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Waiting for the miracle of life is one of the most boring experiences—unless you’re the woman giving birth, of course. For the rest of us, it’s hours in a waiting room as we await Melissa and Will’s bundle of joy.
The waiting room is packed. Rob and I are here with the kids, as are Jillian, Melissa’s father, and Cade, along with Rob and Will’s mother.
We were all told the baby would be here at any minute … and that was three hours ago. Apparently, your third baby does not guarantee a speedy delivery.
After receiving the text that Melissa was in labor, Rob and I went to the house to get the kids. All four kids went in Rob’s car while I hopped into Will’s as we caravanned to Valor County Hospital. The contractions were fierce. Melissa’s cries of pain were unbearable to hear as I sat in the backseat with her and let her squeeze my hand so hard that I’m still stretching it out to try to get the blood back into circulation.
“Don’t ever procreate, Tara. It’s like the devil magnifies your cramps by a billion, and the pain spreads through your vagina,” she chanted in the car as Will sped down the highway with a police escort.
Cops can be dramatic like that.
They wheeled Melissa into the labor and delivery ward with such a fury that we all thought the kid was about to fly out of her body at any second. Will came out to say she was eight centimeters dilated, and it’s been crickets since. We haven’t even heard the bell that plays on the speaker when a baby is born. The good news is, all is well. Will has texted to let us know it’s just a waiting game at this point.
Rob hands me a cup of coffee, and I thank him, noting the way his mother gives me the side-eye. I’ve always gotten along with Mrs. Bronson. I’ve met her many times over the years. I hope she still likes me now that I’m shacking up with her son.
“Did you ask your mom if she wants coffee?” I nudge him, and he nearly spills his.
“Of course I did. She said no. Vending machines aren’t her thing. My dad will bring her something when he gets here.”
Jesse and Molly ask for money to go to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat. Rob hands them a twenty. I sit back and blow on my steaming cup and look at the ticking clock.
Come on, baby …
Todd, Dick, and Kyle walk in.
I do a double take at their entrance and then remember they’re police officers who work with Will. It’s very sweet that they came. Todd and Dick are in full uniform while Kyle is in a T-shirt, clearly off duty this morning.
“Hey, Tara.” Todd waves from the other side of the room.
I give him a courteous wave back.
“Hi, Tara,” Dick and Kyle say next, and I nod hello.
“Are they part of the Tara Parsons Fan Club?” Rob asks me.
I quietly explain, “I went on a date with Todd once, coffee with Dick, and Kyle and I chatted at a party.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when Rob’s mom makes an odd noise from her throat. I shrug and take a sip of my coffee.
Jillian leans into me. “Looks like things took quite a turn with you and Rob.”
“I have so much to tell you. He showed up at the gala last night and totally swept me off my feet. And then we went back to my place and—”
“Not the place, babe,” Rob says loudly from his chair on the other side of me.
I nod with a giggle and see his mom roll her eyes.
I whisper into Jillian’s ear, “Is it just me, or is Rob’s mom throwing serious shade my way?”
She waves me off. “She’s like that with everyone. She’s probably annoyed you still haven’t announced you’re a couple, yet you’re sitting here acting like one.”
I lean into Rob and whisper. “Do you think we should tell your mom about us? You haven’t been returning her calls and she’d probably appreciate you telling her you’re shacking up with the nanny.”
“Good idea. I’ll give you my high school pin you so everyone knows we’re going steady?”
“While I appreciate the sarcasm, it’s not nineteen fifty-five anymore.”
Rob reaches his hand onto the armrest of my chair and takes my hand in his, lifts it to his lips and kisses my knuckles.
