What?
"I'm on my way,” I respond and hang up to rush out the door.
Chapter 24: Mae
My labor and delivery with Elsie had been riddled with insecurities, anxiety, fear, and loneliness.
When I went into labor unexpectedly, presumably prematurely at thirty-six weeks pregnant, Vance was traveling for a game, hundreds of miles away. When I called him to see if he could get on a flight to come to the hospital because I’d thought it was time, his response was, ‘Why? There’s nothing for me to do there. You just push the baby out without any involvement from me.’
It was as if he was bitter that I didn't need him for the physical act and couldn't see that the support I needed from him transcended the act of birthing our baby. What I should have realized is that same sentiment would be carried into the actual parenting of the child. I wanted support, and Vance didn’t see the point.
That was one of the first times I felt true disdain for him and realized that our relationship would never last.
A few weeks after Elsie's birth, he got in a minor car accident while high, and was banned from the NFL indefinitely. Our world came crashing down and he disappeared. We never saw him again, and I was stuck living with his parents in Texas with a newborn in my own personal hell until I finally got the courage to leave.
Georgia’s birth, though her husband Troy Marshall wasn’t there to witness it, has been an entirely different experience. Beautifully chaotic, joyful, and full of tears, little Taylor was brought into the world at midnight on July 1st, with just his mom’s joyful face and mine welcoming them.
Her husband hopped on a plane immediately when I called him, having dropped his political commitments without hesitation and should be landing in the next hour.
Georgia wipes a tear from her face.
“He’s perfect,” I murmur as she smiles down at the little baby boy. “You did amazing, Georgia.”
The beauty of the moment causes an ache to fill my chest at what Cody and I had missed having together and makes me realize I want to do this again someday. The right way.With Cody if he wants to.
“How are mom and baby doing?” the nursery nurse asks as she comes into the room. “We’ll allow some time for the golden hour with you two, and I’ll be back in a bit to take Taylor’s vitals. Great job, mom.”
Georgia smiles, never taking her eyes off her baby’s tiny face.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. I pull it out to see Cody’s name across the screen and a text message.
Cody: I’m at the hospital. Where are you?
“What is it?” Georgia asks, seeing my expression immediately transform.
“Cody’s here. I’m assuming his manager mentioned that he saw us when we were in triage.”
She nods. “You’re doing the right thing, Mae. I know my cousin, and he's always loved you. You two can get back there again. He’ll understand when you explain everything about Elsie.”
I hope she’s right. I slowly leave her with Taylor and head out tothe lobby.
Cody is seated in a chair, his head in his hands as he tugs on his hair. When his eyes jump up to meet mine, the pain behind them crushes me. He moves to stand and the emotions and adrenaline from the night overtake me as I rush into his arms. He grips my body tightly in a hug as if he doesn’t want to let me go.
“Seeing you perform live was amazing,” I whisper.
He’s quiet for a little too long so I pull back to gaze into his eyes.
“Aren’t you afraid someone might see me with my publicist?” he asks with a hint of sadness.
I know I’m the one who’s caused the pain lurking between us, the divide that’s pulled us apart, but now’s my shot to make it right—or at least be completely honest with him.
"Can we find somewhere private to talk?" I ask.
He hesitates, but then nods. I take his hand, guiding him down an empty hallway in the hospital until I find a vacant room. I close the door quietly behind us and sit on the edge of the bed. He stays by the doorway, like he’s already ready to bolt.
“I know it might not make sense, but to an extent, I believed what I said about a break being best for you while you’re on tour. I’d never want to affect your success in any way, and entering into a relationship right before your first headliner could have negatively impacted you, Cody.”
“I didn’t give a damn about that,” he snaps back.
