Chapter 32 #3
“I think it’s important,” Caleb grunts. “There are people who need non-invasive services who either can’t afford it or don’t know they exist. Nova is especially passionate about post doula care, and involves helping a new mother take care of her newborn.”
“Aren’t packs or the female’s partner supposed to help with this?” she asks. “Granted, I’m not a parent so I don’t know.”
“Babies mean late nights being up to nurse and change diapers,” Lars says.
“I’m not a parent either, but if you were a single parent, you’d better believe you’d feel like a zombie during the day.
Not only that, it gives parents the ability to get used to the good parts of being a family with a new child. ”
You can tell that Nova has taught them well. We’ve been having a lot of conversations about this up until the event because we wanted to know about her passion.
“Bonding with a baby is done at its best when your serotonin levels are at its highest,” I add.
“If you’re happy and content, that bond will happen a lot faster.
Postpartum depression can also hit anyone at any time.
Having another person there who won’t judge you for your struggles can be incredibly empowering. ”
Half way through our conversation, Gwen pulled her phone out to begin recording.
“I’m so sorry for this, but this is fascinating. Do you mind if I record? These are all things I’ve never thought about,” she muses.
The three of us state that we don’t mind and Gwen continues.
“I’m particularly intrigued about the children’s interest classes that she wants to have.
Story time, Mommy and me, tummy time, etc.
These are all developmental topics that people typically do on their own or they find mom friends along the way, right?
Why would people want to go to the Center to do them? ” she asks.
“You’re assuming that people have friends with children,” Lars grunts. “Society is becoming full of introverts. It’s harder than ever to make friends. There are a few online groups that meet at my cafe to hang out in person. I can always spot the new people because they are so awkward at first.”
“You also have the working moms who are very busy and don’t have much time to socialize,” I add. “Or those who don’t know the first thing about developmental milestones for a baby and are in over their head. If they don’t have younger siblings, how would they know how to care for a child?”
“All true,” she murmurs. “I grew up with a tight knit group of friends, though they’re not speaking to me since I put their mothers in prison as well.”
Gwen says this with a slight wrinkle in her nose, and in that moment, I do feel bad for her.
“For what it’s worth, I think they deserved it if they were wrapped up in the bullshit that ROWS was involved in,” I say gently.
“It may take time for them to understand as well,” Caleb says.
Gwen visibly shakes herself out of her thoughts before continuing the interview. I think if she’s willing to see the world in a different way than she expects, she’ll be just fine.
NOVA
“Nova, dear,” Mrs. Peenworthy says. I honestly almost choked when Hollis introduced her to me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say her name with a straight face. “What made you decide to become a midwife? There are a lot of late nights, aren’t there?”
“That all depends on when a baby decides to be born,” I say honestly.
“I will say that babies like to come in the early morning though. There’s something about the calm before dawn.
I decided to be a midwife during a really dark time in my life.
The only way I could think to turn it around was to celebrate someone else’s. ”
It’s a very honest answer, but Mrs. Peenworthy is a widow who has outlived her entire pack. She’s in her eighties and something tells me that she doesn’t respect bullshit.
She gazes at me for a long moment before she pulls out a check and rips it up in front of me. I audibly gasp, shocked, and Hollis leans against me to help calm my nerves.
“I need to add a couple more zeros to the amount I wrote out before I came over here,” the widow says with a small smile.
She pulls out her checkbook, and Hollis steps forward with a notebook in her hands for Mrs. Peenworthy to write over.
“Thank you so much,” she says, her voice sounding weak as she fills it out.
I don’t think there’s much else that can be described as anything but strong about her as she rips off the check and hands it to me.
“Aerial dancing is one of my favorite things to watch. Speaking to you and watching the dancers will make it worth having to see my grandchildren today.”
“Thank you so much,” I murmur, half glancing at the check. It’s enough to make my heart stop, because it’s a million dollars. Holy fuck.
This alone will more than cover buying the building that Hollis showed me.
“What?” she asks as the widow moves away.
“Can you get in touch with the real estate agent so we can walk through the Tider place? I think I’m ready to buy it in cash,” I squeak out.
Hollis glances at the check and nods.
“Damn. Mrs. Peenworthy likes you,” she whispers. “I’ll make it happen. Do you want me to hold onto your checks?”
“Yes please,” I say, handing it to her to put away. “I think I’m in shock.”
“If I didn’t have a feeling you were going to have to bail on your own party, I’d suggest drinking champagne,” she muses. “Oh, I see our grandparents. Let’s go say hello.”
Nodding, I walk over with her to greet them. They both give warm hugs and chat with us both.
“How is it going so far?” Grandma asks. It would be odd to call her that if she didn’t shower me with so much affection.
I’ve never had grandparents, and they’ve both really grown on me. Hollis told me that they’ve always simply wanted the best for her.
“Mrs. Peenworthy gave Nova a million dollars just now,” Hollis whispers to her.
“Damn,” she grunts. “I’ve always liked that woman.”
“Even though you two squabbled often?” Grandpa asks, chuckling and holding out a check in his hand. “It’s not a million dollars, but it’ll help, Nova.”
My first instinct is to tell him that it’s enough that he’s here, but this organization won’t get built if I refuse to take everyone’s money.
Taking the check, I inhale sharply as I see that a lawyer’s salary for a year is written out on it.
“Holy goodness," I whisper. “Thank you so much. This is too much.”
My grandfather crushes me to his chest, squeezing me hard. “Please don’t cry or you’ll set off your grandmother,” he chuckles.
“I think you’re thinking of yourself with that statement,” my grandmother mutters. “We are so proud of you, Nova. This event is going to help you do so much good for the community.
My head jerks up and down as I sniffle. Thank God for waterproof mascara.
“It means a lot that you came,” I say, stepping back. “Thank you so much.”
Hollis collects a lot of checks by the time we find Cerenity, the club’s owner.
“We are almost ready to start the show. I bet wallets will just continue to open after that,” she says softly to me.
I open my mouth to agree when I feel my phone begin to vibrate wildly. Opening my clutch, I make an apologetic noise as I see that Jed is calling me.
“I’m sorry, I have to take this. Is there somewhere I can sneak off to?” I ask.
“My office,” her mate, Augustine says. “Follow me.”
My footsteps are quick behind him as I answer the phone.
“Jed, hi. How is she doing?” I ask.
“ Nova, I think that her water broke ,” he says worriedly. “ She went to try to nap through the contractions, and she screamed when she woke up. Adira thought she had pissed herself.”
“Was it a lot of liquid?” I ask.
“ Oh yes. It’s still steadily trickling too. I have her sitting backward on the toilet right now ,” he explains.
“That’s a good position to labor in,” I relay.
“I know it doesn’t sound like it, but it is.
Get her a towel to lay her head on the tank of the toilet, and just let her work through the contractions.
If she feels like she has to push, have her get up immediately.
I’m leaving the charity event now to come deliver your baby. ”
“So it is time ?” he asks excitedly.
“Ask Morris how far apart the contractions are?” I ask.
I know he’ll have been tracking them and will be level headed enough to tell me. I can hear Jed and Morris talking softly, and then Morris takes the phone from him.
“ Since her water broke, the contractions have steadily increased in intensit y,” Morris explains. “ They’re about two minutes apart at this time.”
“I’m on my way,” I promise. “She’s doing great. See you soon.”
Augustine and I didn’t make it to his office, and I just ended up finishing the call in the back hallway.
“You’re headed out?” he asks.
“It’s baby time,” I say. “I need to get my keys from Malcolm first. I’m just worried that I’ll get caught up in the crowd.”
“I’ll get them,” Augustine says, heading back into the club.
Glancing behind me, I see a bathroom, but I don’t have my bag. I will probably simply change in my van. It’s why I love Big Bertha so much. She’s a safe place to change as well as sleep. I just wish she wasn’t constantly breaking down on me.
Blowing out a breath, I begin to pace in my heels. Augustine comes back quickly, but I’m just an anxious wreck. I’ll feel a million times better once I’m at Pack Dresmond’s home so I can support Adira.
“Hey,” a deep voice says, making me turn so quickly I almost twist my ankle. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Caleb,” I gasp, my hand resting on my chest. “I swear that you need a bell. You scared me.”
“I swear my soul left my body when I saw you almost roll your ankle. How tall are you in those?” he asks.
My lips twitch as I walk closer to him, finding that we’re almost eye to eye now.
“Tall enough,” I tease him, reaching out for my bag. “I’ll go change in the bathroom behind me. I’m going to need to move fast once I’m done though.”
“We’re going down the hall to your right once you’re ready to roll,” he says. “It’ll go right to the parking lot. Yes, we. There’s no way you’re walking alone to your van. Malcolm says you have a new battery too.”
“Thank you?” I squeak, my mouth going dry at how hot it is when he takes control of my safety.
Caleb smirks as he pinches my chin between his fingers gently, tipping it up just a bit so he can kiss me thoroughly.
“You’re welcome. Get moving, and maybe change your panties while you’re in there. I don’t want anyone to smell what’s mine.”
Perfuming as the heat rises in my cheeks, I turn and walk quickly to the bathroom. He’s not wrong about having to change my panties either.