He slapped me on the back. “I got ya buddy.”
“Is Krystan alright?” I asked as a couple nurses burst out from behind the double doors, their faces varying degrees of irritated and terrified.
He shrugged. “Yes, no, I don’t know. She asked for Emma.”
I nodded and we sat there in silence with our thoughts.
Finally, Travis asked, “What about you, do you think about having kids?”
I remained silent.
“Earth to Terminator,” he said, waving a hand in front of my face. I pushed it aside along with the annoyance he managed to inspire in me still. Regardless, Travis was my best friend and best man in my wedding.
“I haven’t thought about it.”
He twisted to face me. “Seriously?”
I folded my hands together. “I never imagined I would even have Emma.”
He settled back in his seat, facing forward again. “Wow, way to make the rest of us look like a bunch of greedy bastards.”
“Do you feel greedy for wanting a child?”
Travis held his hands. “No, actually from what I understand, it’s going to be the most selfless thing I ever do in my lifetime. Apart from putting up with Krystan of course,” he said, with a cheeky smile.
Screams echoed down the halls along with a few colorful curses.
“Aren’t you going to go back in there?”
Travis paled. “No, uh, I think I'll hang out here a minute longer with you. Krystan isn’t likely to assault Emma.” He turned to better face me. “Hey what happened back there? I expected you to swoop in on bug eyes back there on the street, but you stayed back. That’s not like you.”
I ran set my elbows on my knees and ran my hands through my hair. “Emma made me promise not to go near him.”
Travis opened his mouth, but before he could say whatever he was thinking Krystan’s voice penetrated through the closed doors. “If you don’t get me an epidural right now, so help me god I will jam those forceps up your ass.”
Emma reappeared. “Things are uh escalating. I think it’s time,” she said, giving Travis a pointed look.
He stared at her.
“I got her to promise she wouldn’t hit you in the ...” Her eyes swept down to his crotch before returning to his eyes. Then with an apologetic shrug, “Again.”
“Wish me luck,” Travis said jumping back up and running back in.
Less than an hour later, Travis came out in light blue hospital gown and cap. From the lopsided smile and his flushed cheeks, he looked dazed but deliriously happy. “It’s a boy, can you believe it?” We hugged and celebrated until he disappeared to be with Krystan again.
I interlaced my fingers with Emma’s. Instead of anyone losing their life at the hands of Othanos, a new soul had entered the world today. Unexpected warmth filled me. Today was a good day.
8
Travis and Calan went to grab a quick lunch while I went to see Krystan.
“Hey there new mama,” I said, poking my head into her room.
Krystan’s dark hair was a sweaty mess, but her skin was glowing.
“Emma, it’s a boy.” The fear in her voice spoke volumes.
This was what I was afraid of.
