24. Darcy Marie Whitestone, are you in fucking labor right now?
Chapter 24
Darcy Marie Whitestone, are you in fucking labor right now?
Darcy || 38 weeks pregnant, February 19th
I probably shouldn’t be attending this hockey game, considering that I could go into labor at literally any moment. I’ve felt kind of off all day, my back feeling tighter than normal, but I wasn’t going to tell anyone only for them to make me stay home alone. It’s the last qualifier to see if the guys move into the Stanley Cup, and it’s been a tight season. I don’t want to miss them securing their spot in another round, especially since Maverick rented a box for all of us. Logically, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but illogically I would rather be here with my friends and family.
I’ve secured a seat at the front of the box sitting with Victoria, Kodi’s mom, while the girls stand in the back getting drinks before the game starts. Tatum is down in the tunnel with the guys just in case he has to handle anything, that hasn’t stopped him from texting me several times to check-in.
Tatum
Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You just didn’t seem like yourself today, should we go to the hospital?
The answer to that question is probably yes, but until I’m having full-blown contractions, I’m not going in.
Me
I’m fine Tatum, if that changes, you will be the first to know. I love you.
Tatum
I better be, I love you too. I’ll try to make it up there at some point.
Me
I’d love that, if not I’ll see you after.
“He’s worried about you isn’t he?” Victoria asks, reading over my shoulder.
“Hey, nosey!” I lock my phone and place it in my lap, “but yes he is very worried.”
“Well you are getting to that point, you probably shouldn’t be here in all this excitement.”
“I wasn’t going to miss this game. It might be the last one of the season.”
“Okay, whatever you say sweetie.” She smiles softly at me, I know she wants to mom me but I think she can tell that I’m not feeling that right now.
The lights in the arena dim, and the girls, plus Bella, join us at the front of the box, screaming, hooting, and hollering for the guys as they skate onto the ice. Maverick of course finds the box, pointing his stick at his girls,and placing his hand over his heart. I wonder if Tate would’ve done something similar for me had he been able to continue playing after his injury.
The puck drops and all hell breaks loose, the Houston Knights manage to get possession of the puck and beeline it for Nik and the net. Dom isn’t about to let that happen but when one of the opposing players bumps him, he loses his mind. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sin’s hands cover her mouth as she watches Dom grab him by the jersey and push him back. They both end up in the penalty box leaving Nik with one less person helping protect the net and letting Houston secure the first goal of the game.
* * *
It’s the final period of the game, and I’m standing with my hands on my lower back. As the game has progressed, so has my back pain. During the second period, I began to feel an occasional tightening in my abdomen. They were pretty far apart at first, but now we are in the final period and they are getting closer together. My chest is heaving with each one. When I see Kodi nudge Sin out of the corner of my eye, I know I’m done for.
“Darcy Marie Whitestone, are you in fucking labor right now?” Sinclair yells, visibly pissed I didn’t say anything.
“Uh, no? I mean… I don’t know. Yes?” I smile sheepishly at her.
“Oh my god.” Harley rolls her eyes, “I’m calling Tate. Let’s go.”
In a flash, Bella is in Victoria’s arms, and Kodi is guiding me out of the box and down to the player exit. Sin is leading the charge, and everyone else follows closely behind us as Harley speaks quietly into the phone. Tatum’s Porsche squeals to a halt in front of the door and he jumps out, breathing heavily as he approaches me.
“Darcy, Mama, are you okay? What can I do?” Tatum’s voice is filled with tension as he flings the door to the Porsche open for me, helping me in and securing my seatbelt.
“Getting me to the hospital would be a great place to start.” I grit as another contraction hits.
“See you all there!” He yells before hopping in, leaving our friends in the dust.
“Did you call Rose?”
“As soon as I hung up with Harley.”
“We need to call Dr. Freyer and I’ll text my mom,” I tell him, trying to keep my breathing even and dialing the number they gave for when labor starts.
“Tampa Hospital, this is Leanne, how can I help you?” A high-pitched yet bubbly voice greets through the phone.
“I’m in labor.” That’s all I can get out before a gush of liquid leaves my body, “holy shit my water broke.”
“Oh fuck.” Tatum’s tone is calm, but the way his shoulders bunch and the car starts moving a little faster betrays him.
“Okay, ma’am, are you on your way in? What’s your name and who is your doctor? How far apart are your contractions?” Leanne quizzes calmly, keys clacking in the background.
“We should be there in the next ten minutes. My name is Darcy Whitestone and it’s Dr. Freyer. Contractions are about four minutes apart right now.”
“Okay Ms. Whitestone, you’ll pull up outside the labor and delivery ER entrance and then we will get you all settled in,” she instructs.
“Thank you, see you soon.” I hang up the phone, leaning my head back and breathing through the contraction. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Not telling you sooner that I was having contractions.”
“It’s okay, honestly I could tell something was off but I didn’t want to force you to leave until you were ready.” He grins, pulling the car in front of the ER. An orderly is waiting with a wheelchair and assists me out of the car. “I have to go park the car, I’ll see you in there.”
“Wait, I don’t want you to leave.” My throat clogs, fear setting in now that we’ve arrived.
“Mama, I can’t-”
“I’ve got it.” Kodi’s voice comes from behind Tate, “Get her inside and I’ll get the cars switched out.”
“Thank you.” We say in unison before Tatum tosses Ko the keys and pushes me inside and to reception.
The next few minutes are a flurry of questions and me breathing through the pain, getting wristbands and then we are being wheeled up to the labor and delivery floor by Trina, the nurse who will be with us until shift change.
“Ready for this, Mama?” Tatum asks in that horrific, familiar accent and, because of the pain and the onslaught of another contraction, the faux accent irrationally pisses me off. He’s trying to break the tension but now that I’m here and faced with pushing a whole ass child out of my vag, I’m not having it.
“Now is not the fucking time, Tatum Reed. I will kill you.” I seethe, screaming as another, larger contraction strikes. Trina laughs under her breath. I’m sure this isn’t the first time she’s heard this and I can guarantee it won’t be the last.
* * *
The epidural was a magnificent invention. The contractions are muted but I have been in labor for eight hours at this point and I’m only dilated four centimeters. Kodi switched out the Porsche for my car since that’s where the carseat is installed, Tatum had Mav double-check no less than three times that it was properly installed. Along with grabbing our go bags and dropped them off while our friends have taken up residence in the waiting room. The guys lost their game and then when they saw their texts, got here as fast as they could.
“Do you need anything?” Tate asks, leg bouncing as he sits beside the bed, hand in mine.
“No, but I think if everyone is still sitting out in the waiting room. They should go home and get some rest. We can call when he comes.” I tell him, rubbing my stomach, “Plus you probably need a walk and some coffee. You haven’t left my side since we got here and, though I appreciate it, you need to take care of yourself too.”
“You’re probably right. I won’t be gone too long but if anything happens, call me please.”
“I’ll be okay Tate.” He places his forehead on mine, kissing me softly before he exits the room. I find myself relaxing in the quiet of the room, letting my eyes drift close for a moment.