After the Internship: A Novella (The Intern #4) (16 page)
Read After the Internship: A Novella (The Intern #4) Online
Authors: Brooke Cumberland
Cecilia
“COME ON, HURRY!” I call out as I wait for Bentley to come into the living room. “It’s almost on.”
“Coming!” I hear him yell from his office.
I get comfortable on the couch as a new episode of CSI is about to start.
“Got the popcorn,” I announce as I hear him walk in.
“It’s weird that you have a whole set up thing, you know?”
I pop a piece into my mouth and smile. “No, it’s not. I get to see Hannah get slaughtered to death. She gets her fame
, and I get to feel a tiny bit better by watching her guts explode all over the screen.”
“That’s gross.” He grabs a fistful of popcorn and begins shoving them into his mouth.
“Hey, we all have our quirks. Don’t judge.”
“Whatever makes you feel better. But she’s not really getting slaughtered to death…”
I punch him playfully in the shoulder. “Don’t ruin it for me!”
As much as I’ve forgiven Hannah for all the shit she’s pulled on Bentley and
me, it doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy her character dying.
After she finished Celebrity Rehab,
she was picked up by a new agent, who immediately started getting her auditions for parts in popular TV shows. This is her third episode where her character finally dies.
“Oh
, my god!” I laugh as her eyes bulge out of her face the moment she realizes she’s about to die. Her character is side-swiped by a huge bus, the film effects showing body pieces and guts flying every which way. “C’mon.” I nudge Bentley in the ribs. “That shit is funny.”
“
That amuses you, sweetheart.” He shakes his head at me. “However—”
“Holy shit!” I cut him off, holding my stomach with both hands. “My water just broke. Or I peed. Like a lot. Oh
, my god,” I ramble off frantically.
He stands up, ready to
follow orders, but I’m not even exactly sure what to do. “What do you need? Should I call the doctor? Is it coming out right now?”
“Bentley!” I scream, snapping him out of it. “Get me towels. And some new pants. And my shoes. And then grab my overnight bag. I’ll call the doctor.
” I try to remain calm now because I know that’s the only way he’ll remain calm.
“Right. Okay, on it.”
In less than fifteen minutes, Bentley’s driving through the Saturday night traffic. Everyone and their mom is out tonight apparently.
I text my mom and Casey, letting them know we’re on our way. They’ve been helping me prepare for weeks.
We finally arrive—in one piece thankfully. He helps me through the Emergency Room entrance and quickly grabs me a wheel chair. I feel and look like a whale. I haven’t seen my feet in weeks, and I’m not even sure I slipped my sandals on at this point.
“Ready?”
“Yes, hurry please. These contractions are getting more intense.” My head falls back as more pain ripples through me. “Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. Oh, my god.”
Bentley rushes me in
and immediately takes the elevator up to labor and delivery. He flags down a nurse and follows her into the nearest room available.
Once I’m settled in and comfortable, Casey and my mom walk in. They look like a bunch of crazed lunatics with their messy hair and frantic expressions.
“Oh, my god, did we make it?”
I narrow my brows at them. “Do you see me holding a baby?”
“It’s going to be a while,” one of the nurses interrupts.
“How long is a while?” I ask, really not sure how much longer I can take
this. “Are we talking like an hour or two?” I ask hopeful.
She smirks, hiding her face, but I see the look she’s giving me. “Depends, Mrs. Leighton. But you’re only dilated to a two. We’ve got some time, so get comfortable.”
“Oh, my god. Only a two?”
“Only a two what?” Casey
speaks up.
“Centimeters.”
“Oh, right.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, it’s just…blood freaks me out.”
“You better not pass out!” I scold, pointing my finger at her.
“Anyone that’s going to faint with the sight of blood needs to stay above the waist,” the nurse chimes in again.
“Casey, no fainting.”
“I’m not going to faint. I’m fine,” she insists, although I’m not sure who she’s trying to convince.
Bentley stands next to me, gripping my hand in one hand
while rubbing my head with the other. I’m already sweating, and I haven’t even started pushing yet.
“It’s been six hours. Oh
, my god,” I whine as the nurse checks my stats. “Is this normal? Shouldn’t I have popped already?”
She grins as she continues reading my contractions graph. “Oh, honey. I’ve had women in here that were in labor for days.”
“DAYS?” I gasp, nearly waking Casey and my mom up who passed out on the couch two hours ago.
“Afraid so. We try
to make you as comfortable as possible.”
The nurse checks me again and finally tells me the news I’ve been dying to hear. “Ok, Ceci. You’re at ten. It’s time to push.”
The pain meds have worked well so far. I’m already anticipating some discomfort, but either way, I’m squeezing Bentley’s hand the entire time.
“Are you ready for this?” he whispers, his eyes filled with passion and excitement.
“I hope so. Are you?”
“Yes. I’ve been ready. Having the most gorgeous woman on Earth have my
children, what else could I ask for?” He leans down and softly grazes my lips. “You can do this.”
I nod fiercely, hoping to convince myself as beads of sweat cover my forehead. My mom and Casey finally wake up as the nurses and doctor begin prepping. They both stand on one side as Bentley stands on the other.
“All right, Ceci. It’s time to push.”
I nod, letting them adjust my legs how they need them. God, this is so uncomfortable. I lean forward
, and as soon as the nurse tells me, I begin to push.
I push with every contraction
and pray to God that this is the one that gets a baby out of me.
“You’re doing amazing, sweetheart.” Bentley focuses on me,
keeping me on track.
“C’mon
, Celia, you’re a West. Push that baby out already,” my sister calls out like it’s a game of football. I glare at her, mentally reminding myself to kick her ass later.
“I see the head. One more big push. Come on,” the nurse informs me. I watch as she starts handing the doctor gadgets and tools. I lean forward one more time and push with every ounce of energy I
have.
My body finally relaxes at the sound of a baby crying. Tears begin strolling down my cheeks as I get a glimpse of my new baby.
“It’s a girl!”
“Oh, my god,” I whimper out. “Is
she okay?”
I watch as one of the nurses holds
her up briefly for me to see before taking it away.
“
She’s just fine, Cecilia.” I hear the nurse call out. Relief floods through me as her screams get louder and stronger.
“You’re incredible.” Bentley covers my mouth with his. “So amazing.”
“All right, Cecilia. Not much time to rest. Baby number two is right behind and ready.”
I watch as my mother and Casey’s jaws drop.
Surprise
.
Bentley and Ceci Leighton welcome two precious bundles of joy!
Omaha, NE has two new residents as the iconic couple officially become parents early Sunday morning. The couple evidentially kept the news of expecting twins under wraps as their own friends and family were stunned by the announcement that Ceci had delivered two healthy babies, a boy and a girl.
A source close to the couple has reported that
the parents and babies are doing exceptional and the new parents are beyond words ecstatic at their growing family. Congrats to the Leighton family!
Birth Announcement
***
Bentley & Cecilia Leighton are pleased to announce the births of Ava Claire, 5 lbs. 3 oz. and Brock William, Jr. 5 lbs. 1 oz. on
March 10
th
at 2:35 a.m. and 2:38 a.m.
Ava
has her mother’s facial features and Brock has his father’s temper.
All four are home and well.
And
of course, they all lived happily ever after.
The Riverside Trilogy
Kitchen Affairs, Book #1
Kitchen Scandals, Book #2
Kitchen Promises, Book #3
or grab the complete box set!
-All available now-
The Spark Series
Spark, Book #1
Burn, Book #2
Flame, Book #3 (Companion novel)
or grab the complete box set!
-All available now-
The Intern Serials
Vol. 1-3
After the Internship
-All available now-
Brooke Cumberland is a
USA Today
Bestselling author who's a stay-at-home mom and writes full-time. She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband, 3-year-old wild child, and two teenage stepsons. When she's not writing, you can find her reading love stories, listening to music that inspires her, and laughing with her family. Brooke is addicted to Starbucks' Caramel Macchiato’s, yoga pants, and sweets. She found her passion for telling stories during winter break one year in grad school—and she hasn't stopped since.
You can find Brooke on
Twitter @
blcumberland
Instagram
- AuthorBCumberland
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2014
Rebels & Readers
Huntington, WV
November 8, 2014
2015
Wicked Book Weekend
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
February 6-8, 2015
Authors in the City
Myrtle Beach, VA
March, 14, 2015
Hard Rock Author Event
Tulsa, OK
May 1-2, 2015
MidWEST
BookFEST
Milwaukee, WI
June 6, 2015
(Tentatively)
Golden Gate Author Event
San Francisco, CA
August 8, 2015
Naughty Nashville
Nashville, TN
August 29, 2015
Books & Babes
Baltimore, MD
September 19, 2015
What a bittersweet feeling knowing that Bentley & Ceci’s story is over. These two…man, they have put me on an emotional rollercoaster. These past four months of back-to-back releases has been challenging, but it was so worth it to get each volume into your hands. I hope you ar
e satisfied with the continuation novella. Thank you for taking this wild journey with me! And please remember to leave a review!
Please keep up with me on social media to hear about my next projects coming up! A lot of exciting announcements coming soon.
Thanks!
-Brooke
