“What?” he says. “I didn’t say anything.”
“But you were thinking it.”
He chuckles. “This is going to be a long day.”
“Ya think?”
“I’m here for you. Whatever you want, whatever you need, just ask.” He puts both hands on my stomach. “Today is his birthday. It’s going to be one of the best days of our lives.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t have to push something the size of a watermelon out of his nostril.”
He laughs again.
“This isn’t funny, Aaron.”
“You’re right. What can I get you? Water? Tea?”
“Tea sounds good.” He gets up to leave, but I grab his arm hard. I’m having another contraction. “Ahhh, oh god.” I grit my teeth and press a hand to the side of my tummy.
“Um…” He checks the time. “I don’t think that was five minutes. More like two.”
“I feel something down there.”
His eyes go wide with fear. “What do you mean, you feel something?”
“I think I should lie down.” As soon as he gets me to the bed, another contraction hits. I bite my lip so hard, blood trickles down my chin. “It hurts. I feel like I have to push.”
“What?”
“Look down there.”
He removes my yoga pants and undies and checks between my legs. His face loses all color. “I think I see the top of his head.”
“Oh my god!”
He pulls out his phone, calls Suzy, and throws it on the bed. When she answers, he yells, “The baby is coming. I can see his head.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“What if she doesn’t have that long?” He glances at me, clearly worried. “Wait, maybe Andie can help. Where’s your phone?”
I point to the kitchen. He runs to get it while Suzy asks me questions. When he returns, he says Andie is coming over.
“She births foals, Aaron, not babies.”
“She can help,” Suzy says.
“Suzy thinks I’ve been in labor for at least a day,” I tell him. “My indigestion and back pain.”
“That’s labor?”
“It can be,” Suzy said. “Apparently it was. First babies never come this quickly.”
“I really have to push.”
“Go ahead,” Suzy says. “Your body knows what to do.” She gives Aaron instructions about feeling for the cord and turning the baby’s head, but I’m so focused on getting him out, I can’t think of anything else.
“His head is out,” he says. “Oh, Jesus.”
“And the cord?” Suzy asks.
“I don’t feel it.”
“That’s good. Devyn, with the next contraction, give it everything you have. That will get his shoulders free, and then he’ll slip right out. Be ready, Aaron.”
“Oh shit,” he says, looking at me. “We’re really doing this.”
“Be careful,” I say. “Don’t drop him.”
“Not on your fucking life.”
“Ahhhhhh!” I scream as I’m torn in two.
“That’s right,” Suzy says. “Push hard. Keep pushing.”
“Ahhhhhh!” I feel like my insides are coming out. Then suddenly it’s over.
“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” Aaron chants.
I rise on my elbows. He’s holding our son. The door flies open, and Andie runs over. She doesn’t take the baby. She instructs Aaron to rub his back. “Don’t be afraid to rub it firmly. You need to get him breathing.”
“He’s not breathing?” I cry.
“Don’t we need to cut the cord?” Aaron asks frantically.
“Give him a minute,” she says calmy, like the world didn’t just shift on its axis. “The placenta gives him oxygen until he can breathe. Keep rubbing him.” She tickles Casey’s feet.
A loud, angry cry fills the room, and we all sob in relief.
“Put him on her chest,” Andie says. “Pull up your shirt, Devyn. He needs to be on your skin, where it’s warm.”
Aaron places Casey on me. “Hi there.” I wrap my arms around his tiny, slick body. “I’m your mom,” I say. I can’t hold back tears, because saying it feels so unreal. I look at Aaron. “I’m a mom.”
I have another small contraction. It’s not nearly as bad as the others. I peek at Andie.
“It’s the placenta being expelled. Not to worry.”
Aaron comes up by my head as Andie works below. “Hey, buddy,” he says to Casey. “Just so you know, the woman holding you is the best thing that ever happened to me, and you’re the best thing that has happened to us. We love you so much.”
“Aaron, do you want to cut the cord?” Andie asks.
“I can do that now?”
She nods and hands him the scissors. “You’re the father.”
His eyes get misty. “I am. I’m the father.”
He cuts the cord and then lies down next to us, wrapping us in his arms.
Andie puts a blanket on top of Casey. “The placenta looks complete. I think you’re all good, but you may need a few stitches. I’m going to step outside to wait for Suzy.”
We can’t even acknowledge her. We’re mesmerized by our son. The door closes, and we’re alone. We’re a family.
I kiss the top of my son’s head. Then I kiss my fiancé. “How did I not know this was going to be everything I ever wanted?”
He brushes a wet piece of hair off my forehead. “You’ve never been more beautiful. I love you, Devyn.”
“I love you, too.”
Our son is sleeping on my chest. I put my hand on his back, needing to feel his every breath. “Do you think they’re here?”
“I’m sure everyone is waiting outside, except my parents, but they’re catching the first flight out.”
“Not them.” I lift my chin. “Them.”
He understands what I’m asking, because he’s the only person who’s ever understood me. He nods. “Yeah, I do.”
I look at my son and then at the ceiling. “Everyone, meet Casey Cameron Pearce.”