A Series of Fortunate Events

"Good morning, sweetheart." His lips whispered against my ear and I turned around to face him.

"You're looking devilishly handsome this morning." I smiled as I leaned in to kiss him.

Hunt had to move his head closer to reach my lips seeing that my massive pregnancy bump was in the way.

His lips then moved to my belly, "Good morning, baby." I smiled down and I was filled with from head to toe with warmth, happiness and love. "We'll be seeing you any day now. I can't wait to see your little small and hands and eyes. And I hope that you'll have your mommy's sassy attitude so she can see how difficult - "

"Hey!" I swatted the back of his head and he lifted his head up to grin sheepishly at me.

"You gran organized a small event today. It's a baby shower for your mom and afterwards we're gonna go shop for everything we'll need for your room. I know it's silly that we waited so long but I know we'll be prepared in two months no matter what. Now behave yourself because I can't be dealing with a troublesome child already."

I laughed and pulled Hunt back up so we were face to face.

"I love waking up like this every morning." Hunt's one hand rested on my bump and the other was holding my cheek. "I'm gonna miss this little bump when it's gone."

"You're seriously going to miss this?"

"What? You won't?"

"Well obviously there'll be certain things I'll miss but overall holding our baby in my arms will be better than it resting in here." I rested my hand over Hunter's that was resting on my belly.

"Well you've made a good point. Plus I just remembered one thing I'll be glad to have again once our baby is born..." His smirk told me everything I needed to know and my response was rolling my eyes.

*6 months later*

Hunter and I had immediately fallen asleep after a long, busy day but with a 4 month baby, sleeping a full 5 hours was lucky. So when we'd just hit the 3 hour mark and we heard crying again, I started to turn to get out of the bed.

"You sleep, Em. I'll go see what she needs and put her back to sleep." Hunter was out of bed before I could protest and left me with a quick kiss on my forehead.

I wasn't appreciating the fact that I was given the opportunity to sleep but whenever Hunt sang, I was always enticed. And him singing a lullaby to our daughter was no different.

A few moments after the crying had eventually stopped and Hunt's singing did too, he crept back into bed but he saw I was awake, "Hey momma you're supposed to be sleeping."

"I couldn't help it. You were singing Hunt, you know how much I love it when you sing." I turned around to face him.

"Ok. Close your eyes." He leaned his head on his hand to lift himself slight.

"What? Why?"

"Just do it, sweetheart." His smile had me convinced to do as I was told.

I felt movement and then Hunt was breathing right by my ear. After a deep breath he started singing.

Something. The Beatles. Our first dance song at our wedding.

It was after he had finished singing the song that he wrapped his arms around my waist and left a chaste kiss behind my ear.

*1 year later*

Alison lifted her arms to me, "Uppy mama."

Once she was securely held in my arms, she turned to face her dad.

"Mama big." She tapped my round belly and smiled up at me.

"Are you excited to have a baby brother Ali?" Hunt leaned over to kiss her head.

Her head nodded enthusiastically and her smile was shockingly wide.

"Next time we see you, you'll be seeing James too." I bopped her nose and she giggled.

"Aunty Ivy and Uncle Theo are excited to look after you for a little. Go knock on the door for them, Ali." I put her down and handed her her baby suitcase.

She stumbled towards the door but eventually got there, all in one piece. She turned around at us and smiled before softly hitting the door with the palm of her hand.

Ivy ripped open the door and immediately picked up Alison who was squealing in delight. Theo was waiting patiently for Ali to hug him too. I rested my head on Hunter's shoulder and he wrapped a arm around my waist to pull me closer. Together we lovingly watched the newly weds. They got married last year and jumped at the opportunity to babysit Alison to see if they could cope with a child.

"My beautiful friend! You are glowing babes!" Ivy was hugging me from the side, big bumps made encounters like these awkward but Ivy handled it extremely well.

"Thank you for looking after our little girl for the next day or two." Hunt smiled at Theo who was bouncing Ali on his hip.

"I could keep Miss Alison Rose Maddox with me forever!" Theo happily announced, "We're going to have the best time aren't we Ali."

"Well I have definitely been replaced. I hope Alison knows how to cook because a husband like mine... Well..." She dragged her last word and Theo simply frowned at her. "Now you two leave! Go check in at the hospital and when your beautiful baby boy is born let us know so Ali can come and meet him."

"Of course! Thank you Ivy!"

"Anything for you my dear!" She called out as Hunter helped me into the car.

"Just don't spoil her too much or she'll never want to come home." Hunt said as he got in.

Ivy waved us off , "That was the plan! Teach little Alison how to put the mad in Maddox!"

Hunter and I burst out laughing and almost a moment after our laughter had eventually slowed down I felt my water break.

"Hunt, let's hit the gas cause my water just broke."

Hunter looked over at me and swore softly under his breath.

He grabbed my one hand and gave it a quick kiss, "We've got this, sweetheart."

*A few hours later*
___________________________
Anderson + Maddox

Hunt 🤗❤️
Our little James Ryder Maddox was born today at 4:53pm. He is well and healthy. Well let you know when everyone can come see him. Ems is doing brilliantly too!
Read 9:41pm
___________________________

"Mama! Papa!" Ali ran into the room and bounced up down impatiently waiting for one of her parents to pick her up.

Hunter was squashed next to me on the bed but he effortlessly reached down to put Ali on his lap. Our whole family was cocooned onto one bed.

"Come meet your brother, James Ryder, Ali." I smiled at my little girl as she crawled across Hunter's lap to kneel between us.

I pulled the blanket away from his face as he squirmed around, her curious eyes moved my ever movement and when she saw his face she was smiling wider than she had earlier today.

"He looks funny." She giggled by then slowly moved to kiss his head. "I love you Jams."

My head whipped towards Hunter at the nickname and he looked just as shocked as I was. A few quiet tears fell from my eyes, I was happier now and filled with so much love than I had ever been. All past pain was forgotten and as another year escaped, Hunter softly kissed each and every one away.

A week later when all our friends and family were visiting, our house was filled to the brim with love, warmth and joy. James and Ali were never short of attention.

Hunt and I took a moment to ourselves to watch our lives in one room together.

"This is home," I whispered to Hunter. "This is love."

•

I know I'm late but I was uninspired, especially because I've been so busy but thanks to shyirriah I was inspired to write their story again and I think this might just be my favorite chapter! So thank you to shyirriah for the amazing support and comments (you're the reason I'm up so late to finish this chapter - it's all for you!) and to all my other readers.

I want to write 2 more chapter before I officially end this book because... I have a new story to work on! I'll tell you more about that hopefully soon!

Until then, keep being amazing and commenting, sharing and voting xxx