Chapter 9

chapter 9

. . .

M y 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.

Inside my room, they help me change from my clothes into one of those very revealing hospital gowns.

“Are you still going with no meds?” One of the nurses asks.

“Yeah,” I tell her as I breathe through a contraction. They put a band around me and hook me up to a machine to monitor my contractions.

“Let’s get you examined,” the nurse says as she helps me into bed. Thankfully the examination is quick because the pressure I feel is very uncomfortable.

“It won’t be long,” she says.

That’s too long as far as I’m concerned.

“My friend Mason, he’ll be out there with my dad, I’d like for him to come in for the delivery. Can you get him?” I ask one of the other nurses. She nods and returns minutes later with Mason, who looks like he’s seen a ghost.

“Hey, Mase,” I say through another contraction.

“Hey, what’s up?” he says, trying to joke.

“Ah, nothing. Just trying to push a watermelon out of my?—”

“Don’t you dare say it,” he says, laughing. “Are you sure you want me in here?”

I nod and work through more pain. He grabs my hand, holding it the way he has since Liam left. I cry out and my other hand grips his gown.

“Hey, come on now. Inhale and exhale. Breathe through the pain.” His voice is calm in my ear.

“I’m trying,” I say, out of breath and ready to give up. This is harder than I thought it would be.

“I know you are,” he says calmly.

When the contraction subsides, I lean back and pant. Katelyn gives me ice chips which do help. She uses a cold cloth on my forehead, cooling me down. I glance at Mason, who looks scared.

“You deserve to be in here unless you don’t want to be.”

“Nowhere else I’d rather be,” Mason says.

“Another one is coming, sweetie,” Katelyn warns as she looks at the monitor. She and Mason help me into sitting position and talk me through the contraction. They’re quicker now, stronger. Everything hurts.

Including my heart. Liam should be in Mason’s place.

“Can’t you give her something?” Mason asks the nurse, but I’m shaking my head.

“I can do this,” I tell him.

“I know you can,” he says. “You’re one of the strongest women I know. And I’m here to be your punching bag. I just can’t tolerate biting.”

I start to laugh but the humor doesn’t last long as another contraction has me screaming my head off.

“All right, it’s time,” the nurse says, and then she disappears.

“Where in the hell did she go?” Mason asks.

“To get a birthing team and the doctor,” my mom tells him.

My doctor comes in, smiling like the sun’s shining and it’s going to be a beautiful day. I imagine it will be once I hold my baby.

“All right, Josie. On your next contraction, you’re going to give me a big push, and we’re going to help this baby come into the world. Are you ready?”

Our next contraction? I wasn’t aware others are feeling them right along with me.

I nod as a blood curdling scream escapes.

“I got you,” Mason says to me. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I can’t help but start to cry. Everything hurts. Every damn piece of me is in pain. I cling to Mason and wail while my mom and Katelyn do their best to comfort me.

“I can’t do this. I can’t. Oh God, make it stop.” My head shakes back and forth. I want drugs. I want this all to stop.

“Hey, hey. None of that,” Mason says. “Look at me.”

He lifts my head forcing me to look at him. “Remember the prize at the end of all this? All this pain is going to be worth it. I promise you. Have I ever lied to you?”

I somehow manage to shake my head.

“And I’m not now. You’re going to have a baby any minute now, and they’re going to love you the minute they lay their eyes on you. You have done this for nine months now. You just have to finish. One big push, okay? Just give me one more, and then that dude down there will put your baby in your arms, and it’ll all be over.”

“Okay,” I cry out.

“Yeah, we can do this. Come on now.”

I need Mason’s strength. He holds me up and speaks words of encouragement as I bear down for another push.

The sound of crying fills the room, and there’s a collective gasp. “It’s a boy!”

My doctor places my son on my mid-section, showing him to me. I touch him as he wails, and look at his finger and toes. They’re all there.

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “He’s perfect”.

Mason kisses the top of my head, as does Katelyn and then my mom is next to me. They all gush over my son.

“Look at what you did,” she says she looks her grandson over.

“Can someone go get my dad?” I ask as the nurse tells me she’s taking my boy to get him cleaned and his vitals taken. He doesn’t go far, just the other side the room where I can still see him.

Mason says he will and leaves. I can’t take my eyes off the cradle on the other side of the room. My little guy cries and all I want to do is hold him and tell him how everything is going to be okay.

The door opens and my dad comes in. He sees me and then looks at the cradle.

“Go meet your grandson,” I tell him, unable to keep my tears at bay.

“Oh, Josephine.” My dad covers his mouth. “He’s beautiful.”

My mom, dad, and Katelyn spend a few moments together and then Mason returns with his parents.

“Congratulations,” he says as he leans down and kisses me forehead.

“Thank you,” I say as I look at him. “For everything.” I don’t know where I’d be without him.

“It’s what friends are for.”

I shake my head. “No, Mason. You’re more than a friend. You’re my family. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you and Katelyn. I love you both so much.”

“We love you too, sweetie.” Katelyn rests her head against mine. “We’re not going anywhere, ever.”

The nurse brings my son to me. She’s cleaned him up, put a diaper on him, along with a hospital issued shirt and wrapped him in a blanket. A blue knitted hat covers his head.

As soon as I have him in my arms, I unwrap him to count his fingers and toes again.

“Look at those long fingers. He’s going to make the best quarterback.”

The room goes silent. I know I’ve shocked them, but the reality is, he’s Liam Westbury’s son. Football will be in his blood.

“He’s going to play football, huh?” Mason asks.

“With you as his uncle, how can he not?”

“True,” Mason says, clearing his throat. “He’s going to be the best Beaumont has ever seen.”

I know everyone wants to hold him, so I pass him to my mom and then my son starts to make his rounds.

“So, what did you decide?” my mom doesn’t even look at me because she’s making funny faces at her grandson.

“Noah Michael Preston.”

“Noah, what a beautiful name for this perfect baby,” Mrs. Powell says.

When Noah finally makes it to Mason, I watch as he holds him in his hand. Noah’s tiny, but perfect.

“Hey, buddy,” Mason says softly. “Man, I’m so happy to meet you. We’re going to be best friends and do everything together. I’m going to teach you everything I know about football, girls, and life.”

Everyone laughs.

I know Mason and Noah are going to be close. I’ll forever be in debt to Mason for stepping up for my son when he didn’t have to. Neither did Katelyn. They could’ve ditched me as my friends and left me all alone.

Mason has everyone laughing again when Noah’s little arm rises, and Mason gives him a high-five. They've been doing this throughout my pregnancy.

“Do you guys mind if I spend some time with Noah for a bit.”

“Not at all, sweetie,” mom says. “We’ll be in the waiting room. Just let us know when you’re ready for company again.”

Everyone gives me a kiss on my cheek, and finally Mason hands my son to me. “Thank you for keeping him. I’m going to be there every step of the way. You’re not doing this alone.”

“I know.”

I wait until the door closes and then cradle my son. My finger trails down the side of his face and his cheek lifts. The sight makes me smile, but he makes me cry.

“I wish things were different for you,” I tell him. “You have a dad out there, who I think would love to know you some day. I don’t know when that day will be, so until then, your uncle Mason is going to fill that role. I’m sorry I couldn’t make your dad stay. I tried. You’re going to grow up in a town where everyone knows who your dad is. Just know I’m going to protect you from all of it. I don’t know how, but I will. From this day forward, you are the love of my life, Noah. There isn’t a single thing I won’t do for you. Mommy loves you more than anything, my sweet, sweet boy.”

Someone knocks on the door and the nurse comes in. “How are we doing?”

“Good,” I tell her.

“A couple of things,” she says. “We want to get him nursing and we want to get you up. Which would you like to try first?”

“I’m good to try nursing.”

“Okay, and the other.” She sets a card down on the table. “His name?”

“Noah Michael Preston,” I tell her with no hesitation. I thought long and hard about whether my child would have Westbury as a last name and each time I said it, it made me ill. There was no way I would let him out in this world with that last name and no one to protect him.

The next day, when the nurse brings my discharge papers, I ask her about the hospital bill, unsure how the insurance works. “Sweetie, you don’t have a bill.”

“How is that possible?”

“A good Samaritan paid for everything,” she says before she goes over my discharge with me.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who paid. There is only one person I know with that much money.

My question is: did she tell her son?