Knowing the man she loved and who would take care of her was on his way to her side made Angela feel more settled.
It was only a matter of minutes before the front door swung open and Jude walked in. He spotted her immediately and hurried to her, bending down on one knee in front of her.
He cupped her stomach in his hands just as a contraction started. Angela covered his hands with hers and let her head drop back, closing her eyes.
Jude's hands were warm through the fabric of her robe, and Angela found herself focusing on that warmth as the contraction peaked. His presence alone seemed to ease some of the intensity.
"How long?" His voice was steady, but she could hear the underlying tension in it.
"Since around seven this morning," she said as the pain receded. "They're about seven minutes apart now."
Jude's jaw tightened slightly. "You should have called me sooner."
"I wanted to be sure it was the real thing." She smoothed her hands over his, loving the way his calloused fingers felt against her skin. "Besides, I knew you'd want to rush to the hospital the moment I said the word contraction."
"You bet I would." He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "How are you feeling otherwise?"
"Good.”
“Well, the helicopter is getting prepped, so whenever we decide to go, it’ll be ready.”
Angela still didn’t love flying in the helicopter, but she’d gotten more used to it over the past year and a half.
“Have you told Annie and Kiara you’re in labor?” he asked.
Angela nodded. “But I made them promise not to tell you.”
Jude chuckled. “Sneaky girl.”
As she gazed at Jude, her heart swelled with the love she had for her husband. There wasn’t a day… a moment, really… where he didn’t make her feel safe and protected.
His love for her and his faith in God had made him an unmovable rock in her life. One she depended on.
“Is there anything I need to do before we go?” he asked. “Have you got your bag?”
“Yes, it’s by the door.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Anything else?”
“I need to get dressed at some point,” she said.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “You look pretty comfy.”
“I’m not going to show up at the hospital in my robe,” Angela told him indignantly.
Jude grinned as he got to his feet and held out his hands to help her up. “Well, let’s get you dressed then.”
She had another contraction on the way to the bedroom, but this time she leaned on Jude for the duration.
“Have you picked out what you want to wear?” he asked once they reached the bedroom.
“That dress there,” she said, pointing to the light pink floral dress with cap sleeves that hung on a hanger on the closet door.
Jude retrieved it for her, then helped her get out of her robe and into the dress. It was loose, which felt good against her swollen abdomen.
Once dressed, Jude helped her brush her hair and get it looking like she wanted, then he retrieved her sandals and knelt to slide her feet into them.
With each contraction, he was there for her to lean on.
