36. Adam
Adam
It’s the bottom of the fourth and we’re up by two against the Atlanta Bolts. We’ve been neck and neck with them all damn season and it’s dragged into these playoffs. Whoever wins this one goes to the World Series.
I’ve never once not wanted to play in the postseason, but this one, I can’t say I wouldn’t have minded too much to sit it out. The strain in Mia’s voice today was enough to make me want to forfeit this game entirely, but that wouldn’t be fair to my team.
Sitting on the bench, I’m grateful I’m not batting this inning and don’t have to race out and back in my catcher’s gear. Every few seconds though, I do look at that blue phone hanging on the wall of the dugout.
Exactly how mad would Olsson be if I called to check on Mia?
Before I can say fuck it and risk an ass-chewing, Will steps in front of me. “A watched phone never rings.”
I huff, nudging his arm. “Fuck off. Mia just sounded off on the phone. I don’t know, I can’t seem to shake the feeling that something’s wrong.”
“It’s weird how that sixth sense comes with the ones we love. I swear I can feel in my bones when Callie’s overstimulated. I don’t even have to be in the same room as her and it’s like a chill goes down my spine when she’s reached her limit.”
“As her brother, I appreciate that. I love that Callie has you to look out for her…as my stomach already feels like it’s in my ass with worry for Mia—got to admit, it made me feel a little worse.”
Will chuckles. “Sorry, man, I didn’t think of it like that.
I mean, on the other hand, Mia would one hundred percent call if she was in labor.
And you saw how quickly Dex was able to get out of here and be with Lucie when she went—we won’t let you miss it.
Even if it does happen during the final game. ”
“Shit, if that happens, I pray it’s at one of our home games. Although, we have to win this one first.”
“Yeah, we’ve got two outs now in this inning. The Bolts have been notorious for late-game turnarounds this season. I selfishly wouldn’t hate getting another World Series win to go along with my Cy Young Award, but Callie said my head is getting too big.”
I snort a laugh. Will’s head? No. Callie’s on the other hand…definitely. “I think she might be preaching to herself on that one. Emma already had to put her on social media restriction when you won. Any comment that disagreed was responded to.”
“Yeah, my favorite comeback of hers was when she’d ask what position they’d play if they were athletic.”
“That was a good one.” I laugh, and while I’m still a bit on edge, I gotta admit, I feel a little better.
The last strike is called for the final out, and we pop off the bench.
Will claps my back. “I’m feeling my slider again this inning.”
“Fuck, of course you are. Do you know how annoying those are to catch and not hit my thumb?”
“Yeah, it gives you something to think about, doesn’t it?”
This asshole.
Getting in position, Will throws a few warm-ups with the change of the inning with one slider, and I send a few others just for the fun of it. At this point, I know Will’s locked in, and even better, I’m positive the Bolts know it, too.
A strike comes with his first slider and two quickly follow. Nothing hits morale quite like three clean-cut strikes at the top of the inning.
The stadium noise practically vibrates the field. I know they want this back-to-back championship for the Blues, and dammit, I do, too.
Adjusting my stance, I rest in my signal position as the batters change, but the ump behind me calls time.
Dammit, is the Bolts tactic to call a timeout and hope it messes with Will’s flow? It’s a little far-fetched…but then I see Olsson headed down the field to the umpire.
I’m confused as hell for about two seconds until I see our other catcher come out of the dugout.
Holy shit. I’m up and walking to Olsson. I swear, if there is some bullshit reason for pulling me out—I don’t know how great I’ll recover.
Olsson’s grin feels pretty damning, but I hold my breath until he says, “You’re out of the game, Adam. You’re having a baby.”
I may have broken every speed limit possible—within reason—and ripped into the hospital parking lot in what had to be record time.
I don’t care if Mia will be laboring for another several hours, I need to be with her now.
I meet her dad in the lobby, and he has this smirk on his face that comes with a bit of understanding to really note how fast I just got here.
“I’ll take you to her room. Her water broke about half an hour ago. She’s dilated to six already.”
Fuck, six? That fast? Then again, what do I fucking know?
“Is she okay? Is Foster? She’s only thirty-eight weeks.”
Patrick nods as we keep a quick pace down the hall. “Mia’s blood pressure was pretty high when we got here, which they believe played a part in her going into labor early. But they’ve got it managed now, and Foster’s heartbeat is strong.”
Relief floods my body so fast that I have to hang my head. “Thank you. I’m glad you were with her at the house. I could tell in her voice that something was off.”
“Yeah, I’ll let her fill you in on that.” Patrick pauses outside her room. “Her mom and I are going to wait in the lobby, per her request, but if I can ask, we’re going to need updates when you can.”
“Of course.” I reach for the doorknob, but with what I’m sure is a mirror expression of fear and worry for Mia, I move my hand to his shoulder. “I’m going to take care of her. I promise.”
A smile tugs at his mouth. “I know you will. We’re here to take care of you, too. Now, go in there and hold my daughter’s hand.”
“That I can do.”
He claps my back as he walks past, and I open the door slowly to not take out any potential nurses.
The moment Mia sees me, her head falls back. “Thank god.”
“Hey, honey, it seems we’re having a baby today.”
Mia tosses her hands with a nervous laugh. “Yeah, seems like it.”
A nurse turns from her computer with a smile. “Is this Dad?”
Shit, yeah. “That’s me.”
“Perfect, I’m Leah. I’m Mia’s labor and delivery nurse.
To catch you up, everything’s looking really good, and Mia’s up next with the anesthesiologist to get her epidural.
In the meantime, she really needs to keep her blood pressure at or below 140/90.
If it goes up during a contraction, we can work with that, but we need it to go back down after the contraction subsides. I’ll be back to check on her in a few.”
Mia flashes me a nervous smile before looking down at her hands. “Thank you, Leah.”
The door clicks behind me, and with just the few steps I take to reach her, her blood pressure goes from 130 to 138.
“Mia, honey, what’s going on?”
She takes one deep breath, but then she bursts into tears. “This is my fault. I let myself get too worked up and now we’re having Foster two weeks early—and I have to tell you what happened—”
The machine next to me starts to beep and I see her blood pressure is up to 145/93.
“Okay, Mia, stop. Look at me.” I capture her face in my hands and wipe her tears slowly with my thumb.
“People have babies early all the time. Your dad told me Foster’s heartbeat is strong, and if there are any complications, we’re in the best place for them.
But honey, I need you to breathe for me. Can you do that?’
Mia nods as she attempts to take a small breath. “I need to tell you something.”
I glance at the screen— her blood pressure hasn’t updated yet—and see her heart rate is still hanging around 120.
“Baby, I don’t care what happened. I mean, I do, but right now I don’t.
I only care about you and our baby. For right now, nothing else exists.
Not our jobs, not our friends or family. Just me and you, okay?”
“Okay.” Mia’s hands shake as she reaches for mine.
Leaning in, I kiss her forehead. “I’m here, honey, I’ve got you.”
She takes her first real deep breath, and thankfully her heart rate drops down to normal for a few good seconds, but then it jumps back up.
Her hand squeezes the hell out of mine. It takes me a second to realize she’s having a contraction.
“I got you, honey, I promise.”
After four more hours of labor and an hour of pushing, our little girl finally makes her appearance.
Hearing her heartbeat for the first time was truly a remarkable moment, but hearing her first cry…the sound will forever be cemented in my brain.
When she settles on Mia’s chest, it truly is as if everything in the world disappears around me. There’s only them. A love that I can’t even put into words, really. One I didn’t even know could exist—and it’s mine.