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Adeline breathes fast, turning in my direction.
“I thought we were in this together?”
Her contraction must subside because she inhales one deep breath. “Shit, this is so different than cramps.” She squeezes my hand. “Did you want to see a live birth? And honestly, it isn’t like I’m saying no to the epidural.”
“I guess so.” I still don’t feel great about it. How did I forget the whole Lamaze thing? It’s in every damn movie.
Eventually, everything calms down for a while. Her mother and I slide chairs over to be closer to the bed. The hospital even calms down outside our doors. They’ve darkened the room, and less staff seem to be walking the floor.
I must’ve fallen asleep because I’m awoken by Adeline’s hand running through my hair. It takes a second before I realize where we are and what we were doing.
My head shoots up with alarm. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Rarely do I ever see you so peaceful. We’re having a baby.” Her voice sounds wistful, almost like she can’t believe it.
I smile at her and nod. “We are. Well, you are.”
“Don’t worry, once he or she is out, you’ll be doing your share.” Again, her smile pierces my heart.
“Damn right.”
We stare at one another for a while, and I wish I knew what was going on in her head. These past few months, we’ve grown close, and now we’re going to raise a baby together.
I haven’t had a moment to really think about what happened right before we left for the hospital, and I’m not sure now is the time.
“I’m here!” Dr. Griffin comes in. “Sorry, I stopped for a quick dinner. I was only down the street in case something happened fast, but I see we’re stalling a little.” She washes her hands and goes over to the machine that spits out paper.
The nurse follows and glances at Adeline and me.
“Although you two look really relaxed, how about we get you up and walking around, Adeline?” the doctor says.
“Seriously?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice.
“Oh, I could use it. I’m sick of lying down.” Adeline is already trying to sit up.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask, sounding a tad more alarmed than I probably should.
Adeline laughs. “She’s with my dad. They were going to get something to eat before the cafeteria closed.”
My eyes widen. “But she’s our expert!”
Dr. Griffin’s forehead wrinkles as she stares at me.
“I mean, she’ll tell me what I should be doing.” I haven’t felt this helpless since that day with Greta. I hate hospitals.
“I’ll be happy to direct you, Damon.” Dr. Griffin smiles. “Okay, let’s get you up.”
She and the nurse help Adeline get unattached to the monitor while I put on her socks over her cute pink painted toenails that she got done with Sami the other night. Dr. Griffin and the nurse help Adeline out of bed and hand her over to me with matching grins.
And we walk down the hall.
And up the hall.
And back down the hall.
And up the hall again.
Adeline’s labor starts up again and fast.
