“I’m on my way.”
“It’s not g-good enough,” her voice started to crack.
“Hey, I’ll be there soon.”
Words caught in Zoe’s throat in the lump of emotion.
“I love you, Zoe.”
The anger she was experiencing toward him melted. “I love you.”
“I’ll see you soon. You take care, and look after yourself and baby.”
The call ended.
Zoe wiped her eyes and put away her phone. She wasn’t sure how long it was going to take for Max to get here, but it was going to be too long.
“Knock, knock.” Her mum walked back into the room. “Helen and Kate are here with your bag.”
“Thanks.” The thought of being able to wear her pajamas was comforting. She wanted to get out of the maxi dress she’d been wearing all day. And the chance to shower using her favorite strawberry soap was overwhelming.
“We also have some of the clothes from today,” said Helen.
“Hope you don’t mind, but we grabbed a few things off the rack which we reckon will look great on you, after you left in the ambulance. Just because you’re in the hospital doesn’t mean you don’t want to wear something that will make you feel better.”
“Thanks.” Zoe surprised herself with her response. She didn’t mind that they’d picked out some clothes for her. It was as if this incident had made her come a little more to terms with how much she’s no longer in control of her life.
“I’ll show you. Maybe you might like to wear these now,” suggested Kate as she pulled out a dark pink top and charcoal harem-styled pants.
“They look great.” Zoe smiled. “I’ll put them on now.” She got out of the bed carefully and went and changed in the bathroom, glad to be able to freshen up a little, and to move around instead of lying on the bed.
The doctor wasn’t sure when the scan would happen, but it would be today sometime.
I might be used to waiting after this baby is born. The thought amused her, as she came out of the bathroom.
“Good choices,” said her mom.
Helen and Kate had managed to find an extra chair from somewhere and were sitting on them lined up under the window.
“They’re comfy,” said Zoe, as she got back on the bed, and sat crossed-legged. “Plenty of room for growth.”
“Max is coming down now,” said Helen.
“I know, he rang just before.”
“You know initially I was so frustrated he wouldn’t come for this trip, but you know, farm work sometimes can’t wait. I should know, I was married to a farmer myself for twenty-eight years. I so wish he’d be here… to see his grandchild born.”
Kate hugged her mom. “He’s here in spirit.”
Zoe steeled herself against the emotion that vibrated between them all. Her eyes teared up again, and she used the handkerchief to stop them from falling.
“Yes, I’m sure he is.” Helen inhaled, as if pushing away the emotion. “I can’t wait for you all to come to the farm for Christmas.”
“Yes,” said Leanne. Her eyes lit up. “It will be a lot of fun to have Christmas on a farm.”
Zoe groaned as if in pain. This was actually going well. Maybe, too well. They were bonding, and she felt as if she was trying to put on the brakes to slow things down.
Maybe I shouldn’t?Something she momentarily thought might be a good idea with Max too. It wasn’t that long ago she’d tried to convince herself to let the details sort themselves out. Hard to do for someone like herself who preferred to be in control.
