Page 143 of Please Save Me

Oh my God. This was it, I was going to bawl like a baby. I swallowed hard, trying my best to construct a dam behind my eyes. At no point in my life had I ever been a crier. But there she was, my daughter was on that screen and she was absolutely perfect.

Then I realized the woman called meDad. My heart skipped a beat, and I found myself completely unable to look away from the screen.

Sure, I’d been Papa for the twins, but that was different.

Sebastian gave my knee a reassuring squeeze, and I looked over to see his face inches from mine. His breath dusted my lips as his cheeks went red and he cleared his throat.

“What?” I whispered.

“Nothing. I just… never mind.” He crossed his arms and focused back on the screen, and I did the same.

The woman continued to look around a bit, every so often she’d click around on the computer. She continued to make conversation, but the only thing I really remembered was how much she estimated Rosie to weigh.

Six pounds, eleven ounces.

And, while that didn’t sound big to me, the woman made a few comments about Rosie being a big girl and asked if Mason had the time to stay and talk with the actual doctor.

Mason agreed and the three of us were led into an entirely separate room. Thankfully, the walk gave my eyes time to dry.

When we entered the next room, it somehow felt more serious than the last. The walls were adorned with several medical charts, things on breastfeeding, and a sign that had a number for the domestic violence hotline. That last one made me feel a little sick.

Sebastian helped Mason onto yet another paper lined table, and before she was even settled, a knock came at the door.

“That was quick,” Sebastian mumbled as he sunk into one of the empty chairs.

I did the same.

A different woman entered the room this time. She seemed a good bit older than the last one and wore a white coat. Crows' feet decorated the space beside her soulful eyes, and her smile was the kind that could put you at ease.

She quickly verified Mason’s name and birthdate before closing the door behind her and washing her hands.

“So, who did you bring with you today?” she asked before sitting on a rolling stool.

“Dr. Reed, this is Sebastian. He’s my boyfriend.” Mason gestured toward Seb before looking at me. “And that’s Cameron… He isalsomy boyfriend.”

“And I’m the Dad!” I added before thinking better of it. “Not that Seb ain’t gonna be the dad too, I just, I put Rosie there.”

Dr. Reed’s eyes widened as she fought a laugh. I wasn’t used to being this…awkward. But, I also wasn’t used to anything else going on.

“It seems like mom and baby both have a lot of love and support.” Dr. Reed clicked around on the computer, her smiling faltering for just a moment before she turned back to Mason. “How have you been feeling, Dear? Any pressure or pain?”

Mason hesitated for a moment, and I placed a hand on hers, silently begging her not to lie to the doctor.

“I, uh, yeah,” Mason mumbled as she looked down. “I’ve been having a lot of cramping, and today it feels like she is literally going to just… fall out. If that makes sense.”

Concern slowly stole the doctor’s smile. “I’m just going to give you a quick cervical check, if that’s alright?”

Mason nodded before instantly standing to remove her pants. Had she had a lot of these? Did they do them at any appointment? How did they check–oh.

I looked away as the doctor slipped a gloved hand where the sun didn’t shine.

“So, as of now, you’re about two centimeters dilated and seventy percent effaced,” Dr. Reed explained.

I waited for the snapping of rubber gloves to look back. Dr. Reed was once again washing her hands before sitting down.

“What does all that mean?” I asked, silently fearing the worst.

Dr. Reed seemed unnervingly calm as she stared at me. “It means Mason’s body is preparing for labor–which is fine. It doesn’t mean Rosie will be here tomorrow or even next week.”

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