“Yeah.”
Instead, of a nap, I became a couch potato all day.
By early dusk, the contractions began.
Dale came running into the room. “I felt that through our bond. Are you in labor?”
“I guess so. I guess I sort of have been all day.”
Dale had done his research. He was all set to time the contractions. The hospital would throw us out if we arrived too early.
For hours that night I shivered and shook with intermittent contractions. I dozed off a few times, but by the time I was ready for the big drive to the hospital, I was exhausted. Dale bundled me up and had to practically carry me to the car.
He was so efficient. He had everything ready, my carry bag, the baby seat installed in the backseat, baby blankets, tiny newborn-sized diapers.
“The hospital will have baby diapers,” I pointed out.
He shrugged. “But these have little yellow duckies on them.”
When he got into the driver’s seat, I reached out and rubbed my palm down his shoulder. Even through his parka I could feel the shape of his muscles and note how strong he was. How perfect. My alpha.
When we got to the hospital he wanted to drop me off out front.
“Can you walk?”
“Yep. I can walk.”
“Wait for me inside.”
“Where else am I going?”
He drove off. I walked inside and checked in, telling them my contractions were between three to five minutes apart and that I’d had several in the car on the way here. Immediately, a nurse brought me a wheelchair and started to take me down a hall.
“Wait. I’m not going anywhere without my husband.”
“We’ll direct him to the proper place.”
“No. We’re waiting here.” As soon as I spoke, I nearly doubled over—as far as I could go—in pain.
“No. I think we should get you settled right now.”
I couldn’t speak. The wheelchair started moving again. Even though it wasn’t quite Thanksgiving yet, Christmas music playedsoftly on the speakers. We passed by a nurses’ area with lots of counters and a Christmas tree all lit up in the corner. Pictures of snowmen and wreaths decorated the walls.
It all seemed like the perfect time to bring this baby into the world since Dale and I had become lovers for the first time on Christmas Eve.
I was taken to the paternity/maternity ward and into a private room where I was helped into hospital robe and into bed.
“The doctor will be in soon to examine you.”
Just then, Dale rushed in with my carry bag in hand and the baby bag over his shoulder.
“You didn’t wait.”
“They wouldn’t let me.”
Another contraction hit. They were coming faster now.
Dale dropped the bags and came to my side, grabbing my hand. Our bond was lit up from my pain. But also, from my joy. This wasn’t awful because I knew our son was going to be joining us very soon.
