Chapter 32
Miles
I was in the middle of a meeting when the conference room door opened.
“Miles, Stella just called. She’s been trying to get ahold of you. Her water broke, and she’s on her way to the hospital.”
“What? Now?”
“Yes, boss. Now.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket, and it was dead.
“Shit. Sorry, gentlemen. We’ll have to pick up this meeting another time. My wife is in labor.” I smiled, running out of the conference room.
“I already called Sean. He’ll be here in two minutes,” Isla said.
“Thanks, Isla.” I stepped into my office, grabbed my phone charger, and threw it in my briefcase. “Do me a favor and call the florist. I want five dozen white and blue roses arranged nicely in vases delivered to the hospital immediately. Stella will need visualization while she’s in labor.”
“And you know that how?” Isla said.
“I just do. Also, have a bouquet of balloons sent—all blue and some that say It’s a Boy.”
“On it. You better call me when the baby is born.”
“I will.” I smiled as I ran out of my office and headed down to the lobby. “Sean, I need to use your phone,” I said, climbing into the front seat of the Escalade.
“Here you go.”
I dialed Stella’s number, and she answered on the first ring.
“This better be you, Miles!”
“It is, sweetheart. I’m on my way now. Sean said we’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Is your phone dead?” she shouted. “Did you forget to charge it again, Miles?”
“Yes, sweetheart.” I glanced at Sean.
“You’re the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, and you can’t even remember to charge your fucking phone!”
“Sit tight, babe. I’ll be there shortly.”
She hung up without saying a word.
“I think you’re in the doghouse.” Sean smirked.
“Good thing I told Isla to send five dozen roses and a bouquet of balloons to the hospital.” I sighed.
Sean pulled up to the hospital’s entrance, and I took the elevator to the labor and delivery unit.
“How can I help you?” a voice asked through the speaker.
“My wife is here in labor. Her name is Stella Bradshaw.”
“Oh, hey, Mr. Bradshaw. She was talking all about you. I’ll buzz you in.”
When the door opened, a nurse was standing there.
“I feel like I already know you.” She grinned. “I’m Pepper, Stella’s nurse. My shift just started and I’m pulling a double, so I’ll be with the two of you all day and night.”
“You think it’ll take that long?” I asked as she took me to Stella’s room.
“Ha.” She breathed out a laugh. “I love first-time dads.”
When I stepped into the room, Stella lay on the bed, hooked up to the fetal monitor.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” I ran over and kissed her lips.
A smile graced her face as she grabbed my tie. “A dead phone? You forgot to charge it one week before our baby is due?”
“You’re right. I’m an idiot, and I promise to make it up to you. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”
“A little bit. It’s not too bad yet.”
“Good.” I kissed her forehead. Unbuttoning my sleeves, I rolled them up. “All that matters is I’m here now, and we’re doing this together.”
* * *
Stella
The contractions started to peak with greater intensity. I moaned, laying on my side, gripping the bar of the bed, while Miles rubbed my lower back.
“Where is Dr. Gregario?” I asked Pepper.
“He’s doing a C-section right now. He’ll be in as soon as he’s finished.”
The contraction subsided, so I rolled on my back and looked at Miles. Bringing my hand up to his face, I softly stroked his cheek.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me, sweetheart. I hate seeing you in so much pain. I’m going to get you through this.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more.” He leaned over and kissed me.
“Happy Labor Day!” Dr. Gregario strolled into the room with a smile on his face. “How are you feeling, Stella?”
“How do you think?” My brow arched.
“Yep. Same response all my laboring mothers give me.” He winked. “Let’s see. Three hours ago, when you came in, you were dilated to three. I’m going to take a look and see if you’ve made any improvement.” He lifted up the sheet and examined me. “Oh boy. You’re still dilated at three centimeters.”
“How is that possible?” I asked.
“It’s common for first-time mothers. Don’t stress about it. It’ll happen. If you really want to get the ball rolling, I like to suggest to my patients that they try dance therapy.”
“Huh?” My brows furrowed.
“Put on some music you like dancing to and start getting jiggy. Miles, just make sure you’re close to her for when another contraction hits. As soon as it’s over, start dancing again. I’ll be back in a while.” He left the room.
I looked at Miles, and we both furrowed our brows at each other.
“I’m seriously starting to think there’s something wrong with that guy,” Miles said.
“Me too.”
“Ah, Dr. Gregario said to have you try dance therapy.” Pepper smiled, walking into the room. “I know you might think it’s weird, but it does work. I can see you’re on the fence, so I’m going to dangle a carrot in front of you. Get to four centimeters, and a certain handsome anesthesiologist will come up here, give you an epidural, and all your pain will go away.”
“Like, how fast does the epidural work?” I narrowed my eye.
“Within ten to twenty minutes,” she said. “Pain-free, Stella. Imagine it.” She waved both her hands in front of me.
“I’m in,” I said.
“Awesome sauce. I’ll unhook the fetal monitor.”
After Pepper unhooked the fetal monitor, Miles took hold of my hands and helped me up from the bed. Another contraction hit.
“Oh, God,” I moaned, leaning over the side of the bed.
“As soon as it passes, we’ll dance,” Pepper said.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.” Miles rubbed my shoulders from behind.
The contraction passed, and Pepper put on the song In Da Club by 50 Cent.
“This is one of my favorites.” She smiled as she started dancing. “Come on, Stella. Just forget you”re pregnant and move that body. Pretend we’re at a club.”
I started dancing to the beat of the music. It wasn’t so bad.
“Come on, Daddy! Get down with us!” Pepper shouted.
“I’m good.” Miles smiled.
“Now, Miles!” I shot him a look.
“Okay. Whatever you say, sweetheart.” He began moving his body to the beat.
I made it through two rap songs before another contraction hit. I grabbed onto Miles as my body leaned against him. Pepper stopped and began massaging my back.
“It’s okay. Breathe in and out,” she said.
A woman knocked on the door and rolled in a silver cart filled with roses and a bouquet of balloons. Pepper turned off the music.
“Mrs. Stella Bradshaw?” the woman asked.
“Yes.”
“We have quite a delivery for you.” She smiled.
I glanced at Miles, and a smile crossed his lips. His eye winked at me.
“You did this?” I asked, climbing into bed.
“Of course. I’d be a little concerned if someone else sent you five dozen roses. They’re for you to admire while trying to get through this labor.”
“I love you, Miles.”
“I know you do. I love you too.”
“Let’s check you out and see if anything is happening down there,” Pepper said. “Woot! You’re at four centimeters, Stella. I’ll go let Dr. Gregario know, and I’ll get that handsome anesthesiologist up here with those drugs.”