“Right. Well, text me when you get home, and I’ll keep you updated with your mum.”
He bites his lip, forehead scrunching. “Mum’ll be okay, right? With the baby coming early and everything?”
“It’s only three weeks early,” I hedge, not wanting to promise something I have no control over, but I don’t want to worry him either. “She’s in good hands. They’re used to babies arriving on their own schedule.”
“And you’re going to stay with her?”
“I promise. Char’s on her way, but I’ll stay with your mum until she gets here.”
He nods, satisfied. “I’ll see you later, then.”
I watch him go, staying where I am until Sean texts me that he’s got him. Then I head inside and back to Hailey.
I’ve never felt quite souseless in my life as I do watching Hailey as she alternates between walking around, lying down, and trying to go to the toilet, all while she grits her teeth against the pain and waits to be far enough along to be moved to the delivery suite.
I don’t even care that she’s snapped at me twice for having the audacity to yawn when she’s the onewho’s been in labour for fucking ever. She’s absolutely right and I am in awe of how strong she is.
Doesn’t mean I’m not watching the door every five seconds and praying that Char arrives soon.
They’ve just wheeled Hailey into the delivery suite when a flustered-looking Char appears in the doorway.
“Oh, thank fuck.” I’ve never been so pleased to see someone in my life.
Hailey laugh-grimaces. “Anyone would think you’re not having fun, Vic.” She currently has a death grip on my fingers, and I’m not convinced I’ll retain full range of movement if she ever lets go.
She screws her eyes shut and squeezes even tighter as another wave of what I can only assume is intense pain hits her.
Char rushes around the bed to her other side and kisses her forehead. “You’re doing great. I’m so sorry, I wasn’t here.”
“S’okay,” she grits out. Then she’s lost to the pain again, Char smooths her damp hair back from her face, and suddenly I feel like I’m intruding.
I carefully try to extricate my hand from Hailey’s, but her head snaps towards me.
“Where the fuck are you going?” She hisses the words and I freeze like a deer in headlights. Hailey’s the most easy-going person ever, but right now she’s pretty fucking terrifying.
“Um... well since Char’s here now, I thought?—”
She grits her teeth again and this time the midwife tells her to push. Hailey’s fingers clutch mine and I quickly accept that I’m not going anywhere.
I look to Char, but she nods quickly. “Stay.”
For whatever reason, they both want me here, and I’m not about to argue. I do make sure to angle myself so that I can see nothing below the waist. Hailey might not give a shit who’s looking at her now, but she probably will later, and I’m quite happy not to see that again.
It seems like forever and yet no time at all before it’s happy tears all around and Hailey and Char are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl. At nine pounds, one ounce, she’s not as big as Joe was, but still a bit of a bruiser.
I take photos of the three of them on my phone and send them to Joe. It’s just after five a.m. and I’m not sure he’ll be awake, but the reply is immediate.
“Joe says congratulations and that he can’t wait to meet her.” I show my phone to Hailey and she smiles.
I send Sean a quick text telling him the good news, too.
When the midwife brings Hailey a cup of tea and some toast, Hailey asks me, “Do you want to hold her?”
I glance down at the sleeping baby cradled in her arms. She might be over nine pounds, but she still looks tiny to me. “I don’t want to drop her.”
“Sit down then, and Char’ll pass her to you.”
I do as I’m told, taking the chair next to Hailey. Char carefully places their little girl in my arms, and I hold my breath as she stirs, only letting it out when she settles back into sleep.
