Page 76 of Cautious

The doctors declared her somewhat of a miracle, having been convinced she would never regain her speech at all. I think it’s because she is the most stubborn person on the planet and hates being told what she can and can’t do.

“Sorry, I just don’t want to miss this.”

She makes a noise I take to mean she gets it, but I slow my speed a little because she’s right. I’ll be no good to Callie arriving at the hospital needing treatment myself.

Thankfully, we aren’t far away so it doesn’t take long to get there. I try to keep my cool while looking for a parking spot, eventually finding one in the back before parking and dialing Arlo.

“I’m outside, right at the back.” I hang up, knowing he’ll be out here in a moment to help.

I climb out of the SUV, grab the wheelchair from the back, and set it up, making sure the brake is on before reaching into the car and lifting my far-too-thin grandmother into my arms. Instead of lowering her though, I hold her for a moment, resting my forehead against hers as I try to get a grip of my emotions.

“Love you,” she whispers. It sounds more like “lobe you,” but I let it wash over me, knowing how close I came to never hearing her say those words again.

“I love you too. How about we go meet your great-granddaughter?” I lower her to the seat of the chair and make sure she is comfortable before looking up.

“Hey, June, looking ravishing as usual.”

I turn at the sound of Arlo’s voice and step aside so he can kiss her cheek.

“Go. I got her, we’ll meet you there,” he orders me.

I look at her, and she nods with a half-smile, one side of her face unresponsive, and smile back at her before turning on my heel and sprinting across the parking lot.

I head straight to the maternity unit and find everyone except Marcus, Aiden, and Callie in the waiting room.

“Where is she? Is she okay? What the hell are you all wearing?” The last one makes them laugh and lets me know Callie is just fine.

“She’s doing great, but your daughter is getting impatient waiting for you, so hurry up. She’s in the last room on the left.”

I head there, not stopping until I reach the door and ease it open. Everyone turns to look at me as I enter. Callie is on the bed with her legs spread wide and a doctor standing between them with a nurse at her side. Aiden and Marcus are on either side of Callie, each holding one of her legs.

“It’s about freaking time!” Callie yells at me, making the doctor between her legs chuckle.

“Sorry, Callie, I’m here now,” I soothe, walking over and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“Okay, Callie, you are ten centimeters dilated. On your next contraction, I want you to push,” the doctor informs her.

“My doctor told me first babies take hours. He promised me drugs, dammit. Why did he lie to me? I don’t like liars. I’m not ready. What if she hasn’t finished baking?” She panics before her face clouds with pain, making her eyes snap shut as she tries to breathe through it.

Fuck. I thought I was prepared. But seeing her scared and in pain like this is so much harder than I imagined.

“Most take longer, but this little one is ready to meet her mama, that’s all. Now push, Callie,” the doctor urges her.

I slide my hand into hers, and she holds it in a death grip, her face turning purple as she pushes with all her might.

“Good job, Callie. Same thing on the next one, okay?” the doctor prompts as the contraction passes, and Callie sucks in a deep breath.

“Oh god.” Callie’s head falls back, her skin sweaty as she looks up at me. “This is your fault. Why did you have to be so big? This baby is gonna come out the size of a toddler and ruin my vajayjay. Looks like I’ll have to use the Womb Raider after all,” she wails before another contraction overwhelms her.

“Push, Callie,” the doctor tells her once more.

Callie glares at her like she is possessed by a demon. “I am fucking pushing. If you think you can do a better job, get your bony ass up here and do it yourself,” she snarls before a scream rips free, her back arching off the bed.

“You’re doing awesome, keep going,” the doctor encourages her, not bothered by Callie’s words.

“I hope you like this kid, Bundy, because we are never having another one,” Callie snaps at me as another contraction starts immediately on the back of the last one.

“She’s crowning,” the doctor interrupts her. “One more really big push, Callie.”

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