Page 158 of The One I Hate
“I missed a first with every one of my kids. And I beat myself up for it. But then I realized it’s not the firsts that are the most important. It’s the rest.”
“The rest?”
“Yeah. The rest. The birthdays. The dance recitals. The school concerts. The games. Board game nights with pizza on the living room floor. Those are the memories. Those are the ones you’re going to want to remember, because those are the ones that you’re making together.”
Damn. Wes really is wise.
“Can I do this?” I ask. “Am I ready to be a dad?”
Wes puts his hand over mine. “I know we give you shit, and most of the time rightfully so, but if I know one thing about you, it’s that you are going to be the best fucking father this little girl could ever ask for. And at the very least, the most prepared for diaper duty.”
I laugh as we look over to the mountains of diapers along the wall. “Thanks, man.”
“Anytime.”
The two of us stand and fall into a bro hug. And just as I’m about to step away, I feel a hand on my shirt pulling me off Wes.
“What the…” Luke is looking at me with a strange expression. “Is it time to go? Just five more minutes…”
“Please, Luke!” Wes whines.
“No. We have to go. Now.”
“Why? The bar isn’t closing yet.”
“Jesus Christ,” Luke mutters. “Charlie’s in labor. My mom just called me. She’s taking her to the hospital.”
I know the music is loud, and I’m still pretty drunk, but I think I heard Luke say Charlie’s in labor.
Oliver comes stumbling over to me, falling into me but somehow doesn’t bring me down. Probably because I’m super strong. “What’s going on?”
“Oliver, please explain to Simon that Charlie has tried to call him every minute for the last hour, his phone is dead, and we have to get to the hospital. Now.”
“Oh my God!” Oliver yells. “It’s time! It’s time! The baby’s coming!”
I’m still confused. And apparently hearing things. “Guys. Why is everyone saying that the baby’s coming?”
I feel a slap across my face I think I’ll feel for months.
And Shane standing right in front of me. Where’d he come from?
“Charlie’s in labor, asshole. Now get your fucking shit together.”
The sting runs through my body, and it takes me another second to…
Holy shit…
I’m going to be a daddy.
Right now.
Chapter 38
Charlie
Well, this is just great.
I’ve been in labor for ten, no, scratch that, eleven hours.
