Chapter 9
Nine
Hannah
I’m nervous when the midwife shows up. It helps that Rebekah has come over to be with me. Adam is with her. The men are hovering. Rebekah also brought me something to wear this afternoon to the courthouse. Apparently, her husband has already started buying her dresses for her future larger self.
I’m actually surprised my sister owns any dresses at all. She never wore them growing up.
She’s changed. She’s more girly now. And bless her, she has dresses.
The one she brought is a pale yellow. It fits a bit snugly around my chest, but then it flows out around my stomach and down to my knees.
I tried it on when she got here. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever worn.
There is lace on the hem of the short sleeves.
It’s so delicate, I feel like I’m going to tear it or get it dirty.
The best part of all is the adorable white sandals Rebekah loaned me. Her feet are slightly bigger than mine, but I was able to tighten them up. They’re perfect.
I’m not wearing the outfit now, though. I have on another T-shirt that belongs to Aaric and a gray pair of leggings that belong to Rebekah.
Adam is sitting in one of the armchairs with Rebekah on his lap. I’m on the couch next to Aaric, who’s holding my hand against my thigh. The midwife, Charlene, is in the other armchair.
The room is still filled with boxes. Rebekah giggled when she arrived, but she wasn’t surprised. We haven’t had a chance to deal with the pile of mystery items.
Charlene smiles warmly. “Aaric tells me you’re due any day.”
“Yes.” I’m shaking. This is nerve-wracking.
“And you want to deliver at home?”
I shrug and glance at Aaric. “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it until I got here.”
“Have you had any contractions?”
“I don’t think so.” I squeeze Aaric’s hand. He’s my lifeline. Keeping me as sane as possible. The truth is, I’m scared to death to give birth. I haven’t really let myself think about it until now. A human is going to come out of my body. It’s going to hurt. People are going to be in the room.
I know what birth looks like. Our mother took us to other people’s homes when they gave birth. Usually, we kids played in another room, expected to be quiet and entertain ourselves while the mom-to-be screamed loud enough to shake the entire house.
Once, when I was older, I was actually in the room for part of a birth. My mother asked me to get a bowl of warm water and some towels. The woman was lying on her back with her legs spread open. Four other women were holding her hands and helping keep her knees open.
I think I blocked that out of my head until now. It was traumatizing, and I’m not sure I could have coped with the reminder in the past few months. But it’s rushing back now that the midwife is here.
She asks me a lot of questions before suggesting we go into the bedroom so I can lie down and she can palpate my stomach.
Aaric helps me to stand. Rebekah comes with us because I reach out a hand to grab hers. Adam waits in the main room.
I’m in a panic as Aaric lifts me onto the bed. He squats in front of me, putting us eye-to-eye. “Take a breath, honey.”
I inhale deeply and hold it.
He chuckles. “Sunshine, you’re going to have to let it out, too.”
Right …
Charlene clears her throat. “I don’t need you to take your clothes off today, if you aren’t comfortable with that.
Why don’t you lie back and let me touch your stomach?
I want to verify what position the baby is in.
That’s the most important information that will help you know if a home birth is going to be possible. ”
I’m beyond freaking out as Aaric helps me lie down and holds my hand. Rebekah rounds to the other side of the bed, climbs up, and kneels next to me, gripping my other hand.
Charlene gently touches my belly. She feels all around. Finally, she smiles at me. “Perfect position. Head is down. It’s very low. I suspect you’ll go into labor any time.” She moves her hands around as she continues, “Spine is over here. Bottom here.”
“That’s good?” I ask, my voice squeaking.
“It’s excellent. Since this will be your first birth, it’s hard to say how long your labor might last, but I suspect all the walking you did over the last several days sped things up.”
“Is that bad?”
“It’s not ideal, but in your case, it doesn’t matter because you’re full term. You could have gone into labor while you were walking. That would have been scary.”
I blow out a breath. She’s right. I’m lucky.
“Normally, I would do a vaginal exam to see how dilated you are, but since you know the exact date of conception, that’s not necessary. You’re due now. The baby will come when he or she is ready. If you go more than another week, we’ll revisit your options. Do you want to hear the heartbeat?”
I glance at Aaric. He’s smiling. “Yes.”
Charlene pulls a device out of her bag, turns it on, and holds up one end. “May I lift your shirt, Hannah?”
I nod.
She lifts it a few inches and sets the flat end of the monitor against my stomach. The whoosh of a heartbeat immediately fills the room.
Gasping, my eyes go wide. “That’s the baby?”
“Yes. Strong heartbeat.”
I’m relieved. Charlene has reassured me about the important parts, and she didn’t make me take off my pants. As she puts her device away, Aaric helps me sit. It takes effort. I’m struggling more than ever today.
“It won’t be long,” Charlene assures me. “I live in town, so I can be here in about thirty minutes if you decide to birth at home. Pop me a text when you go into labor, and we’ll communicate back and forth until it seems like you’re close to pushing.”
My breath hitches. A text? I know what that is, but I don’t have a phone.
Aaric rescues me. “No problem. I’ll let you know.” Right. Duh. He has a phone. That’s how he made arrangements with Charlene to come here in the first place.
Aaric helps me to the floor, and I waddle next to them to see Charlene to the door. I’m both relieved and panicky.
As a result of Charlene’s visit, Aaric declared we were heading to the courthouse immediately.
So, two hours later, we’re in front of the judge, with Adam and Rebekah as our witnesses.
The rest of Aaric’s brothers are here, too.
I hadn’t realized they would come. I hadn’t even thought they’d all known I had arrived, let alone that I’d agreed to marry their brother.
Even Asher is here with his wife, Emma. She’s lovely and so kind. All of the brothers are. Adrian, Aaron, and Andrew round up the six Gallants. Not one of them acts like this is the craziest thing they’ve ever witnessed.
Granted, according to Rebekah, she and Adam got married the same day they were reunited, so by Gallant standards, I’ve been with Aaric twice as long.
It all happens so fast. I’m shocked that Aaric even has a ring. It feels real when he slides it on my finger. Next, Judge Robert Henderson declares us husband and wife, and Aaric cups my face and gently kisses my lips.
It’s just a chaste kiss, but it’s my first, and I’m swooning inside because he’s so wonderful to me.
Everyone congratulates us, and we’re back outside so quickly that it’s hard to believe it happened.
Aaric takes my hand and kisses the ring on my finger. “This is just a placeholder, honey. We’ll get a better one in the city someday when we can make the trip.”
“It’s perfect,” I tell him. “I don’t need another one.”
He chuckles. “If you love it, we’ll at least replace it with something a bit nicer.”
We all go back to Gallant Mountain and into the main house.
I haven’t been here yet. It’s amazing. So huge.
It’s not quite finished, but apparently, there’s a basement with the same footprint as the first floor where some of their offices are located.
We don’t go down there since I can barely walk, and my ankles are so swollen they ache.
Tears well up when I notice the gorgeous cake on the dining room table. It’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen, frosted in white and decorated with yellow flowers.
“The bakery put this together on short notice,” Rebekah tells me, “but I think it’s perfect. It matches your dress and your sunny personality.”
It feels like my personality is anything but sunny. I’m so exhausted that I’m dead on my feet. Aaric is well aware. He rushes us through some pictures and cake before swinging me into his arms to carry me from the house.
I giggle. “You can’t carry me.”
“Of course I can. Even at nine months pregnant, you weigh nothing. Plus, you were about to collapse. You need to lie down and get your feet up.”
He’s right. That sounds like heaven. Or as close as I can get to heaven under the circumstances.
“Are you hungry?”
I shake my head. “No. You feed me every hour.”
He chuckles as we enter the house. “Then, how about we get you comfortable in bed. You need more sleep, and you’ll feel better if you’re not standing.”
“Thank you.” I have a death grip on his neck as he continues into the bedroom. I’m nervous. I know he said we don’t have to have sex, but we’re married. Isn’t that my duty? It seems like I should let him be with me even if it’s uncomfortable.
“Do you think you can take your dress off and put one of my T-shirts on without help, honey?” He deposits me in the spot where I’ve been sleeping.
“Yes.” I don’t look at him.
He sits on the edge of the bed, cups my cheek, and lifts my face.
“We’re not having sex, Hannah. I’ve told you that, and I meant it.
Not tonight. Definitely not until you’re cleared by the doctor in a few months.
And even then, we’ll wait until you’re ready emotionally.
There’s no rush. Stop fretting.” He lifts a brow.
He read my mind. “Okay.”
“Can’t promise I won’t ever see you naked because I’m not going to leave the room every time you change or nurse the baby, but I’m sure the idea is making you panic right now, so I’ll step out while you put my shirt on, honey.”
He’s the best man in the world. I can’t believe this is happening. I’m the luckiest woman alive.