Love Was Easy When We Didn't Make It So Hard

"Mama?" Jordan called from his spot in the living room where he sat, surrounded by his toys. I was very slowly loading the dishes around my large, nine month pregnant stomach. Bending over was ridiculously hard, but I was sick of the dirty kitchen, and with Eric in Denver for the weekend, I didn't really have a choice.

"Mama!" Jordan called again with much more eagerness to his voice. I sighed and straightened myself up, placing one hand on my back and the other below my baby as I made my way to the living room.

"Yes, Jordan?" I asked him, leaning against the couch for more support. My little man turned to me, long brunette hair flopping about his head as his brown eyes twinkled at me. He smile and showed off his two rows of white teeth. I couldn't help but smile back at his puffy, red cheeks.

"More juice, pease." He insisted politely, holding up his green sippy cup with blue cars dotting the surface. I nodded and grabbed the cup from him, moving slowly back to the kitchen to fill the cup with apple juice. When I returned with the cup, my son smiled gratefully up at me as he sucked down a third of the gold liquid. "Where's dad?" My son asked.

"He's on a plane." I told Jordan what he already knew.

Eric had left on Friday morning to make sure everything was in order for when we arrived in Denver. I was nine months pregnant and unable to fly, so it was especially important that everything was ready not only for Jordan and I, but our new baby as well. Eric and I decided we didn't want to know the sex of the baby this time, wanting to be surprised on baby Decker's birthday. Eric and I had a panned a cesarean section this time, not wanting to go through the same drama of the day Jordan was born. I needed Eric to be here, and he was flying in today with that in mind. Tomorrow, we would welcome our second child into the world.

"Daddy will be home soon." I reassured him as he drove his truck's along the carpeting.

I settled into the red and white striped chair I had been curled up in when Eric dropped me off before heading back to Chicago, a month before Jordan was born. It was hard to believe that my baby was now a big, bad three year old, and was about to be a big brother. I got teary eyed just thinking about how fast he was growing up. Pretty soon he would be in football, baseball, hockey, and anything else he wanted to do. He was already showing signs of his athletic nature, which he obviously got from his father.

"When's the baby comin'?" Jordan wondered, getting up and placing his hands against my large stomach. He was absolutely fascinated by the thought of his mom carrying a baby inside of her. He loved to run his hands along the baby and feel the kicks. Although, seeing the feet protruding did freak him out a little bit. But he talked to his little sibling daily and professed his love just as much.

"Tomorrow." I reminded him, trying not to laugh at the conversation we already had today. When Jordan was excited about something, it was all he could talk about.

"I's a boy?" He asked, his nose wrinkling in curiosity.

"We don't know yet." I murmured, running my hand over his thick hair that was in need of a trim. But Jordan wanted to be everything like his dad, and right now, Eric had long, thick locks that curled at the ends and the top of his shirt collars. "Do you want a baby brother?" I asked him. He nodded to me, lips pursed preciously as he did so. "You'll still love the baby if it's a girl though right?"

"Yes, mama." Jordan murmured, pressing his lips to my belly button. "Love you." He smiled down at the baby as it moved against my skin and Jordan's hands. "Baby likes me!" Jordan grinned excitedly, his teeth sparkling with his eyes. I laughed down to him, nodding my head excitedly.

"The baby loves you very much." Jordan beamed excitedly at me, squirming around to get onto the couch to snuggle up against me. "Should we call daddy and see where he is?" I asked Jordan. "Maybe, he's already landed." I kissed his head before grabbing my phone from my pocket.

"Hey baby." Eric answered after three rings. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Stop being a worry wart. But, Jordan is wondering where his favorite person in the world is." I held the phone in one hand and ran my fingers through Jordan's hair with the other.

"Only Jordan wants to know?" Eric asked with an amused tone.

"Yeah. Baby Decker and I couldn't care less." I chuckled as he snorted to me.

"My babies love me." Eric insisted. "And I'm on my way home. I'd say one minute away."

"That close?" I questioned, finding it weird that he was already in town. His flight wasn't supposed to leave until six and it was only eight PM.

"Yeah I took an earlier flight because they were talking about storms rolling in to Denver and I didn't want to be stuck there."

"Good option." I smiled.

"Yeah, I figured since Denver has a tendency of not wanting to let me out of the city." Eric chuckled. It was much easier to joke about that with him already being in Minnesota. Otherwise, it wouldn't be funny. "Anyway, I'm just pulling in to the driveway. I'll see you in a sec."

The moment he hung up I heard the garage door lifting and my blood pressure decreased to a normal level again. I would be lying if I didn't say that I was scared he wouldn't be here in case I went in to labor early. Babies were unpredictable that way. Jordan bounded off the couch screaming "daddy!!!!!!" as he ran into the kitchen, his hair flopping about as he went. He reached the door as Eric walked through, Gabby right there next to Jordan to greet their favorite man.

"Hey little man." Eric grinned down at our son, dropping his carry on next to his suitcase to pick him up. "Hey pup. You missed me too huh? Gee, I guess mama's right, she didn't miss me. You can't even get off the couch?" Eric asked with an amused look. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Watch it Decker, or you won't be in the delivery room." I threatened.

"You need me in there." He chuckled, walking over with Jordan in his arms and Gabby tagging along behind. He leaned down and placed his lips gently against mine, his unoccupied hand going down to rest lightly against our child. He pulled away when he felt the series of kicks from my womb, placing his face against the baby. "Kisses for the baby!" He exclaimed, leaning Jordan down to press his small lips against my stomach. I laughed at my boys, placing a calming hand against my stomach to soothe the baby from breaking my ribs.

"Are you ready to greet the world, baby cakes?" Eric asked my stomach, pausing to feel the kicks and movement. Eric loved me pregnant- that much was obvious.

"I'm ready." I sighed, running my fingers through Jordan's hair as he snuggled between Eric and I.

Things were about to change for Jordan. He wasn't going to be the only child anymore and I was worried he wouldn't transition smoothly, even with all the preparing Eric and I had done. Tears would sting my eyes whenever I thought of my little boy feeling neglected or unloved because the new baby needed so much more attention. I pulled him tighter to me, dropping a kiss to his head.

"I can't wait to meet this little terror." Eric chuckled, speaking of the several nights I hadn't been able to sleep because the baby was nocturnal.

"Be nice," I sighed, leaning my head back on the cushions and closing my eyes, hands on the baby protectively.

"Are you all packed? Do you need me to get anything ready for the baby or you?" Eric wondered, brushing my bangs away from my face.

"No, I have both outfits and everything of mine packed. The car seat is already in the car, and I have Jordan's stuff all ready for my mom's."

"Gee, you didn't leave me anything to do. I'm you deadbeat husband now?"

"No, I'll let you get up at 3 AM to soothe a cranky baby." I grinned at him.

"Oh, you'll let me, huh?"

"Lucky man." I mused to him, cupping one of my hands around the back of his neck. I pulled him down, kissing his lips gently. "I'm glad you're home. I missed you."

"I missed you too. I love you, baby, and I can't wait to go through tomorrow with you. You're going to be great."

I'm nervous." I admitted, biting my lip nervously.

"It's okay. I'll be in there with you, and we have a very good doctor who knows what she is doing." He kissed my forehead gently.

"It's still major surgery." I frowned cupping the baby. "What if they cut something important?"

"Hun, they do this all the time. Don't stress yourself out by worrying."

"You're right." I sighed guilty, "but I'm still going to worry a little." Eric chuckled gently.

"Alright. How about you go worry in bed while I get this little guy ready to sleep. The sooner we go to sleep, the sooner the baby comes!" Eric exclaimed as he hoisted Jordan into his arms.

I rolled my eyes at Eric, but excited butterflied beat against the walls of my stomach. Tomorrow, I would become a mom again.
***

I sat alone in my hospital room, gown on, and the sun shining into the room throughout the cracks in the blinds. Wires and IVs were connected to my body and preparing me for my c-section. Eric was in the cafeteria, grabbing some coffee, and making sure all the family was here. We had insisted they wait until the baby was actually born, but none of them listened.

I was spending my last few moments enjoying the silence and the final seconds with the baby. My hands rested on my large bump, carefully of the sticky wires. I watched the heart monitor, thankful that both baby and I had strong, healthy heartbeats. We both needed to be ready for this surgery, but the closer it got to our times, the more I wanted to curl around the baby and keep it in there. I looked towards the couch where the baby's car seat was along with pink and blue outfits. Soon, we would know which color our baby would be dressed in.

I noticed movement in the doorway, and I smiled at the sight of Eric leaning against the doorway, Jordan holding his hand. I opened my arms to Jordan who smiled largely and hopped towards me.

"Mama." He murmured sweetly, nuzzling his nose into my shoulder.

"Hi, baby." I kissed his cheek and held him close.

"I see you soon?" He asked. Eric already told him this was goodbye for a little bit.

"Of course. You be good for grandma and grandpa."

"Okay. I draw a picture for you and da baby." He stated so smartly.

"We would like that." I smiled, kissing his cheeks. The last thing I wanted to do was let him go, but I allowed Eric to scoop him up and bring him to the family lounge to wait with everyone else.

I waited for Eric to come back with my hands still holding the baby, and my eyes trained on the TV. Some talk show ran across the screen in a series of colors, but I wasn't really seeing it. I was too busy thinking about all the ways our life was about to change. But I wasn't scared as I had been for the past couple weeks, I was so excited that I contemplated calling the nurse down to get the show on the road. Eric was leaning in the doorway again when I looked up. He smiled at me, brown eyes filled to capacity with love and devotion. I couldn't help but smile back at that look.

"Come here." I demanded softly. Eric complied immediately and sat next to me on the bed. "Are you ready, daddy?" I asked him, running my hands through his hair.

"Yes, mommy. I've been ready since you told me in our hotel room." He kissed my nose and held me close to his chest. "And everything is going to be fine, so don't worry about it."

"Now that it's happening so soon, I feel fine." I shrugged honestly.

"Good, then you can soothe me when I'm freaking out." He chuckled as I tolled my eyes.

"I have never seen you outwardly show how scared you were."

"Yes you did. When you left me." Eric stated with an unamused expression. I pursed my lips to keep from laughing at his irritated face.

"Never forget that you deserved it, and that it made us so much more stronger. Remember, I choose to marry you anyway." I kissed his nose as he huffed in agreement. "And we are about to have another beautiful baby."

"I guess that makes up for the heartbreak." He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on my lips. I could feel all of the emotions pouring out of his body and into mine. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, appreciating the strength of his body pressing against mine. A knock at the door interrupted out moment, making me pull away.

"Sorry to interrupt." The resident nurse smiled, "but it's time to prep you for surgery, Mrs. Decker." She smiled gently as Eric stepped away, holding my hand delicately in his.

"I guess I should leave for a minute then?" Eric smiled.

"Yes, you need to get scrubbed in pretty soon, dad." She returned his smile before Eric dipped out of the room.

After all of the prepping was down, several other nurses walked into the room along with Eric, and the began to wheel me down to the operating room. Eric grabbed my hand and kissed it before giving me a reassuring squeeze. He could see the tears welling in the corners of my eyes. Now that we were actually in the operating room, I was terrified and almost burst completely into sobs when Eric had to get scrubbed up.

"I'll be back. Don't worry, honey." I nodded in reassurance as they began to hook my IV's back up. I looked through the window at Eric as he joked with the doctor for a moment before he looked at me and puckered his lips. He saw my lip trembling and walked back in quickly, sitting down behind my head and kissing my forehead gently. "You're alright." He kept his lips there and took both of my hands in his. "Don't be scared. In a few minutes, we're going to have a baby!" He exclaimed quietly. His thumbs swiped away the tears that streamed down from my eyes.

They began to numb my body with the medicine on top of the epidural that already had my legs tingling numbly. I gripped Eric's hands tighter as the doctor told me he would be making his first incision. I bit my lip and took in a deep breath until my lungs wouldn't take in anything else. Eric gently rubbed his thumbs over the top of my hands as the nurse looked down at me to make sure I was doing alright. The minutes seemed to pass like hours as they cut through each layer until they were just one more cut away from the baby.

"I'm just about to make the last incision which will lead us to the baby." The doctor told Eric and I. My hands tightened instinctively as Eric leaned down and whispered excitedly.

"Here it comes!"

The sound of a cry filed the room as the baby was pulled from my body with a large amount of pressure filling my abdomen. Once the pressure passed, the relief swelled through my body that the baby was out. Eric was looking around the curtain, both of us trying to figure out if the baby was a boy or a girl. Until the words were spoken to us.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Decker, you have a gorgeous baby girl."

I started sobbing immediately as Eric sat back in absolute awe. My mouth was open in absolute shock because until this moment, I was absolutely convinced the baby would be another boy. Eric leaned down, a large grin on his face as he kissed me all over until his tears were hitting my face. He rested our foreheads together as I wrapped my arm around his neck and cried tears of pure happiness.

"What does she look like?" I asked him once he had pulled away to look towards where she was getting cleaned off.

"She's covered in goop." Eric laughed. "She's got thick, brunette hair, and she's smaller than Jordan was."

Eric ended up being right Delaney Marie Decker was only 7 pounds 5oz, a good pound and some change smaller than her older brother. She did have a head full of thick, almost black hair, and she had the most precious face I had ever laid eyes on. Her lips were just as thick as Eric's, but her eyes were the same green as mine. My eyes were low as I looked at her. I was alone with Delaney, or baby Dee as Eric has already named her, while Eric went to get Jordan to meet the new baby.

"Mama! Mama! I drew you a picture!" Jordan yelled loudly as he popped into the room, Eric following behind quickly.

"No bud!" Eric called as he scooped Jordan from the air just before he leaped onto me. Eric's face explained it all as he breathed a sigh of relief while his worried expression turned into relief. "Mama and baby are very fragile. You need to be careful. Only small snugs." Eric chuckled.

"Do you want to meet your little sister, Jord?" I asked him. He nodded enthusiastically, pulling out a wrinkled piece of paper.

"I need her name!" He mumbled. "For my picture." Eric smiled at the paper before Jordan showed me.

On the paper were stick figures of mommy, daddy, Jordan, and a bundle that looked more like a random oval was next to Jordan with the baby spelled out in big, black letters. Gabby was in the picture as well, her tongue out of her mouth like it always was when she was excited.

"That is a very beautiful picture." I smiled at my little boy. I could see how bad he wanted for me to hold him, so I told Eric to set him down next to me.

"Wha's her name?" He asked, peering over the pink blanket and looking down at the sleeping baby.

"Delaney Marie Decker." I kissed his forehead gently.

"She has my last name." He grinned at me. Eric and I both laughed loudly.

"Yes, she does bud." Eric smiled, kissing my cheek and Jordan's head. His large hand rested on top of Delaney's head.

"I love her." Jordan stated, gently patting her stomach with his pudgy hand. He leaned against Eric's chest where he sat on the bed, all of us gazing down at the new addition to the Decker family. She already had us wrapped around her small finger.

"I love all of you." Eric murmured, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "I wouldn't give this up for anything." He told me, brown eyes swimming with emotion. I smiled at him, kissing his lips.

And at that moment, I didn't need anything else in the world. Life was finally ending up the way Eric and I wanted it too.