Page 78 of Ready or Not

I’m up and down three more times before the sun comes up. It makes for a very cranky omega. Marina is downstairs when I finally make the trip.

Mercy is in a button-down with fancy suit pants and a tie.

Meanwhile, I look like that creature that crawls out of the TV when you watch the video you’re not supposed to see. Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t watch any scary movies from here on out.

Holt laughs, running his hand down my back as we stop near the kitchen island. I’m guessing it probably spilled over in the bond. “Would you like to eat something before we head out for your doctor’s appointment?”

My head shakes. “No, I better wait until after. I really don’t feel great this morning.”

“You’re what, thirty-seven weeks today?” Marina asks, dropping the spatula.

“Yeah, it’s strange that my appointments line up with the days now, but yes.” I give her a tired smile.

“It’s the perfect time to pack your hospital bags.” She waves at Holt. “Flip these, once this side is brown. One minute on the other and they’re done.” She wipes her hands off on her jeans and comes over. “Let’s go see what we can pack. I stashed a small suitcase and a diaper bag in the guest room you started out in.”

“Thank you,” Mercy calls out as she leads me back toward the stairs.

“I hadn’t even thought about packing a hospital bag yet,” I tell her. “It still feels like everything is coming way too fast.”

“Don’t worry.” Marina loops her arm around my back as we take the stairs side by side. “Life has a way of working itself out. It’s best to just roll with it.”

Truthfully, I haven’t missed leaving the house one single bit. If I didn’t have to attend this appointment, then I’d definitely head to the nest and try to catch up on some of the sleep I missed out on last night.

Dr. Sanderson smiles, pulling off her gloves.

“Wait,” I say, struggling to sit up. “Could you repeat that again?”

Mercy steps over, offering me a hand. His forearm slides around my lower back to keep me upright.

“You’re three centimeters dilated.” Dr. Sanderson readjusts the table until I can sit up normally. “Which is completely fine and normal. Truly, you’ve made it past the danger zone, and it’s safe for your little one to come any time. She’s measuring about seven pounds, which is perfect for a first-time mom.”

“Does that mean we need to go to the hospital?” Cooper asks, shoving himself out of his chair. His eyes are huge, which I imagine mine are too.

Holy shit.

Isn’t it way too soon to be this dilated?

I get that she said it’s safe, but emotionally, I’m not sure if I’m ready.

“No,” Dr. Sanderson says, chuckling softly. She looks at me. “Your Strep B test was negative. That’s the one we checked for last week.”

I nod, exhaling heavily. “It felt like the contractions last night were getting serious.”

“Based on that fact you’ve made significant progress dilating since last week, I’m inclined to agree.” She smiles. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll continue to progress at the same speed. First-time moms often have several rounds of practicing before true labor ramps up.”

“Is there anything we need to change now that she’s dilated?” Bishop asks, moving to the head of the table. He runs his fingers through my hair, caressing the side of my head.

“No baths.” Dr. Sanderson nods. “We want to know if your water breaks, and it can be difficult to tell if you’re submerged in water. Likewise, no dips in a hot tub or swimming pools.”

“And sex?” Holt asks.

My cheeks heat as I laugh.

I really should have seen that question coming.

“Not once her water breaks, but in the meantime, have at it. Semen can help aid in dilation and occasionally even jump-start contractions.” She smiles at me again. “I’d be surprised if you make it to your due date, but that’s okay too. Rest up. Monitor your contractions, and if they start coming regularly… Here, let me grab you the information.” She heads over, picking several pamphlets off the wall. “These explain how and when it’s time to give us a call or head directly to the hospital.”

“Thank you,” Mercy says, collecting them from the doctor.

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