First and Always: The Forever Duet

by Brooke, Rebecca

  It’s a girl.

  26

  “Are you sure you’re okay if I go?”

  Christine rolled her eyes and rubbed her hand over her rounded belly. Nine months and the time for the little miss to make an appearance had almost arrived.

  “Yes. I’m fine. I’m pregnant, not sick.”

  “I know, but I hate leaving you home alone.”

  She laid her hand on my chest. “I know, but this show is for such a good cause, I don’t want you to miss it.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?”

  A yawn left her lips and I watched as she wandered over to the couch, slowly lowering herself down. “You know I love seeing you play, but I’ll never make it until the end of the show.” She pointed at her feet, which she rested on the coffee table in front of her. “My feet are swollen and I’m exhausted.”

  I walked behind the couch and bent over so my face was right over hers where she laid her head back. “I know.” I pressed a kiss to her lips. “You get some rest tonight and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She raised a brow. “Not coming home?”

  “Oh, I’ll be home, but with the way you’re yawning, I have a feeling you’ll be sound asleep when I get back.”

  She smacked my arm and laughed. “Probably.” She pointed to the door. “Go play your heart out. I’m going to watch some TV until I drag my ass up those stairs for bed.”

  I handed Christine the remote and kissed her goodbye. “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  The ride to the venue seemed strange without Christine sitting next to me. There were very few shows she missed and usually that was only when she had a meeting for the charity. I figured it was something I’d have to get used to from now on. There was no way we’d bring the baby to shows that lasted until long after midnight.

  I knew I could handle that as long as I got to go home and see their sleeping faces and smiles the next morning.

  The smell of coffee hit my nose as soon as I stepped into the dressing room backstage. Being here without Christine was weird, but I couldn’t ask her to come just for me. Not when she’d been so uncomfortable the last few weeks. This last month of pregnancy had really gotten to her. Exhaustion seemed like an uphill battle lately and I knew, even though this show was close to home, I wouldn’t get home until at least one or two in the morning. She needed her sleep, as much as she could get, and I was determined to let her get it.

  Ignoring the table of food on the side, I went straight for the pot of coffee. Three mugs sat on the table along with a bottle of whiskey and a bottle of Baileys. Normally, I grabbed one of the bottles of beer that sat on the other side of the room, but with Christine having trouble sleeping, I’d been awake with her too. The whiskey was tempting, but I found the mug and dropped in a splash of Baileys.

  I walked back to the couch with the mug gripped tightly in my hand. Agreeing to this show had been idiotic. It had been early in her pregnancy when she convinced me to do it. As a thank you show for the fans, but also as a we’re taking a break from touring for a bit. I wanted the time alone with Christine and the baby, so it made sense at the time to say yes. Now I wish I hadn’t. Neither one of us had foreseen all the problems she would have over the last few months. Her due date was right around the corner. Hopefully, after the baby was here we could deal with the normal issues of late night feedings and smelly diapers. And I would do my damnedest to help as much as I could and give Christine a chance to sleep.

  The aroma coffee and liquor filled my nose as I lifted the mug to my lips to take another sip. The caffeine brought me out of the trance I’d been in for the last few days. I found myself waking up every few hours just to check to on her, usually finding her awake in bed.

  I tugged my phone out of my back pocket and hit Christine’s number. It wouldn’t be long before Miles and Dylan showed up. This would probably be my last chance to check on her before we hit the stage.

  “Hey,” she answered on the first ring. Her voice sounded weak.

  “I was hoping you’d be asleep.”

  She chuckled but there was no energy behind it. “Then why did you call if you thought I might be sleeping?”

  “Glad to see you still have your sense of humor and sass. I was saying I was hoping you’d be sleeping and I would have to leave you a message.”

  “Well, no such luck, you’re just going to have to talk to me.”

  “Aren’t you the comedian tonight?”

  “I try.”

  “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

  “I couldn’t get comfortable. I fall asleep for a few minutes, then some part of my body starts to ache and wakes me up.”

  “I hope things will get better after the baby is born.”

  She giggled. “Not unless we have the perfect angel. I’m pretty sure body aches will be replaced with midnight cries.”

  “You’re probably right, but at least I can help with that. I wish I had cancelled this show.”

  “No, you need to do it. Your fans want to see you and it’ll be a while until that happens again. Unless you’ve changed your mind about touring.”

  “Not. At. All. I’ll make music, but all that traveling can wait until she’s a little older.”

  The handle on the door jiggled. My alone time with Christine had come to an end until later tonight.

  “Yo, asshole. How did you beat me here?” Miles and Kylee walked into the room.

  I pointed to the phone I held to my ear.

  He held up his hands. “Sorry.” Then he proceeded to tiptoe around the couch to the table with food. Kylee grabbed a bottle of water and sat down in one of the chairs.

  “Hey, love.”

  “I heard Miles come in. Go hang out with him. I’m going to try and take a nap.”

  “All right. Text me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Tell Miles I said hi.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I disconnected the call and shoved the phone back into my pocket. “Can you enter any room without announcing your presence to everyone there?”

  He shoved half the sandwich he’d just made in his mouth. “Probably not,” he said around a mouthful of food.

  “Why am I not surprised?”

  Miles flopped down on the couch next to me, almost dumping his plate all over the floor. “How’s Christine feeling?”

  “Tired.” I ran a hand down my face.

  “Who’s tired?” Dylan said as he stepped into the room, making much less noise than Miles had only a few minutes ago.

  “Christine. This whole pregnancy has been brutal on her. She can’t sleep for more than forty-five minutes to an hour before she gets too uncomfortable and wakes up again.”

  “Man, that sucks.” Miles shoved another giant bite of food into his mouth.

  “She’s got less than a week until her due date, right? That’s not much longer.”

  I scoffed. “Yeah, that’s what we thought until her doctor told her it’s normal for women to go into labor up to two weeks after their due date.”

  “Fuck me, that sounds like the worst bait and switch in the world. Hey, you only have to make it until this date. That date arrives, then bam. You have to wait two more weeks.”

  “Tell me about it. I can vouch for how pissed Christine was at her doctor after the conversation.”

  Dylan brought his beer over and sat on the edge of the table. “I take it she’s staying home tonight.”

  “I hope she gets some sleep while she’s there.”

  Dylan glanced around the room. “I’m going to miss playing for live crowds.”

  Miles lifted a brow. “Let me guess, it has nothing to do with playing and everything to do with dressing rooms full of food.”

  “Pretty much.”

  “You’re ridiculous.” I set my empty mug on the table. Next to me. “You do realize we’re not giving up playing forever. I just don’t want to travel while the baby is little. We
’ll still be making music.”

  Miles glared at Dylan for a moment then brought his attention back to me. “That’s exactly how it should be. You’ll get to spend some time with the baby and we’ll write some kick-ass music to release. Our shows will sell out the day the tickets go on sale.”

  I smiled. “I like the way you look at things.”

  Dylan narrowed his eyes for a moment, then suddenly his eyes lit up. “All right. All right. That does sound like a great idea. We can take some vacation time. A week in Vegas sounds like the best idea.”

  “No,” the three of us shouted in unison.

  Vegas was a terrible idea for someone like Dylan, especially when we had a friend who already made that mistake and ended up married after a drunk night of partying.

  Dylan lifted his hands. “Okay. I get. I’ll stick to tropical beaches and shit.”

  “That sounds like a much better idea.” Miles ran a hand down his face before turning his gaze to me to share a look.

  Dylan could keep us on our toes, but we knew ninety-nine percent of the time he was just trying to get a rise out of us. It was the one percent we always worried about.

  There was a light rap of knuckles on the door before it opened a crack. A brunette wearing a headset peeked her head through the door. “You guys are up next.”

  “Thanks.” Miles set down his mug and stood. “Ready?”

  Kylee leapt from her seat and straight into his arms. “Definitely.”

  It was still weird seeing them together like that, but I just shook my head and followed everyone out the door. A bit of nostalgia settled in my chest as we walked through the halls toward the stage door.

  Dylan was right. I was going to miss playing for the live crowds. We’d be back out there someday. But in the end, I knew this was time with Christine and the baby that I’d never get back. And that was something I wouldn’t give up for anything.

  The door open and I stepped out on stage, promising myself to enjoy every moment until we were back there again.

  Lifting the guitar strap over my head, I took the mic stand in hand and greeted the crowd with our first song of the night.

  27

  We took our last bow of the night after playing the last song on the set list. The benefit of a charity concert was not having to do a few encores before actually getting to leave the stage. Don’t get me wrong. I loved playing for the crowds, but tonight I wanted to get home to Christine.

  I was looking forward to the time off with her and the baby, whenever she decided to make an appearance. We walked off stage and made our way back to one of the dressing rooms to get my phone. The moment I picked it up, I saw the notifications. There had to be at least twenty of them. Two from Christine and the rest from our parents.

  I picked Christine’s message first.

  “Hey, babe, I know you’re on stage and your phone is in the dressing room, but we’re heading to the hospital. My water broke. Don’t worry, your mom is driving me. Meet me there. We’ll finally get to meet our baby girl.”

  I hung up the phone and looked at the time. Only about an hour ago, so she hadn’t been alone that long.

  “Miles,” I shouted across the room. “Get your car, we’re heading to the hospital.”

  Kylee squealed and leapt into my arms. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.”

  Dylan slapped me on the back. “Congrats, man. Now let him go, Kylee, so they can get on the road.”

  A sheepish look crossed her face, one I had to admit I’d never seen before. She backed away. “We’ll take care of everything here.”

  “Thanks.”

  Miles grabbed his keys and clasped me on his shoulder. “Let’s go meet your daughter.”

  We practically ran through the halls, ignoring anyone who called our names. Luckily he’d parked close to the door and we jumped into the car and raced out of the parking lot. The tires squealing on the pavement as Miles slammed his foot on the gas, throwing me back against the seat.

  “Damn, at least let me get my seat belt on.” I tugged at the metal and shoved it into the lock.

  “Sorry, I know you want to get there.”

  I chuckled. “Preferably in one piece.”

  He narrowed his eyes and peeked at me out of the corner of his eye. “Why are you so calm? I don’t think most first time dads are as relaxed as you are.”

  The butterflies were beating around my stomach. “Trust me when I tell you I’m nervous as hell, but I’m also excited. I’m trying to keep calm for Christine.”

  “Good man you are. I hope I can find the same thing the two of you have with Kylee.”

  “You will.” I glanced out the window, watching the streets lights flying by as we speed toward the hospital.

  Miles pulled into the front of the hospital in no time. I jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. He told me he’d head to the waiting area once he parked the car.

  The woman sitting at the front desk wasn’t paying attention, reading the paper in front of her.

  “Excuse me,” I said when I reached the counter.

  She glanced up and froze. “You’re Aiden Cormack.”

  Normally, I’d engage more with a fan, but tonight I needed to get to Christine. “That’s me. They brought my wife in earlier. She’s in labor.”

  The woman flew into action. “Then we need to get you up there as soon as possible.” Her fingers flew over the keyboard. “She’s on the third floor, in delivery room four.” She handed me a badge. “They’ll give you a bracelet upstairs. And the elevators are right down there.”

  “Thanks.” I waved and jogged down the hall to where she pointed.

  I pressed the up button, my foot tapping impatiently on the floor as I waited for the doors to open. The numbers above it counted down while I pressed the sticker to the chest of my shirt.

  As soon as the bell dinged and the door started to slide open, I jumped on the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor. Impatiently, I hit the close door button a few times, my nerves starting to get the best of me.

  The ride up was a test in patience I didn’t have at the moment. I didn’t bother waiting until the doors opened all the way until I sidled through and raced down the hall to the nurse’s station. A nurse with long dark hair pulled up into a ponytail must have seen me coming because she stepped around the desk and met me at the front.

  “Mr. Cormack, come with me. Your wife told us you should be here soon.”

  “How is she?” I asked as we made our way down the hall.

  She smiled over her shoulder at me. “She’s doing great. A little tired, but contractions can take a lot out of you, especially when they haven’t taken any pain medication.”

  I stopped short. “She hasn’t asked for anything?”

  She shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “I’ll talk to her. I don’t want her to suffer when she doesn’t have to.”

  She smiled and stopped by a door. “Right in here.”

  I pushed the door open and found Christine with all her features scrunched up tight. Her eyes were closed and she was sucking in breath after breath. Our moms sat on either side of her, holding her hands, knuckles white as she squeezed.

  “Baby girl.”

  Her eyes snapped open. “Aiden,” she breathed as her body slowly unclenched and began to relax.

  My mom turned to me. “Glad to see you made it.”

  I kept my eyes on Christine. “She convinced me to not cancel our performance.”

  Mom glanced over at Carla and smirked. “He’s got a lot to learn.”

  She laughed. “He does. How about we leave him to start learning.”

  I made my way over to the side of bed and took my mom’s place holding Christine’s hand. Mom patted me on the cheek. “Take care of her. We’re going to head to the waiting room and update your father and Jim. We’ll wait there for news.”

  She leaned up and kissed me on the cheek. Carla stood up from whispering something to Christine. “I’
m so proud of you.”

  A tear slipped down Christine’s cheek as she nodded at her mom. Then they were gone, leaving us alone in the room.

  “Why did you send me tonight if you were having contractions?”

  A smile lifted the corners of her mouth, but it was weak. The exhaustion evident by the deep lines across her forehead and dark circles beneath her eyes.

  “They’ve been happening on and off for a week. I thought they were Braxton-Hicks until I woke up to a wet bed tonight.”

  I sighed and brought her hand to my lips. “I wish you had told me.”

  “I knew this was your last performance for a while and if I had told you, you wouldn’t have gone. Everything worked out, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

  I wanted to argue with her. To make her understand that I would have been here from the beginning had I know, but I also knew that now wasn’t the right time. It was time to focus on mom and baby, but this was definitely a discussion we were having at some point.

  “How far apart are your contractions?”

  “About fifteen minutes give or take.”

  I glanced at the clock on the wall. I’d been there for about five minutes. The room had one chair on each side of the bed. Without letting go of Christine’s hand, I reached behind me to pull up the chair and take a seat.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like someone’s squeezing my insides together.”

  I leaned my elbows on the bed and held her hand between mine. “You know you can ask for an epidural. There’s no need to suffer if you don’t have to.”

  She ran her free hand over her belly. “I know, but I want to try and go as far as I can.”

  I gave her hand a slight squeeze and focused on her eyes. “Promise me, you’ll tell me when it gets too much. You won’t suffer out of some noble plan to do this without pain meds.”

  She tried to look away, exactly like I knew she would. In all of our years together, she always tried to push herself farther than she could reasonably go. I placed my fingers under her chin, turning her face back to mine.