Page 115 of Sugar and Skulls

I wrap my arms around her. She leans back, groaning. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispers.

“You can do this. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

She starts to double over in pain, so I brace my hands under her round belly to steady her. “Breathe, baby, breathe through it.”

After a few minutes she relaxes against me.

“I need to sit,” she waddles over to the rocking chair. Bill bought an exact replica of the one we have at home. You should see the nursery at our house. One wall is covered in a beautiful sunset. The others are painted with sugar and spice and everything nice. Yes, you guessed it, we are having a girl.

I’m terrified. That’s putting it mildly. I mean let’s be honest, between my sister and Jesse my track record on keeping girls safe isn’t the best. Jesse tells me it’s nonsense, but I know I should have done better. I could have done better. But, as it happens, I’ve been given another chance. A chance to do better. To be better.

Don’t think I’m going to change my asshole ways. Not happening. In fact, it will probably get worse. Now that I’m having a daughter myself I understand completely where Bill was coming from. He probably should have killed me.

I turn when I hear Jesse reading softly to our little girl. She does this every day. She says it will help our baby with early language learning. She’s read every baby book she could get her hands on. Jesse’s going to be an amazing mother.

I sit down on the bed and watch as she rocks, rubbing one hand over her stomach while holding the book with the other. She’s beautiful. Long dark hair falls around her slim shoulders, the ink on her skin reminding me just how tough my wife is.

When she winces in pain I rush to her side. “Want me to get the mid-wife?” I ask.

She drops the book in the chair beside her and leans forward pressing her face in the crook of my neck. “No, not yet,” she pants.

I reach around and rub her lower back. Man, nobody prepares you to see the woman you love in so much pain. I wanted to have the baby at the hospital but Jesse insisted she wanted a mid-wife so she could give birth with her family close by. She spent so many years alone, how could I deny her.

We decide to go for a walk down the hall to help things along. I walk behind her, my inked hands bracing her gently under the stomach. Bill watches us pace back and forth. When we head into the bedroom he follows us inside. He closes the door quietly behind him.

I sit against the headboard and pat the spot between my legs for Jesse. She settles herself, leaning back against me. I continue to rub my hands over her hard stomach. Bill perches on the edge of the bed beside us.

“I think I owe you both an apology,” he says out of the blue.

“What? What for?” Jesse asks.

“I was wrong about the two of you. You are perfect for each other. I didn’t see it then, not even when I gave you my blessing on your wedding day, but I see it now.”

“Bill, we get it. You don’t have to apologize,” I tell him. “Believe me, I really get it now.”

He laughs, running his fingers through his beard. “This poor girl isn’t going to have a chance with a boy with an asshole for a grandpa and an even bigger one for a father.”

Jesse groans in pain as another contraction assaults her. Bill grabs her hand and she squeezes the life out of it. I whisper words of encouragement over her head until it passes.

“You’re doing so good, baby girl,” Bill says proudly.

She breathes deeply through her nose. “I don’t want to do this, anymore,” she cries.

“The baby needs to come out, Jesse. I’ve got you, were going to get it done,” I tell her softly, rocking her back and forth in my arms.

She pulls her legs up as another contraction comes fast and hard. “Maybe you should go get the mid-wife now,” I tell Bill.

“Help me up,” Jesse asks him. As soon as he pulls her to her feet a gush of water soaks her pants.

“Shit,” she hollers.

“Hey, look at me,” Bill grabs her chin forcing her face away from the mess now leaking onto the floor. “I know you’re scared but Dirk is going to be right by your side the entire time and the rest of us will be on the other side of that door.”

She gives him a jerky nod, her body trembling from the shock of labor.

“This is all a part of it. You’re going to get through it. You’re a Skull don’t forget that.”

She chuckles lightly before another contraction grips her.

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