Chapter 13
Even miracles take a little time.
-The Fairy Godmother
Sadie
I finish screwing the last screw into the crib, as the first cramp starts. Twist and my brother both offered to help me assemble the baby’s crib, but I figured what a great way to pass time while they’re gone. So I’ve been steadily working my way through some of the boxes from everyone, assembling awesome baby gear and washing the fifty million socks and onesies in the clear baby detergent all morning.
I thought I had taken over Twist’s room before, but now there’s only a pathway to the bed or the bathroom, everywhere else is taken up by mine or the baby’s stuff.
Another cramp comes sending a painful shock straight down to my vagina. Geez, this kids not playing around today.
I carefully make my way up from the floor and sit on the side of the bed sipping some lemon water when suddenly I pee my pants. I didn’t have the urge at all or I would have gone into the restroom. My eyes start to water, thinking about how much of a pain it’s going to be to wash the bedding and remake it. My body’s already exhausted just from doing the baby’s.
Shit.
Another cramp comes a few moments later and it’s all I can handle; the tears topple down as I try to get my yoga shorts off without bending over too much since my stomach is hurting. I head to the bathroom and more water dribbles down my legs.
“Fuck my life!” I groan, upset. Mopping will be a royal bitch. It’s going to take me all afternoon to clean up this mess. Like it’s not bad enough I feel like a damn school bus, my stomach has gotten huge. It feels like it’s growing more every day. I know that’s not possible, but it sure feels like it.
I’m glad Twist isn’t here to see me like this. He’s been gone one day and I’m falling apart. Another cramp comes, this time stronger and I have to grab onto the bathroom counter to hold myself up.
Holy crap. What the heck, little one?
Turning on the cold water, I splash some on my face, wetting a towel and wiping down my thighs for now. It’ll have to suffice until I get this mess cleaned up and can get into the shower. I spray some body spray on to make me feel a little fresher and a swipe of deodorant. I feel like I sweat like a pig being so pregnant. God I need a shower, but I need to switch the bedding and clean the floor before it soaks in.
A small amount of wetness trickles down my thighs and a sharp pain hits my side, making me call out loudly, “Aghhhh, my God!” Surely I can’t be dying right now. This kid can’t be coming already; it’s too soon. I still have about three weeks the doctor said at the last visit.
The door slams open with Avery barreling in, causing me to scream since I’m nearly naked.
“I’m so sorry, Sadie. We heard you yell, and I wanted to make sure you were safe!”
“Please get out! I’m naked. Ouch!” My head falls as I try to ride through the rolling pain exploding over my stomach again.
“Dude, are you okay?” she gasps.
“P-Please just hand me a skirt or something.” I point toward the closet.
After a few seconds, she comes in the bathroom, holding out my long Boho stretchy dress.
“Ouch!” I call as the baby kicks hard right after the pain dies down again. I feel like I’m spiraling out of control right now, so much is happening, I can feel myself getting overwhelmed.
“I think we need to take you to the doctor. This reminds me of when London had Jameson, kind of. I wasn’t at her house, but I heard all about it, and I’m pretty sure your son is tired of being cooped up.”
I nod, agreeing with her and try to take Twist’s shirt off to put the dress on, but fail miserably, causing more tears to leak out. I feel helpless and I absolutely hate that feeling. I’m too independent to need help.
All I wanted was a peanut butter sandwich after all my hard work today and yet I’m getting a large dose of pain instead, I think to myself, irritated.
“Here I’ll fix it for you, just pull your arms up. I’m with your brother, so that practically makes us sisters, okay?”
“All right,” I agree, accepting her reasoning. I lift my arms up and she quickly pulls the shirt over my head, tossing it to the side, and helps get the dress over me, so I’m clean and covered up again.
“Better?”
“Yes, thank you. But I need to mop up the mess on the bed and floor before we leave.”
“What mess? I didn’t see anything.”
“I sort of peed my pants, it’s right there.” I point out the small puddle so she doesn’t step in it. I’m completely mortified I’m admitting I peedeverywhere.
“Dude. It’s too clear to be pee; it has to be your water breaking. That would explain all of this.”
“That’s what I was thinking, but the doctor told me it would be three weeks.”
“Those are guesses, not set in stone, London explained it to me before with Jameson. I’m grabbing your baby bag and calling Twist, we’re out of here, chick.”
“Okay. Ouch!” I call loudly and grab onto her as the strong pain comes back. She holds onto my arms, keeping me steady as it passes.
“We are totally leaving, like yesterday!” She declares loudly, shooing me out of the room and down the hall. “London!” She yells and London comes running, eyes wide.
“Yeah, chickadee?”
“She’s in labor, we have to go. You drive Loretta, and I’ll call everyone.”
“Of course!” She runs into the kitchen as Avery helps me walk to Cain’s big black Challenger.
London puts a plastic trash bag on the seat and then a towel and they help me sit down. Avery runs around to the driver’s side, climbing into the back as London plops into the driver’s seat, turning the ignition over.
Avery leans forward, breathing quickly. “Hold the fuck on, Sadie. London drives like a mad woman in this car, especially since she’s pregnant!”
“You’re pregnant London?” I turn to her and she nods smiling. “Awesome.” I get out as she romps on the gas and we’re forced back in our seats.
I hear Avery talking excitedly on her phone in the back seat, but all I concentrate on is breathing and keeping calm. Oh and holding on, because Avery wasn’t joking, London drives this car like it’s a goddamn airplane or something.
Avery starts yelling and we both perk up to listen. “I don’t know, Twist; just fucking get here! It’s not my fault the kid’s coming early. I don’t know. This is the most I’ve ever heard you talk on one occasion. I know. I will. Okay, just hurry up and I’ll try to shove his head back in while you’re on your way,” she finishes and hangs up.
Me and London stare at each other for a beat, before she turns back to the road like the convo in the back we just heard was completely normal.
“Is he okay?”
“Yep, he’s fine. They’d just hit the Arizona border, but he’s turning around.”
“Oh my God, he can’t drive that entire way right now! It’s too far, he’ll never make it,” I declare, suddenly feeling the need to retch.
“Well, he’s going to. Any of the guys would if it were us, too, so don’t wig out over it. He’ll be back sometime tomorrow. In the meantime, he told me to take care of you, like I wasn’t going to anyhow. The man was acting like I was going to make you hoof it to the hospital by yourself or something,” she huffs and I let loose a nervous belly laugh at how crazy the whole situation is.
My tummy tightens up, protesting my giggles and sends a new pain that brings tears to my eyes again. I feel more liquid dribble out and I silently thank God that London knew to put a seat protector down. Clearly she knows what she’s doing with this sort of thing.
“I feel sick,” I mutter and Avery leans forward, patting my arm.
“It’s her driving, it happens to all of us. Luckily we’re here.” She points and I look up to see the hospital sign come into view.
We pull into the hospital parking lot and London parks directly in front of the electric doors to let me out. They both jump out of the car, Avery running inside to get a wheel chair. A few minutes later, and she’s at my door helping me out and into the chair.
“I’m parking!” London yells as she runs around the front of the vehicle and slams the door after getting in. Cain’s poor car is taking a beating today, I’m glad he’s not here to see it. The guys would probably be way calmer right now if they were home than the ones bringing me here.
“Okay, lady, let’s get you all checked in.”
“We have to go to the maternity section, it’s right past the women’s clinic.”
“Okay, no problem.” She hands me her phone, “Text London directions back here so she can find us, please.”
“Ouch!” I call out as a small pain hits me and I grit my teeth. He’s not even here yet and already causing trouble.
One of the nurses working is the same one that’s been checking me in at my other appointments so luckily she recognizes me as soon as she notices Avery wheeling me in her direction.
“Miss Sadie, everything okay, hon?”
“Nope, this baby is on its way!” Avery interrupts excitedly and the nurse smiles at her.
“Okay, we have a labor and delivery room open; I’ll get you settled in and bring the paperwork and the doctor in to look you over.”
“Sounds good, is Dr. Marsh here today?” I gasp, already worn out from the contractions and she nods.
Good, one thing I can relax about.
Twist
When I saw Avery’s name pop up on the comms system, I had to answer. I normally don’t bother with it while I’m riding, but I made her promise she’d call if something wasn’t okay with Sadie. Thank God I actually went with my gut and spoke to her. I would’ve been pissed later on.
We were just about to hit the Arizona border when I signaled the brothers to stop off so I could update them all with what was going on. I let Avery know I’d be on my way back ASAP and I was right; first thing Ares said when he heard what was up, was to go to her.
I thought we had plenty of time before the boy would come, that’s part of the reason why we planned this trip now, or we would’ve waited a little while. I can’t believe this is my fresh start and I’m already going to miss the birth. I can’t miss it. Fuck!
It’s just like before, I missed the birth of my daughter and Marissa never let me forget it either. She was constantly making me feel guilty for not being there. I wish I would have been; I wanted to, but I was deployed and I couldn’t hop a plane to come home when she called to say she was in labor. At that time of the war, you didn’t get to fly home for a birth; hell, we didn’t have cell phones or any of that shit they do now.
Marissa was a good woman, I can’t blame her for being angry, shit I was fuckin’ hella pissed myself. I was havin’ my first child and had to miss everything. I’m set on doin’ it right this time. I promised I would be there for it all and I’m already screwing up.
Giving my bike some more gas, the speedometer hits one fifteen and I settle in for the ride. It’s the perfect speed for these long, boring ass runs we make on this route. It’ll take awhile to get there, but hopefully I’ll make it in time for the birth. And if not, I’ll do my best to be there in the future. She—no they—have to come first, and I’m set on making them believe that’s exactly what they are, my main priority.
Ares promised that they’ll handle the shit with the Fists in California and if they’re able to keep any of them alive, they will, and they’re gonna bring them back home. I hate it that I won’t be beside them, seeking the vengeance Sadie, and any other woman out there wronged by them, deserves. Ares called Snake while we were on the side of the road, telling him to head on up with the van, that I’m on my way home.
I’m grateful my brothers understand and didn’t give me any shit for coming back. I wanted to go with them to catch those fuckers, but I want to be with Sunshine even more. It’s crazy that for once in my life since I’ve lost Marissa and my baby that I actually want another woman the way I want Sadie. Even with time, I still haven’t had my fill of her, if anything it’s made me want her even more.
Come to think of it, the brothers have backed off a lot since the clubhouse was compromised. I wonder if it finally sank in that I have feelings for Sadie. Care isn’t even a strong enough word though when it comes to her; I fuckin’ love the bitch and I can’t wait to make her my ol’ lady when this shit storm settles down.
Sadie
Avery hangs her phone up again as London sits in the corner of my room staring out the window at who knows what. It’s been hours since we’ve checked in and heard from Twist. My contractions are coming something fierce but it’s still too soon to have an epidural and I’m easily becoming exhausted.
“Is my brother okay?”
She comes over to sit on the edge of the bed. “Yep, he’s good. Worried and excited for you. He wishes he was here but I let him know not to worry, that we’re taking care of everything. And that’s the truth, Sadie, we’ll get through this together, that’s what the club’s all about. We have your back.”
I nod, a little apprehensive. I like Avery, she’s just not who I pictured here with me as I squeezed a baby out. It’s turning out though, that she may be the best person to have helping me. London’s phone rings and there’s a lot of anxious whispers. When she hangs up, Avery and I both stare at her, curious.
“Umm that was Prez. They need me back at the club for a little while if that’s okay? Spin brought back a guest and they need me to get her settled. I can come back as soon as I’m finished though.”
“London you don’t have to stay, I know you have your own life and kid.”
“Jameson is good; he’s with my mom and brother. I’ll be back; I want to be here for you.”
“Thank you,” I respond and she smiles.
“Hey L, will you bring me some comfy clothes, ‘cause I’m going to be here for awhile and the new paperback on my dresser, oh and my pillow and phone charger?”
“Calm down, Avery, there’s not much room for activities in here.” She winks and Avery laughs at the Step Brothers reference.
“Oh, London, you sound like a cross between Fergie and Jesus!”
They both giggle like a bunch of dorks and London gives in. “Okay, I guess since you can quote my favorite movie, I’ll move all of your shit over here for you.”
“Thanks, chick.” Avery blows her a kiss.
“I’ll be back!” London waves and takes off.
“Have you spoken to Twist again?”
“He sent me a text saying he hit the Texas border but that was all.”
“Geez, how long have we been here?”
“About seven hours.”
“Holy shit.”
We’re interrupted by Dr. Marsh coming in.
“Hello again, ladies.”
Avery smiles and sits in London’s spot.
“Hi.” I attempt to smile as a contraction hits and I groan through the pain.
“Good, just let it pass, deep breaths, try to stay relaxed,” he kindly coaches.
I don’t know how to stay calm though when they come and I just want to throw something or cuss someone out. I feel bad for these people, I bet they get yelled at frequently and it’s not even their fault.
“Okay, has it stopped?”
“Yes.” I let out a strangled breath.
“All right, I’m going to see if you’ve dilated anymore.”
He pops his head under the blanket with a nurse beside him and after a few uncomfortable moments he’s back up and taking his gloves off.
“Well, looks to be at about five centimeters, my dear; it’s coming along nicely.”
“So how much longer until I push?”
“Well there’s really no telling, but it will more than likely be a little while.”
“Like hours?” I ask, hopeful.
“Possibly, could be a bit longer. I had one lady dilate quickly and have her baby in three hours, while I had another who had thirty-four hours of contractions prior to the little one deciding to join us. It’s all a game of hurry up, wait, and then hurry up again.” He grins and pats my foot. “I’ll be back to check on you after a bit. Try to get some sleep if possible.”
“Al right, thank you.” I really want to laugh at his suggestion though. Sleep? Yeah, big fat no with all of the kicks and tightening going on over a huge portion of my body. I wish I could freaking rest.
He and the nurse leave and I turn to Avery, “Thirty-four hours? There’s no way in hell I can last that long!” I exclaim with an extra little bit of shrill making her laugh.
“Good news is that Twist can be here a lot sooner than that!”
Good point, but fuck my life that’s gonna hurt.