Page 56 of Catching Dreams

“I love you guys!” I exclaimed and then bit my lip as I felt another contraction. They still weren’t coming consistently, so the doctor said they were still Braxton Hicks contractions. If they got closer together, I was to go to the hospital.

Tyler noticed right away, rubbed my back with both of his hands, and kissed my temple. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just a dumb BH contraction. I do think I need to rest for a bit. I’m suddenly really tired. I feel bad kicking you guys out, though.”

“No worries at all,” Dominic said. “We need to take showers after our long run anyway. We’ll all be back to watch Landon’s game tonight, so we’ll see you then.”

“I am going to take my kids to Springville to look at Halloween costumes,” Pen said.

“What are you going to be?” Cooper asked. “Maybe you can find a naughty nurse costume!”

Penelope just rolled her eyes and turned to me as if to plead for me to help her get him off this topic.

“Oh! See if they have any cute matching newborn ones. I bet they will be here before Halloween.”

“Like salt and pepper!” Hayden suggested.

“Or ketchup and mustard!” Cooper said.

“If you knew their sexes, it would be a lot easier.” Penelope said with a raise of her eyebrow.

“No kidding!” Dominic added, “You could get Woody and Buzz for boys, Elsa and Ana for girls, or Mario and Princess Peach for one of each.”

“Well, if they have salt and pepper or mustard and ketchup, will you grab those? Or something unisex since we’re not finding out? We’ll pay you back.”

“Oh, bacon and eggs would be cute costumes!” Tyler suggested.

“Oh! Bacon and eggs sound so good right now! Do we have the stuff to make that?”

“I don’t think we do, but I can run to the store while you take a nap and have them ready for you when you wake up,” Ty said.

I let out a big yawn and nodded. “Thanks, babe. I don’t deserve you.”

My eyelids were shut before our friends had even gone out our door. The only thing I felt was Peanut climbing back on my bed and curling up next to me.

“Oh, you’re fully dilated and ready to go!” the nurse said with excitement. “Are you ready to push?”

“YES!” I yelled as a contraction ripped through my stomach.

“Push! Now!” the nurse yelled.

“Where is my husband?!” I cried as I pushed as hard as I could.

“I’m right here, baby!” Tyler said as he rushed into the room.

“Just in time, Dad!” the nurse said. “The doctor should be here any minute.”

“Are you kidding me?” I asked as I got a good look at my husband after the contraction subsided. He was taking a big bite of pizza. The cheese was melted to perfection and stretched from the end of the pizza to his mouth. I could smell the garlic and the spiciness of the pepperonis. The crust looked to be the perfect thickness - not too thin but not too thick. It was a perfect golden brown. My mouth watered just watching him eat.

“Sorry, honey. You’ve been in labor for sixteen hours, and I was starving. When Dom texted me that it was go time, I just rushed up here.”

“Did you get me a piece?” my brother asked from my other side. He had been here during the whole labor and was very supportive and helpful.

“Yeah, man. I put it on the table.”

“Thanks, Stone!” Dominic said and picked up his piece of pizza.

“I hate you both!” I screamed as another contraction rolled through me and consumed my whole belly.

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