While I would miss the game and my team, my body and brain are happy to finally get a break. Everyone thinks being an athlete is a walk in the park because we get paid millions to play sports that are fun. And while that’s true, many don’t understand how physically taxing training is, and staying in shape and working on your skills. Along with the mental exhaustion that comes with competing professionally.
So, basically, I’m ready to relax now.
Well, maybe not because I’m going to be a dad any day now and I know that brings its own kind of exhaustion.
Teagan and I are more than ready for her to arrive, especially Teagan, who’s more uncomfortable every day it seems like.
We’ve spent the last four months enjoying each other and the holidays. For Halloween, we went as skeletons, with Teagan painting a baby skeleton on her stomach. At Thanksgiving, we had dinner with Camille and her friends. And for Christmas, we hosted it together for the first time at our house where we invited Ian, Camille and Ryker’s family, her friends and mine.
I’m grateful for the time we’ve gotten alone to enjoy one another and begin to build the kind of lives we want to live. But now, we were itching for our girl to be here.
“Teags,” I call out from the bed. “You okay in there?”
“Yes, no, I don’t know,” she says warily, making me shoot out of the bed and into our en suite bathroom.
“What’s—”
I don’t finish my sentence because I notice the floor is wet below her.
“Did you not make it to the bathroom?” I say gently as I grab a towel. “It’s okay,mon coeur.”
“I didn’t pee myself.” Teagan narrows her eyes at me, and suddenly it clicks.
Holy. Fuck.
The next thirty minutes are a blur. I hastily run around the house, throwing clothes on and grabbing the diaper bag, then help Teagan get dressed.
Our drive to the hospital is one of the most stressful things I’ve done. Because I want to speed to get there as soon as possible, while also wanting to be safe and make sure we get there in one piece.
Her whimpers and cries nearly make me lose it, but I stay focused and get us there safely. Once we’re settled into a private room, I breathe again.
“Are you sure you’re not the one in labor?” Teagan teases.
“That was the most stressful car ride of my entire life,” I say, blowing out a deep breath as I run my fingers through my hair.
“You did great,” she reassures me, grabbing onto my hand and squeezing it.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her, not wanting to focus on me.
“These contractions hurt so fucking bad.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, unsure of what else to say. If I could take her pain, I would in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
“That’s right,youdid this to me,” she yells with her eyes pinched shut and she squeezes my hand even harder.
I’ll let her yell at me and squeeze the hell out of my hand all day if it makes her feel slightly better.
Hours later, after countless assessments by nurses, painful contractions that become more frequent, Dr. Caruso finally tells us it’s time.
“We’re going to need you to start pushing,” Dr. Caruso informs us when she checks Teagan over, making the hair on my body stand up straight.
Teagan looks up at me, fear in her brown eyes. It guts me, seeing my usual strong girl so scared and in pain.
“You can do this, okay? I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her as I kiss her sweaty forehead.
“It’ll be worth it, for her.” She nods as she takes a deep breath.
“On three, push. One, two, three!”
