Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97409 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97409 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“It’s so pretty,” she whispers. “I just . . .” She walks to the crib that I just finished putting up. “I thought maybe you didn’t want to get anything yet.”
“What?” my voice rises. “Why would you even think that?”
“I told you we should get a crib, and you kept telling me there was time.”
I run my hands through my hair. “Fuck, I should have—” My feet move me to her. “I wanted it to be a surprise. I sent Carl the plans for what I wanted, and he was having trouble sourcing the right color.”
“You planned all of this?” she asks. “You aren’t having cold feet?”
“Having cold feet,” I repeat, and I want to kick my own ass. “Are you?”
And then it happens. The sound of water splashing on the floor.
“Oh my—I think my water just broke.”
I step back. “You think, or did you maybe pee yourself?”
“I didn’t pee myself, Theo. It’s . . .” She looks down. “It’s happening.”
“Okay.” The panic starts to seep through me. “Shit.” I look around. “The bedding isn’t here yet. I have to do the toy chest, but Carl wants to do the baby’s initials on the top.” I start to pace. “And the rocking chair isn’t done.”
“Theo,” she holds her stomach, “I think I’m having a contraction.”
“Oh my—” I pull out my phone. “I just downloaded the app. It’s a contraction tracker.”
“Theo,” she grits her teeth, “not now.”
“But this will tell us how close the contractions are.”
She turns and walks out. I follow her through our bedroom to the bathroom. She opens the glass shower door, turns on the water, and then looks down at her stomach.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to hop into the shower quickly, and then we can go.”
“What?” I shriek so loud my own ears hurt. “No!”
“Theo, my water just broke, and I’m a first-time mom. We could be at this stage for hours.” She closes her eyes.
“I’m going to start the timer,” I declare as she holds her stomach. “You need to tell me when it’s done.”
She opens one eye and glares at me. “I’m concentrating.”
“Can you concentrate and walk to the truck?” I pull up the text thread I created with my parents and Caleb, as well as with her best friend, Finley.
Me:
Baby is coming. Water just broke.
My phone rings immediately, and I put it on speakerphone. “Hey.”
“When did her water break?” my father asks. I can tell he’s running.
“About three minutes ago, and she’s had two contractions since then.”
“You logged it on the app?” I smirk at her as she peels off her shirt.
“Do not get in the shower. We have to go.”
“Why is she getting in the shower?” my father asks. He’s freaking out a bit more than I am. Which, on any given day, would make me laugh, since with his job, he stays calm, cool, and collected.
“Yes, let’s ask her,” I stare at Collins. “Why are you getting in the shower?”
“Okay, we’re on our way,” he states. “Should be there in a couple of hours.”
“Take your time,” Collins says as I disconnect.
“I don’t know how you’re so calm. I’m like one second away from having a complete freak-out.”
“Can you not? I’m trying not to freak out now.” Her voice is a whisper. “I’m scared.” The tears now fall from her eyes. “I’m so scared. I don’t think I can do this.”
I hold her face in my hands. “Baby, you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.” I smile at her. “You are kind and generous.” I kiss her lips. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.” My thumbs catch her tears. “I want our baby to have your eyes.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“I know you’re doing a lot for us right now. You know, carrying the baby and all that. But can you do one more thing for me?” I bite my teeth together. “Put your shirt on and let’s get to the hospital so we can meet our baby.”
“Okay.” I help her put the shirt on and get her outside. She has to stop twice for her contractions, and I don’t have any time to put it in the app.
When we show up at the hospital, she’s starting to cry out with each contraction. It goes so fast; she’s five centimeters dilated when we get there, and they don’t have any time to do anything. She’s in tears by the time the doctor comes in, and I’m one second away from tearing my hair out of my head. I’m trying to calm myself down. The last thing she needs is for me to freak out and focus on myself instead of her.
“Time to push,” Dr. Louis says. “It’s going to be someone’s birthday soon.” She looks at me. “How about you get by her head?” She gets in between her legs. “Okay, for the next contraction,” she tells Collins, “I’m going to want you to push.”