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)
“I’m kind of rethinking the whole no-epidural thing.” Maren’s lips twisted as her forehead creased.
“You’re doing great.” My hands clenched, the urge to suggest transfer bubbling up my throat. But instead, I said, “Maybe Marissa’s right, honey. What if the tub helps?”
“You’re not advocating for the epidural?” Maren’s frown deepened. “I thought you’d be warming up the car.”
“I believe in you, Maren.” I peered deeply into her eyes, transported to the first time I’d seen that scared yet granite-strong gaze. “You can do this. If you need to transfer, I’m here. We’re all here. But right now, you’re doing amazing.”
“Okay.” Maren nodded, resolution replacing fear. “I’m gonna get in the tub.”
Marissa and Diesel helped her get situated in the warm water, and I hung back in the corner of the room, trying to offer her privacy while wanting to stay close in case she wanted another pep talk. I didn’t have an app on my phone like Diesel, but I could tell the contractions were staying close together even as Maren relaxed in the tub, less antsy now.
“How are you doing?” Marissa floated over to me after another check of the baby’s heart rate. Diesel stayed with Maren, rubbing her shoulders.
“Me?” I shrugged. “I’m just worried about Maren.”
“I know. And you’re doing great too.” She patted my arm. “Thanks for supporting the tub idea.”
“No problem.” I huffed out a sharp breath. “Do they make grandparent epidurals?”
“I wish.” Marissa laughed softly. “And she’s closer than she thinks to baby’s arrival.”
“Gonna trust you on that.” I rolled my neck from side to side. Letting go of the need to control this situation was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. For the first time since reclaiming this room for myself, my brain flashed back to the day Montgomery had passed away in this very room. I didn’t have control then either.
And in a very real way, Maren having the baby in here felt right, the universe coming full circle to give me two experiences where all I could do was watch and wait and offer a few helpless prayers.
“Marissa.” Maren made a startled noise. “I think I’m pushing.”
“Go with it.” Marissa stayed a beacon of calm, returning to the side of the tub but otherwise not seeming at all alarmed. My own pulse, on the other hand, galloped along in a Kentucky Derby-worthy sprint. I had to fight the urge to hold my breath—like that would help anything.
I could only see the back of Maren’s head, along with Diesel’s and Marissa’s profiles, and I was debating moving when several things happened all at once. Maren made her loudest noise yet, water splashing, as Marissa said, “Catch your baby, Maren.”
Another splash and the smallest of cries as Maren sank back against the tub, something in her arms.
Baby. That last sound had been a baby, not Maren. All the air I’d been retaining escaped on a giant whoosh, and I did move, my first view of Maren cradling the baby coming into blurry focus through my tears.
“I did it.” Maren gazed down at the baby in nothing short of wonder. “Oh my God, I really did it.”
“You really did.” My chest was so tight it was a wonder I got any words out at all.
“You did amazing. Both of you.” Diesel kept petting Maren’s head as he looked at the surprisingly chill little being on Maren’s chest.
“It’s a girl.” Smiling, Maren adjusted her bundle to check. The baby made a small squeak but otherwise didn’t protest the position change. I glanced over at Marissa right as she caught my gaze.
“Eric. Can you hand me my bag?” she asked, tone more professional now. “And, Diesel, grab us a couple of the towels we laid out.”
“Is she okay?” Maren asked as I joined Marissa at the side of the tub. Letting someone else run a call never got any easier, but I waited along with Maren as Marissa quickly listened to the baby’s heart and lungs.
“She’s beautiful, Mama,” Marissa soothed. “Sounds great. She’s just a little cold. Let’s get you both in the bed, warm you up.”
Getting Maren and the baby out of the tub and onto the bed was a production, but eventually, both were settled on a mountain of pillows in the center of the bed, baby on Maren’s chest under a towel, her color and vigor much better now. Diesel sat next to the two of them, and after the placenta was delivered and the cord cut, he got a chance to hold the baby after helping Marissa diaper, weigh, and swaddle the newborn.
Wah. The baby gave her first loud squawk of the whole ordeal as her blanket dipped, and Diesel’s face fell. “I think she wants back with Maren.”
“She’s just saying hello.” Marissa was as reassuring as ever. “And probably protesting being cold again.”