I wanted to wear my beautiful glittery high heeled shoes. They were gorgeous. I felt elegant and sexy in them. They were the ones I wore the night I redecorated the loft with massive amounts of blankets and pillows. But now I sat on the bed and could only stare at them in the closet.

Jeremy walked into our room.

“What are you doing?”

I exhaled. “Drowning in self-pity.” I was honest. It was hard to hold anything back.

He followed my stare. “What’s in the closet?”

“All my heels,” I whined.

“Babe, I’m not following.”

I pushed off the bed and staggered to my feet. “I’m nine months pregnant. Even if I could squeeze my feet into those shoes do you think it would be a good idea? I’d lose my balance. I miss my shoes. I miss my clothes. I miss my honeymoon lingerie.”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.” Jeremy held my face between his hands. “What did you do with the honeymoon lingerie.”

My eyes narrowed and I hit him in the chest. “Not funny.”

He laughed. “Why don’t you put some on?”

I growled. “Because I’m nine months pregnant.”

He wrapped his hands around my waist. I could only get so close before my belly bumped into him.

“I love you like this. You’re gorgeous to me, Evie. Always.”

I twisted my lips together. “Stop being so sweet.”

I grabbed a stack of baby clothes I had folded and walked across the hall into the nursery. We had to decide between the guestroom and Jer’s sports room, and we chose to put a daybed in the nursery and make it a combination guestroom. That way when my mother came to stay and help with the baby, she’d have a space. And the bathroom was attached, which was convenient.

It was also a good excuse not to uproot Jer’s baseball career into boxes and storage. I knew he was happy about the nursery, but it wouldn’t have been easy for him to give up his space. I could tell what he was thinking the first time it came up. He had to draw a line somewhere.

I loved the nursery. Some days I would sit in the glider we had custom made and rock. I’d look around at the books I had collected and the gifts friends had sent. Our baby would be happy here. Our baby would be loved.

I tucked the tiny onesies into drawers.

My hand rested on my stomach.

“Oomph.” I felt a sharp tightening around my abdomen. I flinched. I straightened my back and moved to the glider. I just needed to put my feet up.

Jer peaked inside the room. “I’m going to workout. See you in an hour.”

“Jer, wait.” I grabbed my belly again when another wave hit.

“What?”

I bit my lip. The spasm subsided. “It’s probably nothing. Have a good workout.”

He walked toward me and leaned down to kiss me. His lips were firm. I tasted cinnamon on his tongue.

“Mmm,” I purred. “Oh shit,” I cursed.

“What is going on?”

I cringed, doubling over. “Ok. It’s not nothing. Contractions.”

The last one faded and I caught my breath. I settled back into the chair. Everything felt normal again.

“We need to go. Now.” Jeremy’s eyes darted back and forth.

“No. That’s not the plan. We have a plan.” I wanted to stay home as long as I could. The idea of the hospital wasn’t what I wanted. Dr. Simons told me it was very common for first-time mothers to be in labor for a full day. I wasn’t going to rush to the hospital.

But then another contraction walloped me and I almost fell to my knees. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I needed hours. I wanted a warm shower. I wanted my birthing ball. I wanted time to get to know the labor nurse.

“Jeremy…”

“I’m on it. I’m calling Dr. Simons now. We’re leaving.”

I nodded. I wasn’t going to argue. The contractions were too close together. I had been robbed of words. He helped me into a car and we took off.

* * *

I wasn’t trying to set any records, but Austen Chloe Hartwell was born less than two hours after we were admitted to the hospital.

I watched as Jer paced around the room holding her. He had the most adorable grin on his face.

“Did you know she was a girl all this time?” he asked.

“No. I was as surprised as you.” Secretly, I had leaned toward pink my entire pregnancy, but I wanted the surprise. I didn’t want to know ahead of time. I liked the mystery and suspense. I liked being able to tell people we didn’t have a name.

He peeked at her face. “I can’t believe her.”

“Me either.” She had dark hair and perfect rosy skin. I hoped she had inherited Jeremy’s blue eyes.

“Or you.” He handed Austen to me. “You were incredible, babe. I’ve never been so proud in my life.”

I exhaled. I was exhausted. If the staff would let me, I could sleep for days. But the nurses kept interrupting every hour. No one was going to let me sleep.

“Your mom will be here tomorrow.” Jeremy plucked the baby from me and put her in the bassinet. “Do you think you can sleep?”

I nodded. “Just for a minute…”

He must have turned off the lights because everything was dark and I faded away.