Elissa pov

Uuuummm oh my God how a simple plate of pasta can give me all this happiness I said to myself

I am in my small kitchen enjoying my lunch alone but I got used to it now, I make my routine. Since I quit my job I spend almost all my day at home preparing the bedroom I will share with my baby soon. I am so excited and can't wait to hold him in my harms, yes him because I expect a boy. Honestly boy or girl it's the same for me the most important is a healthy child.

I quit or to be honest my boss throw me out because I was already 8 months pregnant and had a very huge belly so he can't accept to see me working anymore. At first I didn't want because I am thinking of staying with my baby several months after his birth and don't want to put him in the daycare immediately and for that of course I need money. But my boss reassured me, he will maintain my pay for four months and after that he will give me the half of my paycheck until my baby will be 8 months so I am so happy because thanks to that and my savings I can pay my bills and live properly, my boss told me I was always a very good employee so this is his gift for my baby and me I can't be more grateful.

Now I am on my ninth month of pregnancy, I feel little stressed because of the delivery but at least everything is ready to welcome my baby boy. I paint the baby's side of the room with green water color I hung painting and decorations, I set up his small closet, put his clothes in it and install a crib. I also put a rocking chair that Hailey offered me and I add small white and yellow pillows without forget a carpet under the crib and the armchair. I love the result it's so comfy and cute.

Of course I didn't do this alone, my neighbour Leo helped me. I met him one day near the elevator when I was struggling with big package trying to put it in the elevator but with my belly and lack of strength I couldn't do it so when he entered the residence and saw me like this he helped me so from that day we became friends. He knew I was living alone so he proposed to help me preparing all the things I need for my baby. Now each time I want or need something I go to him he lives just downstairs and the same for him. He became addicted to my food because yeah I am now a good cooker and let me tell you I am so proud. I learnt a lot during this last months cause I want to be the best mom and for that I make all this efforts.

After finished my lunch and cleaned the kitchen I decide to take a nap. But my baby didn't agree with that and kept kicking me it was fun cool at the beginning but I was very tired so I spoke with him trying to calm him in vain and after that amazing feeling my baby giving me was replaced by a high pain. I stayed in place at first but the pain increased and at this moment I know it I AM IN LABOR. I panicked cause I am alone and don't know how to react my fear paralysed me. Some minutes later I picked myself up and looked for my phone and dialled Hailey's number, I called many times but no response and that doesn't help me at all and I found myself crying

"What I will do now oh my God I will give birth here alone without any help oh no no no.... I hope just my water is not going to broke now oh please God help me and protect my son please"

I am a mess and my brain refused to work but I have to found a solution

"Yes Leo of course why I didn't think about him earlier" I yelled when the contractions became more violent.

I called him and thanks to God he replied

"Hey Elissa what's up?"

"Leo plea ah ahahahaha please come I ... think I am in labor pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaase" I screamed

"Oh my God Eli I am coming right now just calm down"

"Fast Leo fast" I said letting the phone fall. Five minutes later Leo came I asked him to take my bag that I already prepare he collected my phone and we made our way to his car. We were on the road to the hospital when Hailey called me

"Elissa you called me sorry I couldn't...."

I don't let her finish her sentence when I yelled due to the pain "haaaaaaaaaaaaa Oh my God I am dying"

"What why what happened to you!!!" she asked with worry

"I am in labor and we are going to...." I suddenly stopped when I felt wet I looked to my legs and saw my grey pants completely wet in the other side Hailey was asking

"Where are you now Eli answer me"

"Hailey my water broke and I am in my way to the hospital" I managed to say before another contraction hits me. Leo heard me and looked at me with wide eyes and I can say he is more afraid than me.

"Relax Leo and fix your eyes on the road please" It's the world upside down, it was me who need support and here I am giving it to him.

"Eli do you hear me" Hailey yelled

"Wow Hailey you want to make me deaf or what"

"But I speak to you and you don't respond! Like I said before I am coming don't panic ok"

"Yes please Hailey don't let me alone"

"Don't worry and I am going to call my parents to"

I hung up without replying cause the pain is just unbearable. We reach the hospital and Leo went to bring help so some minutes later I was on a stretcher. The nurse asked Leo if he is my husband I think she deduced that because he is holding my hand and was completely scared I replied for him

"No he is a friend I don't have a husband" She looked at me for a moment and said again with affection

"Ok dear don't worry we will take care of you, you and your baby will be fine I promise ok"

I smiled to her and mouthed a thank you. I was in the delivery room the same nurse helped me to change and lay on the hospital bed; the contractions became closer and more painful. My usual doctor came and checked me

"Hello Elissa you are not completely ready so you have to wait for your cervix to expend more ok"

"How much time doctor?"

"I can't tell but don't panic the baby's heartbeat is good and you too so just relax everything will be fine. Do you want an epidural for the pain?

"No I want to feel everything"

"Good so I will check other patient and come back"

When the doctor went out of my room Hailey came I was so happy to see her that I cried

"Oh Hailey you come"

"Eli of course I am here I can't miss my nephew's arrival and my parents too they are outside"

"Thank you"

"What I said Eli we are family"

I yelled in pain again but now Hailey is holding my hand, caressing my hair, kissing my forehead and giving me strength and encouragement all the things should have done. I shook my head I don't want to think about him now. It's a moment of happiness, of new start not sadness and regrets.

After five hours of pain and fight I hear the most beautiful sound in my life, my baby's cry and instantly all the pain vanished. My head hits the pillow I tried to keep my eyes open but I am exhausted for that. When I opened them again I was in a different room.

"My dear you are awake" Christine Hailey's mom said coming towards me and his husband Edward was behind her smiling to me

"How many hours I slept" I asked

"Almost 3 hours"

"Oh where is my son" I said looking around and panic when I don't see him

"Relax Eli he is in the nursery" Hailey who was on the couch reassured me

"Why is everything ok?" I asked with worry. I can't support if something happened to my son.

"He is fine I am going to bring him to you. They keep him there just because you were sleeping" Hailey said

"Yes please Hailey I can't wait to see him"

We were chatting with my ex in law and I really am happy to see them here they were always good and loving so despite my divorce I consider them like my parents and they considered me as their daughter I am grateful because they didn't turn their backs on me after the separation and when they came to see me after the divorce I will never forget what they said "We have faith in you Elissa you can always count on us and we want to be in our grandchild's life" I accepted who I am to refuse I just asked them to don't talk about their son and don't talk about my baby and I to him they respected my request.

The door opened and Hailey entered with a nurse pushing a small crib, Christine and Edward helped me to sit down and I expend my harms to the nurse so she can place my baby in them.

Let me tell you it's the most amazing feeling you can have, your own flesh and blood in your arms a part of you and of your heart.

"Oh my God he is so cute look at him Edward" Christine said caressing his head he just smiled at her looking at his grandchild with pure love

"He is so small Mum do you see his hands! And oh my God he pouts" Hailey said happily "I want to kiss this pout "She added. We all laughed.

I looked at him with adoration and in the same time fear and insecurity what if I can't protect him what if can't be a good mother for him? Like if Christine heard my questions she said

"Elissa you will be an excellent mother and we will be with you and our grandchild till our last breath don't we" She asked her husband in the same time

"Yes we will honey" Edward replied kissing my forehead

"Do you have a name Eli" Hailey asked

I looked at my baby again with tears and said "Yes Lucas.... Lucas Adrian Garner"

They all gasped, I raised my head to found them with tears flowing. Christine hugged me and said

"Thank you my daughter despite everything you name your son after him"

I didn't reply just kept looking to my baby, my love, my life, my everything.

I will give you the best life I promise you my son I said in my mind and at this time he opened his eyes looking straight to mine. A beautiful grey eyes like