CHAPTER EIGHT
Alex lay in bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling and her hand resting on her belly.
Once again, sleep had eluded her. She managed to get a few hours of shut-eye, but because of her ever-growing baby bump and the discomfort, she couldn’t get comfortable.
She glanced at the clock next to her—three in the morning. That was way too early for her to get up.
The house was quiet, except for Zuma’s snores.
Her thoughts drifted to Ace. She couldn’t wait to see him.
It was weird thinking that soon, he wouldn’t be just her husband. He was about to be someone’s father. Would their child grow up to understand the sacrifices Ace made for his family?
A sharp kick jolted her from her thoughts. She let out a soft groan, shifting slightly in bed. “Alright, little one,” she whispered, her voice tinged with amusement. “Soccer practice doesn’t start for another few hours,” she joked.”
She smiled faintly, wondering if their baby would take after her. She could already imagine tiny cleats kicking a ball across the lawn, just like she had as a child.
The longer she lay there, her eyelids began to droop. She was almost asleep when a sudden, searing pain shot through her lower back. Alex gasped, her hand flying to her side as the sharp ache radiated forward. This pain was entirely different from the previous pains she had been experiencing.
“Okay, that was new,” she muttered to herself, carefully swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.
She debated calling Tenley, but it was the middle of the night, and she had three kids.
Moving slowly, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand and took a deep breath before dialing Derek’s number. Her hands were shaking as she waited for him to answer.
“Alex?” Derek’s voice was sharp and concerned.
“Sorry to call in the middle of the night, but something’s happening,” she managed to say just as another pain rippled through her again.
“It’s okay, honey.”
She could hear him fumbling around.
“How bad is the pain? How far apart are the contractions? They are contractions, right? Did your water break yet?” He fired off questions one right after the other.
“These last two were a little stronger than what I’ve been experiencing. And no, my water hasn’t broken, but I think it’s best to go get checked out.”
“Alright, I’m on my way. I’ll be there in five,” he told her before he disconnected the call.
Alex set the phone down and leaned back against the headboard. Her mind was swirling with thoughts, a mix of worry and anticipation. She rubbed her belly, whispering to the baby that everything would be okay. But in her heart, all she could think about was Ace. She needed him here more than ever. And as she waited for Derek to arrive, her mind filled with thoughts of Ace. She held onto the hope that he’d make it home in time.
She finally managed to get out of bed and move to the closet. She pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. She didn’t feel like wearing tennis shoes, so she slipped her feet into a pair of flip-flops. She didn’t care that it was cold outside.
By the time she was done changing and brushing her teeth, she heard the front door open. She knew right away it was Derek when she heard the alarm being disengaged.
Seconds later, Derek was standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
“Hey,” she said, giving him a small smile.
“Any more pain?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, but I still think I should get looked at to make sure that nothing is wrong.”
“I think that is a good idea. What all do you need?” he asked.
“Just my purse and maybe my bag that I have packed. You know, just in case they decide to keep me.”
Derek moved quickly, grabbing the overnight bag Alex pointed to sitting by the door. He then walked over and helped her to her feet. Together, they made their way downstairs, Derek steadying her with one hand while carrying the bag in the other.
After locking up the house, he helped her settle in the SUV. Alex reclined the seat slightly, gripping her belly as another contraction hit. The ride was quiet for a while. The only sound was the hum of the engine and her controlled breathing.
Her thoughts turned to Ace, and a pang of longing settled in her chest. Will he make it back in time? She wondered. She could almost hear his voice, playful and strong, telling her everything would be fine.
Derek glanced over at her as he drove toward the hospital. “How are you doing, honey?”
Alex forced a smile. “I’m okay.”
But as the hospital came into view, the weight of everything settled heavily on her. She whispered a silent plea to the universe that Ace would find his way home to them, somehow, some way.
The bright lights of the hospital entrance reflected off the wet pavement as Derek parked the car.
He hurried around the vehicle and helped Alex out of the passenger seat. Alex’s jaw was set, her expression somewhere between annoyed and exasperated as another contraction gripped her. She paused, gripping Derek’s arm, but the moment it passed, she straightened and shook her head.
“I can’t be in labor,” Alex said firmly as they walked through the automatic doors.
“Honey, I don’t know much about labor and delivery, but your face during that last contraction looked an awful lot like you were trying not to scream. I’m pretty sure that’s what labor looks like.”
“I still think it could be Braxton Hicks,” Alex insisted, brushing her dark hair out of her face. “You know, false labor. I’m sure you’ve heard about it. Plus, I feel fine now!” Alex retorted, throwing her hands up as they approached the triage desk.
“Well, we’re going to find out here shortly,” Derek smirked, setting Alex’s bag down while she spoke with one of the nurses.
Since the emergency room was empty, Alex checked in pretty quickly and then escorted to a private room.
The sterile smell of the hospital hit Alex, making everything feel suddenly real in a way she wasn’t ready for.
After she changed into the gown she was given, she eased onto the bed.
The doctor arrived a few minutes later, a friendly but no-nonsense woman named Dr. Patel. She greeted Alex warmly before putting on gloves and beginning her exam.
“What brings you in here this morning?” The doctor asked.
Isn’t it obvious? Alex thought to herself, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
“In the last hour, I’ve had some pretty strong pains that start in my back and radiate toward my lower stomach. My friend, who is a nurse, thinks I’m in labor, but I think they are just Braxton Hicks.” Alex explained.
Dr. Patel smiled knowingly as if she heard that line all the time. “Let’s take a look, shall we?” She stated as she pulled on gloves and took a seat on the stool at the bottom of the bed.
Derek excused himself from the room, giving Alex her privacy.
Alex lay still, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. She didn’t want this to be real—not without Ace. She focused on the overhead light, willing herself to stay calm as Dr. Patel did her examination.
It didn’t take long at all for her to finish.
“Well,” Dr. Patel said, snapping off her gloves. “You’re definitely in the early stages of labor. You’re only about one to two centimeters dilated, so it’s not happening right this second, but things are starting.”
Alex’s heart sank, a wave of emotion washing over her. This couldn’t be happening now—not without Ace. She forced a smile, but her hands twisted in the blanket covering her lap.
“Are you sure?” she asked, her voice quieter now, almost pleading.
“Positive,” Dr. Patel said gently. “But it could be hours or even days before active labor begins. Every pregnancy is different. However, with the pains you described, I would like to keep you overnight for observation. As soon as they have a room ready on the labor and delivery floor, they’ll move you there.”
Alex nodded mutely, her mind spinning.
As the doctor exited the room, Alex spotted Derek standing awkwardly in the doorway, though she didn’t miss the concern that showed in his eyes.
“What did the doctor say?”
“Well, it seems my bestie was right. Dr. Patel confirmed that I’m in labor, though she said I still have a while to go. But because of the pains that I described, she wants to admit me.”
“Shit,” Derek blurted out, making Alex giggle.
“Shit is right,” she said, as her eyes filled with tears. “D, I’m afraid Ace won’t make it back in time.”
Derek’s expression softened as he stepped near the bed. “I’m confident that he’ll make it back, Alex. I’ll do whatever I can to get him back here.”
Alex closed her eyes, a mix of relief and frustration swirling inside her. She trusted Derek to do everything in his power, but she hated feeling so powerless, so out of control.
Derek took a seat in the chair beside the bed. He reached out and squeezed her. “He’ll make it, Alex. You know, Ace. He’d fight through a snowstorm, an army, and probably a bear to get to you.”
That drew a soft laugh from Alex, though her throat felt tight. She looked down at her rounded belly, resting her hand over the baby’s small, solid movements beneath her palm.
“Listen here, little one,” she murmured, her voice soft and full of emotion. “You’ve got to stay put just a little longer, okay? Daddy’s coming home, and I want him to be the first one to hold you.”
Her fingers traced gentle circles over her belly as she felt a flutter in response, a tiny reminder of the life she and Ace had created together. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away, smiling faintly.
“You’re strong, just like your daddy,” she whispered. “But let’s be patient, yeah? Just a little longer.”
She glanced at Derek. “Where is the team now?” She asked, hoping he could give her something.
“They are in the air right now.” He glanced at his watch. “They should be landing in Kodiak soon. As soon as I know they’re on the ground, I’ll get word to him.”
Alex smiled. “Thank you.”
He gave her hand another gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to thank me, honey. Are you staying in this room, or are they going to move you?”
“They are going to move me to the labor and delivery floor as soon as they have a room available,” she said as a big yawn escaped her.
Derek chuckled, then took a seat in the chair next to the bed. “Why don’t you try and get some rest? I’ll wake you if someone comes in.”
She smiled before turning onto her side and closing her eyes.
Ace was coming home. And Alex was determined to wait for him.