Chapter 15EMMA
Chapter Fifteen
Noah and Emma
EMMA
“Are you sure you are up to going out tonight? Our friends will understand if we have to bail so you can rest.” Noah looks at me in the bathroom mirror as I apply my mascara.
We’ve been back in Florida for a month, and our baby girl is due any day now. We have plans to go to Joe’s with our friends for one last get-together before things get hectic with us.
“I’m fine.” He studies me in the mirror, looking for any signs that I’m lying.
“Really, I am. I’m one of the lucky ones, I guess.
This pregnancy has been really easy for me.
I mean, I do feel like a blimp, and my ankles are a little swollen, but other than being tired just a little bit more, it’s been a walk in the park.
” I turn and wrap my arms around his neck, bringing his lips to mine.
I kiss him softly, trying to ease some of the tension I feel running through his body.
My due date is in two days, and the closer I get to it, the more I can tell he’s nervous.
It’s not about being a father that worries him but the thought of me going through a painful delivery.
Even though I’ve reassured him several times that I feel calm inside and have this deep knowing that everything is going to be okay, he’s still always wanting to protect the ones he loves.
I’ve been dreaming a lot about my mom lately, and I can’t explain it, but I feel her very strongly around me, and it’s taking all my anxiousness away. She’s letting me know she’s with me and everything will be fine. I truly believe and feel that with my whole heart.
“I promise I will let you know if I get tired and need to leave. It’s just dinner and a few games of pool, so we won’t be out late.”
“I’m being overprotective again, aren’t I?” He sighs and rests his forehead against mine.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” I laugh softly. “It’s who you are, and I love you for it.”
“I just want to keep you safe,” he whispers. “It’s going to be hard to sit back and watch you go through this without me being able to do a damn thing to help.”
“I want to do this, Noah. I’m bringing our baby into this world.
There’s no greater gift to be given than that.
You just being there with me helps. If the pain becomes too much, I’ll get the epidural like we talked about, but I know I can do this.
Your mom has taught me everything I know about breathing techniques, and I teach others to do the same in their yoga practice. ”
Noah’s mom owns a yoga studio in town, and shortly after we got engaged, I went through the yoga training and now teach two days a week at her studio.
I taught up until a couple of weeks ago, and I plan on returning once I’m able to so I can keep up with my practice.
I want to be at home with our daughter as much as possible, so I’ve set it up with Miss Sylvia at the library to run the children’s program remotely, leaving me time to still work on my next book.
“I never had any doubt that you couldn’t do this. You’re the strongest person I know,” he smiles and brushes back my hair. “I can’t wait to meet our baby girl.” His blue eyes shine with so much love that it takes my breath away.
“I can’t either.” I bring him down for one more kiss before shooing him away. “Now let me finish getting ready in here, or we’ll be late.”
“Okay, okay,” he laughs. “I’m going to take Nala out before we go, and I’ll meet you downstairs.” He smacks my butt on the way out and grins when I yelp.
Laughing, I quickly finish getting ready and meet him downstairs.
The drive to Joe’s is a quick fifteen-minute drive in our small town.
With pool tables and great bar food, Joe’s Rack’em and Leave’em is a popular hangout for the locals.
The rustic beer signs and worn-out wooden floors and tables give it a dive bar feel, but you feel welcomed the moment you step in.
Joe waves to us behind the bar as we walk over to say hi. He’s older with a white beard covering his face and always wears a grin. I immediately took a liking to him, and he’s like an uncle to us all. Noah and Maverick grew up playing pool here, and more than once, Joe has kept them out of trouble.
“I thought for sure that baby would be out by now,” Joe grins at me and starts to make my favorite mocktail without me having to ask.
“Any day now,” I say, rubbing my belly. “I wanted to get one more of your hamburgers in me while I’m still able to get around.” He hands me a Shirley Temple with extra cherries, just the way I like it. “Thank you.” I take a sip and pop a cherry in my mouth.
“You’re welcome,” he grins like a proud parent. “You want the usual Noah?”
“Yeah, thanks, Joe.”
He fills Noah's glass with the local craft beer and hands it to him. “Everyone is at the back table,” he nods toward the corner. “I’ll send Sally over shortly to take your food order,” he winks at me.
“You’re the best.” I lean over and kiss his cheek.
“You just make sure to bring that baby by at some point so I can meet her.”
“We definitely will.”
Noah chuckles as we walk to the table.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, giving him a sideways glance.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Joe blush. He was beet red under that beard when you kissed his cheek. I think he’s smitten with you.”
“Joe is a sweetheart to everyone. He makes the best Shirley Temples, and his hamburgers are to die for. He deserves all the kisses on the cheek.”
“You’ve definitely made his night. I’m not surprised, though. The whole town is in love with you.”
“And I’m in love with this town. I especially love the town handyman slash secret author slash builder. He’s my favorite and wears many hats in this town.”
“Says the librarian slash yoga instructor slash children’s author,” he chuckles.
“I guess we both wear a lot of hats,” I laugh.
“You guys made it!” Bella says as we approach the table.
“We weren’t sure if we were going to get a call and have to meet at the hospital instead,” Sophia grins.
“Not yet.” I sit down on the chair Noah pulled out for me. “I have been feeling a lot of small contractions lately, but they don’t seem to be getting worse, so it must be false alarms.”
“I tried to keep her home to rest, but she won’t have it,” Noah chuckles.
“That’s because I’m feeling fine and wanted Joe’s hamburger.”
“Don’t ever get in the way of a pregnancy craving,” Travis laughs. “Ryder has told me horror stories. Just give them whatever they want.”
“Good advice,” Sophia grins at her husband. “Remember that.”
“You too,” Bella looks at Maverick.
“Babe, you get whatever you want anyway. Why change it up now?” He laughs.
“True,” she giggles.
Sally comes by to take our orders and refill our drinks. I feel my belly tighten again and rub my hand over it until it stops. I quickly dismiss it as we start talking about the wedding in May.
“Here you go, love. Joe said he made this one for you. It has extra pickles on it, just like you like it.” Sally sets the plate in front of me, and my mouth starts to water from the smell.
“Thanks, Sally. Tell Joe thank you, too.”
I hear Noah chuckle beside me. “Told you he was smitten. I don’t see anyone else at this table getting extra pickles.”
I take a big bite and moan as the flavors hit me. “Don’t worry, he’s too old to be any competition, but if he was younger and made me burgers like this…then you may have to worry.” I grin and take another bite.
“Very funny,” he says, trying to hide his smile at my teasing.
I push my empty plate away when I’m done and lean over to Noah.
“I’ll be right back. My bladder is the size of a pea when she’s squishing it like this,” I softly laugh.
“Do you need me to go with you?” He asks when I stand up.
“To the bathroom? No, I think I can still pee on my own.” I laugh when he rolls his eyes at me before I waddle to the bathroom door.
I empty my bladder and feel ten times better. I’m reapplying my lip gloss when a sudden contraction has me gripping the counter top. I feel my black leggings get wet seconds later. I breathe through the tightness surrounding my belly before walking back to the table.
“Um, Noah,” I say, standing next to his chair.
“Did you decide you needed my help after all?” He chuckles and looks up at me.
“I do need your help. I need you to drive me to the hospital. My water just broke.”
The conversation at the table stops before everyone starts talking at once and jumps up from their chairs.
“Are you sure?” Noah asks, grabbing his phone and keys from the table.
“Unless I just peed my pants, I’m pretty positive,” I laugh.
“This is so exciting! I’m going to be an Aunt!” Bella squeals.
“You guys go. We’ll take care of the tab and then meet you at the hospital.” Travis waves down Sally for the check.
“Do you need me to get your bag from the house?” Sophia asks, grabbing their things from the table in a hurry. “We can stop by and bring it to you.”
“No, we’ve been keeping it in the truck just in case,” Noah says, taking my purse from me and grabbing our jackets. “If we need anything else, we’ll let you know when we get there.”
Bella pulls her brother into a hug. “Emma’s going to be just fine,” she says softly as if reading his mind.
“She’s a strong-ass woman, and you’ll be holding your baby girl in your arms in no time.
” He nods his head and holds her before breaking away.
“You are going to be an amazing dad,” she says, blinking back the tears before she and Sophia wrap their arms around me in a group hug.
“You’ve got this, Em. Go show them how it’s done,” Sophia grins into my hair.
“I love you guys so much,” I whisper against them.
“And we love you,” they both say together.
I get my hugs from Maverick and Travis and step back to look at my best friends.
It’s the last time we will all be together like this before we add one more to our family.
I have a feeling there will be many more additions to our group in the coming years.
I take in their smiling faces and feel their love before walking with Noah to the door and one step closer to meeting our little girl.