She asks me a lot of questions before suggesting we go into the bedroom so I can lie down and she can palpate my stomach.
Aaric helps me to stand.Rebekah comes with us because I reach out a hand to grab hers.Adam waits in the main room.
I’m in a panic as Aaric lifts me onto the bed.He squats in front of me, putting us eye-to-eye.“Take a breath, honey.”
I inhale deeply and hold it.
He chuckles.“Sunshine, you’re going to have to let it out, too.”
Right…
Charlene clears her throat.“I don’t need you to take your clothes off today, if you aren’t comfortable with that.Why don’t you lie back and let me touch your stomach?I want to verify what position the baby is in.That’s the most important information that will help you know if a home birth is going to be possible.”
I’m beyond freaking out as Aaric helps me lie down and holds my hand.Rebekah rounds to the other side of the bed, climbs up, and kneels next to me, gripping my other hand.
Charlene gently touches my belly.She feels all around.Finally, she smiles at me.“Perfect position.Head is down.It’s very low.I suspect you’ll go into labor any time.”She moves her hands around as she continues, “Spine is over here.Bottom here.”
“That’s good?”I ask, my voice squeaking.
“It’s excellent.Since this will be your first birth, it’s hard to say how long your labor might last, but I suspect all the walking you did over the last several days sped things up.”
“Is that bad?”
“It’s not ideal, but in your case, it doesn’t matter because you’re full term.You could have gone into labor while you were walking.That would have been scary.”
I blow out a breath.She’s right.I’m lucky.
“Normally, I would do a vaginal exam to see how dilated you are, but since you know the exact date of conception, that’s not necessary.You’re due now.The baby will come when he or she is ready.If you go more than another week, we’ll revisit your options.Do you want to hear the heartbeat?”
I glance at Aaric.He’s smiling.“Yes.”
Charlene pulls a device out of her bag, turns it on, and holds up one end.“May I lift your shirt, Hannah?”
I nod.
She lifts it a few inches and sets the flat end of the monitor against my stomach.The whoosh of a heartbeat immediately fills the room.
Gasping, my eyes go wide.“That’s the baby?”
“Yes.Strong heartbeat.”
I’m relieved.Charlene has reassured me about the important parts, and she didn’t make me take off my pants.As she puts her device away, Aaric helps me sit.It takes effort.I’m struggling more than ever today.
“It won’t be long,” Charlene assures me.“I live in town, so I can be here in about thirty minutes if you decide to birth at home.Pop me a text when you go into labor, and we’ll communicate back and forth until it seems like you’re close to pushing.”
My breath hitches.A text?I know what that is, but I don’t have a phone.
Aaric rescues me.“No problem.I’ll let you know.”Right.Duh.He has a phone.That’s how he made arrangements with Charlene to come here in the first place.
Aaric helps me to the floor, and I waddle next to them to see Charlene to the door.I’m both relieved and panicky.
As a result of Charlene’s visit, Aaric declared we were heading to the courthouse immediately.So, two hours later, we’re in front of the judge, with Adam and Rebekah as our witnesses.The rest of Aaric’s brothers are here, too.I hadn’t realized they would come.I hadn’t even thought they’d all known I had arrived, let alone that I’d agreed to marry their brother.
Even Asher is here with his wife, Emma.She’s lovely and so kind.All of the brothers are.Adrian, Aaron, and Andrew round up the six Gallants.Not one of them acts like this is the craziest thing they’ve ever witnessed.
Granted, according to Rebekah, she and Adam got married the same day they were reunited, so by Gallant standards, I’ve been with Aaric twice as long.
It all happens so fast.I’m shocked that Aaric even has a ring.It feels real when he slides it on my finger.Next, Judge Robert Henderson declares us husband and wife, and Aaric cups my face and gently kisses my lips.
