He barrels into the room, slipping on the bath mat. Before I can blink twice, his arms are in the water, stroking my back. “What’s going on? Talk to me.”
The pressure in my pelvis intensifies, and the back pain is almost too much to bear. “I think... I think I was wrong. I think it’s time.”
“Ok. Ok. Stay calm.”
A pained laugh escapes as another sharp pain radiates through my hips. “Are you talking to me or to yourself?”
“Both. I’m gonna call the hospital and tell them we’re coming.”
I shake my head frantically, unable to form words.
“What do you mean ‘no?’”
“Too… late…” I inhale a long breath and blow it out as the contraction wanes. “Help me up.”
Griffin holds my hand while I stand, and he wraps a warm towel around me.
“Bed.”
He carries me to the bed, where I lay out the towel and crawl onto the mattress on all fours. I start breathing like the instructor taught us in the birthing class, but nothing seems to help.
“Don’t you dare fucking look, Griffin Hayes.”
“Baby girl, I live on a goddamn ranch. I’ve been by your side while many a horse has given birth. This is nothin’.”
I scream as another intense contraction courses through me. The urge to push overwhelms me, but I can’t do it. Not like this. “Did you… just… compare me… to ahorse?”
“No. That’s not what I meant—Jesus.” He approaches my side and runs his hand up my spine as the pain subsides. “Baby. I need you to stay calm, okay?”
He picks up his phone and dials Evelyn’s number.
She answers on the first ring. “Hello?”
“The baby’s coming. No time to get to the hospital.”
She doesn’t miss a beat, a steady presence in the chaos. “Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Make sure she’s comfortable, then get some towels ready. As soon as you hang up, I’m calling an ambulance. Angie, if you can hear me, you know what to do. You prepared for this. You took the classes, read the books. You’re a mom now. Follow your instincts. If you feel like you need to push, you push.”
My eyes well with tears, wishing my mom could be here to hold my hand.
The line goes dead, and Griffin rushes to the bathroom, returning with a stack of towels.
I shift onto my knees with my forearms on the top of the headboard. Griffin stops in his tracks, his eyes wide. “What’s going on? Why are you making that face?”
“I can see the head. We’re about to meet our baby.”
A tear falls down my cheek as I silently beg the universe to keep us safe through this. “Griffin. I don’t think I can do this.”
“You can and you will. You’re strong as hell, Angel. I’m right here. You’ve got this.”
He grips my hips and helps me get into a more comfortablebirthing position against the pillows with my legs spread wide.
“What do you see?” I ask.
He sits near my feet, holding my ankles. “Hair. Lots of hair. At the next one, I’m gonna need you to push for me.”
