by M. E. Carter
I snap back to reality when Brittany lets out a moan like I’ve never heard come from a human being before. All of my thoughts are muffled except one:
It doesn’t matter what kind of animal it is—horse, cow, human—a mother in labor still makes the same primal, guttural sounds when they are getting ready to have a baby.
That’s my one clear thought in all of this? Well, that and to never ever tell the women in the room I thought it. I like the way my face looks without a handprint on it, thank you very much.
Making my way quickly to the office, I leave a note for Jill in case the text didn’t go through. I’m not leaving that hospital until I am an uncle and I know things are fine.
Satisfied that she’ll see the sticky note I stuck on the monitor, I make my way back to the kitchen. There’s a giant pot full of water on the stove. It hasn’t started boiling yet so I’m not sure what we’re going to do. The only thing I know is to grab a giant box of oversized muffins from the pantry and toss them in the middle of the kitchen table, leaving one more sticky note on top that simply says “Breakfast”. The farm hands are just going to have to feed themselves this morning. I’m assuming Phillip will figure out a contingency plan for lunch. They’re not completely useless in the kitchen. Well, not Phillip anyway.
Rushing back to the front room, Pedro is standing there looking around.
“My wife… where’s my wife? WHERE’S MY WIFE?” he shouts grabbing onto me and shaking me.
“She’s in the car, Pedro, ready to go.” Greer says calmly as she walks through the front door. How can she walk at a time like this? Doesn’t she know she needs to be rushing? And when the hell did she go outside?
“Okay. She’s in the car. She’s in the car,” he chants like the more he says it, the sooner the words will compute. “Where’s the overnight bag?”
“Also in the car.”
“Where’s the car seat?” he bellows.
“You don’t need it yet. The baby isn’t here. We’ll bring it to you before you’re discharged.”
“Okay.” At that exact moment he looks down and suddenly has some clarity. “Where are my pants?”
“Right here.” She tosses them at him, a smirk on her face. “You,” she points at me, “go put a shirt and shoes on. And you,” she points at Pedro who is now dressing in my front foyer and falling all over the place because he doesn’t’ stop to take his boots off first. If we weren’t so panicked, I’d call him a dumb ass. But considering we’re about to have a baby, I’ll forgive him. “Get those pants on and get in the backseat with your wife. Stop running around like a crazy loon. Your job is to sit there and hold her hand.”
“But, but… but we need towels!”
“They have some at the hospital.”
“And hot water.”
“They have some of that, too.”
“Oh.” He shakes his head and runs his fingers through his hair. “So get in the car?”
“Yes. Back seat. Hold her hand.”
“Okay.” He races out the front door leaving Greer with her hands on her hips and chuckling.
She looks up at me, looks back down at my chest, and back up at me. “Why are you not dressed yet?”
“I…I…” I stutter. I honestly have no idea. “Because my brain isn’t really working right now and I’m not sure what to do.”
She laughs as she walks toward me, then cups my cheeks with her hands. “Calm down. I’ve done this twice before. It’s going to be just fine. But we need to get going so put on some clothes and meet me back here. I’m going to turn off the stove.”
“Right,” I say in agreement and give her a quick kiss on the lips before taking the steps two at a time and hustling to my bedroom. I have no idea what shirt I grab—just something out of the drawer that looks like it fits. Thankfully, I remember to grab my shoes as well.
Sure enough, Greer is exactly where I left her, at the bottom on the stairs waiting calmly. I’m glad someone is calm in this situation.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
“One more thing and then you can meet me in the car,” she says.
“Anything. What?”
“Hon. Go put the towels away. We don’t need them, remember?”
Looking down, she’s right. I grabbed some on my way out of the bedroom and didn’t even realize it. “Oh. Shit.” I chuckle to myself, suddenly realizing how ridiculous Pedro and I are. Towels? Boiling water? Pantsless?
Thank God Greer was here. Otherwise Brittany may have had to drive herself.
I drop the towels on the stairs. We can put them away later. But for now, it’s time.
We’re going to have a baby.
Of all the nights to stay at Ace’s, I’m glad it was the night Brittany went into labor. Watching those two men run around like chickens with their heads cut off had to be one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen.
I have no idea how they stay so cool and under control with farm issues, because when it comes to humans, they are off their damn rockers.
It only took about three hours from the time we got to the hospital until the baby was born. Brittany had done an amazing job of timing her contractions so she did most of her laboring at home. I was impressed. I was begging for an epidural two months before Oli was even born and Braxton Hicks kicked in. Cause I’m a weenie.
But my favorite part of the night was watching Ace hold that brand new baby. Antonio Pedro Garcia was born just after six in the morning and we were in the room to welcome him to the world not long after that. I’ve never seen so much love come from a man who was not the father. Actually, I don’t’ think I saw that much love coming from my own kids’ father when they were born. What a depressing thought.
The whole night, though, was just beautiful. And exhausting. I pushed through the work week, despite my lack of sleep, mostly because it was the kids’ last week of school before Thanksgiving and I knew it would be exponentially harder to get things done. Plus, Ace convinced me I need to take a day off. A day to relax and enjoy my children and myself. To go out, just the four of us and have some fun.
At first I was reluctant, because a good mom doesn’t want to get her kids involved in her dating life until she knows for sure it’s going to last forever.
Right?
I’m not positive, but I did have a realization. And that is there is something freeing about dating when your kids are teenagers. I had never thought about it until after our first date, when Ace and I officially started seeing each other. But it’s true.
When your kids are little, you worry about them getting attached to someone. Will they see that other person as a father figure and be heartbroken if the relationship doesn’t work out? Will it will be traumatic if that person disappears? Will it lead to abandonment issues?
But when they’re teenagers, it’s so different. Sure, they might really enjoy the person you’re dating. They might even come to love that person. But they’re also old enough to recognize that relationships ebb and flow; that some relationships don’t last forever. They’ve probably already experienced in their own lives and have come to recognize that sometimes people are just in your life for a short time.
Like I said, when I finally pieced that together, this amazing feeling of freedom took over.
Realistically, I’m still worried about Oli. I’ll always worry about him. Since his maturity level is that of an eight-year-old, things that don’t bother other teenagers still bother him. But once Ace reminded me that he’s going to be the guy in charge of Oli’s school program even if we weren’t seeing each other, well, it kind of freed me up from worrying about Oli too much. Ace is a father figure to a lot of kids and he hasn’t dumped out of any of their lives, even when they’ve left the program. Sure, some of their relationships have faded away. But if he and Oli lose touch, it won’t be because he and I don’t work out. They already have their own independent relationship.
Granted, it’s only been a couple months, but after our overnight date and being part of
Brittany’s birth, things have shifted. I don’t carry that extra worry. Or maybe it’s easy to be with Ace just because he’s Ace. He doesn’t get his feathers ruffled easily. Even when there’s chaos all around him, he’s just steady. And if anything makes him afraid, I have yet to see it. Except human childbirth.
Seriously. I happened to be here when a calf was getting ready to be born breach. Ace never once freaked out or panicked, even knowing it could have killed his Bessie. He just calmly stuck his arm up inside the cow to turn the calf around.
I have kids so I can handle seeing a lot of things.
Except that.
We’re all lucky I only had a gag reflex when he pulled his arm back out. I almost threw my lunch up all over the barn floor.
Oli, on the other hand, thought it was so cool and hasn’t stopped talking about it since. It’s always fun to have to relive the visual images over and over when he brings it up. Aren’t fixations the best? Fortunately, his mind is on other things today.
“I can’t believe I’m trudging through a field to go fishing,” Julie complains.
I’m not shocked she’s less than thrilled by today’s activities. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend some time outdoors with my kids and my new boyfriend. Especially in a place as beautiful as his land.
Autumn is finally here and it’s a perfect day for long sleeves and jeans, which we don’t get to wear very often. The lush fields are covered in the last of the blooming wildflowers, a few trees scattered here and there. We can still see the main house and the barn as we walk toward the lake, but it’s quiet and feels secluded out here. I welcome the reprieve from our constant chaos through everyday life.
“You’re just mad that you can’t read your book,” Oli shoots back, happy as a clam. He’s been looking forward to this fishing trip for a couple days now. He actually woke me up this morning instead of vice versa because he didn’t want to be late.
It was a struggle explaining that even the fish aren’t awake at four thirty in the morning. I’m not sure he ever believed me, but at least he finally gave up on me dropping him off three hours earlier than expected.
When we finally arrived at a more normal hour, Ace handed us each a fishing pole and off we went. Very quickly, we realized we need to give Oli a wide berth. He seems to forget how long the fishing pole is and that the hook can be dangerous. He actually whapped Ace in the head, the hook snatching his hat right off. It was pretty funny since no one end up in stitches. That doesn’t mean any of us are willing to get too close, though.
“No, Oli. That’s not it. I finished my book last night,” Julie retorts. “I don’t like the idea of snakes being in this grass. What happens if we get bit, huh? How far is it to the hospital? Who’s to say I’m not going to die before I get there?”
Ace’s deep chuckle reverberates through me. “That’s why I always carry some anti-venom in my pocket.”
Julie’s eyes go wide. “Are you serious? There are enough snakes out here that you have to carry anti-venom in your pocket?”
Ace laughs even harder now. “I was kidding Julie. If anyone gets bit, I’ll just suck the venom right out and spit it in the grass.”
“What?” she practically screeches and stops walking, looking all around her like a snake is listening to the conversation and is going to jump out at her this very second.
“Still kidding,” he says, still laughing. “You don’t have to worry about snakes. We’re all wearing boots and I know the sound of a rattler. Plus, this is close enough to the farm that the barn cats like to come out here and hunt. I can guarantee if there was a nest anywhere around here, they would have already found it and obliterated it.”
“Oh well that’s comforting.” Julie rolls her eyes. “Cats eating snakes for breakfast. This just keeps getting better.”
I can’t help but smile at their playful banter. It’s nice being out here like this. Just being able to enjoy each other’s company and learn something new. One of the things I was looking forward to when we moved here was being able to spend more time outdoors. I think my kids got so used to living in suburbia, we forgot what it’s like to have fresh air and work our muscles.
“I hope this will make up for it right here.” Ace points off in the distance. About a hundred yards away, we can see the edge of the water. Jutting out into the lake is a small pier. “We’re not gonna be sitting in the grass or anything. We’re gonna be sitting out there,” he explains. “Makes it easier to catch fish when you’re out that far in the water. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any critters sneaking up behind you.”
“Comforting,” Julie says sarcastically, making me laugh.
“Come on Julie. It’ll be fun having the experience.” She gives me that look that only a teenager can give. It’s a cross between “You’re insane” and “I’m trying really hard to trust you, but I don’t know if I should”.
“I’m serious,” I chuckle. “This’ll be good for us. See how quiet and peaceful it is out here? It’s kind of nice to be disconnected from the rest of the world. Even for a couple of hours. No distractions. No internet. No phone calls.”
“No fun,” Julie interjects.
I purse my lips at her. “We haven’t even gotten to the lake yet. Give it a chance.”
She grumbles but doesn’t say anymore as we follow behind Ace and Oli, who have now taken the lead on our trek. I enjoy watching him interact with my teenage son. He has such a calm demeanor around him, patiently giving Oli enough time to process through questions he has about things like how to know when a snake is poisonous and if they eat fish, too.
To be honest, I find the whole thing very sexy. I find Ace very sexy. And not just because I know what he can do in the bedroom, although that’s not far from my mind these days. I’m looking forward to the next time Uncle Jack wants to babysit.
No, there’s something about a man who has this much empathy and compassion for the people others usually dismiss that makes me want to jump him right in this field. But since this is a family outing, I put those thoughts in the back of my mind.
“It’s so quiet out here,” I casually mention. “I love that we’re far enough away from the highway, there’s no chance we’re going to accidentally hear the sound of an 18-wheeler putting on the air brakes.”
“Sounds like I’m gonna turn you into a nature buff yet,” Ace says over his shoulder, shooting me a flirty wink that doesn’t help me put my carnal thoughts aside. Now that Ace has unleashed that side of me, I’m having a hard time going without him anymore.
“I’ve always been somewhat of a nature buff. I’ve just never had much opportunity. I’ve always thought I’d could live on a farm. I mean, I wouldn’t help or anything.” He guffaws at my clarification. “But it’s just so beautiful out here, I can see the appeal.”
He smiles softly at me and for just a second I hope he doesn’t think I was implying I could live on his farm. That would be way too forward. I feel my face getting hot, but he doesn’t notice as the grass begins to clear and a small beach front is revealed.
Stepping on the pier, we have to walk two-by-two since it’s not wide enough for all of us.
“And here we are,” he says when we get to the end. “This is one of my favorite places to be.”
“It’s so pretty,” Oli says and I nod in agreement.
We begin dropping all our gear and organizing where everything will be for easy fishing. There’s no schedule. No place we need to be. Just the sun, a cool breeze, and good conversation.
“I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I used to come out here to skinny dip when we were young,” Ace reveals.
Julie starts making gagging sounds and Oli giggles.
“You went skinny dipping?” he asks, thinking it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
“Sure did! There’s nothing like working hard on the ranch all day long and coming out here, stripping down to your skivvies and diving in. The lake isn’t terribly deep, but it’s deep e
nough the water never actually gets warm. When it’s a hundred degrees outside and ninety-five percent humidity, that’s the best feeling in the world.”
Julie scoffs. “You don’t, like, still do that now, do you?”
Ace just laughs. “Nah. There’s this unwritten rule that once you’re passed about twenty-five, you’re a little too old to do that in public. Don’t wanna make anyone barf by looking at our old wrinkly skin.” He winks at me again as I cover up a laugh. Julie keeps making gagging sounds, the little twerp.
I know for a fact there’s no wrinkly skin on Ace’s body. Mine, maybe. But with all that farm work, he’s certainly still fit under those clothes.
It’s too bad he never had any kids. He’d make a good dad.
The lake has always been one of my favorite parts of this property. One of my favorite places to be.
When we were young, my friends and I would race out here to go swimming in the summer time because the water was always cool. We’d go fishing and canoeing. It was that ideal childhood everyone always talks about.
By the time we hit high school, we started having bon fires out here. A few times we even convinced some of the girls to skinny dip in the middle of the night. Nothing like some moonlight reflecting off a girl’s creamy skin to make the crazy teenaged boy hormones go nuts. It’s a wonder none of us drown.
So this place holds a lot of good memories for me. I was excited when Greer agreed to bring the kids out here so we could all go fishing. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax and it might be good for Oli to get his hands on a fishing pole. Although I wouldn’t know. About forty-five second after the worm went on the hook and it all went in the water, Oli got bored. I don’t know what he was expecting. Maybe some sort of giant salmon or a shark. I kept trying to explain to him that no, the guy from River Monsters has never been here. We’re just looking for a few good-sized trout. That apparently wasn’t good enough for him. And it was taking too long.
So he’s off hunting frogs, Greer hanging out on the pier, shoes off, legs stretched out, just enjoying the last of the warm sun on her face and being out of the office, Julie and I sitting on the edge feet dangling toward the water.
