The problem is, I don’t actually know what labor feels like. Emma is my first child, and every book insists you’ll “just know.” Well, I don’t. What I do know is that every twinge has me counting minutes on the clock, holding my breath, and trying to decide if this is it.
So far, all I’ve figured out is that my uterus didn’t read the manual.
Chapter 83
Ben, August 17
“That’s it, take me to the hospital!” The shout echoes off the empty walls of the apartment. Liz and I have been sitting on the floor, packing boxes.
I glance at her. “Seriously?”
“Yes, it hurts.”
“Like labor?”
“I have no idea what labor feels like. Let’s go find out!”
For a second, my brain just stalls—half in denial, half in panic. The woman I love is either having a baby or a very dramatic stomach ache, and somehow I’m supposed to know which. I grab the keys anyway.
Chapter 84
Liz, August 17
“Oh my god, why do women do this?” A savage scream tears out of my throat as a new wave of pain rips through me.
Ben calmly rubs my lower back. “You’re doing so good, babe. Okay, deep breath now. You’re at the worst part of this contraction. Coming down now. Breathe.”
The contraction fades and my heart softens a bit. He’s doing the best he can, and I know it. I take a deep breath and try to savor my precious downtime. It feels like the contraction has barely ended when another one builds right behind it.
“I can’t do this,” I state flatly, matter-of-fact, like I’m giving bad news at work.
“You’re already doing it, babe, and you’re almost done.” His voice is steady, soothing. I’m aware he’s probably lying, but I bear down and grit my teeth.
“I can do this,” I grunt, forcing the words out through clenched jaws. The contraction finally eases, leaving me gasping, trembling, but alive.
I glance up and find Ben’s hand still clasped over mine: steady, warm, grounding. For just a moment, I believe what he’s trying to tell me.
Then I notice a nurse smiling at me. When the hell did she come into the room?
“Okay, honey,” she says, bright but firm. “We’re ready for you to push now. Let’s have a baby.”
Chapter 85
Ben, August 17
I could never. I mean, you think you’re strong? Give me the strongest guy in the world—he couldn’t. Not this. Not what Liz is doing right now.
I mean, wow.
“Let’s have a baby,” the nurse says.
Holy fuck.
Yes. Let’s.
Chapter 86
Liz, August 17
