"Well, that was a surprisingly good movie, but I didn't think it would run that long," I say.
"Me neither but I really enjoyed it. We should get that on DVD," Janice says.
I stretch and then groan and grab my stomach as I feel a gripping pain.
"What's the matter? Is something wrong? Is it the baby?" Janice asks, her face etched with worry.
"No, I think I just stretched too hard," I tell her, although I’m not really sure.
I just don’t want to cause her any unnecessary anxiety.
I'm about to sit back down when I feel the pain again. As I hold onto my stomach, Janice immediately sits on the edge of the couch.
"Uh, oh," I say.
"What? What is it? Is there something wrong?" she demands.
"I think it's time," I tell her, now that I’m pretty sure these are labor pains. “I guess the baby won’t be born on Valentine’s Day but at least she’ll be here soon!”
I get up from the couch slowly but then I feel a gush of water come rushing out.
"Oh, okay, the baby's coming!" Janice exclaims.
“Wow, yeah, I guess this is what they mean when they talk about water breaking!” I say in surprise.
It really does feel like a dam just gave loose!
Janice immediately jumps up from the couch and runs upstairs to one of the bedrooms.
Of course, her parents aren’t here, but they're different from my parents. It's not that they don't care. They check in on Janice and me regularly to see if we need anything.
They just have to work, so they can’t stay at their vacation home for the whole time we’re here. Plus, they trust her a great deal and leave her to her own devices, but they still offer guidance and support, whether it's in person or by phone call.
Janice has an overnight bag over her shoulder as she rushes downstairs with her cell phone to her ear. She and I packed it together a couple weeks ago, so that we could be ready for this very moment.
"Mom and Dad, I'm taking Bella to the hospital. The baby's coming right now. We're going to be fine. I'll call you after everything is over," Janice says.
She shakes her head and then adds, “Sorry, can’t talk; yeah, I think everything is fine, we just need to go. Yes, I’ll keep you posted. I promise. Yes, I’ll call you from the hospital when we get there. Not after everything is over. I was just in a rush when I said that, okay? Okay. Thanks. I’ll let her know. Love you too. Bye.”
She hangs up the phone and grabs my arm and leads me into her car.
"My mom says that she and my dad know you’re going to do great and that they’re so happy for you and excited to meet the baby. She probably said some other stuff but that’s all I can remember.”
“Thanks,” I say with a laugh, but then another contraction hits me and I about double over.
“Just remember to breathe, okay?" she instructs me as we stop and wait for the pain to subside.
I think that’s a pretty funny thing for her to say, considering that she herself was winded when she delivered her mom’s message to me.
But I don’t say anything because I’m walking quickly to the car now, trying to get there before the next wave of labor hits me. She helps me into the passenger seat and then throws my bag in the backseat.
I hold onto the handle of the door and brace myself through another contraction as she gets in and starts driving away from the house as quickly as possible.
I had transferred my prenatal care to a clinic that works out of the hospital here once I found out I’d be staying here until the baby arrived. Although I’d liked Dr. Shirley and had wanted to do all my appointments with her, this new place has been just as good. So, I feel relatively confident that I’m in good hands, but I’m still a nervous wreck.
"Don't get a ticket or anything," I tell Janice as she's practically speeding through the small town to get to the hospital.
“Good point.”