Page 129 of This Memory
“Aww, my sweet girl. I love you too.”
“I’ve got snacks!” Gavin called out, causing Lily to jump up, let out an excited squeal, and run toward him. He deftly scooped her up with one arm while carrying a tray with the other. Lily giggled, and when Gavin deposited her on a chair, she reached up and cupped his face.
“Wuv you, Daddy.”
He set the tray on the outdoor table and kissed her on the nose. “I love you too, Bean.” He’d been calling her Bean since she was born, and I loved the little nickname.
“You ready to watchPAW Patrol?” Gavin asked.
Lily jumped and clapped her hands. “Don’t jump on the chair, Lily,” I said, as I attempted to stand.
“Wait, let me help you,” Gavin said. He picked up Lily again and put her next to the giant blow-up bed he’d placed on the lawn.
“Thank you,” I sighed, as he helped me up next.
“Do you need help getting on the blow-up?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve got that. And thank you for the pillows!”
At one end of the blow-up, Gavin had piled up a bunch of pillows, so my upper half could be elevated and I wouldn’t have to lie flat. He laid a blanket over the bed as well. “You win husband of the year award.”
“Again?” he said with a teasing tone. “We might want to give it to someone else this year.”
“Daddy! Daddy!” Lily said, tugging on Gavin’s hand. “Me! Me!”
He reached down and scooped her up, throwing her over his shoulder—her favorite thing—and she let out a girlish shriek. “Come on, Bean, let’s get you snuggled in with your favorite blanket.”
After getting Lily settled in the middle, Gavin hovered while I sat down.
“Do you want to put your feet up?” he asked.
I started to say something—when I froze. I’d had Lily two weeks early, during my thirty-eighth week, and I was just about to hit the thirty-nine-week mark.
“Can you help me back up?”
Confused, Gavin reached for my outstretched hands. “Sure, what’s wrong?”
After I stood, I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “You’d better call Loren.”
He stared at me for a moment before his eyes flew open wide. “You’re kidding, right?”
With a laugh, I went to reply when Lily cried out, “Pee!”
We both looked at the wet spot on the blanket.
When I looked at Gavin, he laughed. “What is it with you giving birth during your thirty-eighth week?”
I shrugged. “At least I’m consistent.”
He laughed as he pulled out his phone. “Loren? Hey, it’s Gavin. It’s time. Bean is settled in and watchingPAW Patrolin the backyard. Are you busy? Great. No, her water just broke. That would be awesome. See you in a few.” After hanging up, he said, “She’ll call down the list after she gets here. I’ll get our stuff in the car and call Dr. Lark.”
Reaching up, I kissed him. “I love you. Thank you.”
He placed his hand on the side of my face. “I love you too.”
As he walked toward the house, I called after him. “Did you put the car seat in the car?”
Gavin stopped walking, dropped his head, and I heard him mutter, “Fuck.”
