“Okay Ms. Whitestone, you’ll pull up outside the labor and delivery ER entrance and then we will get you all settled in,” she instructs.
“Thank you, see you soon.” I hang up the phone, leaning my head back and breathing through the contraction. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Not telling you sooner that I was having contractions.”
“It’s okay, honestly I could tell something was off but I didn’t want to force you to leave until you were ready.” He grins, pulling the car in front of the ER. An orderly is waiting with a wheelchair and assists me out of the car. “I have to go park the car, I’ll see you in there.”
“Wait, I don’t want you to leave.” My throat clogs, fear setting in now that we’ve arrived.
“Mama, I can’t-”
“I’ve got it.” Kodi’s voice comes from behind Tate, “Get her inside and I’ll get the cars switched out.”
“Thank you.” We say in unison before Tatum tosses Ko the keys and pushes me inside and to reception.
The next few minutes are a flurry of questions and me breathing through the pain, getting wristbands and then we are being wheeled up to the labor and delivery floor by Trina, the nurse who will be with us until shift change.
“Ready for this, Mama?” Tatum asks in that horrific, familiar accent and, because of the pain and the onslaught of another contraction, the faux accent irrationally pisses me off. He’s trying to break the tension but now that I’m here and faced with pushing a whole ass child out of my vag, I’m not having it.
“Now is not the fucking time, Tatum Reed. I will kill you.” I seethe, screaming as another, larger contraction strikes. Trina laughs under her breath. I’m sure this isn’t the first time she’s heard this and I can guarantee it won’t be the last.
* * *
The epidural was a magnificent invention.The contractions are muted but I have been in labor for eight hours at this point and I’m only dilated four centimeters. Kodi switched out the Porsche for my car since that’s where the carseat is installed, Tatum had Mav double-check no less than three times that it was properly installed. Along with grabbing our go bags and dropped them off while our friends have taken up residence in the waiting room. The guys lost their game and then when they saw their texts, got here as fast as they could.
“Do you need anything?” Tate asks, leg bouncing as he sits beside the bed, hand in mine.
“No, but I think if everyone is still sitting out in the waiting room. They should go home and get some rest. We can call when he comes.” I tell him, rubbing my stomach, “Plus you probably need a walk and some coffee. You haven’t left my side since we got here and, though I appreciate it, you need to take care of yourself too.”
“You’re probably right. I won’t be gone too long but if anything happens, call me please.”
“I’ll be okay Tate.” He places his forehead on mine, kissing me softly before he exits the room. I find myself relaxing in the quiet of the room, letting my eyes drift close for a moment.
Chapter25
It’s Time
Tatum || 38 weeks pregnant, February 19th
Iwave to the nurses as they open the doors into the hallway for me and I cross the hall into the room. My parents, the twins, Bella, and our best friends are sprawled across the small waiting area. Dom’s head rests on Nik’s shoulder as he reads a book, Harley and Sin scroll their phones, Bella colors with Tessa and Tinsley, Victoria and Dale sit in the corner with my parents speaking quietly while Maverick holds Kodi close. All eyes come up to me as I enter the area.
“Is she okay?” Kodi’s eyes are red rimmed, as if she’s been crying. I’m sure that she’s worried about her best friend.
“Is he here?” My mom asks.
“Baby!” Bella squeals, clapping her hands.
“I heard baby!” Dom’s eyes pop open as he finds me across the room.
“How are you doing? Do you need anything?” Mavericks asks.
“She’s okay. I’m okay. He’s not here and he honestly won’t be for a while. You all should go home, shower, rest and I’ll call when he’s here.” I tell them, exhaustion weighing heavily in my bones.
“My daughter is here, Darcy Whitestone. She’s in labor, she needs me.” I hear echoing from the hallway. Everyone we want here is in this room. Lorraine Whitestone had the audacity to show up to the hospital after Darcy told her she could visit after he was born. I’m turning and exiting the room with Collins, Nik and Sinclair hot on my heels.
“She actually isn’t having anyone in the room except for her partner, ma’am,” Wesley, the nurse on desk duty, tells the Whitestones. Steven stands beside his wife, arms crossed over his chest.
