Page 43 of Better Than Baby

“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.

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