the nurse to let them all in. She did so but not before warning them that they could stay for a few minutes as I needed to rest after a difficult birth.

Ha, you should have seen the guys. They couldn’t stop touching my baby. In the end, I had to tell them to let him sleep! They apologised but I knew they weren’t really sorry because they had huge cheesy grins plastered on their faces. They were excited. However, Bryan asked me the dreaded question. If I had told Mark yet. The look on my face told them my answer. What the hell was I suppose to say?

“Hey Mark, guess what? I just gave birth to your son?”

Yeah right! Kian asked me if I knew. I asked him what I was supposed to know. Well, I had another bombshell dropped on me. Mark had asked Lou to marry him and she accepted. It was then I snapped. I told them to bring Mark over here. Drag him kicking and screaming if need be. However, I didn’t have to since Shane already left to get him. It wasn’t long until Shane came back; he stuck his head in the room where I had been moved. The incubator, which contained my son, was beside me. Everybody had left so I could bond with the baby. He asked me if it was OK to come in since he had Mark with him. I looked really nervous, hell I felt nervous but I nodded my confirmation.

He told Mark to go in and he left us alone in peace. Mark looked confused to why I was in hospital, he opened his mouth to ask me. He heard Michael’s (I named him Michael Alexander) cries. His mouth dropped open as I reached over and picked Michael up in my arms thus silencing his cries. I could hear him cooing and gurgling. I looked at Mark.

“This is Michael Alexander. Your son.”