Candace woke up to use the bathroom for the third time that night.
"You're killin' me, kid," she looked down at her huge stomach. "I know you're running out of room in there, but do you really have to dance on my bladder every night?"
She was 2 days past her due date. Miserable was an understatement. Still. She tried to enjoy every minute of it as much as she could. Another baby in the future wasn't out of the question for her, but at the same time, she had a feeling that wouldn't happen now that Sam was out of the picture. Candace gave a discontent sigh and waddled back to her room across the hallway.
It was only 5 am. She had a few more hours of sleep in her. Not that she needed to wake up at a certain time. Of course, Candace hadn't planned it by any means, but she couldn't have picked a better time of year to have her baby. It was the beginning of February. Work was deader than a doornail. She was free to do whatever she wanted. Unfortunately, that also gave her too much time to think.
It had kept her up many a night since she had broken up with Sam. That wasn't her problem at the moment, though. She tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. Physically, she didn't feel any worse than she had been, but something just seemed off. Sweet sleep finally found her, fleetingly, as the soft morning glow crept into her room.
She woke to what felt like period cramps. Candace didn't think much of it at first. She'd been having them off and on for close to a week. She rolled out of bed awkwardly and went into the kitchen to make some fried eggs and toast.
Candace decided to be lazy that day. Her nesting instincts had been in overdrive the past several weeks. She was about to drive herself crazy not having anything to do. The hospital bag was packed. Everything in the baby's room was set up. She resigned herself to watching TV after she cleaned up her breakfast dishes.
She flopped around on the couch, unable to even focus on the show she was watching. She just couldn't get comfortable. Fed up, she decided to get in the bath. Surely the warm water would help her relax. Maybe she was just stressed out.
No such luck. Candace felt like a whale tossing about in her small tub. She was on the brink of tears as she struggled out of it.
"I don't think I want to go to lunch later," she texted her mom.
"Everything alright?" she immediately texted back?
"I don't know. I just can't get comfortable, feel off today. Sorry."
"Want me to come over?" her mom offered.
"Sure. I probably won't be very good company, though."
"You're overdue. I expect as much. :P Be over in about an hour. Going to fix your father's lunch before I come. Want some?"
"Yes, please. I don't feel like cooking. Just come in when you get here."
"Ok. See you soon."
Candace attempted to lay down on the couch again. She realized after a while that her stomach was cramping worse than it had been. It felt tight when she placed her hand on her stomach. The strangest part was when it relaxed again a minute later. She tried not to get her hopes up, but couldn't help herself. Candace was so ready to not be pregnant anymore. Labor still scared the crap out of her, but she was also ready to meet her son.
By the time her mom arrived, Candace was fairly certain she was having regular contractions. Her mom's excitement was contagious. She was still uncomfortable, but she was happy to have someone around to lift her spirits.
Three hours later, she was at the hospital with her mom. Candace had planned all along to get there before the pain became unbearable. A couple more hours and she was getting close to that point.
Candace had new admiration for her mom, for always being there for her no matter what, but she couldn't help but wish Sam were there with her too. The 2 months they had been apart had done nothing to soften her feelings for him. He was her soulmate. She knew that somewhere deep inside of her.
"What is it?" her mother asked with a look of concern as Candace lay in the hospital bed forlornly.
She didn't feel like lying anymore. She had done plenty of that since leaving Sam, though she knew her mom knew better. It was never her hormones acting up, as she had claimed a hundred times. When she was upset, it was always when she was thinking about or missing Sam.
"I wish Sam were here," her lip trembled as she broke down. Candace was so tired of crying, but it felt good to finally admit her feelings out loud.
Lucy hugged her daughter close and let her cry. Once she quieted down, she gently asked, "Have you let him know that the baby is coming?" It had crossed her mind earlier, but she had been too afraid to ask. It was none of her business, really. Her daughter was her top priority. But Candace's words had started a chain reaction in her head.
"No," she shook her head. "I figured I would let him know once he was here. Send a picture of him," she couldn't help but smile weakly at the thought.
"Ok. Just wondering," Lucy squeezed her hand.
Candace closed her eyes, another contraction seizing her. She squeezed Lucy's hand harder.
"I don't think I can take much more of this," Candace tried to joke once it was over, but she could see the look of pain on her daughter's face.
"You know you can get an epidural any time, sweetheart."
"I know. I think I'll wait a few more. It just makes me nervous. I want the relief, but I don't want to risk stalling my labor out either. I'm ready to meet this little boy," she smiled tiredly.
"I know, sweetheart," she patted Candace's hand. "Me too. He'll be here before you know it," she smiled back at her.
Her sneakiness surprised even her. While Candace was having her epidural placed, Lucy stealthily snuck her daughter's phone into her pocket. Once it was finished, she put her plan into action.
"I completely forgot. Your aunt Mary wanted me to let her know when you were having the baby. Care if I sneak out for a minute and call her and grab a snack?" she asked Candace.
"Go for it. I'm feeling much better already," she smiled genuinely.
"Ok. I'll be right back," Lucy headed out the door.
She walked a few paces down the hallway and took her daughter's phone out.
"This is Lucy. Candace is in labor. Get here asap. She's about halfway there. She doesn't know I'm texting you. Don't overthink it. Just come. My # is 501-618-2547. Text me, not her," she sent to Sam. She waited until it had gone through and deleted the message from Candace's phone. She snuck back and waited just outside of her daughter's hospital room. The familiar jingle of her own phone's text notification went off a few seconds later.
"I got about halfway to the elevator before I realized I grabbed your phone instead of mine!" she walked in nonchalantly, shaking Candace's phone in the air before setting it on the bedside table.
"Guess we shouldn't have gotten the same kind of phone," Candace chuckled. "Yours just went off," she pointed.
"Did it? Must be your father wanting an update," Lucy lied. She picked her own phone up and headed for the door again.
"I'll be right back."
She really did head downstairs to the vending machine this time, reading Sam's text and formulating her own response on the way.
"How is she doing? Are you sure about this?" she read.
Silly boy. I told you to not overthink it.
She still couldn't help but notice that he had asked about Candace's well-being first. She had another pang of guilt for ever doubting his intentions with her daughter. He had a heart of gold.
"She's doing great. Just got her epidural. She's halfway dilated, though. Better get here quick. I know for a fact she wants you here. I'm not just saying that," she sent back. Lucy hoped to God he believed her.
