Chapter 18 - Molly

Bed rest for someone who was normally on my feet baking and taking care of customers from 5 in the morning until well into the afternoon was not fun. Penelope and I had our first big fight when she insisted that I take her bedroom, and she would sleep on the couch. I couldn’t take away her bedroom, but she said I would need the privacy and the access to the ensuite bathroom. In the end, she moved all my stuff into her room and moved her stuff out into the family room. She said it was just temporary until Tyler got home, and he and I moved to the motel anyway.

Laying around the first few days was fun. I got to watch all the reality shows I wanted and rewatched my favorite shows. I also got to read a lot of books from my ‘To Be Read’ pile. But after a few days, it got boring, and I was restless. I also played a lot with the kittens, and they enjoyed taking naps on top of my belly. My stomach was big enough for two kittens to curl up and sleep on top of!

Tyler coming home was a huge relief, and I was so happy to see him. I was excited because the longest we had lived together was a few weeks before he got moved up to Double-A. Now, he would be home for at least five months. I was so glad the babies waited for him to get home.

He and the guys moved all my stuff out of Penelope’s apartment and into the motel close by. Ty was able to take me to my thirty-four week checkup, where everything looked good, but I was still on bedrest. Afterward, he took me to the motel, our home for the foreseeable future. As grateful as I had been for Pen’s bedroom, it was nice to have a change of scenery. The motel room was an extended stay, so we had a small kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, stovetop, and a small kitchen table. Tyler said it was definitely an upgrade for himself to have a full-size refrigerator. Before I knew it, our friends had stocked the small kitchen with bottled water, my favorite fruits, things Ty could cook without needing an oven, and any snack foods I could possibly be craving. At the moment, I craved any food I saw a commercial for and wanted it right then.

The first night my husband was home, I had the best sleep ever. I started with my head on his shoulder while sleeping on my side, but my stomach kept getting in the way. We ended up spooning with his arm resting around my belly. Having his hand laying over my stomach seemed to make the babies calm down during the night, and I actually didn’t have to wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night for the first time since I had been put on bedrest.

Tyler and I spent the next few days watching Landon’s team in the playoffs and making fun of reality shows together. I introduced him to Gilmore Girls, and he introduced me to The Big Bang Theory. I know my very active husband did not like laying around and watching so much TV, but he did it for me.

A few of the Raptors stuck around during the off-season, so he did spend a lot of time with them to keep active. He would go running, play a pick up game of baseball, or go to the gym with Dominic, Cooper, Hayden, and Ian. Ivan had gone home to the Dominican to spend the off-season with Valentina and Camila. He sent a lot of pictures, and I couldn’t believe how big and beautiful their little girl was getting. It definitely made me anxious to hold my own babies. While Tyler was with the guys, Penelope, Emma, or sometimes both would come over and spend time with me, so I was hardly ever alone.

I was sitting up in bed with Peanut asleep on my belly. Penelope was in my bed watching a dating reality show when the door opened, and Cooper and Hayden came in after Tyler.

“Hey, guys!” I said with a smile as I was wrapped around my pregnancy pillow. “Can you believe that one guy wasn’t a match for the blonde? I just can’t believe it.”

“I wouldn’t have called that at all!” Hayden said with mock outrage. “I bet she cried her eyes out, didn’t she?”

“Of course!” Penelope said with a laugh.

All three guys were shirtless and sweaty after their run, and I could see out of my peripheral vision that Penelope was checking out Cooper. When we first met him, he was tall and lanky, and now, he was starting to have muscles everywhere. He was really taking his time at the gym seriously.

“Which couple do you think will win?” Cooper asked Penelope as he sat on the end of the bed closest to her.

“The curly haired brunette and the guy with the man bun are my favorites,” Pen said but wouldn’t look directly at him.

“Ah, so you like a guy with a man bun?” he asked as he put his hands through his hair to emphasize that he had a man bun.

“I like the one on the show,” she retorted.

“Uh huh,” Cooper said with a smirk. “Anyway, I made you something, shorty.”

“Oh, lord,” I said as I slowly turned my body around, and Tyler helped me sit up against the headboard. I felt like a beached whale. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“Ty mentioned you were getting sick of the wallpaper in the motel.”

“Definitely!” I said as I pointed at the gray wallpaper with accents of little ferns and carnations. “If I never see another carnation again, I’ll be happy.”

“Make a note, Stone, to never buy her carnations,” Hayden said as he sat down in the chair by our kitchen table.

“Oh, I won’t. I’m sick of it, too,” Tyler said with a chuckle. He sat on the edge of the bed closest to me and asked if I needed anything. He had been so wonderful this whole time and always made sure I had fresh water and a basket of snacks within reach of the bed.

“So, why did you bring up the wallpaper?” Penelope asked, obviously intrigued.

There was a knock on the door, and Hayden jumped up and answered it. When the door opened, Peanut ran and hid under the bed. My brother strolled in carrying a plastic grocery bag.

“Hey, Dom,” I said and eyed the colorful paper I saw inside the bag. “What do you have there?”

Dominic laughed. “Well, Cooper and I had a brilliant idea.”

“You guys didn’t do it, did you?” Hayden asked.

“What did you do?” Tyler asked but was just shaking his head.

“I’m scared,” Pen added.

“Did you bring the tape?” Cooper asked. At Dominic’s nod, he stood up and got the tape out of the bag. They laid out different pieces of construction paper on the small kitchen table and doubled over the tape so it would stick to the wall. I tried to see what they were doing, but Tyler blocked most of my vision.

“Close your eyes,” my brother said and couldn’t hold back his laughter.

I had no clue what they were doing but closed my eyes and leaned my head against Tyler’s arm. He rubbed my back with his hand while I listened to the crinkle of paper and the laughter of our friends. Even Penelope was laughing. “She’s going to kill you.”

“Well, it’s probably a good thing she can’t get out of bed,” Cooper answered.

“Oh, man, once she is able to, you guys might be dead,” my husband said, but he was laughing as he said it.

“Can I open my eyes yet?” I asked. I was very curious and anxious to see what they had done.

“Not yet,” Cooper said. “Stone, make sure her eyes stay closed.”

“Molly, don’t forget, Pen, Ty, and I had nothing to do with this,” Hayden said. A minute after he said it, he let out a snort of laughter.

“Well, considering you’re laughing, you are now part of it,” I said.

After a few more minutes, I was finally told I could open my eyes. I slowly opened them to see construction paper covering all the flowers in the wallpaper. But on each piece of paper were sayings.

“No, you didn’t!” I cried.

“Oh, yes, they did,” Tyler answered.

I read the first sign I could see:

The next sign wasn’t a question but just a phrase.

“You guys are ridiculous!” I said, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “I actually love it!”

“I knew you would!” Dominic said with a huge grin. “Look at this one! It’s my favorite!”

“I can’t see that far. What does it say?” I asked.

“Question: How does a short person reach the top shelf? Answer: They don’t!”Dom said with a chuckle.

“That one really is true!” Tyler said and pulled me closer to him. “I’m glad you like them.”

“What does that one by you say, Pen?” I asked.

Penelope started to read it but had a hard time getting out the whole phrase because she was laughing so hard. She had to pull it off the wall and hand it to me.

“Holy crap! That is funny!” I said, and I noticed that Pen was laughing so hard she had tears coming out of her eyes.

“That was all Super Cooper,” Dom said and patted him on the shoulder.

“Awww, look,” Tyler said as he pointed at a red piece of paper near the motel door. “What is a short person’s favorite dessert?”

“Strawberry shortcake!” I cried out. “I love that one. I am definitely going to keep these. I might even frame a few of them.”

Cooper and Dominic gave each other a knuckle bump and were very proud of themselves.

“I love you guys!” I exclaimed and then bit my lip as I felt another contraction. They still weren’t coming consistently, so the doctor said they were still Braxton Hicks contractions. If they got closer together, I was to go to the hospital.

Tyler noticed right away, rubbed my back with both of his hands, and kissed my temple. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just a dumb BH contraction. I do think I need to rest for a bit. I’m suddenly really tired. I feel bad kicking you guys out, though.”

“No worries at all,” Dominic said. “We need to take showers after our long run anyway. We’ll all be back to watch Landon’s game tonight, so we’ll see you then.”

“I am going to take my kids to Springville to look at Halloween costumes,” Pen said.

“What are you going to be?” Cooper asked. “Maybe you can find a naughty nurse costume!”

Penelope just rolled her eyes and turned to me as if to plead for me to help her get him off this topic.

“Oh! See if they have any cute matching newborn ones. I bet they will be here before Halloween.”

“Like salt and pepper!” Hayden suggested.

“Or ketchup and mustard!” Cooper said.

“If you knew their sexes, it would be a lot easier,” Penelope said with a raise of her eyebrow.

“No kidding!” Dominic added, “You could get Woody and Buzz for boys, Elsa and Anna for girls, or Mario and Princess Peach for one of each.”

“Well, if they have salt and pepper or mustard and ketchup, will you grab those? Or something unisex since we’re not finding out? We’ll pay you back.”

“Oh, bacon and eggs would be cute costumes!” Tyler suggested.

“Oh! Bacon and eggs sound so good right now! Do we have the stuff to make that?”

“I don’t think we do, but I can run to the store while you take a nap and have them ready for you when you wake up,” Ty said.

I let out a big yawn and nodded. “Thanks, babe. I don’t deserve you.”

My eyelids were shut before our friends had even gone out our door. The only thing I felt was Peanut climbing back on my bed and curling up next to me.

“Oh, you’re fully dilated and ready to go!” the nurse said with excitement. “Are you ready to push?”

“YES!” I yelled as a contraction ripped through my stomach.

“Push! Now!” the nurse yelled.

“Where is my husband?!” I cried as I pushed as hard as I could.

“I’m right here, baby!” Tyler said as he rushed into the room.

“Just in time, Dad!” the nurse said. “The doctor should be here any minute.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I asked as I got a good look at my husband after the contraction subsided. He was taking a big bite of pizza. The cheese was melted to perfection and stretched from the end of the pizza to his mouth. I could smell the garlic and the spiciness of the pepperonis. The crust looked to be the perfect thickness - not too thin but not too thick. It was a perfect golden brown. My mouth watered just watching him eat.

“Sorry, honey. You’ve been in labor for sixteen hours, and I was starving. When Dom texted me that it was go time, I just rushed up here.”

“Did you get me a piece?” my brother asked from my other side. He had been here during the whole labor and was very supportive and helpful.

“Yeah, man. I put it on the table.”

“Thanks, Stone!” Dominic said and picked up his piece of pizza.

“I hate you both!” I screamed as another contraction rolled through me and consumed my whole belly.

Tyler discarded his half-eaten pizza on the table and came over to take my hand with his greasy one. “You couldn’t even wash your hand?”

“Sorry. I figured being here with you was more important.”

“I can’t believe you did this to me!”

“Here’s a wet washcloth for you, Ty. Wipe off your greasy hand,” Dominic said.

“That washcloth was actually for her forehead,” the nurse said with a shake of her head.

“Thanks, man.”

“I heard we’re ready to push!” A male voice that did not belong to my regular doctor said.

“Oh, yeah, surprise!” Tyler exclaimed. “Rob is going to deliver your baby!”

“What?” I asked, in shock. “I thought he was an orthopedic surgeon.”

“I had to do obstetrics in residency,” Rob said as he pulled a stool up between my legs.

“I want my doctor. We talked about this and how I’m more comfortable with a female doctor!” I said. This was not okay! “I hate you for this idea, Tyler Elliott Stone!”

“But he’s family!” Tyler answered back. “I thought you’d be happy. And see! Here is my sister to assist him!”

“You’ll be fine, Molly,” Julia said.

“Yes, Dr. Moseley is a very good doctor,” the nurse said. “You’re in good hands.”

Another contraction hit me. The tightness felt like I was going to explode.

“PUSH NOW!” Rob yelled. “Oh, is that the pizza from the place across the street? I want a bite.”

“Here you go, man,” Dom said and held out the pizza for him to take a bite since Rob’s hands were busy checking me.

I was outraged and squeezed Tyler’s hand so hard that he groaned. My head fell back against the pillow as I let out a loud roar.

“I see a head of red hair!” Rob said, “Keep pushing.”

The nurse stood next to Dominic and began counting for me to push in a very obnoxious sing-song voice. “I can’t do this!” I yelled.

“I’m here! I’m here!” I heard a female voice call from outside the door. “She’ll want me in there with her.”

“Let her in! Let her in!” I felt tears spring to my eyes. “You made it just in time!”

“Hi, sweetheart!” with her redhead swept in a clip she gracefully entered the room and gave Dominic a quick hug. “Thank you for being here in my place. You’re such a good brother. I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks!” Dom said. “Of course, I would be here for Molly.”

She leaned down and kissed my forehead. Then she lay a cool washcloth against my head, and I suddenly felt at ease. I needed her here. She took my hand, and I was able to push one last time.

“It’s one very big baby boy!” Rob exclaimed.

My son was laid on my chest, and I looked down at the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. I had tears in my eyes as I looked over at my husband, who was also crying. “I’m sorry for all I said!”

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it,” Tyler said and kissed my lips. He then went over to stand beside Rob to cut the umbilical cord. “You did so good, baby.”

“Our son is perfect!” I said as the baby on my chest began to cry. It let me know his lungs were very healthy.

“Does he have a name yet?” the female voice on my right asked. “Nick! Come in here! He’s here!”

I looked up as the nurse was picking up the baby from my chest to weigh him and clean him off.

I smiled as an older version of my brother walked into the room. He went straight over to the baby and looked at him. “Oh, Molly, he’s perfect!”

“Thanks!” I said and took a minute to rest my head against the pillow. “I’m so glad you were here for this, Mom.”

“I am, too, sweetheart. It was quite the journey to get here. I love you so much, baby girl!”

“Jennie, our grandson is perfect,” my dad said as he leaned over to give me a kiss on the cheek. “You did great, Molly. You’re going to be the best mom.” Dad turned and hugged Dominic. It was crazy to me how much they looked alike, standing side by side.

“I’m so excited to be an uncle!” Dominic said. “He’s almost 11 pounds, Sis!”

“Wow! That is one big baby!” I said as I reached out my hands as the nurse brought him back over swaddled in a blue blanket.

“So, does our grandson have a name?” Tyler’s mom asked as she came into the room. She and my mom gave each other a big hug. I was so glad my mom and mother-in-law were close friends.

“I was really hoping for a girl,” Tyler’s dad said. “I loved the name Hazel for the story of how they met.”

“My dad always loved telling that story!” my mom exclaimed as Mike and Nick shook hands and then gave each other a hug. “I wish he…”

“Never fear! He is here!” my grandpa said as he entered the room with a huge teddy bear in his arms. “What story do I love to tell?”

“Papaw!” I cried out. “You made it!”

“You think I would miss my great-grandson being born?” He came over to me and gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead. “Oh, he’s perfect! I love you so much, Molly-girl!”

“Tyler, do you mind if Papaw holds him first?”

“Not at all!” my husband said. “Good to see you again, Tom.”

“How bad did she squeeze your hand?” Papaw asked with a chuckle as he saw an ice pack in Tyler’s hand. “It wasn’t your catching hand, was it?”

“It’s a good thing he’s a switch hitter!” Mimi’s voice said as she entered the room. She was carrying a huge bouquet of blue roses. She set them on the table and grabbed her camera as I held out my son to my grandpa’s waiting arms. Before she snapped a picture, she smiled at me and said, “I’m so proud of you, my little cupcake. I love you so much.”

“Papaw, I would like you to meet…”

“Molly!”

“Hold on, let me tell them his name,” I said.

“Molly!”

“No! I need more time,” I cried out.

“Molly! Baby, wake up!”

I opened my eyes and rubbed them with my hands. I was so disappointed when I realized I was still very pregnant and my parents and grandparents being there for the birth had all been a dream. I was mad at Tyler for waking me up!

I felt wetness all around me. “Crap! I need to go to the bathroom!” I cried out.

“I think you already did,” Tyler said.

I looked up into Tyler’s worried-filled eyes. “Shit. I think I had an accident!”

Tyler helped me get up out of bed, and I waddled towards the bathroom, but the wetness kept coming out. I couldn’t control it.

“Baby, I don’t think you had an accident. I think your water broke.”