Page 147 of I Got You

“I’m so glad you guys are here.” I lower my butt in a seat, trying to catch my breath and bracing my belly as it cramps.

“You alright?” Sean asks, sitting down next to me.

“Yeah, these damn Braxton Hicks have been kicking my ass today.”

“You said ass,” Liv says from her perch on Mark's lap.

“I know. Sorry. I’ll put a dollar in the jar when we get home.”

“It’s two dollars,” Teddy chimes in. “You said shit in the car.”

I look at him. “Well, you just said it, so now you owe a dollar.”

“Man,” Teddy whines.

The team jogs onto the field, and Shane comes at the rear. His eyes find mine and hold as he gets closer to the stands. I hoist myself, wanting a pregame kiss….what…is… that? I look down, and something is trickling down my leg. Oh balls.

Shane must see something in my face because when I look up, he’s standing on the field in front of me. I can’t push my eyes any wider as I try to acknowledge what’s happening. I don’t move. What do you do when you pee yourself with baby miracle grow in the middle of a football stadium? No book tells you this.

“Maggie,” Shane yells, but it doesn’t register. “Maggie,” he yells, again snapping me to attention.

Mark and Sean are standing now, both looking down at me.

“I think my water just broke,” I announce.

“What?!” Mark says, twisting and turning right and left like he needs to move but doesn’t know where to go.

Sean grabs my arm and holds onto me. “Are you alright?”

“What? What’s going on?” Shane yells in a booming voice full of frustration.

I look at him and point to the wet stains down my legs. “My water broke.”

“Right now?” he yells.

“Yes!” I try not to sound annoyed, but come on.

Sean, the ever-calm presence, pushes Mark out of the way and tells the kids to stay with him. “I’m getting her out of here,” he tells Shane.

“Ok. I’ll meet you at the car.” Shane is off and running.

I look back, knowing I need him, but he’s disappeared.

Twenty minutes and a couple contractions later, Shane jogs toward us. Ignoring Sean, he kisses me and grins. “You ready?”

“No.” I grab his arms as another contraction takes hold.

“Mark and I have the kids. Keep us posted.” Sean slaps Shane on the back as he helps me into the car, leaning in to kiss me again before getting us to the hospital.

Five excruciatingly painful hours later, Shane holds one of my knees to my chest and tells me to push.

“Come on, baby. You can do it.” He kisses my clammy forehead.

I lay back, taking a breath, knowing these jokers are going to tell me I have to do it again.

“Maggie, you’re so close,” my doctor claims. “The head is almost out.”

I want to laugh but hold it in because these people have clearly lost their minds. The only thing I’m close to is my entire lower half being ripped to pieces.

---