Chapter 33 Jade #2
The lights dimmed and the screech of an active microphone cut through the chatter.
A woman stood at the podium, smiling. ‘Hello, everyone! Welcome to the thirty-fifth annual Best of the Greater Twin Cities!’ A roar of claps erupted.
‘I am thrilled to be the host this evening, honouring the best of the best in all areas of business.’
Jade’s breath hitched and she took in a heavy breath through her nose.
The night was finally here. Although she’d never expected anything like this to happen to her, Jade’s body was warm with validation.
Even if she didn’t win, this was a nod to all her hard work, her effort.
Against all odds, she’d made it. As the host spoke about the history of the awards, previous winners, and the nomination process, Jade straightened her back, trying to fully absorb every word so that she’d never forget it.
Lucy interlocked her fingers with Jade’s at the table and moved her mouth to Jade’s ear. ‘I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked so hard for this.’
Jade’s heart felt like it was going to explode out of her chest. She kissed Lucy’s forehead and focused back on the podium as the host called out the nominees for Best Restaurant.
She clapped for the winner and concentrated on the thank-you speeches.
For the last few weeks, she’d prepared a bit of what she would say if she won.
She didn’t want to be presumptuous, so she hadn’t written anything down, but she had rehearsed some potential remarks in the car on the way to and from work.
But looking at the two men at the podium accepting their award, both holding a notecard with shaky hands, she nibbled on her lip.
Dang it. They didn’t look presumptuous, they looked prepared. Ugh.
Her heartbeat kicked up a notch and thudded in her ear.
Only Best Tattoo Parlour, Best Independent Bookstore, and Best Coffee Shop until her category arrived.
I’d like to thank my amazing staff, and the customers who trust us every day …
Jade silently recited what she’d practised over and over until the people on stage blurred.
She pictured herself at the podium, standing tall.
Okay, dammit. She really wanted to win.
An elbow to her shoulder snapped her back to the present.
‘Oh, sorry. I’m trying to grab your ice.’ Lucy dug into Jade’s glass for an ice cube and held it against her neck. Red splotches had spread against her cheeks and chest as she shifted with a grimace.
‘Are you okay?’ Jade whispered, turning her back to the stage so she could see Lucy more clearly. Underneath the red splotches, the rest of Lucy’s skin seemed unusually pale. Her chest lifted in heavy, short breaths. Jade touched Lucy’s face. ‘Are you sick? What’s going on?’
Lucy grabbed another ice cube. ‘I’m just super hot. Maybe the baby didn’t like the grilled cheese or something. I think I just need some air.’
‘There are fewer people in the lobby. Let’s go there.’ Jade pushed back her chair and tucked her hand under Lucy’s arm to help her up.
Lucy shook her head. ‘Nope. No way. This is your big moment. There is no chance I’m going to make you miss hearing your name called.’ She grabbed her purse. ‘I’ll go by myself. My body is just being super dramatic right now.’
‘Absolutely not.’ Jade stood and helped Lucy up.
God love Lucy, but if Jade let a potentially sick Lucy sit alone in the lobby, the only award Jade would win tonight would be Worst Girlfriend Ever.
She grabbed her clutch and headed towards the door, her arm on Lucy’s elbow as they weaved between tables.
‘And the winner for Best Tattoo Parlour is—’ The door clicked behind Jade before the winner was announced, but she was crossing her fingers it would be the woman-owned shop a few blocks west of Hennepin Avenue that she’d visited when she first moved to Minnesota.
With only a few handfuls of people chatting in the lobby, the air was cooler, thank God. ‘Let’s go over there.’ Jade pointed to a vacant seat in the corner.
Lucy nodded, her fist pushing firmly against her lower back, as she waddled after Jade. ‘How many more minutes until you need to go back in there? Maybe five? Ten?’
‘We’re not even going to worry about that right now.
’ Jade helped lower Lucy to the seat and squatted in front of her.
Oof. Her face looked pinched, almost in pain, but the blotches in her neck seemed a little lighter?
Jade gnawed on the inside of her cheek. ‘Do you think maybe we should call a doctor or something? Or Drew?’
‘Nah. I’ll be fine in a second.’ Lucy bobbed her head towards the door. ‘I can’t hear what the announcer is saying. Can you? Maybe we should just prop the door open a little so we don’t miss the announcement.’
Jade scooted in beside Lucy and touched her hand to the back of Lucy’s neck. ‘Your neck is still pretty hot. Should I get you some more ice?’
‘Are you purposefully ignoring me?’ Lucy squeezed Jade’s thigh. ‘You have got to stop this fussing, okay? Go see what they’re saying in there! They have the bookstore and coffee shop one next, right, then yours?’
‘I’m not ignoring you.’ Jade grinned and peeked at her watch. Maybe in five minutes she would crack the door and see where they were at, but right now, Lucy was top priority. Something seemed off, and Jade didn’t want to spook Lucy. ‘I just want to make sure you’re okay, that’s all.’
‘I’m totally fin—’
Plurp, plurp. A sound reminiscent of when Jade pulled the drain plug from her tub whooshed from Lucy’s belly. ‘What the hell was th—’ Liquid gushed from Lucy’s legs and onto to the floor.
Lucy’s eyes widened. She glanced at the floor, back at Jade, back at the floor.
The room narrowed, everything outside of Lucy turning a murky grey.
No, no, no … now? This wasn’t … was it? A few solid moments passed before Jade flew up.
‘Was that …’ The veins in her neck felt tight, pulsing against her throat.
Should she get towels? Did the banquet hall even have towels?
Should she carry Lucy to the car? Call 911?
What was she supposed to do? No, this wasn’t right.
Lucy still had like almost two months to go. Was this bad? This was bad, right?
‘I, uh, I think my water just broke.’ Lucy’s eyes glazed over before panic filled her face. She gripped Jade’s arm. ‘Holy shit, Jade. Jade! My water … oh, we need to call … we’ve got to get to the hospital … is everything gross? Oh, no -– can someone clean …’
Even Lucy’s scattered thoughts were more coherent than what Jade’s brain could process.
She was so wrapped up in the moment, Jade didn’t realise a commotion started behind her until someone passed her to get to Lucy. ‘Are you okay? Did your water just break?’ The woman from the appetiser table was just squatting in front of Lucy.
Lucy’s mouth was practically hanging open, her eyes glazed and confused. ‘I think so?’
The woman looked at the puddle. ‘I would say definitely.’ She rested a hand on Lucy’s shoulder. ‘I’ve had four of my own. You got this.’
A hand touched Jade’s arm, shifting the swirling tunnel vision and muted voices into sharp focus.
‘You’re the partner, right?’ the woman asked. When Jade nodded, she stood. ‘Let me help you get her to the car.’
‘Can you stand?’ Jade asked, ready to carry Lucy Tarzan-style if that was called for. When Lucy nodded, Jade gripped her around the waist and heaved her up.
The room burst into action, people asking how to help, someone rushing towards them with towels, another person holding a cup of ice while walking behind Lucy as they moved to the exit.
Lucy’s body shook in Jade’s arms, her breath coming out in spurts.
‘It’s too early!’ she gasped. ‘She’s not supposed to come out for like six more weeks. I don’t know what to do. I’m not ready.’
‘There’s nothing you can do, but you absolutely got this.’ Jade glanced at the woman helping them, who tipped her head in a nod. ‘Baby girl’s ready to join the world.’
‘We didn’t even take the birthing classes yet!’ Lucy seized Jade’s arm. ‘I never learned about the breathing and hypnotist and baths or anything!’
Jade knew this, of course, but didn’t want to say anything to add to Lucy’s panic. After Lucy convinced herself she’d forget everything if she took the courses too early, they had actually signed up for the Lamaze classes. They were supposed to start Monday.
‘You’ll be fine, I promise,’ said the woman, keeping stride with Jade, then opening one of the big double doors that led outside the hall.
Jade felt a breath of heat from outside on her face.
‘Women all over the world give birth every day who’ve never taken classes.
Trust your instincts, breathe for yourself, push when you need.
’ The woman grabbed the cup of ice from the person behind, but when several people rushed over, and the woman shooed them away. ‘Give her some space, please. Now.’
Jade had no idea who this woman was, but she was absolutely her new best friend. Okay, wow. It was hot outside. She glanced around the valet space. What in the hell am I doing? ‘My car. Shit. We took the elevator.’
‘Okay, no worries.’ The woman’s calm voice was in direct contrast to Jade. ‘We’ll go sit in the shade and make a call to labour and delivery to find out her next steps while you get the car. I’ll stay with … what’s your name?’
‘Lucy.’ She pushed her name out through gritted teeth.
‘Lovely name.’ The woman tucked an arm around Lucy. ‘I’m Amelia.’
Lucy sucked in such a large breath that stopped Jade’s heartbeat. ‘Amelia? That’s my mom’s name.’
‘Ah. Meant to be then, I suppose.’ Amelia smiled and dug out an ice cube from the cup someone had handed them in the lobby.
‘Why don’t you suck on this for a while and stay hydrated.
’ She glanced up at Jade, who was frozen firmly in place, with a solid case of decision paralysis. ‘Better grab that car.’
‘Right, right. Okay, I’ll be right back.’ Jade kissed Lucy on the head and scurried back into the lobby. Holy shit, the baby is coming! Jade could not remember a time when she was so simultaneously terrified and excited.
Twenty feet in, she plucked off her heels, gripped her clutch purse, and sprinted to the elevators.