All Chapters of Forever Us: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

BROOKS It's been 3 weeks since Crystal and I got married and her doctor has given her the okay to get up and move around more with help. We decided not to have a honeymoon until after Marvin is born and is old enough for us to leave him with one of the sets of grandparents. Crystal has been having some pains in her stomach so we have an appointment in an hour with her OBGYN. Once Crystal was ready to go we headed to the doctor's office. There was a little wait but it wasn't too bad. As soon as Crystal was called back the nurse asked me to help her change into a gown so she could be examined. When the doctor came in she started the exam but it didn't take long for her to figure out what was going on. She told Crystal and I that the pains she felt were contractions. She said she was going into early labor and she was 2cm dilated but with how far along Crystal is, that Marvin wouldn't be in any danger of being delivered this early. I asked her what we needed to do and she told me that

BROOKS After I got off the phone with Seth, I checked on Crystal. I told her I was going to make us salads for dinner. I headed into the kitchen and began to make them. I put 2 different kinds of dressing on the tray because I wasn't sure which one Crystal would want to use tonight. I grabbed the tray and headed back into the bedroom. I placed the tray on the bed and sat down. We began eating while watching TV. I noticed Crystal was taking her time eating and I asked if she was ok. "Oh, yeah I'm fine baby." "Crystal, I can tell something is either bothering you or you are hurting and not wanting to tell me." "I'm fine, Brooks. I'm trying to deal with the contractions, that's all." "If you are contracting more, you need to let me know." "I promise I'm fine, Brooks." "Ok, but promise me if it gets any worse you will let me know." "I promise, Brooks." After we finished eating I cleaned the dishes and called my mom to see if Jonah could cover for me at work tomorrow.

BROOKS The doctor hands me a pair of medical scissors and shows me where to cut. My hands are shaking and I am terrified. I cut the cord and as soon as I did, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. His cries fill the room mixed with the cries from his mother as he is placed on her chest. My whole world is right before my eyes laying on that hospital bed. A world I didn't think I'd ever have. My wife and my son. As soon as the nurses stepped away from Crystal I walked over to the edge of the bed and leaned down. I told her I was so proud of her and I thanked her for giving me this piece of the puzzle to complete my life. I broke down and cried as I stood there staring down at her with our son in her arms. My phone went off and I checked it to see my mom was texting me to see what was going on. I texted her and told her I would be out in the waiting room soon to update them. I asked Crystal if I could get a picture of her and Marvin to show everyone in the waiting room and sh

BROOKS As I lay back on the pull-out couch in the hospital room, I looked around at my world. I have the love of my life and wife. I have a son. I have my family and now Crystal's. I have my store which is still doing good. I have the house. I have everything I truly wanted in life. I am complete. No more missing pieces. Marvin began to cry. I got up and picked him up out of his bassinet. I walked around the room with him and calmed him down. Today is the day we get to take Marvin home and start our journey as parents without having people in and out of the room to help us. I am scared sh*tless but excited at the same time. I know Crystal and I can do this ourselves. My mom offered to come stay a few nights until we get settled but I don't think we are going to need her to. The nurse came in to check on Crystal and to let her know she will have to use the bathroom before they will discharge her. The nurse gave her something to help her go, and then she checked on Marvin. Once the nu

BROOKS It's been 4 months since Marvin entered this world and things are going more smoothly for Crystal and I, than when we first brought him home. He is such a good baby and barely cries now. He loves going to visit with both sets of grandparents and he absolutely loves his uncle Jonah. Jonah is a great uncle. He tries to kick me and Crystal out of the house every Friday so he can babysit. Mine and Jonah's relationship has gotten so much better over the past couple of months and he has been busting his butt at the shop. I started paying him for his hard work even though he refused to let me pay him in the beginning. I've been talking to Crystal about possibly making his assistant manager even though he is only 15. I know he is mature and will take his job seriously. Crystal thinks it may be a little too much on him though with school, being a teenager, and wanting to spend what little free time he has with Marvin. I planned on talking to my mom and Ray about it later on when I