Opening video - 'Blessed' by Jill Scott

Shane's POV

"Shane, you don't look so good." I heard Mason say. I was close to passing out. Thank goodness my father just came into the house.

"I'll lead Bliss to the car." Mason held her arm and walked with her to the truck.

"Shane, I'll drive because you look like you are about to pass out."

"OH MY GOODNESS! THE PAIN! SHANE CARSON LANDES JUNIOR, YOU BETTER STOP IT!!" Bliss screamed while we walked to her Escalade.

My father was already in the car with my mother. Mason sat Bliss in the front seat; then I sat in the back. Then, we pulled off to the hospital.

*********

Bliss had so tight a grip on the seat handle that she almost broke it. I couldn't stop my legs from shaking.

"GET THIS LITTLE BOY OUT OF ME NOW!"

Bliss turned around, saw my legs shaking, and asked, "What are you nervous about?!"

Thank goodness we pulled up to the hospital. My father drove to the front door. I got out and ran to get a wheelchair. Then, I went back to get Bliss.

When I opened the door, Bliss gave me the dirtiest look I had ever seen. I didn't say one word. I grabbed her hands. Boy, did she have a grip. My hands felt like they were about to break.

"Shane, go ahead inside. We will bring in Bliss and Junior's bags." I rolled her to the reception desk.

"Excuse me, my wife is in labor. Her name is Bliss Landes! I am her husband, Shane!"

"Shane, can we hurry this up?!"

"Mr. Landes, your wife's doctor has been paged. Please follow me!"

We made our way to the elevator, then rode up to the fourth floor. Once we stepped off the elevator, the nurse showed us to a maternity suite.

"Mr. Landes, while your wife is in the hospital, you are allowed to stay. There is a guest bed to the right. There is also a bathroom with a shower. The baby's bassinet will be right next to your wife's bed after your son is born. I'll grab a couple of hospital gowns."

"Ugh, this pain is unbearable!" Bliss grabbed my hands and squeezed whatever feeling I had in them. I can't scream in pain because Bliss's pain is worse.

"Here you go. Your wife's doctor will be in shortly." The nurse then left.

Bliss snatched the gown out of my hands. Thank goodness she gave me my hands back. The feeling came back to them.

Once Bliss finished putting on her gown, she laid down.

"Sweetheart, remember your breathing techniques."

"How about you remember them?!! Leave me alone, Shane!" I know not to take whatever Bliss says personally because she is in some serious pain.

Thankfully, Doctor Andrews came into the room with a nurse to hook Bliss up to an IV. Bliss was also hooked up to a monitor that would tell how close she would be to delivering our baby boy. "Okay, mommy-to-be, let's check how far you are dilated."

"I WANT DRUGS NOW!!!"

"They are on the way, honey. You are now at 6 centimeters. We need you at 10 centimeters. I'll come back to check on you."

"Can you let Adrian and Brently Landes know what room we are in?"

"Yes, we can." About 5 minutes later, mum and dad came into the room.

Mum stood right beside the bed. "Bliss, sweetie, just think soon we will be welcoming Junior. Remember the breathing techniques I showed you." Bliss started the techniques, and then she started crying.

"I hope everything goes okay. I'm sorry for yelling at you, Shane. The pain is really unbearable."

Bliss had started sweating, so I wiped it with my hands.

Adrian's POV

I went into the bathroom to grab several paper towels and wet them with cold water. Then, I placed it on Bliss's forehead.

"Take deep breaths, sweetie." Junior is doing a number on Bliss's body. This little boy acted exactly like Shane when I gave birth to him. Bliss's breathing was heavy. But now, she is doing much better. She is doing the technique that I showed her.

"Good job, honey." The monitor that Bliss was hooked up to is now showing her as 7 centimeters dilated. Three more to go. I could tell by the look on Shane's face that he was worried.

"Are you okay over there, dad-to-be?"

"I am worried. I hope Bliss and Junior are okay."

"Think positive, Shane."

The doctor came back and checked the monitor. "Seven and a half centimeters. When you reach eight and a half, I'll have the nurse bring you an epidural."

Then Bliss said, "Doctor Andrews, I feel hot."

"Mrs. Landes, we want you to be as comfortable as possible. Whatever you have on under your gown, you can take it off. Your temperature reading is excellent. Quite a few moms whose babies I delivered had nothing on under their gowns."

"Okay. Thanks."

Then the doctor left the room. "Bliss honey, we will step out of the room while you change."

Shane's POV

We were about to exit the room, but Bliss squeezed the life out of my right hand.

"And, where do you think you are going?!! Don't try to be shy now!!! Now, help me stand up!! Gosh, Shane, seriously?!"

I didn't say one word as I helped Bliss stand up. Bliss had me unhook her bra, and she was completely naked now under her gown.

"OH MY GOODNESS!! These contractions are torture!!!"

After she changed, I helped her get back on the bed and put the covers over her legs.

The next time the doctor returned, Bliss was eight and a half centimeters. So, a nurse came in and gave Bliss an epidural.

I looked at the clock and saw it was now after six o'clock in the evening. Neither one of us has eaten since the baby shower. I am too nervous to eat. I want my wife and son to make it through this healthily.

Mum sent me a text that they were in the waiting room with Julian, Andrea, Carly, Mason, Rihanna, Layla, Kam, Cris, Marco, Día, Rocco, Braelyn, and Noeli. The smaller kids were back at the house with Mason's parents, Kim, Austin, Ryan, and a few of the celebrity guests.

Suddenly, the monitor started beeping and flashing that Bliss was at ten centimeters. It is now after 7:15 pm. The doctor was already in the delivery room. A couple of nurses came into the room to wheel Bliss to the delivery room.

"Mrs. Landes, we will wheel you to the delivery room. Mr. Landes, please follow us."

"Can someone update our family, please? They are in the waiting room."

"Yes, sir." Another nurse ran to the waiting room while Bliss was wheeled to the delivery room. We didn't have far to go because the delivery room was on the maternity floor.

One of the nurses handed me some scrubs, so I put them on.

"Bliss honey, position your legs to push out your baby boy."

Bliss did just as the doctor said.

"Now, take a deep breath and push for me."

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Push!"

Bliss took a deep breath and pushed. "OH MY GOODNESS, THAT HURT!!!"

"Take another deep breath for me, mommy. Then, push."

"OUCH!!!!"

Sunday, May 22nd, 2022

12:00 am

No Junior. The doctor didn't even see the crown of his head. I kept wiping the sweat off Bliss's forehead.

"After all that kicking he did, where is he now, Shane? Why won't he come out? I'm tired. I don't know if I have any more energy to push. And it feels like he is tugging on my insides to stay inside my stomach."

I then glanced at the doctor. "Mr. & Mrs. Landes, if labor does not progress like it should, we may need to proceed with an emergency c-section. It has been several hours, and we have not even seen the crown of your son's head. Okay honey, take a deep breath for me and push."

Bliss mustered up a deep breath, then pushed.

"Come on, baby boy. Come out for your mommy and daddy."

2:00 am

Again, Bliss continued to try pushing, but no Junior. "I can't push anymore. I just can't."

"Mr. Landes, we need to rush your wife to the O.R. for an emergency c-section. We will need to give your wife a general anesthetic, which means she will be asleep when your son is born. The hospital procedures allow fathers to be in the O.R. with their wives. We need to go now! Honey, take a deep breath for me while the Anesthesiologist administers the anesthetic."

"I am right behind you!"

Bliss was given the anesthetic, and then she was whisked away to the O.R., which was on the 6th floor.

Before the surgery began, Bliss was given a catheter. Then, the nurse put up a screen so neither Bliss nor myself could see the doctor make the incision. I would faint if I saw that. Bliss was given a drip in her arm and an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth. Then, her abdomen was cleaned.

Once Doctor Andrews saw that Bliss was asleep, she made two incisions into Bliss. I didn't see it, but I sure did hear it, and I immediately threw up into a trash can nearby. Within 20 minutes, I heard the sweetest sound a father could ask for - the cries of my baby boy.

Doctor Andrews says, "Mr. Landes, your baby boy has arrived at 2:20 am. Would you like to cut your son's umbilical cord?"

"Yes, I would." The nurse gave me a pair of scissors. I still felt the urge to throw up, so she told me how to cut it, and I did. Immediately, I rushed over to the trash can and threw up.

The nurse then came over to explain what was going to happen next. "Mr. Landes, the doctor is going to stitch up your wife's incisions, which will take approximately between 30 to 45 minutes. Do you want to wait until your wife wakes up to give you the vitals?"

"Yes, please."

"Okay. We are going to take your son to be cleaned and given a check-up. Then, he will be brought back. Is your wife breastfeeding?"

"Yes, she is."

"Okay. I will be right back. And congratulations."

"Thank you."

Junior finally arrived - on May 22nd, 2022. I couldn't fight back the tears. My baby boy and I share the same birthday. It can't get better than that. I checked the clock, and it was now 2:45 am. After 30 minutes, the nurse brought Junior back into the room, and I held him in my arms.

He has beautiful eyes, just like his mommy. Now I see why Bliss had complications trying to push - he is a cute, chubby baby. This little boy is going to be a heartbreaker. We are going to have to watch him.

The doctor finished stitching Bliss. Bliss woke up a few minutes after she was stitched up, but she was groggy.

"Shane? Is everything okay? I don't hear Baby Shane crying. Where is Junior?"

I walked over to Bliss's bed. "Here he is, Darling. Our baby boy has arrived."

Bliss' POV

Boy, was I worn out. But I wanted to meet and hold my son. "He is beautiful, Shane. Chubby and cute, just like his daddy. When can I hold him to nurse him?"

Doctor Andrews was still in the room and answered, "Sweetie, you can try now. But first, let me get a couple of nurses to help you sit up. You just had major surgery, so I want you to take it slowly."

Once the nurses started helping me sit up, goodness gracious!! It felt like a ton of bricks was on my stomach. After I was sitting up enough, Shane handed me, Junior. A few tears fell from my eyes.

"You are finally here. I couldn't wait to hold you, sweetie. All of that kicking was worth it. I can't believe I am a mom. I can already tell we are going to chat with you about breaking hearts."

"Sweetheart, I will be right back and call mum with the good news."

"Okay." Shane Sr. exited the room. Now that I am going to have to get used to - Junior and Senior. And my boys have the same birthday. Two Shane's? I can picture the trouble now. But, for now, Senior should know better. Once he was in position, I tried to nurse Junior. But he didn't seem to want to. For a newborn, he sure did tune up his face.

"What if he doesn't want to nurse?"

I tried again after a few minutes, but my baby boy tuned his face again. His little hands seemed like he was swatting my breasts away. This little boy is a trip already.

"It appears your son is not latching on to your breast well. But, honey, we will take you back to your room once your husband returns and continue our discussion."

Daddy Shane came back into the room. "Shane, can you carry Junior to the suite? I really need to lay back down on the bed. And I am hungry."

"I'll go get something for you, ma'am." As soon as Shane took Junior from me, I was rolled back to my room, and he followed.

Once we made it to the room, Shane placed Junior back in my arms. This time, he did latch on to my breast. But he didn't want it. He started crying.

Was it something I did for him not to like breastfeeding? "Is it something I did wrong that he doesn't want to nurse?"

"Bliss, sweetie, some babies can actually prefer formula over breastfeeding. Just because your son doesn't want to breastfeed, that will not make you a bad mom. Nurse Dee, can you also fix a few bottles and bring a container of baby formula?"

"Yes, Doctor Andrews." The nurse left the room. I felt like crying. And Shane noticed.

"Sweetheart, Junior is going to be fine being bottle-fed. My mum said that I did basically the same thing, preferred a bottle over nursing."

Two different nurses came into the room - one with a milkshake for me. And the other with a bottle and baby formula.

As soon as I put the bottle in his mouth, he latched on really quickly. It was cute because Baby Shane raised his little hands to the bottle like he was holding it. Shane held the milkshake while I drank it.

"Bliss, if you or your husband have any further questions, you can have me paged. I'll come back to check on you later. The nurse will also fill out your son's birth certificate."

"Thank you, Doctor Andrews, for all of your help."

"You're welcome, honey. And congratulations." Doctor Andrews then left my room.

"My name is Dee. I will be the on-call nurse for you and your son. The first question is what is your son's name?"

"His name is Shane Carson Landes Jr."

"Okay. Mr. & Mrs. Landes, your son, weighed at an even ten pounds, 21 inches long."

Shane and I looked at each other. No wonder I had to have a c-section.

"Next, I will need your full names and nationalities."

"Okay, my full name is Bliss Nalani Landes. I am African-American."

"And, my name, of course, is Shane Carson Landes, Sr. I am Caucasian."

"Thank you. I'll be right back with a copy of your son's birth certificate." Then, she left the room.

"Shane, can you take Junior? I am drained right now."

Shane's POV

"Sure." After the long day Bliss had, she deserves to get plenty of rest. So, I placed a baby blanket over my shoulder. Then, I picked Junior up from Bliss' arms so that I could burp him.

Bliss instantly fell asleep. The on-call nurse came in. "Mr. Landes, I can make a few more bottles for your son."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. I'll be right back."

She then left as I went to sit in the rocking chair. I had tears in my eyes again. I still can't believe that Junior is finally here. He is a beautiful little boy.

"Mommy and I love you, buddy. You are the sunshine in both of our lives. My second chance with your mommy has led us to this day." He doesn't have a lot of hair, but that will come over time. The nurse came in with several bottles.

"Mr. Landes, I'll place the baby bottles in the mini-refrigerator. You can press the buzzer beside your wife's bed if you need anything else. I just realized I forgot your son's birth certificate."

"Okay. Thank you. It's okay. You can bring it later today."

"Okay, and you're welcome." Then, she exited the room. Junior was asleep, so I placed him in the bassinet.

I didn't get too comfortable because he was going to wake up to be fed. So, I just laid down on the guest bed and fell asleep.

6:00 am

"WAAH!!!!"

I looked at the clock in the room. Well, I got a couple of hours of sleep. I saw Bliss trying to open her eyes. "Go back to sleep, Darling. I'll feed him."

She closed her eyes, and I kissed her on her forehead. Then, I picked up Junior. "Here comes Daddy, Junior." We walked over to the mini-fridge. I grabbed a bottle and then walked over to the rocking chair.

He is trying to hold the bottle just like when Bliss fed him. And he is trying to open his eyes.

Nurse Dee peeked into the room. "Good morning, Mr. Landes. I have two copies of Shane Jr.'s birth certificate. One is for the hospital's records, and the other is for you and your wife. We will need your signatures. I will come back later in the day."

"Thank you." Junior seems to like this formula. So, that is what we will buy for him. We are going to have to buy more bottles too.

As soon as he was done, I placed him on my shoulder. While rocking the chair, I gently patted and rubbed his back.

Once I heard him belch, I cradled him back in my arms. Junior even had his eyes open, looking up into mine. And, then, he smiled at me. He is a smart kid and is only a few hours old.

I heard my text notification ringtone, so I got out of the chair and went to get my phone off the bed I was sleeping on.

My mum sent a text saying they would come to the hospital at noon.

As I was about to place Junior back in the bassinet, he started getting fussy. So, I carried him with me to the guest bed. I sat up on the bed and cradled him in my arms.

11:30 am

Bliss' POV

I pressed the button next to my bed because the pain medicine was wearing off. I didn't see Junior in his bassinet. So, I looked over and saw that he was sleeping in Shane's arms. I wish I had my phone so that I could take a picture.

"Mrs. Landes, how can I help you?" The nurse asked as she came into the room.

"Two things - Can you get me some more pain medicine because it is wearing off? And, can you pass me my bag, so I can grab my phone to take a picture of my two favorite boys?"

"Of course." She grabbed my purse near Junior's diaper bag that grandma and grandpa had bought for him. As a matter of fact, they bought several designer diaper bags for him. The one we packed for the hospital was from Prada. Mom said she did the same thing for Nina's kids. She truly loves her family. I tell her all the time how much she means to me.

"Here is your bag. And I'll be back with another IV for you."

She came back within 10 minutes. Both Shane Jr and Sr were still asleep. "Mrs. Landes, I can take the picture for you after I hook your new IV. And I'm Dee."

"Thank you, Dee." Dee changed the IV, and the pain medicine kicked in right away. Then, I gave her my phone, and she took the picture.

"Thanks, Dee."

"You're welcome. My shift is about to end, but I will be your nurse again this evening. The name of your next nurse is Malinda."

"Okay. I appreciate your help, Dee."

Then, Dee left. Suddenly, I heard a fussy little boy. Junior and Senior then woke up.

I could not help but smile at my boys. Shane looked over at me and saw that I was smiling.

"What time is it? How do you feel? And I see you smiling."

"It is almost noon. The pain meds were wearing off, so Dee brought me some more. Of course, I am smiling. My boys are bonding. And both of you were born on the same day."

Shane was just as tired. So, after he went to grab a bottle first, he carried Junior over to me and kissed me. When he kissed me, I wrapped my arm around his neck and let the kiss linger.

"Thank you, baby daddy. And I love you. You need rest too."

"You're welcome, baby mama. And I love you too. I'll try to get some rest, but you need your rest more. I'll be fine."

We heard a knock on the door as soon as I gave Junior the bottle. "Come in."

It was mom and dad.

"Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling?"

"Thank goodness for that IV loaded with pain medicine. Other than that, I am fine and glad this little one is finally here."

They brought flowers and a teddy bear into the room.

"Sweetheart, everyone didn't want to crowd you d at the same time. So, they are going to come throughout the day. Julian, Carly, Andrea, Mason, and Rihanna are in the waiting room."

"Thanks, dad."

"He didn't want to nurse. I tried to, but he tuned up his little nose. But, as soon as I gave him the formula, he tore it up."

"Just like Shane. He did the same thing. Honey, Junior is following in his father's footsteps."

He finished his bottle. "Grandma and grandpa, would you like to hold him?"

Adrian's POV

"Of course, honey." Shane placed a blanket over my shoulder so that I could burp him. So, I started rubbing his back after Shane put him in my arms. When I looked down at him, he was opening his eyes.

"Hey, baby boy. Your grandma and grandpa came to see you. We are so glad that you are finally here. You sure did give your mommy a hard time, just like your daddy gave me. But you are just as cute as your daddy was. You definitely are going to break hearts. Let's go over to see your grandpa."

He belched, then I passed him over to Brently.

Brently's POV

"Hey there, Junior. Grandma and Grandpa are going to spoil you to pieces. You gave your mommy fits. Now, it is time to keep your daddy awake. You have your mommy's beautiful eyes. Grandpa is so glad that you and mommy are okay."

"Congratulations, Shane and Bliss. He is adorable."

"Thank you, dad."

We heard a knock on the door. "Mrs. Landes, I am Malinda. I am your nurse for the day. I have some lunch for you. And Doctor Andrews wanted me to tell you she will come in to see how your incision is healing."

Bliss answered, "Okay. Thank you, Malinda."

"Bliss and Shane, we will let the others come to see you after the doctor's visit. We'll see you all later."

After giving Junior back to Shane, Adrian and I left the room.

****************

Narrator's POV

Doctor Andrews checked Bliss's incisions to make sure they were healing okay. She also gave Junior a checkup, and everything was going great. The doctor said she would be back later to check on her. She also said Bliss could try to walk for a few minutes at a time with an assistant.

Not too long after the check-up, Julian, Carly, Andrea, Rihanna, and Mason entered.

Bliss' POV

Junior was in his bassinet while Shane was on his bed when Uncle Julian and the family came in.

"Hey, you guys, come on in. Junior is in his bassinet. Thanks for the visit."

"You're welcome, sis. We brought some flowers for you."

"Thanks, Jules."

Julian went to the bassinet and picked up Shane Jr. Then, he carried him over to the rocking chair.

Julian's POV

"Hey there, baby Shane. Aren't you the cutest little boy? And, chubby too."

"I had to have a c-section because he didn't want to come out. He was ten pounds even and 21 inches long."

"All that kicking you went through, but he didn't want to come out?"

"He sure didn't. And he didn't want me to nurse him. He tuned up his nose. Mom said Shane Sr. was the same way."

"You and Andrea both are going to have a child that is a Junior. Good luck with that one. Bliss and Shane, let me know when you both need a break. I'll come to babysit Junior for you."

"Thanks, Jules."

**********

Narrator's POV

Carly, Andrea, and Mason each took turns holding Junior while Bliss and Shane Sr. got some rest.

After Bliss got some rest later in the evening, Shane slowly helped her get out of the bed so that she could move around for a few minutes.

She slowly walked over to the nurse's station, then Shane wheeled her back to the room.

The family stayed at the hospital until visiting hours were over.

The next day, Kam, Layla, and both families came by to visit Bliss, Shane, and Junior.

Bliss continued to take short, brief walks. The doctor checked Bliss' incisions, and they were continuing to heal. Bliss is due to be released from the hospital on May 29th. Shane and Bliss were excited to bring the baby home.

************

Sunday, May 29th, 2022

Bliss' POV

Dad came to get Shane, so he could bring the Range Rover because it is the lowest of the SUVs that I have. We get to take Junior home with us today. Once Shane comes back to sign the release papers for us, we are free to go.

I sat in the rocking chair, giving Junior a bottle before we left. As soon as Junior finished his bottle, I gently placed him on my shoulder to burp him.

Shane, Dad, and Mom came into my room with Junior's car seat. We have a carrier that we leave in the car and one to take out of the car.

"Doctor Andrews put our release papers on the bed."

"Okay." Shane walked over to the bed and pulled out a pen to sign the papers. Then, Doctor Andrews came in. "Doctor Andrews, Shane signed the release papers for me and Junior." He handed her the papers. She then signed them and gave Shane a copy.

"You both are free to go home now. And, I scheduled a follow-up visit for both you and Shane Jr. And, remember, to take it easy and get plenty of rest."

"Thank you, and I promise."

Shane helped me into the wheelchair as grandpa Brently placed Junior in the car seat. That little boy was knocked out. One thing Shane and I learned is that Junior is a very good sleeper. Well, at least so far. Thank goodness.

"Now, here comes the hard part," Shane says as he wheels me out of my room and out of the hospital. But, outside the front of the hospital, it was a media circus.

Shane was irritated, but I told him, "We should get this over with now."

Mom and dad took Junior to the Range Rover. Several reporters took pictures of him, but I got something to say about that.

"After this press conference, please respect our privacy with our son, Shane Jr. Last Saturday, I went into labor at a baby shower for my son and nephew, who is due to be born soon. Sunday, Junior was born very early in the morning. My husband and I are very happy that our son is now born. And we can't wait to watch him grow up. Now, as for the pictures I saw you snap; if my husband or I see those pictures of our son in magazines or on social media without our permission, consider yourself going to court because you will be sued. Shane and I will be the only ones to permit or place pictures of our son anywhere. Thank you for your concern and well wishes. And we would like to thank everyone for their well-wishes, cards, flowers, and support. We love you all."

After I blew a kiss to the cameras, Shane wheeled me to my Rover. He slowly helped me get in, buckled my seat belt, and closed the door. Then, he got in the driver's side.

And then, we made our way home with our baby - Shane Carson Landes Junior.

Miss Independent is gone for good. Good riddance. I am now Mrs. Shane Carson Landes Sr. And mother to Shane Carson Landes Jr. I love my boys and look forward to a wonderful future together. See you all in the next chapter of our lives.

******************************

Thank you all so much for reading the story. I loved writing this story and thinking of ideas for it. The support for it was amazing. It is my very first billionaire story and will not be the last. This will not be the end of Bliss and Shane Landes. The sequel will be published within a few weeks. I have one and a half more chapters to write, and then I will publish them. The sequel will focus on their married life in Miami. I hope you all will enjoy it.