by Katy Kaylee
“Thanks, I think.” Speaking up as he poised a fork in front of his face, Tommy smiled small, and I watched through narrowed eyes as he took a bite. His brows rose, an appreciative hum escaping his closed lips, and some of the tension eased from my shoulders. “This is good- really good, Gwen.”
“I know it’s your favorite.” Fire licked my cheeks when Tom paused, and I tore my gaze off him to stab a piece of asparagus. “Uh- so, how’s work been going?”
“It’s going great, actually… they’re really good to me. I got a bonus for beating the record for breaking into their internal servers externally- which I’m not supposed to be able to do, but- like, their security measures are shit. It’s not a mystery why they were hacked last year, for sure.” Smiling as Thomas sort of rambled, I propped my chin on the back of my hand and relished this moment. This scene seared into my brain, and he sat back with a shake of his head. “It’s so crazy. I don’t get how people get paid to make such garbage security or how no one else noticed.”
“Calm down, there, boy genius. If someone else noticed, you wouldn’t have a job, remember?” Humor laced Ryan’s tone, and I chewed my bite quietly as he shot his best friend a look. “So, what have you been doing this past month?”
“… I quit drinking.” Sarah nodded at my quizzical look, and Thomas twirled his fork absently to tear off a chunk of chicken. “On the daily, though- I started gaming. I’ve been using your system and stuff, Ryan- I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not a problem at all, my dude.” The conversation stalled, and I gnawed on my inner cheek as I cut my own piece of chicken. I couldn’t really taste it beyond the anxiety pooling under my tongue, and Sarah spoke up to break the silence.
“So, you said you give birth in three weeks, Gwen- was it planned?”
“Ah- no. It wasn’t. Ryan didn’t actually know until he got back four months later. But- everything has been great since. I got my restaurant and my bakery open pretty much on time, and that’s all been really smooth. It wasn’t nearly as stressful as last time.” Sarah smiled a little sadly, and I rolled my lips between my teeth to hide my frown.
“I loved it- being pregnant, I mean. Everything was brighter. My ex and I planned it, but he didn’t plan on my finding out about his side chick. He got mad that I was going to leave him over it, and, suddenly, I wasn’t pregnant anymore. I can’t have kids because of it. When you think about it, though, is it really a tragedy that I lost it, or would the tragedy have been being born into that? That was, like, five years ago, now, and after that, I decided to start stripping to help me feel beautiful.” Thoughtfulness pervaded her expression even as my heart stuttered, and she sent Thomas a tender look. “I’m glad I stuck with it, though- I’ve met a lot of great people, and things have gotten so much better for me. And, honestly, it’s not like I get stigmatized or anything because the people that would judge me for it don’t actually go to strip clubs.”
“I know, right! I was at my restaurant the other day-“ My overly loud declaration rang in the gloom that hung just above my head, and I slapped my hand on the table. The air cleared, thankfully, and I frowned as Ryan groaned at the memory. “There was a church thing going on, reservations and everything that they couldn’t get a refund on. I was talking to the manager, and the organizer of the event asked if I worked there really snooty like. Before I could even open my mouth, she goes ‘well, just goes to show how worse your life is because you didn’t get married and have a husband to take care of you’.”
“No! She said that?” Nodding as Thomas gaped at me, I grinned broadly while Ryan smothered a laugh.
“Yeah- yeah, she started saying something about how young girls these days don’t have any morals. I just let her go on and on, and she got really deep- talkin’ about all this shit about when she was married, she trusted her husband to work so she could have a whole lot of kids. And then- her actual son, who is probably older than me, came up and asked what the problem was.”
“This is where I showed up, too.” Taking over for me, Ryan smirked as he gulped down his bite, and I stabbed my piece of chicken sharply. “I walk in and this guy is arguing with his mother that it’s not godly to judge people- everyone makes mistakes- like, he had good intentions, but just didn’t really come across well. Anyway- I stroll up to Gwen and the manager, and this old as dirt lady recognized me.”
“I asked what was going on, and she starts blubbering about how much she loves the soap opera I’m on- all this typical shit. There’s, like, this horde of old ladies shuffling over, abandoning their meals, and I’m like ‘okay, this is kinda weird’ so I ask Gwen what was going on. Gwen said, and I quote, ‘She’s shaming me for having your baby’-“ Ryan slumped back in his seat to cover his face as he burst out laughing, and I couldn’t contain my giggles. Remembering that old lady’s horrified expression was priceless, and Sarah laughed a little as Thomas sat, shocked silent. “She- she- she fucking had the fucking nerve to say ‘well, at least she made a good choice’…”
“That’s not even the best part. They paid in advance to cover everything, and whatever was left over was added to the tips. Only a few of them had their food before this started, and orders are streaming out- this is, like, a 30 person party- and, anyway- I tell them all that I’m the owner, and they all need to get out. Groans all around- no one had a chance to eat yet, but I told them that I didn’t need or want their business if they were going to trash talk people they don’t even know.” Sarah’s gasp echoed in my ears, and I nodded again as accomplishment spread through my chest. Was it underhanded to kick them all out? Yes.
Was it terrible to shame someone for the way he or she lives his or her life? Yes, also.
“This lady started arguing with Gwen- like, full on going at it about how they paid, they want refunds, they this, they that. And I’m standing there wondering who the fuck they think they are, and then- the coup de grace. Fucking Brandon walks out of the bakery. You haven’t met him, but this guy is fucking big, my dude- like, the both of us combined, big. He’s towering over everyone there, and he’s not happy. He just worked 7am-3pm, and the last thing he wants is to hear all these little, old ladies yapping.” Sweeping his arm out, hand flat, Ryan looked like he was having the time of his life, and my heart ached for him. For the first time, maybe, he and his best friend were meshed, enjoying each other and the fact that they were together.
At the very least, we weren’t complaining about anything serious, which was good.
“I’m serious, Tommy, man- I have never seen wrinkly bags like them scatter so fucking fast. They grabbed their shit and ran away, and I fucking died, my guy! Dead! Dropped on the floor and cried laughing-“
“They gave me a bad review, by the way. I took that into my own hands and uploaded the audio of the conversation in a comment.” The people around me dissolved into laughter, and, for the first time myself, maybe, I felt like I was surrounded by my family. Rubbing my bump absently, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I’d tried, and I leaned back in my chair to enjoy the atmosphere.
Gwen
“Are you sure I don’t look fat?” Rolling my lips between my teeth, I frowned at my reflection as I caught Ryan’s gaze in the mirror. His deer-in-the-headlights look sent a twitch to my eyelid, and he cleared his throat roughly before shaking his head.
“The truth- Gwen, baby, you look pregnant. Not fat- not anything. Just really, 8 and a half months pregnant.” Tearing my eyes off him, I scanned the maternity dress that hung down to my ankles. It looked great, but just because I thought it looked great didn’t mean that it would on camera. “Baby, seriously- who talks shit about an insanely pregnant woman? No one- that’s who.”
“I should’ve worn the other one-“ Groaning as the other, high-waisted dress flashed in my mind’s eye, I shook my head furiously. “No- that one made me look like a whale. Ugh! I’m never coming to one of these things again, Ryan.”
“Okay- that’s fine. At least you tried, Gwen.” Coming up behind me, Rya
n wrapped his arms around me to caress my belly. Kissing my neck, he buried his face there to breathe a hot breath over my shoulder. “You know, you don’t have to go out there. It’s just a promotional thing- it’s not, like, the Oscars or anything.”
“No- I want to go and support you.” The declaration flew from my lips, but I didn’t want to take it back regardless. Twisting to kiss his lips, I covered Ryan’s hands with my own, and our baby kicked me. “I want to, Ryan. I mean- it’s just that… a couple of news people isn’t the same as three dozen professional paparazzi…”
“It’ll be okay, baby. Really.” A soft knock on the door stole our attention, and I tensed as Ryan smiled against my skin. “If you want, just pretend we’re at a cooking convention, okay?”
“Oh- oh, that’s a good idea!” He smiled as I nodded, and a pleased smile stretched my lips. “That’s a really good idea. I’m kind of mad I didn’t think of it myself.”
“Okay, then. Let’s do this- you and me, baby.” Conner kicked my diaphragm up behind my heart, and I gasped from the slight stab of pain. Wrapping his arm around me, Ryan held my other hand in his, and he grunted. “Let’s do it fast before Conner decides he wants a royal entrance.”
“Yeah, okay.” Blowing out a hot breath, I shuffled towards the entry to the hotel room and thanked my decision to wear cushioned flats. My hair fell loose down my back and over my shoulders, and I stepped out into the hallway to straighten my back. All the while towards the ballroom of the hotel, Ryan kept a tight grip on me, and I leaned heavily against him on the elevator.
But, as tired as I was just from this short but anxiety-ridden walk, I needed to keep going. Ryan had been through everything with my restaurant, my bakery, my family, and I wanted to be there for his passions, too. This wasn’t a one-sided relationship, and I refused to allow it to be. He’d done so much for me, and the least I could do was get through a bunch of photos and some talk show.
“Here we go, baby.” Nodding firmly, I inhaled as deeply as I could and held it as we entered the ballroom. The floor looked like a miniature red carpet- like the Oscars or something- and nerves tingled my toes and fingertips. Almost immediately, cameras were pointed on me, and I tried to remember Ryan saying something about cooking.
“Ryan, what are you doing?” The feminine tone drew my gaze, and a tall, slender woman I didn’t recognize came storming up with a frown dragging down her painted lips. My heart leaped into my throat, but she couldn’t keep up the act, and her cheeks puffed when she giggled through her grin. Her appearance was stunning, and I exhaled harshly as she turned to me with sparkling, bright blue eyes. “It’s so wonderful to finally meet you. I can’t tell you how long it’s been bugging me that Ryan suddenly got so bad at kissing.”
“Sandra, please. Can we not talk about it? Like, ever?” Sandra waved Ryan’s plea off, and fire licked my cheeks as she just kept smiling at me- smiling and staring.
“Um- it’s wonderful to meet you, too. I’m Gwen.” Reaching out my free hand, I tried not to let my nerves show as Sandra’s incredibly soft palm touched mine. Her smile only grew wider, until there were crows feet by her eyes, and she leaned back to scan me fully.
“I’m Sandra- Ryan’s co-star. We play love interests on S&R. Does that bother you?” My eyes widened, brows shooting up at the direct question, and she locked gazes with me expectantly.
“U- uh- I never thought about it- I mean, I don’t watch a lot of television, so I… I don’t know, exactly.” Stuttering stupidly, I licked the roof of my mouth as Sandra nodded encouragingly. “I mean, I don’t really have a problem with it, I guess.”
“Oh, good. His last girlfriend was crazy jealous.” She laughed, and I couldn’t pinpoint what was making me so uncomfortable. “Anyway, I am glad that I got to meet you. It’s not every day that I meet someone that doesn’t know who I am, so that’s nice. I-“
“Can you stop talking for a second, please?” Cocking my head, I rolled my jaw and closed my eyes as I tried to figure out what had changed. The camera people went wildly, but it all became white noise in the background of my concentration. Big, familiar palms held my baby bump, and I tensed when I realized it. “He’s not moving- why isn’t he moving anymore? He j-“
“Oh-h- no.” Sandra’s ominous tone sent shivers down my spine, and goosebumps washed my skin. “I have six kids- when they stop moving, it means they’re g-“
Blood pounded in my ears as something dribbled down my legs, and I glanced down to find the fabric of my shoes darkening from the liquid. My eyes boggled, and my breath caught before gentle fingers tilted my head up. Sandra was perfectly calm whereas my knees wobbled, and my heart raced furiously.
“Your water just broke. Congratulations- you’re going into labor, Gwen.” Blinking slowly, it took me a long moment to really process what she’d said, and I let out a shriek of horror.
“Labor! R- right now! Oh, my God-“ I started hyperventilating embarrassingly fast, and Sandra stroked my cheeks with her thumbs as black spots assaulted my vision. “Oh- god, oh God, oh God-d-“
“She’s gunna be a great mom, Ryan.” Sandra’s compliment was garbled somewhere on its journey to my brain, and I sucked in a huge breath. “Are you okay?”
“… I might pass out- maybe- I think… Ah- what do we do? We planned to give birth at Saint Sebastian’s-”
“Oh, you have plenty of time- trust me. You can make the drive back, no problem. It’ll be fine. The first one takes the longest. Your contracts were probably so minor you barely noticed them. That’s not gunna change for a couple of hours, at least. I can drive you, if you need, Ryan.” Surprise choked me- contractions! That’s what that feeling was!
“Oh my fucking God- I knew I wasn’t gassy, Ryan, you asshole.” Whipping around, I punched Ryan in the arm, and he grimaced as I scowled deeply. “I knew I shouldn’t have listened to you.”
“Okay- okay, break it up. Let’s go, kids…” Humor laced Sandra’s tone, and the world snapped into focus as she ushered me back the way I’d come. “It’s my job as the adult to make sure you don’t hurt yourselves. My chauffer can drive you.”
“Are you sure we can go back? Shouldn’t I go to the nearest hospital or something?” My worry made my voice trembled, and I wrung my hands as I waddled awkwardly from trying not to get wet all over the floor.
“No, no- you’ll be fine. You can make it to your hospital, no problem. Okay -this is how it goes, right. You’ll be in labor for 16 hours, at least, and the contractions won’t even be noticeable for a good three. Then, they’ll just be uncomfortable. Then, a little later, it’ll get painful. Then, you’ll start to want to push, and viola! Baby! If or when you have a second, that 16 hours goes down to 6. Anything after the third, and you’re lucky to make it to the hospital. I had my fifth in the laundry room at my house, you know- and my husband didn’t even make it. At that point, though, you kind of already know what’s happening. It’s not exciting, and you just want it to be over.”
“It’s okay. We’ll be okay, baby. At least you made it out there, right?” Ryan chuckled nervously at his own failure of a joke, and I scowled as we emerged into the lobby of the hotel. “Ah- so, thanks, Sandra. You’re awesome.”
“No problem. I went through that- I freaked out, too, and went to a hospital that was over an hour and a half away from my home because it was where I happened to be. I mean- it was a really nice hospital, and I was the only one there for, like, three days- but, anyway, good luck. I’ll text Mark for you.”
Ryan
“How are you feeling, baby?” Gwen shot me a nasty look as she leaned heavily on trembling arms, and I clenched my fists by my sides. Her entire body shook, sweat drenched her hospital gown, and her hair stuck to her face as pain brightened her eyes. All in all, my question was obviously stupid, and I pursed my lips thinly before parting them. “I’m gunna go call my parents. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” She ground the word out through clenched teeth, and I quietly left the room before ru
bbing my hands up my face and into my hair. True to her word, Sandra’s prediction about making it back home had been correct, and that was great and all…
But I couldn’t stand how long this was taking. I wanted to hold Conner now. Fishing my cell phone out of my back pocket, I navigated my way to my mom’s contact before holding the speaker to my ear. She answered on the first ring, and I covered my frown with my hand as Gwen’s pained groan filtered out into the hallway.
“She’s in labor, isn’t she! I’m already on my way to the hospital!”
“Mom- why are you even in town? When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me?” Surprise loudened my tone, and I cursed slightly when Gwen’s gasp tickled my ear drums. “Mom- seriously. Why didn’t you tell me when you got here?”
“Because I just got here just now- well, like, an hour ago. Your father didn’t want to interrupt his game of golf for his first grandchild- but he’ll be coming up later tonight.” Mom’s have some weird sixth sense, for sure. “Anyway, how’s Gwendolyn doing? Excuse me- Mr. Omar, I’m gunna need you to step on it. My first grandbaby is on the way, you know.”
“Ma’am, I’m going the speed limit, and we’re five minutes away. You’ve told me six times, now.”
“Mom- How did you even know? We’ve been here for, like, seven hours, and I kept forgetting to call you.” Pinching the bridge of my nose as the Uber guy and I talked at the same time, I beat down the urge to apologize to him.
“What? I’m your mother, Ryan- I know things, okay. So, how’s she doing? Is Gwen doing okay?”
“How am I supposed to know if she’s okay?” I was so out of my depth here, and the phone line crackled before the Uber driver spoke up. His voice was clearer, less annoyed, and I started to pace short, fast steps.