Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Everyone laughs, including the baby, by kicking me so hard, their elbow pushes my skin out.
With all the parents helping, except for Katelyn’s, our apartment is set up, unpacked, and ready to go in a day. The three of us stand there, in the confines of our living room and look around. This wasn’t what I pictured my first apartment to be, especially the roommates, but I’m in love. It’s ours and it’s a safe place to bring this baby home to.
“Will the lemon scent ever go away?” Katelyn asks.
“Yep, the first time this kid craps,” I say.
“Or I use the bathroom,” Mason adds, causing us all to laugh.
Only when I laugh, I have to pee and excuse myself to use the bathroom.
chapter 9
. . .
My contractions started yesterday. They were small, but noticeable, yet not enough to go to the hospital. I know because Mason made me call while he paced and had everything ready to go. Instead, we spent day walking, bouncing on the yoga ball, and Mason massaged my back, which felt pretty damn good.
Katelyn’s sleeping next to me and although I should be trying to sleep, I can’t. Each time I close my eyes I picture Liam standing there, with some blonde on his arm. He’s a rockstar now and nothing like the footballer I fell in love with. It’s odd to think how much someone can change in nine months.
The other day, he was on MTV with someone he introduced as his friend. I was so happy Mason wasn’t there to hear him say those words. It’s one thing to assume you’ve been replaced, but to see it with your own eyes is a whole other emotion all together.
I’ve been replaced, probably multiple times over. It is what it is at this point. There isn’t anything I can do to change what happened, and if I could, I’m not sure I’d be anything more than the mother of Liam Page’s child. He’s hurt me beyond repair.
Another contraction rolls over my abdomen. I hold my breath even though I’m supposed to breathe through them. I watch the clock. They’re still eight minutes apart and not close enough to go to the hospital.
The baby punches my bladder, leaving me no choice but to get up and waddle my way to the bathroom. As soon as I turn on the light, a warm and uninviting gush explodes between my legs.
“Shit,” I say as I turn around and head toward the bedroom. “Katelyn.”
“What? I’m up. What’s wrong?”
“My water broke.”
She’s out of bed immediately and already has the phone cradled between her ear and shoulder, calling my parents while she directs me to the side of the bed and then grabs the clothes off the top of my dresser. This is probably the only time I will ever let her dress me. Right now, I’m not sure I could do it. Lord knows I can’t see my feet.
“Yep, we’ll see you there,” she says as she hangs up. “Your mom is calling Mason’s parents. They’ll meet us at the hospital.”
“Okay.” This has been the plan from the beginning. A small, little phone tree. My circle, all coming together for the birth of this baby.
“Can you walk?”
“Yeah,” I say as I stand. A contraction hits and my knees almost buckle but Katelyn’s strong and able to keep me upright.
She takes me to the kitchen, probably thinking I might pee all over the floor again, and then goes to get Mason. He’s near me in a flash, with a big cheesy grin on his face.
“You good?” he asks as if this is something we do often.
I give him a half shrug. “Stomach is cramping pretty good, but I can do this.”
“Right on. That’s what I want to hear,” Mason says with a bit too much excitement. I’m glad he’s excited though because my son or daughter is going to need Mason in their life.
Mason holds me as he walks me to the mid-size sedan my parents bought me. He makes sure I’m in securely and then heads to the driver’s side while Katelyn gets in the back.
“We should’ve stayed in town last night,” he says as he drives away from our apartment. I wanted to stay in our apartment, mostly away from my parents because they hover, and I know my dad wants to talk about Liam.
“It’s early,” Katelyn says. “There won’t be any traffic.” I feel her hands on my side, massaging. As much as I don’t want to be touched right now, it helps.
Thirty minutes later, Mason pulls into the emergency room drop off. My parents along with Mason’s parents are outside, waiting. The two grandpas come to the car and help me out and right into a wheelchair.
“No wheelies,” I say to my dad who chuckles. My mom walks beside me, with Katelyn and Mason’s parents behind me. As soon as we get to the check-in desk, the nurse sends me right to labor and delivery with Katelyn and my mom following. The nurses there have my room ready to go when I get to their floor.