“Sure thing.” Eli takes our plates and I help Sutton stand, her blue dress flowing over the swell of her very pregnant belly. Sweat beads at the brow of her blonde hair that she has in a braid, pulled away from her face. The late August sun is hot, even as it’s setting.
When we start walking up to the steps of the porch, Sutton grips my hand hard and stops walking. Her eyes lock on mine. The soft brown orbs go wide with worry. “Oh, shit,” Sutton whimpers.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, and Eli steps toward us. Everyone else outside takes notice that something is going on, too.
“I think my water just broke,” she whispers, looking up at me, her eyes now swimming with tears.
“It’s okay, Sut. How long has your back really been bugging you? Have you been feeling cramps?” I ask.
She whooshes out a contemplative breath. “I don’t know, all morning, all night. I am uncomfortable all over, all the freaking time. I figured it was just the next level of pregnancy torture, not the start of labor. Not like I’ve got anything to compare it to, Rem!” Her voice goes up, panicked with her wave of emotions.
“You got this. We’re here for you,” I try and reassure her. “Eli ...”
“Yup! On it.” He runs up the steps and into the house.
Seconds later my parents, Lainey, Kendra, and Jess surround us.
“I don’t even have my bag here. I was supposed to have more time,” Sutton says. “Ohmygod, Lainey! Her room, we didn’t finish her room. Now she is going to hate me.”
Lainey steps up, places her hands on Sutton’s shoulders, and says, “Sutton Brooks, you listen to me. You are already the strongest mom I know. Wewillget her room ready, I promise. The only thing we have left to do is her mural wall and organizing some things. But right now, let’s focus on getting you to the hospital.”
Jess says, “Matt and I will go get your bags and whatever else you need, yeah?”
Sutton nods and squeezes my hand through another contraction. All our friends at the party wish us luck and congratulations as we head out. My dad stays back to lock up the house and promises to be right behind us once everyone has left. Adrian Garcia offers to puppy-sit Ash for the night. Ifeel bad leaving the little guy already but am thankful for our people stepping up as always to help.
I drive carefully and quickly to the hospital, Lainey in the front seat next to me and my mom in the back with Sutton. This is not how I thought my party would end, but I am excited to be an uncle and have this sweet baby bringing joy and light into Sutton’s new darkened world.
39
Lainey
“Don’t leave me, please!” Sutton grabs my hand with so much strength I will probably have bruising.
“I’m not going to leave the hospital, Sutton. Remington and I are going to be here the whole time in the waiting room, okay?” I rub the back of her hand hoping she will ease up a bit.
“NO!” She tugs on me, pulling me down closer to her seated position in the wheelchair we got her into when we made it to the county hospital. “I really want you to be in the room with me, Lainey.Please.I want you and Mom there. I need you with me.”
“Of course I will stay with you, if you’re sure that’s what you want. It’s kind of a big deal.” My anxiety wraps around my chest in a way it hasn’t in a while, that voice whispering doubts.
Why would she want me in such a sacred space with her and Renee?
“Lainey, you are my person. Practically my sister. I can’t do this without you.” Her eyes are mixed with so many emotions. I could never denyher request, and knowing that she sees me as an essential part of her life, her family, means everything to me.
Kissing the back of her hand, I say, “Okay, let’s do this. I will be right back. I’m just going to update Remington.” Bobbing her head, she finally relinquishes my hand and I shake it out as I go to the man I love. He is pacing nervously but stops when I walk up to him.
“Hi.” He blows out a breath.
“Soooo ... Sutton wantsmein the delivery room with her,” I tell him, biting my lip.
“I’m not surprised. She will have the best birth team in there with you and my mom,” he says, running a strong, relaxed hand down my face and along my jawline.
“Remington, I don’t know how to do this,” I panic-whisper.
“It’s not about knowing how to do it, baby. All you need to do is be the loving, amazing, supportive woman you always are. My sister loves you and she needs you because of who you are to her, not because she thinks you are going to catch the baby.” Pulling me into a hug, he adds, “You are going to crush this.”
I can’t help but smile up at him after his confident pep talk. “Thank you. I am sorry I won’t be with you, but I will update you as soon as I can.” Kissing him one last time, I rush off to join Renee and Sutton as the staff get her checked in.
“It’s after midnight. I’m so freaking tired. I feel like I need to push, please,” Sutton begs the doctor that is checking her cervix again.
