“I’m sorry, the baby just isn’t giving us a good view. The cord is right in the way, and no matter what I do, the baby won’t move in the right direction,” the tech said after twenty minutes of trying.
Sighing, Andi looked up at me and shook her head. “Already taking after you,” she muttered.
I laughed openly and replied, “I don’t think I’m the most stubborn one here.”
Andi smiled, knowing I had her there. “Whatever.”
* * *
Today is the big day. Andi woke me up just before four this morning to tell me she was having contractions. After calling the doctor, she showered and dressed while continuing to time her contractions. After they’d remained consistent for over an hour, we left the house and headed for the hospital.
“This is so surreal,” I say for the hundredth time since we arrived. “We’re about to be parents, baby.”
Smiling brightly at me, she replies with the same reply each time. “I know! I’m scared and excited and scared. You’ll be a great dad, Luke.”
Mack and Shane walk in just as a major contraction hits. “Do we need to leave?” Mack asks, clearly uncomfortable.
“No, pull up a seat and stay a while,” I encourage them. During the actual delivery, Andi and I want to be alone, but we want to be surrounded by family and friends until then.
Shane walks over and kisses Andi on the cheek. “Hey, sis. How are you feeling?”
“Great now,” she says when the pain subsides. The needle on the monitor goes back to the normal range, and she visibly relaxes against her pillows. “You’re going to be an uncle soon, Shane. And you’re going to be a grandpa, Pop!”
“Ugh,” Mack says in reply. “Can’t we stick with ‘Pop’ for this little one, too?”
We all have a good chuckle at Mack’s reluctance to being called “Grandpa.”
“Whatever you want, Pop.” Andi smiles. She’s been the only person who can get away with calling Mack by that name. Now it’ll be used as if it’s his given name.
My parents, brother, sister, and brother-in-law all arrive at the same time. “Did all of you ride together?” I ask.
“No, we just coordinated our arrival time,” Mom explains.
“Come on in and grab a seat for the show,” I joke.
Looking around this room, I can’t imagine having a better life than being surrounded by the people I love. Andi has made my life a thousand times better than I ever thought it could be. We’ve crossed hurdles the size of the Grand Canyon together, and nothing can keep us apart. Knowing we’re bringing a new life into this world, a little person who’s a combination of both of us, makes our relationship so much more perfect.
The nurse comes in to check Andi and asks everyone but me to leave the room. “You’re at the point where you can have an epidural if you want,” she says to Andi.
“Yes, I definitely want one,” she replies.
The nurse leaves with a promise to be right back with the anesthesiologist. True to her word, she’s back in no time with the doctor, and we help Andi sit up on the side of the bed. In just under a minute, the epidural is in place, and the doctor stays to monitor Andi’s blood pressure for a few minutes. Once he’s confident that she’s stable, he wishes us good luck and leaves the room, letting our family know they can come back in.
Andi and I watch in amazement as the needle spikes to the redline area, but she feels no pain from the contraction. “This is much more enjoyable,” she laughs.
When I take a seat on the bed beside her, she snuggles up to my side and lays her head on my chest. My wife. My baby. My family.My whole life is right here. A man couldn’t ask for more than this.
After a few more times of the nurse asking everyone to leave so she can check Andi’s progress, she smiles at us knowingly. “It’s time.”
“What?” Andi asks, her face paling as the blood drains from it.
“It’s time, sweetheart. You’re about to meet your baby for the first time,” the nurse replies with complete understanding of her shock.
“We’re having a baby, Andi!” I say before I kiss her. “You’re having my baby now.” I cradle her stomach with my hand, committing this moment to memory.
The doctor strolls in as the nurse converts the bed to a birthing table. We’re in a birthing suite, so everything will happen right here in this room. Poking my head out the door, I announce the news to my family. “It’s time. I’ll come get you when the baby’s born.”
Excitement and tears show on our family’s faces. Not nearly as much as mine though. I’m beyond thrilled as I rush back to Andi’s side. “Ready, baby?”
