Page 184 of Always Us

“What?”

“By tomorrow at this time, we could be holding our baby.”

“I don’t think so. I think this baby plans to stay in here a while.” I rub my belly. “And that’s fine with me because I don’t think I can do this.”

Garret laughs. “It’s a little late for that, Jade. The baby’s coming and I bet it comes today.” He said ‘it’ because we still don’t know if we’re having a boy or a girl. We wanted it to be a surprise. “You should’ve read the books, Jade. If you did, you wouldn’t be so freaked out.”

When Garret found out I was pregnant, he went out and bought every pregnancy book he could find. And then he read them all. But I wouldn’t. It was too much information. I read a few pages of one of the books and all it did was freak me out even more.

“Between you and Harper, I got more than enough information. I didn’t need to read the books.”

Harper is also pregnant, with baby number two. She’s due in a couple weeks. She’s having another boy. She thought for sure she was having a girl this time. She even started buying pink baby clothes, but then found out it was a boy. I just laugh because she’s such a girly girl and she ends up having boys. But she loves her little boy and she can’t wait to have another one. And Sean is a great dad and a great husband. He always has these dad and son days so Harper can get a break and go shopping or get a massage or do the other girly stuff she likes doing.

“You two are up early.” Karen walks in the room, with Frank right behind her. “It’s only six fifteen.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” I say, as she comes over to me.

Karen and Frank got here a few days ago. I asked them to come stay with us because Karen’s the only person who’s able to calm me down whenever I panic about the delivery. Karen’s been a labor and delivery nurse for more than 30 years, so she’s seen pretty much everything. She keeps telling me that giving birth is no big deal. That it’s natural and my body will know exactly what to do and that women have been doing it forever. It’s all stuff I know, but the way she says it always makes me feel better.

I love Karen. She’s awesome. She treats me like the daughter she never had. She and Frank come out and visit all the time. Frank really lucked out when he found Karen. He’s so much happier with her in his life. And she takes such great care of him that now he has way more good days than bad.

She smiles and rubs my arm. “All ready for the big day?”

“Not really. I’m kind of freaking out.”

Frank leans down and kisses my head. “Relax, honey. You’ll be fine.”

“You may not deliver today,” Karen says. “It could be tomorrow or later this week. How do you feel?”

“I feel okay. But I feel like I should do something. Maybe I’ll clean out the refrigerator.” I try to get up, but can’t.

Garret laughs. “The refrigerator doesn’t need to be cleaned, Jade.”

“She’s still nesting,” Karen says to him. “I’m going to go make some coffee.” She and Frank walk into the kitchen.

Karen’s nesting comment is referring to my need to clean and organize the entire house. I’ve been doing this for weeks. Apparently it’s something pregnant women do before giving birth.

“I’m not nesting,” I insist. “I just need to clean.”

Garret kisses my cheek. “What you need is breakfast. What do you want?”

“Could I have some donuts? I’m dying for a donut.”

Garret’s been making food runs for months. My cravings are out of control. My donut cravings, especially.

“Jade, I’m not leaving you on your due date. What if you go into labor and I’m not here?”

“According to your books, labor goes on for hours and the donut shop is only a few minutes from here. Nothing’s going to happen while you’re gone.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. How about some toast instead?”

“But I’m really craving donuts. Please.” I give him my sad eyes, which I know he can’t say no to.

He sighs, then leans down and talks to my stomach. “Stay in there until I get back.”

I laugh. “You’re funny. Hey, get me the chocolate ones with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.”

He shakes his head. “I hope this doesn’t mean our baby’s going to be born addicted to donuts.”

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