“Natalie, honey, are you okay?” I woke up reaching for Natalie, but she was not in bed. “Natalie,” I called out.
I saw the faint light of the bathroom underneath the door. I jumped up out of bed. “Natalie.” I tapped on the door and opened it.
Natalie stood bent over at the bathroom sink water dripping down her legs. Her eyes begged me to help her and the pain she felt registered with me. “Noah we need to go.”
“Let me call your doctor, and I’ll let Pam know.” I helped Natalie out of the bathroom and brought her to the bed. She insisted on standing bent over the bed as she gripped the blankets beneath her hands.
I ran downstairs and knocked on Pam’s door. She opened the door saying the words before I got a chance. “It’s time.”
“Yes, it’s time.” I gripped her arms and brought her in for a hug. “It’s time!”
“Well, get going. You can’t stand around hugging me while your wife’s in labor.” She shooed me away.
I ran back upstairs thinking about everyone referring to Natalie as my wife. I needed to make that a reality very soon. First the baby, then marriage. Then I reconsidered even that. First the baby, then our move to Colorado, then marriage.
I ran into the bedroom and grabbed the small bag Natalie packed two weeks ago. “All right, my love, let’s get you downstairs. We’ll call the doctor on the way to the hospital.”
Natalie breathed out two short breaths then sucked two in as she clenched onto her belly. Pam stood at the bottom of the stairs and wished us good luck and told us to call as soon as Natalie delivered.
“No, Pam, please bring Erin by the hospital as soon as she wakes up.” Natalie requested.
“Okay, child, now go before you drop right here.” Pam pushed us out the door. “We’ll be there bright and early.”
I thanked her over my shoulder and escorted Natalie into the car. I placed the seatbelt across her belly and ran around to the other side.
I drove while Natalie breathed and rubbed her belly. She looked at me a few times and smiled then between breaths she’d sweetly say, “This freaking hurts.”
“I’m sorry, baby, hopefully, he’ll come quickly.”
“He better because this freaking hurts. Sons of bitches.” Natalie grabbed the door as I imagined pain ripped through her insides. “Shit man, this freaking hurts.”
I wanted to laugh but knew I couldn’t. She was just so damn cute as she cursed at the pain coursing through her body.
“They lie, they all lie. This freaking sucks.” Natalie growled out. “Big freaking liars.” Natalie squirmed in the seat trying to absorb the pain. “Noah honey, I love you but drive faster, please.”
I called Dr. Poletti as I picked up speed and watched Natalie brace herself for the next contraction.
“We’re almost there. In case I don’t get to say it during all of this, thank you, Natalie. I love you so much.”
Natalie reached her hand across and rubbed my cheek then she tapped it twice. “I love you, too, but drive. This is freaking painful, and I need you to get me to that freaking hospital now!”
I shook my head in agreement and bit back my laughter. I felt awful that Natalie had to go through this but her sweetly trying to curse as she tried to endure the pain made me want to laugh. “Honey, we’re just around the corner, and Dr. Poletti is right behind us.”
“Good thing because this baby isn’t waiting,” were the last words Natalie spoke as they wheeled her into the emergency room and right up to labor and delivery.
About two hours later at four twenty-two in the morning, Natalie delivered a healthy baby boy. We named him Nathan after my father, Nathanial Westlake.
Pam brought Erin to the hospital around eight-thirty that morning. Erin visited with Natalie then I brought her over to see Nathan. Erin was thrilled to have a baby brother. Yet, she asked us when we were having the next baby since she wanted a sister. I told her I’d work on it as soon as possible. Natalie rolled her eyes at my dedication to giving Erin a sister. I declared I wouldn’t stop trying until my daughter had a sister. Natalie laughed at my attempts to get her back between the sheets.
The next day I brought Natalie and our son home from the hospital. As soon as Natalie walked through the front door, she reached for my arm. I held Nathan in the carrier and turned to see what Natalie needed. “Noah, let’s move to Colorado.”
“Now.” I was ready to hop on the plane that night.
“As soon as possible.” She walked closer and held my face in her hands. “This isn’t our home. Let’s pack up only the essentials and go home.”
I smiled. All Natalie had to do was say the word and whatever she wanted I gave it to her. I was forever indebted to her. She brought back to my life love and faith, and now I had a family as I always wanted. And my family and I were moving to Colorado where my soul already resided.