I grin at her. “Yeah… we’re having a daughter.”
She manages to swat me despite being completely washed out. “You kept it from me all this time.”
“You wanted me to! Now, I don’t think we should debate this. I’ll be quick.”
I help her to her knees to the side of the tub for support. Just in time, as another contraction hits. “Hurry! She’s here. I feel it. Ahh.”
Fuck.
I quickly go into action mode and grab clean towels from the side and snatch her phone from the other room and dial the emergency services.
The woman says hello and recognizes my voice right away, and I don’t have time to hear the rest of her spiel.
“She’s in labor. Yes, I have towels. And I’m calm.” The last part isn’t quite true, but I deal.
“Okay, Sheriff, I’m going to dispatch help. The plows have started, so they will get there, but most likely not on time. Be prepared and have a shoestring or string nearby.” Well, the lace on my shoe will have to do. “Can you see a head?”
Rosie’s eyes turn to saucers when she glances over her shoulder at me. “Oh, no, no, no. If you look down there, Carter, then we will never have a normal sex life again.”
“I don’t think we have much choice, sweetheart,” I grind out with a tight smile.
Rosie can’t refute because she’s now beginning to push. I get on my knees as Rosie is kneeling. I look and it’s a whole different world than what I’m used to, but there are no mistakes. “Yes, I see a head.”
“Okay, sir, let her push naturally, it might take a few times.”
“Come on, you’ve got this,” I encourage Rosie.
She grits out a long breath and winces as she pushes.
“Our daughter’s head is almost there.”
“Sheriff, be ready to support the baby, and have a towel nearby.”
Rosie gathers her breath before she pushes again. I wish I could hold her, but too much is happening between her legs that she parts wider open for the next two pushes.
“One last push or I swear to mother earth—” Rosie’s muffled sounds to accompany her long push lead us to our destination.
It feels as though I’m catching our daughter in a towel. It’s a brief moment before the sound of a cry fills the room.
“Sheriff, check the baby’s mouth and nose. Use your fingers if needed.”
But our daughter is healthy. Rosie moves to sit on the floor, and I hand her our little girl wrapped in a towel.
I don’t care about any fluid all over my hands or floor because Rosie and I both are in awe of our little girl who lies against her chest.
“She’s beautiful.” Rosie peers down.
“Yeah… she is,” I lament
Jet barks from the other room, and I forgot that he was here, but I hear him run away. The rest is a blur of what the operator says or when the paramedics arrive.
I’m completely in love with the two girls in my life.
22
ROSIE
Sighing in contentment, I sit up in the hospital bed the morning after our adventure. Carter hands me our daughter, and we both have ridiculous smiles on our faces.
