After I cleaned myself up, I called Jasper—who was at work—and the minute I told him I could hear the panic in his voice, immediately. I told him I was fine and not to freak out. While I waited for him, I grabbed my overnight bag, our toiletries, and the outfit the baby is coming home in.
I swear he got home in less than ten minutes and came sprinting up the stairs. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine, I’m good. There have been no contractions so far.” I grab his face, giving him a deep kiss. “I’ve called Dr. Olson and she said even though I’m not contracting, my water broke, they know we’re coming.”
He grabs my bag and the car seat, taking them out to the car. I make my way downstairs and find Bob Vance sitting on the arm of the sofa. “Meow.”
“I know, baby, Mommy’s gonna be gone for a couple of days, but when I get home, we’ll have your baby brother with us.” I give him a little scratch when Jasper comes back in.
“Come on, baby, what are you waiting for?” He rushes toward me.
I shake my head and stop in front of him, as close as I can get with my big belly in the way. Grabbing his face, I smile. “Everything is going to be fine, okay? Please don’t panic. I love you and we’re going to have our little boy in our arms soon.”
His face lights up at the thought of our son. He’s been counting down the days for him to get here. “You’re right and I can’t wait.” He wraps his arm around my waist and leads me out to my SUV, and then we are off.
I’m hoping now for labor to start on its own, otherwise, they’re going to have to induce me. I have heard horror stories about the stuff they give you to make you go into labor. Sadie said she was induced with Celeste and she said it was awful.
I’m in my hospital gown with straps around my belly, but they unhooked them so I could walk around. Hopefully getting things going.
Jasper is sitting on the little sofa reading, while I try to get my body to start doing something. I try to rub my back as it aches and then I ask Jasper to rub it for me. With my hands resting on the bed, he stands behind me, and I moan as he uses his thumbs to rub me there.
It’s embarrassing how sexual my moaning sounds, but right now I don’t care. A little more fluid runs down my leg and my sweet husband helps get me cleaned up.
“Audrey, Linc, and Charlotte have all sent texts sending their love,” he says as he continues rubbing my back. “Tailer and Jenny are getting meals ready so all we’ll have to do is pop them in the oven.”
I turn my head to look at him. “That’s so nice. We have great friends.” My belly cramps up a little, causing me to grip it.
Taking some deep calming breaths, it starts to fade. “Phew, I think maybe my contractions are starting.”
The nurse comes in a little bit later and has me get in bed so she can hook the wires strapped to my belly back to the machine. She wants to see if my contractions are registering and to see how far apart they are.
I just can’t believe in the next twenty-four hours our son should be here and I can’t wait.
***
Jasper
Lorelei sleeps soundly in the hospital bed and my son sleeps peacefully in my arms. The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind and dramatic to say the least.
Her labor had started shortly after we got to the hospital, and she progressed pretty fast, but when it was time to push, the baby’s heart rate would slow down and when it wouldn’t go back up, they decided to do an emergency C-section.
Things happened quickly from there. They had me throw on scrubs over my clothes, while they pushed her down to the surgical suite. Of course, before they took her away, I’d leaned down and kissed her. “I love you, baby.”
She smiled up at me with tears in her eyes. “I love you too.” She kept hold of my hand until they were out of the room.
With my scrubs on, they led me down to the room where my wife was already strapped with her arms out and a big sheet up to hide what the doctors were doing. They sat me by her head, and I leaned down kissing her forehead.
She smiled at me. “I’m scared,” she whispered quietly.
I stroked her hair while they worked around us. It wasn’t long until we heard the most beautiful sound in the world. And my fear dissipated.
“Here’s your boy,” the doctor announced and then lifted him up so we could see him, and Lorelei immediately began to cry.
My throat got tight when I gazed up at the screaming, goo-covered baby. I went to be with him while they wrapped him up in a blanket, putting a hat on his head, and the nurse brought him over to Lorelei.
Lorelei wept as he was laid down in front of her face. “Hi, baby boy.” She kissed the top of his head and I swear he looked at her like he knew she was his momma.
They took him to go get him checked out while they were still getting Lorelei closed up. Before walking out, I leaned down kissing her. “I love you so much.”