CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE LUCY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
LUCY
Ilet out a heavy sigh, closing my eyes as I rub my hand over my lower back as I stop toward the end of the tunnel.
I’m not allowed to be any closer in case of any flying pucks.
I can see the ice from where I’m standing, although I’m not fully paying attention as they get into position for the opening face-off.
My body has been putting me through hell today. I hit thirty-six-weeks two days ago and the exhaustion and discomfort is so real. I want to go home and take a bath and curl up in bed—and if Theo knew that, he would have insisted I go on maternity leave yesterday instead of next week.
No matter what position I get into, my lower back has this deep aching sensation that will not go away. I’m having an off day today, that’s all it is. Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier. Only a few more hours to go and then I can head home and get comfortable.
“Why don’t you pull up a chair?” Tucker offers as he glances at me over his shoulder. “You could honestly sit in the training room, and we can grab you if we need you.”
My stomach feels heavy and the pressure in my lower abdomen is so uncomfortable. Sitting down doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. There’s a TV in the athletic training room, so I can find a place to get comfy and watch the game from there. “Are you sure? I don’t want it to be a problem.”
Tucker turns his head, saying something to Coach Frost before turning back to look at me. “Go ahead back. We’ll get you if we need you for something.”
I dip my head, forcing a smile. “Thanks, Tucker.”
My legs feel like they’re sandbags as I head back to the training room.
I stop in the doorway, a wave of nausea rolling through me.
This is miserable. It must be because of the changes in my body and lack of sleep.
It’s been harder to get a good night’s rest lately.
The nausea passes and I slip into the room, lowering myself onto the rolling chair by the counter.
As I lower myself onto the seat, it feels like a chord’s stretching inside and it snaps.
I feel the popping sensation and then I’m peeing myself.
I gasp and my cheeks instantly heat as I stand upright.
“Oh my god.” I’m fucking mortified. My pants are soaked and somehow, I’m still peeing. “Oh my god.”
What the hell do I do? I don’t have an extra pair of pants and I rode here with Theo. I need to go home and get changed at the absolute minimum.
I take a step away from the chair, glancing at the liquid on the floor, when I feel another gush.
My stomach sinks instantly. That can’t be urine.
I clutch my stomach as my entire abdomen tightens, the pain starting at my spine and wrapping around to my belly button.
My face screws up and I breathe through it.
There’s a trickle of liquid down the inside of my thighs.
Fuck me. This isn’t good.
My palms grow sweaty and my stomach rolls, anxiety washing over me as my heart races.
The baby isn’t supposed to come for four more weeks.
A whole fucking month. This cannot be happening.
I grab my phone, immediately calling Tucker.
I can’t call Theo. He’s on the ice and the last thing I need is to distract him.
Tucker is close enough to the doctors. Someone on staff must know what to do.
Tucker answers after three rings, the confusion noticeable in his tone. “Hello?”
“Tucker.” I swallow roughly, holding my stomach protectively. “Can you send one of the doctors back?”
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
I blow out a heavy breath. “I think I’m in labor.” Oh my god. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. “Don’t tell Theo.”
“Fuck. Okay. I’ll send Dr. Herr back now.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, ending the call. I set my phone down on the counter, planting my palms against it, hanging my head. My eyes burn with tears. This can’t be happening. It’s too early. The baby isn’t ready. I’m not ready.
Hell, I don’t even have a name picked out yet.
“Lucy.” Dr. Herr’s voice breaks through my panic. He’s beside me in less than a second. “What’s going on? Tucker said you think you’re in labor?”
I lift my head, tears falling down the sides of my face. I roll my lips between my teeth, nodding my head. “I think my water broke.”
“Are you having any other symptoms? Contractions? Back pain?”
“I’ve felt off all day. I’ve been having back pain the last few days and I think I had a contraction after my water broke.” I pause, glancing at the floor and back at him. “I thought I peed myself, but it was a lot and then it happened again.”
He offers a look of understanding. “I think it’s best if we get you into the hospital to at least get checked.” He pulls out his phone. “Do you have anyone who can take you?”
Elena. She’s supposed to be here tonight with Tella.
“Matteo’s sister is here. I can call her.”
“I’ll wait with you,” he says, giving me a reassuring smile as I pick up my phone and call Elena.
She answers immediately. “You’re working. Why are you calling me?”
“I need you to take me to the hospital.”
“What?” Her voice is high-pitched and panicked. “What’s going on?”
My lips part and I’m about to answer when the pain starts at the base of my spine again.
“Oh no,” I mumble, inhaling deep through my nose as the tightness begins to wrap around the front of my abdomen.
The overwhelming ache turns into a hot, searing pain as I double over, barely able to hold my phone as I get the words out. “I’m in labor.”
“The baby is breech.”
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. First, my water breaks four weeks early, then they realize my body’s progressing too fast for them to stop labor and now they’re telling me the baby is in the incorrect position.
“What happens now?”
The doctor presses her lips into a flat line as the ultrasound tech wipes my stomach, moving her machine away. “Her bottom is too low in your pelvis for us to safely attempt to flip her. Our safest option is to perform a C-section.”
My stomach tumbles to the floor and as if my body knows this entire situation is fucked, it revolts and my abdomen contracts. “Oh god.” I groan, my face screwing up, eyes rolling back. My eyelids slam shut, my head rolling against the pillow as I grip Tella’s hand with inhuman strength.
She strokes my sweaty forehead, pushing the hair that’s stuck to my skin away. “Just breathe.”
“Is it supposed to be this intense?” Elena whispers to her, thinking I can’t hear, but right now, I’m barely focused on either of them. “I thought the first time people go into labor, it’s usually drawn out and slow.”
“I don’t know,” Tella whispers her response. “I’ve never done this before.”
This is horrible. I don’t know how people think this process is beautiful, because this is absolutely grueling. I think I might die. Thankfully I don’t have to worry about trying to survive pushing a baby out, but what the actual fuck.
Surgery?
The contraction subsides and as I come back to reality, the room’s filled with a few different staff members. “We have some consent forms for you to fill out before we can get you back to the operating room. The anesthesiologist should be here in a few minutes to go over things with you as well.”
My eyes are wide as I take the clipboard from the nurse, my mind barely registering the words in ink on the papers. “Am I going to be put under?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “They’ll place a spinal block, similar to what they’d do with an epidural, rather than putting you to sleep.”
I sign the papers and hand the clipboard back to her. There’s a twinge of relief inside my chest, but it doesn’t relax me completely. I’m still going to be going back for surgery… and I’m not leaving this place without a baby.
Oh my god. I don’t even have a name for her. We haven’t even finished the nursery yet. I don’t even have my hospital bag. I’m here with only the things I had with me at work.
And here without Theo.
I look at Elena, my eyes burning as I swallow roughly. “I need you to call Theo. I know he’s in the middle of a game, but I need him to know.”
She glances at Tella and they share a knowing smile. “I made sure someone told him during the first intermission,” she admits, her voice soft as she looks back at me with emotion in her eyes. “He’s already on his way, babe.”