Page 76 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

I nod and push as soon as another contraction hits.

Luke smothers me with words of encouragement as he reaches between my legs. It feels like he turns the baby slightly and then he just slips out.

“Oh my God,” I sob as Luke puts the baby on my chest. My hands hover over the baby covered in blood and goo.

Luke rubs the baby’s back vigorously but there’s no sound of a cry yet.

“What’s wrong?” My voice rises in pitch. “Why isn’t he crying?”

Luke grabs our baby off my chest and sweeps his finger through the baby’s mouth. A moment later a cry rings out. Luke hands me the baby back and I sob as I take in that cry. Nothing has ever sounded so good before. So perfect.

Luke puts his hand on our son’s back and continues to rub. Tears stream down his face. “You did so good, Bertie. So fucking good. You’re amazing. I’m in awe of you.”

I’m in too much shock to make a comment back. I look down at the squirming newborn. A shock of dark hair is plastered to his tiny skull. His eyes are squeezed shut as he cries.

“It’s okay, little love.” I draw my finger over his cheek. “Mommy’s here.”

His tongue shakes as he screams open-mouthed.

I don’t realize Luke has stepped away until a paramedic is practically on top of me telling me they need to get me out and move me to the gurney.

“I can move,” I assure him.

I might be wrong, but I think I’ll be fine. I clutch the baby to my chest and scoot out of the vehicle after the paramedic has moved. Hands are immediately at my side, helping me to stand and move to the gurney. The next thing I know they’re clamping the cord and handing Luke a pair of scissors to cut the cord. I’m happy he gets to do it. I hadn’t even thought about that yet.

“Has she delivered the placenta?” someone asks, looking around like they might spot it rolling across the parking lot.

“Not yet,” Luke answers.

They make a note on a clipboard. I get loaded into the back of the ambulance. “Luke?” I gesture for him to come, not wanting to be without him.

“There’s not enough room,” a new paramedic replies. “He’ll have to follow.”

Luke is tall enough that he towers above everyone else. “I’m going to be right behind you, Bertie.”

“You promise?”

“I promise, baby.”

The paramedics load up into the ambulance and doors close. The sirens scream as we drive away.

A tiredness like I’ve never felt before comes over me and my eyes close.

Hours later, the hospital room is finally clear of nurses and doctors. It’s just me, Luke, and our son. I managed to get cleaned up and changed into a hospital gown, but Luke’s still wearing his tux sans jacket. His white shirt is stained with blood, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He leans over the bassinet just staring at our baby.

“He’s so fucking perfect,” he murmurs. He looks over at me and holds my gaze. “Thank you.”

I give a tired laugh. My whole body is exhausted. I used muscles I didn’t even know existed. “For what?”

“For carrying our baby. For bringing him into this world. For being so damn strong.”

“I can’t believe that happened.” I stifle a yawn. “I had a baby in a parking lot.”

A laugh bursts out of him. “That was pretty crazy.”

“I guess you were right to be worried about that.”

He shakes his head but doesn’t say anything. The baby makes a small noise and wiggles around, trying to break free from his swaddle.