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“How are you feeling?” Alex asks me, reaching for my hand and squeezing three times.
“The contractions are getting more intense. Worse than the Braxton Hicks because I feel it in my back and my stomach.”
“Well, maybe that means he’ll be here sooner than later.”
“God, I hope so. I like to think I have a high pain tolerance, but then again, I’ve never pushed anything the size of a watermelon out of my vagina, so I guess we’ll both find out.”
He coughs to hide his smile, though I know he’s trying to be supportive.
“Well, I’ll be by your side the whole time.”
“And I’m sorry if you were hoping I’d be one of those girls who wanted to have an all-natural birth, but I’m not. I plan to go as long as I can without any meds, but when it makes me want to cut off your balls, I’m getting the epidural,” I inform him, wincing from another discomforting jab. God, it feels like my menstrual cramps are on steroids.
He shifts his body as if to guard his balls. “I’m on board for anything that saves my junk.”
“Don’t make me laugh,” I beg, choking on my own laughter. “How much longer till we’re there?” My head falls back on the seat, and as I hold my belly with one hand, Alex squeezes my other hand three times.
“Not too much longer. As long as there isn’t traffic.”
I groan, praying that I can breathe through this pain long enough to get into a room.
Within the hour, we’re at the hospital and in the delivery unit. They set me up in a room with monitors and fluids. The contractions are intense, and when my doctor finally comes in to check me, I’ve only progressed to five centimeters, even though I’ve been at a three for weeks.
Natalie asks if she can FaceTime me and since I’m bored, I let her.
“Oh my God! I can’t believe it’s time!” she squeals as soon as I accept her call.
“He’s already being stubborn,” I groan.
“Just like his Mama,” Alex blurts out, and I turn and scowl at him.
“Well, he’s not wrong.” She laughs.
“You’re supposed to be cheering me up,” I remind her. “Distract me. Talk to me about something else.”
“Okay, well hmm…” She twists her lips, thinking. “Adam and I found a few houses we really like, so we’re doing another private showing on one of them next week.”
“Oh, that’s exciting! Are you leaning toward one more than the others or is it a tie?”
“Well, the two we were looking at are one-bedrooms with a big kitchen. Then one we looked at yesterday is a two-bedroom, and though the kitchen isn’t as big, the yard is really nice.”
“Hmm…well are they priced around the same?”
“Yeah, pretty close, so we’ve been writing down pros and cons of each, but I think we’re already leaning toward one.” There’s a hint of amusement in her voice, but I shrug it off as pure excitement. Now that she and Adam are engaged, they’re finally settling down and buying a house in the suburbs of Milwaukee. Close enough so Natalie didn’t have to drive far for work, yet not too close they had to deal with city noise.
I squeeze my eyes tight as a contraction comes to light, and Alex grabs my hand and rubs circles over my knuckles. “Breathe, baby,” he reminds me.
Thirty seconds later, it passes, and I can breathe normally.
“You okay?” Natalie asks.
“Yeah, keep talking,” I say as I grab the cup of ice chunks on the table next to me.
“Okay, so the pro is the extra bedroom, and the con is that it’s an HOA neighborhood.”
“Oh.” I don’t hide my disapproval. “You hate being told what to do, so maybe not.” I chuckle.
“Oh, I know. But I think we could really use the extra bedroom, and it has everything else we need. So as Adam says, I need to put on my big girl undies and follow the rules.”
I snort laugh.
“Wait. Why could you use the extra bedroom? You hate company.” I narrow my eyes, confused.
“Well I mean, eventually we’ll need it.” She tries to cover her tracks, but I don’t buy it.
“You’re lying.”
“Just tell her, babe!” I hear Adam shout in the background.
“Shut up!” she hisses.
“Tell me what?”
“It’s nothing. I can tell you later. Today’s your day.” She smiles, guilt all over her face.
“Natalie…” I warn. “Shit.” I wince again, feeling the next contraction rip through me. Once it’s over, I go back to my phone. “You better tell me, or I’ll withhold baby pictures from you!”
“You wouldn’t!” She gasps.
Alex is next to me shaking his head.
“What?” I ask him.
“You really don’t know what she’s trying to say?” He raises his brows, and I follow his eyes down to my belly.
“What?” I screech, looking back at Natalie. “You’re pregnant?” I sit up straighter. Her expression tells me everything I need to know. “Oh my God!”
