“Daniel. The baby,” she gasped. “Not ready.”
Daniel grinned at her. “Oh, the baby’s ready. He or she is coming.”
She shook her head again. “Listen to me!” she demanded. She took a deep breath and pointedly focused on Daniel. “The baby wasn’t ready as of yesterday. Dr. Goldberg said the baby needed to be turned because its feet are pointing down.” She closed her eyes and moaned. “Not ready.”
Oh, shit.
Daniel kicked in to work mode. “Let me feel the baby.” He waited for Sheila to stand and nod her head. “Remember?”
He gently probed her belly, identifying body parts. It was a game he and Sheila used to play when she was pregnant with Sara. They would laugh as they tried to figure out what each bump was and cry happy tears when she would kick.
There was so much more to having this baby than Daniel had ever thought about. And Sheila was doing it. He felt Sheila’s steady gaze on him and looked up to meet it. A pang of grief hit him with such force he was almost drawn down to his knees. There was panic and worry in Sheila’s eyes that only he could understand. Daniel swallowed his grief and kissed her forehead. “It’s going to be fine, Sheila. I promise.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Don’t promise if—”
“I would never.” He took her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. “The head is down.”
She half sobbed, half laughed her relief. “Thank you, Daniel.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for being here.”
“Of course.” He looked behind her as Jim came down with her suitcase. “Give me that, Jim.” He took the bag. “Help her to the car.” Daniel spotted the car keys hanging in the kitchen and grabbed them.
Daniel got into the driver’s seat as Jim settled a moaning Sheila into the middle seat of the minivan. Jim shut the door and came around to Daniel. “You better sit with her in the back. You know, in case something happens.”
“Nothing is going to happen. Get back there.”
“Daniel! You get your ass back here and take care of this baby or else!” Sheila commanded from the back.
Jim raised his eyebrows and opened the driver’s door. “Good luck,” he whispered.
“I heard that, Jim,” Sheila growled.
Daniel settled in next to her just as Jim started the car and pulled out. Sheila was in the middle of a contraction.
“Breathe, honey,” Jim called from the front seat.
“If you tell me to goddamn breathe one more time, Jim...”
Jim focused on the road.
Daniel turned to Sheila as she screamed out in pain as another contraction racked her body. She’d tied her hair in a ponytail, but a few wisps escaped, sticking to the sweat on her face.
“Whoa, those are coming fast,” Daniel said.
“What do you mean?” She lay back, trying to catch her breath.
“I mean they’re coming fast. Let me check you.”
Sheila’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she bolted upright. “Let youwhat?”
“Isn’t that why I’m here? Besides, I’m a professional. Not to mention we were married once.”
“We’ll make it to the hospital. Right, Jim?” Sheila sounded desperate.
Jim’s answer was drowned out by another scream as another contraction hit.
“Sheila. Let me check.” Daniel was insistent. The baby could be on the way.
“Damn it, Sheila, let him check—what if the baby is coming?” Jim called out.
