Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Renewed hope surged through me, coming out in my voice as I plated some pancakes and bacon for Wren. “And remember, chances are good that things will work out. Babies are born every day.”
“But not our baby.” Wren gave a dramatic moan. “This baby is special.”
“It is.” I nodded. “And that’s reason to celebrate. We have to have hope. We might not know what’s going to happen, but we can still have hope.”
“Yeah, Wren, think about the good,” Rowan urged.
“Huh.” Wren stared down at their pancakes, tone and expression more thoughtful. “What if we made a birthday cake for after the baby is here?”
“A party! A birthday party for the baby.” Rowan clapped his hands. “Don’t have to ask me twice. Wren, let’s go raid the decorations closet after we eat.”
“Your suggestion to focus on hope was good,” John said after Wren and Rowan fled to find party ideas, leaving John and me to handle the breakfast cleanup. “The party will be a good distraction.”
“I’m totally winging it.”
“Eh. That’s a talent too.” John shrugged as he snagged the last piece of bacon. “One I wish I had. Rolling without a plan sucks.”
“I get that. You’re a lot like your dad.” My tone was fond. I could afford to be more understanding of that personality quirk of Eric’s. Neither of us had a roadmap for this thing between us, and that was as exhilarating as it was terrifying.
“I know. Neither of us is a fan of surprises.” John laughed. “Trust me, if there was a procedure manual for my life right now, I’d take it.”
“Want to talk about it?” I pitched my voice conversational as I was more than experienced in the difficulty of getting teens to open up.
“Not really.” John’s reply was about what I’d expected. “There’s simply a lot up in the air—which college I end up at, where my friends will go, and so many plans we can’t make yet. And I just want to know.”
“I get that.” I also wanted to know. I wanted to know if this thing with Eric had a future, but like John, maybe I needed to cultivate patience.
“You want me to find the cupcake pans?” John asked in a clear bid to change the subject.
“Cupcakes are a good call. They will cool faster than cake.”
“And we can add sprinkles.” His rare grin was so much like Eric’s that my breath caught.
“Awesome.” I nodded, throat tight. I wanted Eric, wanted to be a part of this family, even if it was hard, even if it took time and patience. Eric was worth waiting for.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Eric
“I don’t think I can do this.” Maren had repeated that phrase at least twenty times since summoning me to join her, Diesel, and Marissa in my room. Each time she expressed doubt, I struggled that much more, seeing her in pain. Despite my years of training and experience, all I could do was watch and try not to wring my hands or pass my nervous energy on to her.
“You are doing it.” Marissa had bottomless patience. She was going to be an amazing mother because no matter how many times Maren paced the length of the room, muttering the same worries, Marissa kept the same gentle response. “You’re being so strong.”
“And brave,” Diesel added. Occasionally, Maren would stop the pacing for a contraction and let Diesel rub her back, but mainly, he trailed behind her, expression as helpless as I felt.
“I don’t want to be brave,” Maren shot back before turning her questioning gaze toward me.
“Diesel is right. You are brave, even if you’d rather not be. And you can be brave and scared.” God knew I was intimately familiar with that combo of emotions.
“What if I’m not ready?” she asked as she glanced over at the tub full of warm water. I thought back to June when I’d first heard the news and every conversation after that with Magnus.
“None of us are.” I echoed Magnus’s answer from those early talks. I felt silly now to have worried so much about being ready when the truth was there were some things in life one was never prepared for, parenthood included.
“I know.” Maren’s lip wobbled. “I’m sorry.”
“No, no apologizing,” I spoke faster before actual tears could appear. “You’re doing amazing, and I’m so proud of you. I meant we’re never ready to be parents. Or for any other big life change. We simply do our best. Muddle through. You’re going to do great. You are doing great.”
“Huh.” Maren sucked in a breath as another contraction hit, pausing to rock through it and squeeze Diesel’s hand before she could speak again. “I’m kind of a hot mess.”
“You’ve got this,” Marissa soothed again as she quickly checked fetal heart tones. She nodded at me, one professional to another, an acknowledgment that the vital signs were staying steady despite Maren’s ongoing doubts. “How would you feel about trying the tub?”