It took me a minute or two to disentangle myself from the viney undergrowth, and as I stepped out onto the trail, Adrienne pulled alongside me.
“Did you jump out?”
“No, Mario Andretti, you tossed me out!” I pulled a thorn from my shirt and tossed it aside.
“Get back in here.” Adrienne pointed at the passenger’s seat when I didn’t budge. “I said—” Her words trailed off in a long wheeze. I watched as her hands shook slightly and fell from the wheel. “Hayden…I think…I think my water just broke.”
“What water?”
Adrienne glared at me.
“No, no, no.” I ran around to the driver’s side and clutched her shoulder. “The baby probably just kicked your bladder. It’s not time.”
“I don’t think this child gives a rat’s ass about our time table.” Adrienne grabbed her back and clamped her eyes shut. “I didn’t just wet my pants. It’s not like that.” She grunted in pain. “I think I’m in labor.”
I yelled at Adrienne and the baby. “No! This is not how this is supposed to go. We have a plan, and this is not it. Dr. Sonjay said first babies often go beyond the due date.” I leaned down and yelled at Adrienne’s stomach. “It’s not time, you hear me? Whatever you’re doing in there, cut it out. You’re not supposed to do this until we get to Nassau, so just chill.”
Adrienne reached up and grabbed my face. “One of us has to stay calm. I need that to be you because I really want to freak out right now,” she said with a sob.
“Okway,” I said against her palm, and she released me. “Scoot over,” I said as calmly as I could. I looked down at the wet seat when she moved.
“You touched goat testicles earlier, and you’re going to take issue with this?” Adrienne ground out.
I jumped in and took off, marveling at how short the drive went going down and how long it seemed going back up. “I’m sorry I freaked about the wet seat. We’ve shared bodily fluids before. I don’t know what got into me. Although, I’m not really sure what’s in a baby sack.”
Adrienne grunted again and clutched at her stomach. I began to panic. By the time I crested the hill, I sounded like a siren. “Iris! Iris! Iris.” I wheeled right past our house and headed for Iris’s. She’d know what to do. But then it hit me—what if Iris was at the inn instead? I grabbed Adrienne’s shirt and made a hard U-turn as I headed back to our house. “Elaine! Elaine! Elaine!” But Elaine had had only one child and she’d never gotten to hold it. Iris would be better, so I grabbed Adrienne and made another turn.
I blazed a trail toward the inn just as Elaine came racing down the stairs. She, Kristen, Jacob, and a few others who had heard me screaming chased after the cart as I continued to scream at the top of my lungs and drive in circles.
Finally, Adrienne reached over and grabbed my arm, making me stop. Through her teeth, she hissed, “Oh. My. God. Really? This is calm?”
This gave Elaine the opportunity to catch us along with everyone else. “She’s in…the baby is…I need.”
Before Elaine could fully connect the dots, Iris burst through the brush like she was on fire. She took one look at Adrienne and shoved me from the driver’s seat, and I was left with the others to run behind the cart.
Chapter Seventeen
“Help me get her on the table.” Shelby’s voice was calm and authoritative. Everyone else had been sent into the waiting room with the exception of Iris, Elaine, and me. Myra was furiously scrubbing her hands in the sink like she’d been through this a million times, but I knew she hadn’t. There was no hospital, no trained staff, just us to help.
Shelby stripped away Adrienne’s shorts and underwear. We all watched her facial expressions as she examined Adrienne. Shelby’s eyes widened for a second, then she released a breath. “We’re having a baby right now. There’s no time to try to transfer her to Nassau and no time to wait on Dr. Sonjay.”
“What?” I looked at Iris in horror. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to happen.” I shook my head in disbelief. “This can’t be real. I didn’t even get the bubblegum cigars.” I looked back at Shelby. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re great at patching me up and you helped deliver that pig a while back, but this is different.”
“Hayden, I know what I’m doing,” Shelby said as she began gathering up things that looked scary. “You have to calm down.”
I pointed at my chest. “This is calm! Did you see a curly tail down there? This is not a pig, it’s Adrienne!”
Iris dragged me off into the corner and began to gnaw my ass. “This is a natural thing, girl.” She shook me hard to make sure I was paying attention. “Adrienne is going to be fine. The baby is going to be fine.”
I looked at Adrienne, who was in obvious pain. She looked so helpless and afraid. “But she’s my baby.”
“Then be strong for her.” Iris’s fingers dug into my arms. “This is your time. You have to step up and be there for her. If you’re scared, she’s going to be even more scared. Get over there and be her rock.”
I didn’t feel like a rock, more like spaghetti actually. My knees were weak. I felt like I was going to throw up and wet my pants at the same time. But I sucked in a deep breath and let out a whimper that only Iris could hear, then…I stepped up…well, sort of. “Iris is right. Pigs have babies all the time.”
Adrienne stopped gasping and looked up at me. “What?”
“What I meant to say is this is a natural thing. People and pigs, dogs and cats, they have babies all the time. I mean, look at Gibbs.”
“Who the hell is Gibbs?” Myra asked.
“Lord, child, shut up,” Iris said and crossed herself. “Be silently strong.”
“I thought I’d be in a hospital,” Adrienne said, “with drugs, and…I wouldn’t feel a thing after a while.” She shook her head. “Oh, Hayden, I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Yes, you can.” The words came out so calm I almost didn’t recognize them as my own. “Truth be known, you’re the stronger of us two. You’ve carried this baby for nine months. It’s almost over now. You just have to be tough a little while longer. I’ll be right here with you.” I looked at Elaine and Iris. “We all will.”
“Adrienne, honey, here’s what’s going to happen,” Shelby said. “Dr Sonjay is on her way, but I expect the baby to be here sooner. Once he or she arrives, we’ll transport you and the baby to Nassau just to be on the safe side. But for now, there are some things you’re going to have to do.”
I felt detached as Shelby quickly ran through breathing and pushing techniques. We’d already been through a course just in case this sort of thing happened, but I’d never believed it would. I thought I’d be holding Adrienne’s hand, and in the other, I’d have a video camera. Adrienne would get the epidural and after a few painless—well, I hoped—pushes, we’d have a baby. That was not to be.
Adrienne whimpered and cried as the first few strong contractions hit, but when they began in earnest, she screamed. I felt cruel for urging her to push. Her face turned deep red and almost purple as she did. Veins popped out across her forehead and in her neck, and I thought she’d surely explode. When she was given a reprieve and allowed to lie back, tears streamed out of her eyes and sweat covered her brow. Elaine and I were on either side clutching her hands. Iris stood behind the head of the bed, praying softly and stroking Adrienne’s forehead with a cloth.
I’d seen the videos. Adrienne was reacting just like the women in them acted, but this was different. This was my heart, my love, screaming out in agony, and it was almost more than I could bear.
“You’re amazing, baby.” I leaned down and kissed her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Hayden, but get out of my face.”
“That’s normal,” Iris said with a reassuring smile.
“When I said I wanted to do this, you should’ve talked me out of it,” Adrienne said between gritted teeth. “Was your head the size of a watermelon?”
I looked back at Iris. “And that’s normal
, too?”
She nodded. “Unfortunately.”
“Time to push, Adrienne. Come on, you can do it,” Shelby coaxed.
“Ow, son of a bitch!”
Unlike me, Adrienne didn’t suffer from a chronic case of the potty mouth, but she was making an exception.
“Mother fuaaaggghhh.” And she was up again straining with everything she had. Her entire body shook with the exertion. I watched in awe. Had it been me, I too would’ve been cussing everyone in the room and would’ve probably kicked the instrument tray for good measure, but Adrienne pushed on.
“I’m sorry, so sorry, Hayden,” Adrienne said with tears streaming from her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’m just…”
“I know, sweetie. It’s okay.”
“Oh, son of a bitch! My shit down there is never going to be the same.” Adrienne snarled at me. “Your fault, all your fault.”
It was like something out of The Exorcist. The only thing missing was the pea soup.
We all cheered Adrienne on when it was time to push, but when she dropped back onto the bed gasping and crying, I found myself doing the same. I would’ve preferred her cuss me up and down, but when she clutched my hand and begged me to make it all stop, I just broke down.
Elaine knelt near Adrienne’s ear and whispered softly. Adrienne closed her eyes and calmed, but when it came time to push again, I heard Adrienne say, “Momma, I can’t.”
It struck me hard in the chest. She sounded so pitiful, so weak and scared. I think it struck Elaine just as hard but for other reasons. It was the first time Adrienne had called her that.
Shelby’s confident voice persuaded Adrienne again, and she pushed with all she had. She was weaker then and couldn’t push as much as Shelby wanted. Adrienne fell back on the bed, her chest heaving.
“I’m sorry I was an ass. I’m sorry I wouldn’t sit in the wet spot,” I blurted out, and Adrienne smiled up at me through her tears, our argument forgotten. “I love you so much, and I’m so proud of you.”
“One more big one, Adrienne,” Shelby said. “One more time, and it’ll all be over. Give it all you’ve got.”
The bones in my hand felt like they were all being tied together in a knot as Adrienne gripped it. She clamped her eyes shut, and with a scream that pierced my ears…it was done. I could hear Myra talking excitedly, Elaine and Iris crying in joy, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Adrienne. She sank back with relief and exhaustion, pulling me with her. Her arms shook as they held me, and I found that mine were shaking nearly as much.
“Want to meet the one who’s been causing all the trouble?” I heard Myra say. I stood up straight and turned to look at Myra as she laid this tiny burrito-blanket creature into Adrienne’s arms. Adrienne wept, and I stared at the cone-shaped head. “Seven-pound eight-ounce baby girl.” Myra rubbed my shoulder. “Looks just like you.”
“Congratulations, she’s beautiful,” Shelby said with a relieved smile.
Adrienne looked up at me in wonder. “A girl,” she said dreamily.
Myra was snapping pictures. Iris and Elaine were crying and cooing. I could hear cheers coming from the hallway as I sank down into a chair. Shelby was explaining that she needed to do a few things for Adrienne, then the baby was put into my arms.
I looked down into that scrunched-up little face and saw myself. All the misgivings, all the selfish thoughts about this tiny little thing coming between Adrienne and me floated away. And confusion about my place went with it. I was a mom. In my arms screaming angrily was our daughter. “What about Kaia Elaine?” I asked in a whisper.
“Kaia Elaine Tate,” Adrienne said. “Perfect.”
Elaine pressed shaking hands to her chest as tears rained down her face. “I’ve never been so honored.” She leaned down and kissed Adrienne on the brow.
I looked back at Adrienne, who gazed at Kaia and me with tears in her eyes. I loved her more at that moment than I ever thought I had. She had given me—us—the greatest gift.
Chapter Eighteen
The gift cried anytime she wasn’t attached to Adrienne’s breast, and even then, she mewled her displeasure at being made to wait. It wasn’t odd to hear babies crying in the maternity ward at the hospital, but I knew Kaia’s cry even before they brought her into the room. I’d had to be the heavy and ask the nurse to take Kaia to the nursery so Adrienne could get at least a few hours of sleep. But when I was sure that Adrienne was in deep slumber, I’d sneak down there just to look at that tiny bundle.
I made plans. I’d teach her to swim and snorkel, and we could look at the fish together. We’d collect shells on the beach, eat hot dogs by a campfire. I’d get her that treehouse bed, and we’d pretend to live in the jungle. I’d read to her my favorite kid book, Where The Wild Things Are. And at night, Adrienne and I would tuck her into bed with a hug and a kiss. So much to do.
And one day…I leaned my forehead against the glass. I’d have to let her go and be an adult. “Don’t grow up too fast, baby girl. We have a lifetime of things to share.”
*******
“Have you slept at all?” Adrienne asked as she fed the baby later in the room.
I smiled wearily. “We’re parents. We’re not supposed to sleep.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
I shook my head. “Too excited to be hungry.”
Adrienne smiled. “I bet they have doughnuts in the cafeteria.”
“Are you trying to run me out of here?” I asked after a yawn.
“Everyone is taking care of me, but no one is taking care of you.”
“Mom and Dad will be here this afternoon. Mom will baby me.”
Adrienne chuckled. “That she will.”
“You should’ve heard them when I told them the baby was already here. Mom started screaming, which scared the shit out of Dad, then he started screaming. From the way they reacted on the phone, I’m sort of glad they weren’t here for the birth.”
Kaia released the breast she was working on and began fussing.
“What happened?” I asked. “Did you run dry?”
“I think she’s wet.” Adrienne stuck a finger into the leg of Kaia’s diaper.
“Did you just stick your finger in there? Isn’t there a better way of doing that?”
Adrienne nodded. “There is, but I’m sore, and I want to move as little as possible. And yes, she’s wet.”
I squared my shoulders. “Okay, it’s time for me to handle this. I’ll call the nurse.”
Adrienne looked up at me in disbelief.
“I’m joking. Pfft, I can change a diaper.” I took Kaia gently from Adrienne’s arms, gathered up a fresh diaper, and some of the cleaning cloths. Kaia was pissed when I laid her at the foot of the bed. I dodged tiny kicking feet and broke the seal on the diaper. In my opinion, I was handling it like a pro when something that looked like black sludge came out of her butt.
“Oh, my God, Adrienne, when did you eat roofing tar?”
Adrienne began to laugh, then winced. “The first poo is supposed to look like that. You read the book with me.”
I wiped and wiped, but the more I did, the more it looked like I’d cleaned her with a melting Hershey bar. “Yeah, well, they forgot to mention that you’d need some sort of degreaser to clean her up with.” I was surrounded by soiled wipes by the time Kaia’s butt was pink again. Just as I slid the new diaper beneath her, she peed on it, and I had to start over. “You’re really setting a precedent here, kid.”
Clean and dry, Kaia went back to feeding. I washed my hands, then Adrienne’s. This too displeased Kaia.
Adrienne grunted and squirmed until she was on one side of the bed. “Get in.”
“I can’t get in there.” I shook my head and put my hands on my hips. “I won’t.
“Please.” Adrienne looked up at me beseechingly. “I want us all three to be together and you need a nap.”
“Just for a minute.” I kicked off my shoes and climbed onto the very edge of the bed, careful not to b
ump my girls.
Adrienne let out a contented sigh. “Now close your eyes…just for a minute.”
And I did.
*******
I awoke sometime later staring into the face of Dr. Sonjay. She looked amused. Kaia was in a crib next to the bed sleeping soundly.
“I understand you came through the labor remarkably well,” Dr. Sonjay said with a smile.
“Yes, and I couldn’t help but notice that I wasn’t offered any pain meds when we arrived at the hospital.”
“I’m afraid we had to give those all to Adrienne, but I do have good news. You’ll be going home tomorrow. I wanted to tell you myself since I was unable to make the delivery.”
“Shelby did great, didn’t she?” Adrienne said.
Dr. Sonjay nodded. “I wouldn’t have done it any better myself. Hopefully, next time you’ll be where we can give an epidural.”
Adrienne nudged me. “Hayden will be having the next one.”
“Hayden will not. There aren’t enough epidurals or pain meds on the planet. You’d have to knock me out the minute I conceived and wake me after the baby arrived.”
Dr. Sonjay grinned. “Yes, well, that’s a discussion for later. Please let me know if you need anything at all.”
We watched her go, then I turned to Adrienne. “Shouldn’t we wait and see what Kaia’s gonna do to us before we consider having another one?”
“I was joking.” Adrienne grinned, then turned serious. “I’m hungry, and I don’t want any more hospital food.”
“Excellent.” I hopped out of bed and slipped on my shoes. “What can I get for you?”
“I want a fried chicken sandwich, not grilled, fried, and I want a large order of fries with a Coke.”
“Wow, I’m impressed.” I found a pen and made a list, so I wouldn’t forget anything.
“I also want a bear claw, no wait. I want a package of those little chocolate doughnuts.”
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