AllFreeNovel
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I shared my time at college, which was boring in comparison. How I originally studied interior design, then switched gears to get my bachelor’s in finance and business. Working at Petal and Vine fulfilled my creative heart. Learning how to successfully own a business was more important for my future.
Time and conversations with Devlyn are a nice change of pace. A change I didn’t see coming, but enjoy more than expected.
I take the finished vase of flowers to the open-air cooler, then return to the table and clean up. As I brush stem bits off the table into the bin, Elizabeth appears out of nowhere.
“It’s time!”
My eyes widen. “Time, time?” She nods and I drop the can to the floor. “Okay. Shit.” I fumble with my apron strands. “Grab our purses. I’ll flip the sign and lock the door.”
A minute later, we dash across the lot. I tell Elizabeth I will call Francine on the way. We hop into our cars and speed toward the hospital. Most of the drive is a blur of bumper-to-bumper cars, red lights, and finger taps on the steering wheel.
Cora consumes my every thought until we reach the hospital.
Is she in pain? When did her labor start? Is she all deep, practiced breaths and cool as a cucumber? Or is she detaching Gavin’s hand from his limb and screaming at the hospital staff? Will she be in labor ten more hours or two?
I park a few spaces down from Elizabeth, jump out and press the lock button on the fob, then jog to catch up. She presses the button for the elevator car more times than an impatient child. I don’t say anything to stave off her anxiety. Instead, I lay a hand on her upper back and draw small circles. Soothe her as best I can while she worries over missing this monumental moment.
The doors whoosh open and we dart inside the elevator. Elizabeth smashes the button once, twice, then takes a step back as the doors close. Seconds later, the elevator doors open to the labor and delivery floor. Elizabeth runs to the nurses’ station while I go to the waiting area, where I spot Jonas, Autumn, and Erin.
“Any news?” I ask when I reach everyone.
“Gavin came out to update us a few minutes ago. She’s eight centimeters dilated. Shouldn’t be much longer,” Jonas shares.
Admittedly, I know nothing about pregnancy or having babies or motherhood, except for the basics and what I have heard recently. This whole centimeters-dilated thing is jibber-jabber. A foreign language only parents and parents-to-be know. I want to ask how many centimeters she has to be dilated before she has the baby. Babies are big, so it has to be a lot. Right?
Autumn chuckles at my deer-in-headlights look. “Shelly, ask me anything.”
Autumn must have a sixth sense. Probably hears my inner monologue and confusion. In another couple of months, our friends will gather here again. For Autumn and Jonas and their new arrival. Probably best to ask now.
“The centimeters thing…” I pause and Autumn nods for me to continue. “What’s the magic number? Like twenty?” Sounds legit.
Autumn laughs, then grabs her belly and stops. “Don’t make me laugh. I’ll pee.” My eyes widen. Do I ever want to be pregnant? The big belly, the whole squeezing a watermelon from your body thing, the fear of peeing your pants. The more I think about it, the more I don’t think I want to be. “Ten. Ten is the magic number. She’s almost there. Which means it won’t be long. Within the hour, most likely.”
Oh. Well, that is good news. But how the hell does such a big baby come out… No. I don’t want or need to know. I zoned out during that part in health class for a reason. The entire concept is just too painful.
“I’ll get us drinks,” I offer. “Any takers?”
With everyone’s drink order, I head downstairs in search of the hospital cafeteria. It isn’t long before I pop two coffees, two hot cocoas, and a pile of creamers, sweeteners, and stir sticks in a cup carrier. When I step off the elevator in labor and delivery, Jonas is pacing with a larger-than-life smile on his face.
I rush over to him and Autumn, noticing Elizabeth’s absence, and set down the drinks. “Is she here? Did I miss the excitement?”
Jonas shakes his head. “No, but she’s pushing now. Elizabeth went in the room while you were gone.”
For the next thirty-seven minutes, Autumn, Erin, and I sit in uncomfortable chairs while Jonas continues to pace. Autumn and I sip hot cocoa while Erin drinks coffee and Jonas takes the occasional sip. I continue to watch my friend. Watch as he wears a new pattern into the shiny, bleach-scented linoleum. Watch as he picks at the edges of his nail bed with other nails. Listen to the scuff of his boots and occasional huff from his lungs.
No doubt, he is envisioning the day he and Autumn return to this floor. What it will be like when his girlfriend gives birth. How his family will be as they wait in this very room. What their smiles will look like when they meet their new grandbaby or niece/nephew.
I rise from my chair and step into his space. He pauses his trek and meets my eyes with his antsy ones. “You okay?”
He nods. “Yeah. Just trying to absorb it all. It’ll be different when Autumn’s on the hospital bed and I’m in the delivery room.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m just trying to not freak out.”
Hooking my arm with his, I steer him toward the chairs. “Sit.” He obeys. “There is nothing to worry about. We’ve gotten happy and healthy news about their baby and yours.” Autumn laces her fingers with his. No doubt, she has dealt with his anxiety more than either will admit. “And I can’t wait to meet my next niece or nephew.” The three of us laugh.
“Who would’ve guessed?” Jonas’s question is rhetorical, but I answer anyway.
“What?”
“That we’d all be here. Less than three years ago, we hung out at the bar every week. Listened to horrible, but hilarious karaoke. None of us were where we are today. In relationships. Having children.”
