Bob, Marie, Kevin and I left for the arena two hours ago. I wait in the locker rooms with Kevin while Bob and Marie went to our seats. Kevin wants me to walk with him as he makes his entrance today. His parents and I have ringside seats today, so I agreed to it. I am feeling nervous as I am not used to having any attention on me. I mean I do know the fans come to see him and they will pay no attention to me, but still, I am nervous. My stomach is in knots to the point it hurts. My hands are sweaty, and I feel kinda clammy. I try and take a few deeps breaths to calm down. I’m not having an anxiety attack or anything like that, I don’t think. I’m just a little jittery.

I lean back on the wall and close my eyes for a few moments. Kevin and Clint are talking, getting pumped up for the fight. His hands have been taped and his gloves are on. He’s ready to get into the cage. Clint reminds him of Oliver Plaid’s strong points and weakness. I hide a yawn and I start thinking about how I slept all the way here yesterday. I laid on the backseat with my head on Kevin’s lap while his father Bob drove. I didn’t join them for dinner last night because I was just too exhausted to go. I stayed in our hotel room and slept the whole time. He brought me dinner from the restaurant and I watched television while I ate it. He watched a video of fights Oliver has been in. After I ate I went back to sleep. I think all the sleepless nights are finally catching up to me.

“Eve, it’s time,” says Clint.

I open my eyes and Kevin isn’t here. “Where is Kevin?” I ask.

“He went next door for a second. We can get him on our way out.”

I see Kevin’s sweatshirt and grab it off the bench. We step out into the hall and he comes out of the room across from us. He gives me his cocky smile and takes my hand. We begin to walk to the entrance to the arena. We wait for his introductory music before Clint opens the doors. He wraps an arm around my shoulder, and I look up at him. He gives me a peck on the lips and said he loves me. Clint takes the lead and Kevin takes my hand pulling me into the arena with him. I walk beside him as the crowd cheers. I hear a few boo’s but it’s nothing compared to the good ones. We get about halfway down the aisle and my stomach knots up. I see how close our seats are when Marie stands out in the walk way. I panic knowing how close I’ll be to the fight. When we get down close to the cage, I join Bob and Maire. I rub my baby bump and I can’t believe she isn’t kicking with all this noise.

Kevin gets weighed then he gets into the cage. I stand with the rest of the crowd. I take a breath in letting it back out. “Eve, are you okay?”

“I am, just a little nervous being this close to the cage.”

“You are looking a little pale.”

“I’ll be alright once this fight is over with.”

“I know what you mean I haven’t sat this close before.”

Marie takes my hand as Kevin drops his arms and goes to his corner. Clint talks to him for a split second before the announcer’s do the introductions. I sit down and the crowd around us are still on their feet. The man next to me looks down at me then eyes my belly.

“You have a little fighter in there?” As he watches me rub my belly.

“Maybe a little girl MMA fighter.”

“The way I see it, they are just as good.” He sits down and stretches his hand out and says, “I’m Steve Hughey. I’m one of Kevin’s sponsors.”

“I’m Eve Thornton. It’s nice to meet you.”

The fighters go to the center ring. Kevin and Oliver, touch gloves. The bell rings and Oliver is the first to throw a punch. Kevin bends backward avoiding the hit. Bob, Marie, and Steve sit on the edge of their seats. I haven’t moved from my spot. The pains in my stomach are getting stronger. I grip the edge of my seat, holding my breath until it passes. When it stops I now know it wasn’t nerves at all, I’ve been having contractions. I don’t know what to do. It’s too early to go into labor.

Before I know what is going on round one is over. I don’t even know how Kevin did. “Did he lose the round?” I asked leaning forward to look at Bob and Marie.

“I think he might have with Oliver getting the last three hits in,” Bob says.

Marie eyes me. I can tell she wants to ask me if I’m alright again. I quickly look back at the cage, not wanting to give her the chance. I see Kevin going back to center cage. The bell rings and Kevin goes right for Oliver’s thigh with a kick and landing it. Oliver is quick getting his balance back. The two of them dance around each other waiting for the next moment to catch the other off guard. I scoot up on my seat, biting my thumbnail as I wait too. When out of nowhere Kevin leaps at Oliver landing a right jab to his jaw. He is stunned for a brief second and Kevin hits him again, Kevin then spins and swings his leg connecting to his lower leg. Oliver stumbles and the bell rings. I stand with everyone else as they cheer knowing he won that round. I stand here frozen in place. The hoots and howls echo and Marie takes my hand, giving it a squeeze.

I look at her and say, “My water just broke. What do I do? Kevin is fighting. My stuff is three hours away, and so is my doctor. It’s too early, Marie.” I am in shock and mumbling.

“We need to get you to a hospital. Bob give me your keys.”

“We can’t leave without Kevin.”

“Oh, we don’t have a choice. Bob will bring Kevin as soon as the fight is over.” She looks to Bob holding out her hand. “Keys! I’ll text you the hospital information when we get there.”

“Marie, I can’t leave. Not without Kevin knowing.”

She walks past me and over to cage side to Clint. He looks in my direction with big eyes. He gives me a thumb up. When she gets back to me, she takes me by the elbow. “He’ll know once the round is over.”

I glance back at the cage as Kevin is pinned by Oliver, and he’s trying to get free. Oliver throws punches to the side of his face. A contraction comes, and Marie steadies me. She does the breathing steps with me and when it’s done, she gives me a nod towards the aisle.

“Marie, my pants are wet.”

“Do you want to have this Baby here? If not stop stalling and let’s go.”

Bob takes his button-up shirt off and ties it around my waist. He then gets my jacket and puts it over my shoulders. Steve eyes me and I’m sure he has figured out what is happening. We get out into the walkway, and about halfway up I get a contraction. I hold onto the railing as we both do the breathing technique. I take one last look at Kevin when the round ends before we leave the arena.