As soon as she sees Jenny, she starts rattling off questions about timing, medical history, and if she’s had any other pregnancies.
I notice Jen guards her answers, then says ‘no’ to the last.
Estelle’s lips purse as she nods. “Can I use your sink to wash up? I need to check you.”
“Yea, right in here.” I kick open the ensuite bathroom, then sit on the edge of the mattress to take Jenny’s hand.
“It’s okay, Hud.” She smiles at me, squeezing my fingers. “She certainly seems experienced.”
“Hundreds of babies,” Estelle laughs as she steps back in.
When her hand disappears under the edge of Jenny’s gown, I get another firm grip on my hand.
“She’s cold,” Jen snorts.
“You’re close already.” Estelle squints at us with her good eye. “Are you sure this is your first?”
We both nod emphatically.
Jen still passes for eighteen. I still look mid-twenties.
It’s not a stretch to pretend. Heck, it’s our first together.
She clenches my thumb tightly and her cheeks turn slightly pink.
“Pushing so soon?” Estelle ducks again. “Ah, okay. You’re ready, dear.”
Jenny takes a deep breath and holds it. Her body shakes with the strain.
“There you go! Great job! One more.” The wizened woman leans closer, a toothy grin splitting her mouth.
In an explosive force of fluids, a pink baby bursts out.
“It’s a boy.” Estelle praises, holding him high enough for us to see.
I give Jen a relieved look. “He’s perfect.” We’ve both worried that it may have been Lash’s.
“Here, daddy.” Estelle extends her arms to hand me my wiggling son.
Pride blooms through my chest, pulling tears out of me as I hold him.
“He’s beautiful.” Jen’s look of bliss flattens as another contraction hits.
“Hmm, surprise, surprise,” Estelle murmurs from between Jenny’s legs. “There’s another.”
That’s a shock we hadn’t planned on.
“Oh my.”
I step over and my stomach sinks.
Hair covers the upper arms and shoulders. And the ears…pointed amidst a downy fuzz.
“Is it—” Jen pauses.
All I can do is nod.
“It’s a girl.” Estelle glances between us. “And you’re not the father.”
