I’m like a high schooler dreaming of losing my virginity, only after Gideon and my first time together, I might need to go feed a baby, not study for an algebra test.
Desire pools through me as I shift against him, my belly stopping me from getting as close to him as I’d like. When he lifts his head, his ragged breathing is proof our desire is mutual.
Reality unfortunately comes crashing in. “I have to pee.”
He presses his lips together as he tries not to laugh. The last couple of weeks the baby has been pressing on my bladder so I’ve been living in the bathroom. Right now, all I want to do is kiss Gideon but I can’t risk an accident.
He’s witnessed my body change in many ways. Hopefully accidentally wetting myself won’t be another thing.
He stands and offers me his hand. “Up you go.”
I peck his lips. “Promise you won’t watch me waddle away.”
He shakes his head. “Never. I’ve already told you I think it’s cute.”
Drat him. If I didn’t have to go so bad I might have tried talking him out of watching me.
On my way back from the bathroom, a pain so sharp I need to pause and bend over to brace myself against the wall hits me. It’s intense enough to rob me of words. Panting, I breathe my way through it. As soon as it came, it leaves.
Cautiously, I straighten. Was that a contraction or the worst gas I’ve ever had in my life? If it was gas, wouldn’t I need to fart?
With a gentle touch, I press the center and then the sides of my extended belly. Did I imagine it?
“Did you fall in?” Gideon calls from the living room.
Walking slowly, I make my way back to him. “I just had the weirdest pain but it’s gone now.”
Gideon goes from sprawled on his back to on his feet in front of me in an instant. “Is it the baby?”
Like a weight on my shoulders, it hits me how not ready I am to be a mother.
I shake my head and lie. “No, I think it was gas.”
His gaze roams over my face as he gathers my hands in his. “Are you sure?”
No, I’m not.
When I don’t reply, he says, “Let’s check the book.”
As in the book every expecting mom probably has a copy of. The book that’s been living on the coffee table we refer to it so much. Letting go of my hands, he doesn’t wait for me to agree, and starts flipping through the book.
Coming up behind him, I peer over his side. “What does it say?”
He turns his head to look at me. “Unless your water broke, it could be a Braxton Hicks. Why don’t you sit down and we’ll time it to see if it happens again?”
Doing as he says, I reclaim the spot I was sitting in before our impromptu make-out session started. Gideon passes me the book before pulling his t-shirt back on. Normally, I’d pout at him putting clothes on. Right now, my mind is too busy spinning in a million possible directions to care.
With one hand on my belly, I say, “Is it awful that part of me wishes the baby could stay inside me forever?”
Shifting closer, he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Finley said the same thing. It makes sense to want to keep the baby safe. It’s scary out here but we’ll do everything we can to keep this baby safe.”
He’s right, but it doesn’t help ease my fear. I’ll only be able to protect this baby from so much and that already breaks my heart.
“What if the baby gets bullied?”
Gideon blinks at me. “What kind of play dates are you planning?
With a shake of my head I explain, “I meant once he or she is in school.”
Hmm, I may be overthinking things.
He bursts out laughing and tucks his face close to my neck. “Sweetheart, if our baby ever gets bullied we’ll deal with it then.”
Our baby. It’s impossible not to fall a little bit more in love with him each time he says something like this. Gideon Thompson is a miracle worker. With him beside me, I’ve stopped being afraid of being alone.
“What if it hurts?”
He lifts his head and locks eyes with me. “You can always take the pain meds.”
I cringe. “I’m not sure I can handle getting a shot in my back.”
His face softens. “I’ll be there to hold your hand.”
Before I can relish his words, another pain has me gasping out as I double over.
His voice sounds hoarse as he exclaims, “Lucy.”
Blindly, I fumble for his hand. Once I find it, I hold on with all my might as I try to deep breathe through the pain. When the pain lessons, I look up into Gideon’s worried-looking eyes. “Should we start timing?”
My words set him into action and seconds later he has the timer going on his phone.
“Is there anything else I can do, any way I can make you more comfortable?”
Getting to see a usually confident Gideon Thompson so ruffled would be fun if these pains didn’t hurt as much as they do.
“It’s your job to remind me to move when the next one hits. I read somewhere if moving makes the pain go away it’s probably Braxton Hicks.”
He nods his head. “I can do that. Did you finish packing your hospital bag?”
I cover my face. “I forgot.”
He helps me to my room. I can walk fine right now but he seems set on being supportive. Honestly, even though my impulse is still to do everything on my own, I’m grateful for all of the ways he takes care of me.
He guides me straight to my bed and in no uncertain terms, makes me sit. “I can finish packing it. I just need you to tell me what you want in it.”
“My clothes are packed, and clothes for the baby. I still need my charger, and toiletries.”
He moves through my house with focus, not wasting any time to collect the things I listed and pack them into my overnight bag. I want to freak out, but his calm attitude is contagious. With him beside me, it’d be silly to worry.
That all goes out the window when the next pain hits. I drop to my knees, my hand pressed to my belly. The sensation courses through my middle and steals my breath. How can I “he-he-who” when there’s no air in my lungs?
Gideon is suddenly beside me, also on his knees, a comforting hand on my back. “What can I do?”
He’s already doing exactly what I need. He’s here, he’s taking care of me, and he’s keeping me from panicking. As the pain begins to lessen, I take my hand from my belly and cover his hand with it.
A minute later I look up at him. “I really hope this isn’t false labor, because if it is I’m screwed.”
Leaning toward me, he presses his lips to my temple. “You can do this, I’ll be right there with you.”
My throat clogs as I blink away tears. “Thank you.”
He helps me stand and then out to and into his truck.
Once my bag is in the backseat and he’s in his seat, he takes my hand. “I’ll call everyone when we get to the hospital.”
I press my lips together, not wanting to cry again. I’m a jumble of emotions, all of them wanting to come out in the form of tears. Another wave of pain hits me as we drive. Folding forward, I press my free hand against the dash as I squeeze Gideon’s hand with the other.
“Try and breathe Lucy. We’re almost there.”
I’m a balloon in a windstorm, held firmly by his grip. He won’t let me go and as his hand warms mine, I breathe. At the hospital, I don’t need to wait and am in a wheelchair on my way up to labor and delivery. My OB’s office pre-checked me in at the start of my third trimester.
Still holding my hand, Gideon asks, “Do you want me to start calling people now or after we see someone?”
“Let’s make sure I’m in labor first. I don’t want to worry anyone.”
The nurse, an older woman wearing scrubs with little frogs all over them, asks, “Is this your first?”
We both nod and she gives my shoulder a squeeze.
In the elevator, I watch as she studies Gideon in the mirrored doors. It’s funny how even possibly in labor
I can’t help but wonder if she’s checking him out. Seriously, why does he need to be so hot?
“Excuse me, are you one of Denny Thompson’s boys?”
She knows his dad. Serves me right for being a jealous dork. A blush creeps up my neck and over my cheeks.
Gideon, so focused on me, jumps at her words. “I am.”
She smiles broadly. “I thought I recognized you. I’ve been shopping at Thompson’s for years. I haven’t seen your dad there the last few times I’ve gone. Has he finally retired?”
He returns her smile and dips his head. “My oldest brother Eli took over. Dad’s still there from time to time but only when he’s bored or my mom wants him out of her hair.”
The doors open as she replies, “My husband retired last year. He got bored being at home and is now working part-time at Woodlake Mountain.”
The conversation and her easy-going manner both go a long way to keep me calm. When we reach the labor and delivery wing, a different nurse meets us at a set of double doors.
As the new nurse moves behind my wheelchair, the other one moves to lean down in front of me. “You are in good hands my dear.”
She then shakes hands with Gideon. “You’ll be fine, Dad.”
Neither of us corrects her and an unexpected pang of sadness hits me. As wonderful as Gideon is, and as happy as I am now, it doesn’t erase the fact that he’s here partly because Derek didn’t want to be.
“How are you feeling, Mom?” The nurse asks.
I hug my belly. “Nervous, scared, excited, all of the above.”
“Nervous and excited sound good, but no more being scared. We’re going to take good care of you.”
She wheels me into a hospital room, Gideon on her heels. “Here’s a gown to change into. I’ll step outside for a couple minutes.”
As I change, I stare at Gideon’s back. He’s become one of the most important people in my world and he still hasn’t seen me naked. “Will you stay with me the whole time?”
Turning his head, he looks over his shoulder at me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
It’s not the first time I wish this baby were his.
After I get changed and onto the bed, another nurse comes into the room and motions to a wipe board with Jackie written next to a smiley face. “Hi, I’m Jackie and I’ll be your nurse tonight.”
Before she does anything else, another pain hits me. Gideon’s hand finds mine as I wince, squeezing my eyes shut.
Jackie takes my other hand. “All right Mom, don’t forget to breathe.”
Thankfully, the pain lessens after a minute and then goes away.
When I open my eyes again, she smiles sympathetically at me. “You did great. Now, we’re going to do a quick exam.”
Another nurse joins her and together, they get me checked in, hooked to the monitors and examine me.
“Am I really in labor?” I ask, as soon as they’re done.
Jackie nods. “You are, but you still have a ways to go.”
The anesthesiologist came in next to administer my epidural since it was part of my birth plan already on file. The relief is instant and as scary as getting it was, is so worth it.
“It’s good to see you smiling again,” Gideon says once we’re alone again.
My smile widens. “Epidurals are the best thing ever.”
He laughs before leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead. “I’m going to start calling people to let them know we’re here.”
I almost ask if he has to. “Try and talk my grandpa into not coming. It’s late and I don’t want to be worrying about him driving in the dark.”
His brows go up. “He’s stubborn. Do you believe telling him to stay home will work?”
I chew on the inside of my lip. “I said try. I never said it would work.”
Pulling a chair closer to the side of my bed, he says, “I’ll get Abby to drive him.”
Settling back against my pillow, I can breathe easier. “I’ll call my mom.”
The phone only rings once. “Why are you calling this late? Are you having the baby?”
Shaking my head I picture her gripping her phone with one hand and smacking my dad to get his attention with the other. “Hi Mom. Yes, I’m at the hospital.”
She lets out a happy shout before saying, “I’ll have your dad change our flights right now.”
I’m distracted from replying when Gideon points to the machine for gauging my contractions. Tilting my head to the side, phone to my ear, I focus on where the pain should be but isn’t. The epidural has clearly kicked in. It’s incredible how quickly it worked. With a grin, I nod at Gideon. Relief washes over him. Are sympathy pains a thing?
“Lucy? Are you still there?” My mom asks.
“Oops. Sorry Mom, I didn’t hear what you just said.”
“I’ll text you our new flight info as soon as I have it. Gosh, I hate that I’m not there with you,” She says, her words thick with emotion. “My baby is having a baby.”
Since women in my family have generally carried to or past their due dates, my parents weren’t going to fly out until next week. I’m breaking tradition going into labor two weeks before my due date.
As much as I wish she could be here with me right now, I guess the universe has other plans. “I’m doing okay. I promise. Plus, Gideon is here.”
“Pass the phone to him. I want to talk to him for a minute.”
Oh geez.
Pressing my phone to my chest, I say, “Mom wants to talk to you.”
He holds out his hand, not even phased by her request.
Jackie and a doctor pick this moment to walk into my room, curbing any attempt I was going to make at eavesdropping.
Jackie motions to the doctor, a middle-aged woman who looks more like a ballerina with a tall willowy frame and her hair swept up in a neat bun. “This is Dr. Ormound. Depending on how quickly your labor goes, she will be our on-call OBGYN for the delivery.”
Dr. Ormound offers me a friendly wave. “Let’s see how far we’ve progressed from your first exam.”
I glance over at Gideon. His attention is focused on me, even with my phone to his ear. What on earth is my mother saying to him?
Shifting my gaze back to Dr. Ormound, I nod. “Okay.”
Gideon moves closer to me and reaches for my hand. “I need to go now. The doctor is here. I promise to keep you posted on how’s she doing.”
He hangs up, and slides my phone into his back pocket.
“You are making great progress. If the rate of your dilation remains the same, we should be able to start pushing in a couple hours.”
My lips part. “A couple hours?”
That seems so far away.
She pulls off her gloves and throws them away. “It’ll be here before you know it. You should try and get some rest now if you can.”
Sleep? I’m too wired to even think about sleeping, even if it’s later than when I would normally go to bed now. Instead of arguing, I weakly bob my head.
Dr. Ormound leaves before Jackie, who asks, “Can I get either of you anything?”
We both shake our heads. “No, thank you.”
She shows Gideon how to work the recliner and dim the lights. “Like Dr. Ormound said, you both should try and get some rest.”
It’s not until she’s out of the room that Gideon says, “Easier said than done.”
It’s like he’s in my head.
19
Gideon
Once the doctor and nurse Jackie leave, I call Abby to give her the news. She jumped in her car when we called her and is already at Lucy’s grandfather’s house. Together they decide to stay put and come to the hospital in the morning while we try to get some rest.
Lucy is asleep before I hang up, the gentle sound of her breath a whisper beside the beeping of the monitors. With my phone still in my hand, I open my camera app and take a picture of her sleeping. The wonders of modern medicine, it’s crazy she’s able to sleep while in labor. Then I call Rissa and when
I get her voicemail, leave her a message to let her know what’s going on.
Setting my phone beside me, I recline my chair and try to get comfortable. It’s better than a hard plastic chair, but I’m a big guy and even though I try, it’s impossible. The recliner isn’t the only thing keeping me from sleep, the beeping, and noise from the hallway doesn’t help. There’s a chance even in a dark and quiet room my nerves would kick in to keep me up anyway.
I don’t mind. Watching her sleep is loads better than watching her struggle with the pain of her contractions. At some point, I doze. My eyes open each time one of the nurses peeks into the room. Quietly they check the monitors before leaving without disturbing Lucy.
It’s not until Lucy wakes up on her own that they do a full exam.
Jackie beams. “It’ll be time to push soon. Your water broke. Stay put. I’ll get another nurse in here and we’ll change your sheets.”
That has Lucy sitting up. “Really?”
Jackie nods. “It must have happened while you were resting. Dr. Ormound will be in to take a look. She’ll decide if it’s time to push.”
We have only a moment to stare at each other before the small room fills with extra bodies. They make quick work of changing out the lower sheets on Lucy’s bed, with her still in it. All she had to do was lift up for a second while they did it.
As soon as they’re done, Dr. Ormound does her exam with Jackie staying behind to assist.
Her gaze goes to Lucy as soon as she’s done. “Are you ready to have a baby?”
Lucy presses her hands to her chest, her face lighting up the entire room. “Yes.”
The mood of the room changes, her excitement contagious. Moving beside her, I take her hand in mine and press my lips to her temple. Her fingers clutch mine.
There are two nurses assisting Dr. Ormound now. Jackie stands behind the doctor, off to one side, while the other nurse stands beside Lucy’s bed on the other side.
“It’ll help her if you hold her leg up like this,” the other nurse instructs me.
Locking eyes with Lucy, I wait for her to nod her okay before I mirror what the nurse is doing. My eyes stay focused on Lucy as Dr. Ormound explains how to push even though the epidural has her numb from the waist down. Since she can’t feel anything, she could think she’s pushing even though she’s not.
My Perfect Fix (The Fix Book 4) Page 18
