Page 81 of Bringing Home the Bacon
I spread the thick plaid blanket on the ground.
Colleen gets down on all fours.
“Okay,” I say. “What now? What do you need?”
She takes a deep breath in and an even deeper breath out. “I need to push.”
Chapter 27
Colleen
“And Collie and Porky lived on the farm together happily ever after,” I say as Bacon turns the last page and closes the book. “What do you think?”
Bacon’s eyes are filled with happy tears. “You wrote a book about us.” Bacon shakes his head in wonder. “That is the coolest thing anyone’s ever done for me. You know, besides giving me a son and a daughter on the very same day.”
“Do you get it, though?” I ask shyly, not used to sharing my work. “Did the message come through?”
“A girl Border collie named Collie who’s spent her life herding her brothers and a potbellied pig named Porky who lost his parents finding love and friendship on a farm?” He laughs. “It’s pretty clear. Some would even say it’s ‘on the nose.’” He taps me gently on the nose with his index finger, then kisses my forehead. “I absolutely love it.” He stares down at our babies. “And I know these two will love it too.”
As soon as we entered Baabara’s pen, Bacon called 911. As far as birth plans go, I can’t say that I recommend our approach, but ultimately, it was wonderful. We had a beautiful natural birth on the farmlands I love, then we were whisked away by paramedics to make sure the babies and I got the medical attention we needed.
Now, we’re side by side, propped up in my surprisingly cozy hospital bed, and each holding a healthy, sleeping newborn.
The doctors and nurses were pleasantly surprised by how big and robust the babies were for only being thirty-five and a half weeks.
“I’m sorry you missed your opening,” I say.
“I’m not.” He gives me another kiss, this time on my lips. “We have a great staff. They knew what to do.”
“How did you end up where I needed you when I needed you?”
“As soon as your family showed up at the restaurant without you, I decided I’d had enough of missing you. I stormed down to Bedd Fellows, prepared to tell you, that’s it, woman! Me and my pork sword have suffered enough!”
A nurse quickly knocks and enters just in time to hear Bacon’s pork sword comment. His face immediately goes red. “My apologies, ma’am. That was inappropriate.”
She waves a hand. “Don’t even mention it. The things we see and hear in this place would blow your mind.” She approaches the bed and peeks at the babies. “We still doing okay here?”
“Great, yes. It’s normal for them to be sleeping this much, right?” I ask.
“Oh, yes. Enjoy these early, sleepy days, Mom. Because one day, they wake up and are ready for a nonstop party. That’s when the real fun begins.”
“Can’t wait,” Bacon says, and I know he means it.
He is so excited to be a father.
“So. Mom and Dad,” the nurse says. “There is quite a crew out in the waiting room who wants to see you. Ordinarily, we only allow four visitors at a time, but I think we can make a small exception for the winner of Yes, Chef! and his lovely family. Just don’t tell my boss.”
“That’s very sweet of you,” Bacon says. “But you don’t have to bend the rules for?—”
“What he meant to say was, ‘Thanks for watching the show. We can’t wait to see you at our new restaurant in Fork Lick. Tell the hostess you know the chef, and she’ll get you your first round of drinks for free.’” I lower my voice to a whisper. “And thank you for bending the rules for us. Can you give us a few minutes and then let them in?”
“I sure can.” The nurse winks. “Thank you for the generous offer. My wife and I can’t wait to visit. Be back soon with your crew.”
My crew. I like the way she says that. They are my crew, and I can’t wait for them to meet our newest two. But I need to ask Bacon something first.
“Don’t you want to get your family in here right away?” Bacon says. “Why are you making them wait?”
“Last night—when you didn’t show up—you said your head was spinning.” I pause. “I just want to make sure we’re truly okay.”
