Page 18 of Jocked Up

Chapter Eleven

“Bethany, you’re going into labor, we have to get you upstairs right away.” The doctor said as she came back into the examination room I was in.

“What? But it’s not time yet! Are you sure it’s not those Toni Braxton things, what are they called? Braxton-Hicks contractions, false labor. I can’t be in labor!” I sat up, reaching for my clothes. “Drake’s game is tonight! He can’t come back now; you have to make it stop!”

“I’m afraid there may not be much we can do. She’s developed enough to survive and though I’d like to keep her in for another few weeks, I think you’re having a baby today.” Doctor Edwards said as she filled out some forms. “Take these with you, they’ll need them upstairs in the labor ward. I’ll be there within the hour. Stay calm, have your sister-in-law stay with you, and prepare yourself for what’s coming my dear. We’ll get through this.” The doctor gave my shoulder a reassuring pat as she walked out of the room and a nurse came in with a wheelchair.

I let the woman drone on as she wheeled me to an elevator, chattering about the weather as I tried to dial Drake. I knew he’d be getting ready for the game but I had to let him know! I knew there was no way he could get back in time, not unless this drug out for a day or two, but I wanted him to know. I finally settled for sending him a text message as I was wheeled into a room and helped into a bed.

Other nurses came in and time started to blur as I was hooked up to machines, things strapped around me, and an IV put in my arm. The doctor came up to examine me once more and pushed back with a grim look.

“You’re dilating still. We can try some medicine but in my opinion, you only have two weeks left, it’s time.”

“You don’t care about the Super Bowl either do you?” I asked as the woman actually smiled. She didn’t look like someone upset at having to work on the weekend.

“My house is currently filled with six men and eight women who will be screaming at the television, and each other, for the next few hours as they consume some of the unhealthiest food on the planet. And I hate football. I’d much rather help you bring your little girl into the world. Ah, here’s your friend.” The doctor let me slide back up in the bed I was in and left the room, telling me she’d be back soon.

Amelia ran to the bed and sat down beside me, taking my hand. “It’s time, huh?”

“You know it. Poor Drake, I feel so bad!” I almost wailed I was so upset. “He’s so looked forward to this, taking all the classes, studying techniques to ease the pain and help, and planned it out so many times. Now he’s missing it. But I’m glad he’s missing it for a good reason. It’s not every day a guy gets to play in the Super Bowl.”

“You’re taking this so well, Bethany!” Amelia said with surprise. “I’d wring his neck if it was me.”

“Oh Amelia! You know how important this is to Drake. The game I mean. Well, the baby too yeah, but this game will be his crowning achievement! I wouldn’t want him to come home.” I did really but I didn’t mind. I understood and knew he wasn’t choosing to not be here, there was a difference.

“Well, I’m going to keep calling and texting until he calls me back!” Amelia said as she took her phone out.

“You have to put it in airplane mode honey, all this equipment you know?” I pointed to the sign on the wall of my private room.

“Oh. Shit. Let me go out and I’ll be back. I’ll call Mike and tell him to do it. He and Peter are busy getting ready for the game but he’s just going to have to suck it up, his new niece is almost here!” She kissed my cheek before leaving the room.

I had a moment of peace and rubbed at my stomach, feeling the contractions starting again. It had only been two weeks since Drake and I had started to make love again and now I was going to have to wait six weeks again. But we’d have our daughter finally. Oh, I couldn’t wait! It was almost time for my daughter to arrive.

I hissed in a breath as a much stronger contraction hit me and realized it had all started last night. Drake had left the night before and I was in the baby’s room, folding clothes one more time when what I thought was indigestion hit me. By this morning, it was coming at a steady rate, strong pains but not too strong. I thought it was just false labor but Amelia had insisted I come to the hospital when I’d driven Peter and me over to her house.

Now here I was, my first really strong contraction stealing my breath and I grabbed at the bed rail. This was not going to be fun.

* * *

Drake was having the time of his life but he still wished he could have brought Peter and Bethany. Peter would have loved it but Bethany was too far along for the stress of travel. He’d hated to leave her but he knew she still had a few weeks to go.

Coming off of the field at half-time Drake was elated, they were ahead by 35 points and the other team was slowing down while his was just getting started. Ducking behind some of the other players as they streamed into the locker room he took his phone out of his bag to check it. He wasn’t really supposed to have his phone but the coaches hadn’t said anything to him about it. He wasn’t going to be blatant about it though.

The noise of the stadium, the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the elation of knowing in his bones that he was about to win his first Super Bowl ring disappeared in an instant as he saw his phone filled with messages and voice mails.

“Fuck!” He thought he’d muttered the words but several of his teammates turned to ask him what was wrong.

“Bethany’s in labor!” He sank onto a bench and tried to call his sister or Bethany back. Neither answered and his gut clenched. Oh man, they were pissed if they weren’t even answering him. Oh this was not good.

One of his best friends on the team came and sat next to him. Ben Anderson was almost seven feet tall with the weight to go with it. A true bear of a man, Ben was as gentle as a lamb off the field.

“Can’t get through?” Ben asked, looking at Drake with some sympathy.

“No. I’m so far in the shit it’s not funny. I promised I’d be there, man!”

“It can’t be helped. I’m sure she understands.” Ben spoke with compassion, his paw of a hand patting Drake’s shoulder. Drake had to brace himself from toppling over but he appreciated the gesture.

“Thanks, buddy, but I’ve let her down far too many times already. This might be the proverbial straw.”