Page 20 of Better Than Baby (Better Than Stories #9)

fifteen

We launched into baby prep mode, part two.

We had twenty-four to seventy-two hours to prove we were equipped to handle an active almost one-year-old.

We sort of were. I mean, we had a fully-functioning nursery with a crib, a changing table, a rocking chair, unisex clothing, a monitor, and much more.

According to our friends and family with small children, infants began by sleeping in a bassinet in their parents’ room anyway, so technically, we were more than prepared.

But I was married to someone who would never leave important things to chance.

And let’s be real, we were riding a wild high.

We’d met Xander and he was…everything. We wanted to make his transition into his new home as seamless as possible.

We were going to buy the second crib, a car seat, a stroller for two, age-appropriate toys, clothes, and lots of diapers.

And yes, we were fully aware that Lena was a mere two weeks from our baby’s due date.

This was daunting stuff. Exciting, too.

I pushed the cart at Stork Emporium, barking orders via Bluetooth to my team at the office while Aaron tossed in everything from crib sheets and board books to safety latches for kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

There were some items we’d have to order online, but a few hundred dollars later, we were in good shape.

We loaded up Aaron’s SUV and headed home in charged silence, our pinkies laced over the center console as a light snow fell on the windshield.

“We should check in on Lena. We’ve been so distracted today that I didn’t have a chance to call her yet.”

“Go for it.”

He punched in Lena’s number and a moment later, the buzz of a ringing cell permeated the interior of the SUV.

“Hi, Aaron,” she answered.

“Good afternoon, darling. We have a million things to tell you, but first…how are you, and how’s my sweet little angel love bug?”

“Isn’t that what you call Murphy?” I asked as I turned onto our street.

Aaron snickered. “Yes…and the baby too.”

This was where Lena would jump in with a lighthearted comment. When you spent the better part of a year getting to know someone, the barriers lowered enough that you didn’t think twice about sharing candid bits of your life. And vice versa.

Lena was usually extremely easygoing and upbeat, but today, her laughter was weak and off-kilter. I could have sworn I heard a hiss of pain.

“Lena, how are you feeling?” I opened the garage door, waving to our neighbor, Jess and her kids, Billy and Katie.

“I’m okay. I hardly slept last night and…

I called the doctor. I was a little worried because the baby wasn’t moving much.

I ended up talking to a nurse who said that’s very normal.

I guess babies get quiet before they make their grand entrance, but I’m not due till the fourteenth. ” Her voice rose in a panicky pitch.

“ Shh , it’s okay,” Aaron assured her. “Listen, Matt and I have to unload the trunk and feed Murphy, but we’ll head back to the city afterward.”

“Oh, no. Don’t do that,” she protested. “I’m fine and…”

I was already out of the SUV, schlepping a couple of bags to the garage and tossing them into a pile, then racing to let Murphy out. I secured his leash and brought him to the front of the house to help Aaron with the rest of our loot. Billy and Katie had beat me to it.

“Mom says your baby is probably coming soon,” Billy reported, crouching to pet Murphy. Our neighbors loved Murph. “My aunt’s a baby nurse, and she knows stuff like that.”

I glanced over at Aaron, who was deep in conversation with Jess. “Hey, would you hang on to him for me, please?”

“Yes! Want me to take him for a walk? I can do it, you know.” Billy was practically jumping up and down, the leash dangling as Murphy matched his energy, jump for jump.

“I’ll go with him. I’m more responsible,” Katie announced.

“You are not!”

“Am too.”

“Are not.”

I stepped between the siblings, my gaze fixed on Aaron, who looked white as a ghost. “Hey, I trust you both. Hang tight and let me talk to Aaron and your mom.”

“…could be nothing at all, Aaron. Don’t worry and whatever you do, don’t google her symptoms,” Jess was saying, setting a comforting hand on Aaron’s sleeve.

Aaron fiddled nervously with the button on his long wool coat. “Matty, we have to check on Lena.”

“Go. We’ll watch Murphy for you,” Jess shooed us toward our SUV.

I didn’t hesitate to take her up on the offer. Jess and Todd were the type of neighbors who had a key to the house in the case of emergency. They’d have access to Murphy’s food if we ran later than dinnertime.

“You’re the best. Thank you.”

Snow was falling in earnest now. I turned up the windshield wipers as I navigated congested roads into Georgetown.

“I think we should ask her to live with us until the baby’s born,” I commented, tapping my thumb on the steering wheel. “This drive is going to make us crazy in a real emergency. Especially with…well…you know.”

I could feel the warmth of Aaron’s smile from the passenger seat.

“With Xander at home,” he finished.

“Yeah.”

He exhaled deeply. “It feels like we’re on a wild roller coaster ride. I’m nauseous.”

“You’re okay. I’m here, and we’ve got this.”

Fifteen minutes later, I wasn’t so sure.

Lena was lethargic and quiet. Maybe that was normal behavior for a woman in the home stretch of pregnancy, but we were used to her bubbly energy and vivacious attitude. I was hoping this trip would assure Aaron everything was fine, but I was worried now too.

Used mugs littered with tea bags cluttered the coffee table along with dozens of health periodicals, a bowl filled with pink crystals, a bag of pretzels, and a box of tissues. A rom-com from the early 2000s was on the flat-screen across from a comfy sofa partially hidden under a sea of blankets.

I couldn’t decide if the ambiance was cozy or suffocating.

I unzipped my jacket and perched on a nearby armchair while Aaron cleared a spot for himself on the sofa. He didn’t address the debris, but his nose wrinkled and knowing him as well as I did, it was safe to report that it took serious willpower for him not to start cleaning.

“Tell me what I can do,” he said softly.

“I’m fine, Aar. I really am. It’s just…so uncomfortable. I can’t sleep, and everything tastes funny. I don’t know why. Except Pop-Tarts. My mom brought me cinnamon-flavored ones yesterday and I ate them all. And most of those pretzels. Don’t be angry.”

I chuckled. “Why would we be angry?”

“Dunno. Now I’m tired and the thought of food makes me want to gag. Also…” She sat up and threw the blankets off. “I have to go to the bathroom again.”

Aaron helped her to her feet, casting a wary glance my way as she toddled away. I shrugged helplessly. I felt bad for her. We both did. The baby had to be…huge. I mean, seriously. She was all belly and at this stage of the game, it looked downright painful to carry the extra weight.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Aaron asked cautiously.

Lena stopped in the hallway between her kitchen and bathroom, her hand cradling her belly protectively.

“Yeah, I’m—oh!” Lena gasped as water gushed, soaking her extra-large sweats and the floor. “Oh, my God. Did I just pee my pants?”

“No, your water broke,” Aaron replied. “We’re going to the hospital, honey.”

Hospital. Oh, fuck.

Wait.

Now?

It was too early. Two weeks too early. We weren’t ready. We didn’t have the go-bag. We didn’t have the car seat.

“Should we call an ambulance or the doctor or like…9-1-1?” Okay, now I was really burning up. I pulled my jacket off and undid the top two buttons on my oxford shirt.

“Matty, what are you doing?” Aaron snapped, guiding our stunned surrogate toward her bedroom.

“Hot. It’s so hot.”

“It’s cold outside and we’re leaving now, so pull it together, love. I’m going to help Lena change, you call the doctor, then get the Mercedes warmed up.” He held my face in his hands and stood on tiptoe to move in close. “We’re having a baby, Matty.”

Holy. Fuck.