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She did snap at them once when they were watching a video on Crew’s phone but since then we’ve taken turns rotating in and out of her bedside. She doesn’t have a preference for any of us. We’ve equally gotten her irritation, her tears, and her outstretched hand seeking comfort.
The nurse has side-eyed us a few times and is probably wondering who Crew and Nathan are, but she’s a professional and hasn’t asked. Truthfully, she probably doesn’t care. I don’t feel the need to explain either. Our family is our business and we’ve only grown stronger the last few months.
Dani needed Crew to marry her. She only feels complete with all of us together and we work. We’re a solid unit and I love that. I also love that neither Nathan nor Crew batted an eye when the DNA results matched to me. I would have loved this baby no matter what, but I am looking forward to seeing a blend of me and Dani together in this child. A book-loving, calm kid.
Watch this baby somehow have Crew’s energy and Nathan’s attitude in spite of genetics.
Crew is holding up a plastic pan for Dani, who is now dry heaving. He’s smoothing her hair back and she’s so tired she isn’t even brushing him off. When she settles back, she’s quiet, focused internally on working with her body.
"I’m so proud of you," I tell her. "You’re doing great."
"I don’t know if I can do this," she says, panting and clawing at the bedrail as another contraction hits her. "My back, Michael. Oh, my God. It hurts so bad. Why the fuck isn’t this epidural working?"
"Just breathe, sweetheart. Don’t fight it. Lean into it. Relax your shoulders and just breathe in your nose and out your mouth."
I’ve lost track of what time it is.
My mom and my sister are en route from Decatur. Lori and Luna are still in the waiting room and Crew’s father showed up with shoes that actually fit him, which was a relief. We don’t need him taking a spill right in the middle of the action. Not to mention Nathan would kill him if he got injured mid-season.
It has to be around two in the morning, which isn’t really that long for a first time mom. Not that I’m stupid enough to say that to Dani. She would probably throw me out of the room if I suggested in any way that she’s fortunate things have been moving quickly. It’s clear now that she’s been in labor at least a day or two, but it was all in her back. She’s had so much back pain it didn’t register as anything different and she wasn’t due for an OB/GYN appointment for another three days.
All in all, everything is going great and probably within the hour, the baby will be born.
The nurse confirms it when she checks Dani. "Almost time. I’m going to let the doctor know." She pats Dani’s hand. "Just try to relax. If you feel the need to push, don’t bear down just yet, okay? We want the doctor here for baby."
Dani manages a nod. But the second the nurse leaves the room, she says urgently, "Michael. I need to push."
She’s struggling to sit up so I grab her elbow and help her get into a more upright position. "Just breathe, don’t push yet. You can do this."
"I can’t stop it!" She moans a little, her knees falling apart. "Oh, God."
Nathan pushes the nurse call button before I can stop him. There is pure panic on his face.
Crew moves into action and rushes to Dani’s other side and takes her hand. "Just squeeze my hand. Push on me instead of… down there."
That almost makes me laugh. That might be the first time I’ve ever heard Crew McNeill at a loss for words when it comes to Dani’s body.
I shift Dani’s hospital gown up her thighs and I see the baby crowning.
I wasn’t expecting that. Things are really moving. "You’re doing great. Try not to push, Cookie. Just hold off for another minute."
"All of you stop telling me not to push! I can’t help it!" Dani grits her teeth, her eyes squeezing shut.
She’s clearly pushing. Yep. It’s happening.
Quickly, I go over to the sink and wash my hands thoroughly, just in case. Nathan actually looks like he might pass out. But even though he momentarily loses all color in his face when he sees the baby’s head, he pulls himself together and takes Dani’s other side, stuffing another pillow behind her so she’s fully sitting up.
"You’re doing great," he tells her. "Almost time." He shoots me a what-the-fuck look.
I know what he’s thinking—where the hell is the doctor? Because I’m thinking it too. But to his credit, he doesn’t say it out loud, knowing it will scare Dani. I glance toward the door, wondering if I dare risk going out into the hallway to find out what the delay is.
But then the doctor strolls in, all casual. She takes one look at the situation and gives me a smile. "Well, okay. It looks like we’re ready to have a baby, Danielle."
A nurse is right on her heels.
The next few minutes are a blur of shifting Dani down on the bed, instructions from the doctor to Dani, and counting through the pushes during contractions.
Then just like that, the baby is in the doctor’s hands, giving an immediate cry.
