Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Kinsley
“You can build multi-million-dollar programs and computer systems, yet you can’t build a simple little crib?” I smirked at him as he sat on the floor with all the pieces scattered around him.
“I don’t have to think about computer systems and programs. They come naturally to me. But this—this is ridiculous.”
“Hello, anyone home?” I heard Lexi yell from the foyer.
“Upstairs in the baby’s room,” I shouted.
“Whoa. What’s going on in here?” She smiled at me.
“Chase is trying to build the crib.”
“Trying?” Her brow arched.
“Listen, Lexi. This isn’t as simple as you think it is. This is some complex shit.”
“Oh, for God's sake. Give me those directions,” she spoke as she walked over to him and ripped them from his hand. “Kinsley, come over here. Chase, leave.”
“Excuse me?”
“Kinsley and I got this. We’ll call you when it’s done.”
“What the hell, Lexi?”
She grabbed Chase by his hand, helped him from the floor, and then pushed him out of the room.
“Go surf some waves or something.” She shut the door.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Are you sure we can do this?” I asked.
“Piece of cake.” She grinned.
It took a little over an hour, and finally, the crib was built. It was beautiful and fit for a prince. I walked over to the door and opened it just as Chase was walking up the stairs eating an apple.
“I was just coming to check on the two of you,” he spoke.
“It’s finished.” I smiled.
He stepped inside the room and stared at the crib that sat against the wall.
“How the hell did you build that in an hour?” he asked.
“Girl power, my friend. Girl power.” Lexi smiled.
“Thank you.” He walked over and kissed Lexi’s cheek. “Tell anyone about this, and not only will I fire you, but I’ll disown you as a best friend.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. I’d hate to embarrass you.” She grinned.
“Since you two beautiful ladies worked so hard, how about I treat you to dinner?” he spoke.
“First of all, it wasn’t hard,” Lexi said. “And second of all, dinner sounds great. I’m starving.”
I stood in the middle of the starry-themed nursery and looked around at how perfect it was. Everything was in its place and waiting for the prince's arrival to occupy it.
“One more week,” Chase spoke as his arms wrapped around me from behind.
“I can’t believe he’s almost here.”
“We just need to get through my father’s wedding this weekend.”
“We’ll be fine. First babies are always late.”
“Not the answer I wanted to hear.” He chuckled.
“That was nice of your dad to postpone their honeymoon until after the baby was born.”
“Yeah. He’s pretty excited about his grandson. In fact, I think he’s more excited than he was about me.”
“That’s not true.” I smacked his hand.
“Are you up for going out to dinner?” he asked. “Or would you rather stay in, and we can order something?”
“I would love to go out, and I’m really craving Mediterranean food. Can we go to that place over on Sunset Boulevard?”
“We can go anywhere you want.” He kissed my shoulder.
The hostess took us to a booth, and for some reason, there was barely any room between the seat and the table, so it was impossible for me and my belly to fit.
“Do you have a table?!” I asked with irritation. “Why the hell are your booths like this? God help anyone who is fat.”
I heard Chase snicker.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s a table right over here,” the hostess spoke.
“You think this is funny?” I glared at Chase as we sat down at the table.
“No, darling. Of course, I don’t.” He brought his fist up to his mouth to stop the laughter from escaping him.
“The hell you don’t! You wouldn’t be laughing.”
He reached across the table and grabbed my hand.
“Calm down. It’s not you. It’s the restaurant. Look around. All the booths seem to be like that. Sweetheart, you’re nine months pregnant.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I just feel like a beached whale.”
“You’re not a beached whale. You’re a stunning and gorgeous woman who’s carrying my son. Beached whales are far from being stunning and gorgeous.” He smirked.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m sorry,” I spoke. “I love you.”
“Don’t apologize. I love you too.”
The Calloway wedding day was here. I stood in the mirror and stared at my large self in my long black strapless Valentino gown.
I wasn’t feeling too well, but I couldn’t let Chase know because it was his father’s wedding day, and he was the best man.
Plus, I didn’t want him worrying about me.
He had to go over to his father’s house early with the other groomsmen, so Lexi and Ben were picking me up.
“You look so beautiful.” Lexi smiled as she walked over to me and grabbed my hand.
“Thanks. So do you.”
“God, it’s hard to believe that little baby Calloway is due to grace us with his presence next week.”
“I hope he’s on time because I can’t deal with this pregnancy anymore. I’m so uncomfortable.”
“Are you ready to go?” she asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I smiled.
When we arrived at the church, I saw Chase standing and talking to Alex. A wide grin crossed his face when he glanced over and saw me.
“There you are.” He walked over and kissed me. “You look absolutely gorgeous. “How’s my son doing?” he asked as he placed his hand on my belly.
“He’s fine. How’s your dad? Is he nervous?” I asked.
“No. He’s a pro at this. I think at this point, it doesn’t even phase him.”
“Excuse me, Mr. Calloway. We’re ready to start now,” Belinda, the wedding planner, spoke to him.
“All right. I guess it’s time. I’ll see you soon.” He brushed his lips against mine.
Lexi, Ben, and I walked down the aisle and took our seats in the first row, which was reserved for us by Chase.
“Are you okay?” Lexi asked as she saw me place my hand on my belly.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
The truth was, I was having Braxton Hicks, which made me very uncomfortable.
I looked over at Chase, standing at the altar next to his dad.
He gave me a wink just as the music started, and the bride began walking down the aisle.
Penelope looked beautiful in her long white satin beaded gown that sat gracefully off her shoulders.
Her brown hair was in an updo with beautiful crystals scattered throughout.
I shifted in my seat, and Lexi placed her hand on my leg. As the minister started to speak, I began to sweat. The pain began to radiate throughout my lower back. Chase knew something was wrong because he kept glancing at me with a troubled look.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a whisper.
“I’m not sure, but I think I’m in labor. Don’t say anything yet. I need to get through this ceremony.”
“Fuck! Are you serious?”
“I thought they were Braxton Hicks, but this is different.”
I looked up at Chase, staring at me with a narrowed eye, and lightly shook my head because of his concerned look.
“If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the minister spoke.
“OH, MY GOD!” I shouted uncontrollably.
“Excuse me?” the minister spoke as all eyes diverted to me.
“Holy shit!” I bit down on my bottom lip as the pain radiated throughout me. I’m so sorry.”
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Chase asked as he ran over to me.
“I’m in labor.”
“Sorry, Dad. I gotta go,” he spoke as he placed his hand in his pocket, took out the ring, and handed it to Steven. “Take my place, bro. I need to get Kinsley to the hospital,” he spoke as he took hold of both my hands and helped me up from my seat.
Dean walked over to me and kissed my cheek.
“I’m so sorry,” I spoke.
“Don’t be. This is the best wedding present I could have ever asked for. Go have my grandson, and we’ll be by later.” He smiled.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go,” Chase spoke as he helped me up the aisle and to the car. I sat there, finally able to breathe. The pain had stopped. Shit. What if it was Braxton Hicks and I had just ruined the wedding? The thought horrified me.
“How are you feeling?” Chase asked as he reached over and placed his hand on my belly.
“I’m okay now.”
“So, you’re not in labor?” His brow arched.
“I don’t know! I’ve never been in labor before. I can’t tell if it’s real or not.”
As we drove down the highway, the pain shot through me again, jolting me out of my skin.
“FUCK!” I screamed as I placed my hands on my belly. “It’s definitely labor!” I yelled.
“We’re almost there. Breathe through it. Practice your yoga breathing or something,” he spoke in a panicked tone.
The pain subsided as I leaned against the headrest and closed my eyes for a moment.
“This is no time for a nap, sweetheart,” Chase spoke.
I opened one eye and glared at him.
“I’m not taking a nap!”
He pulled up to the emergency room entrance, threw the car in park, and grabbed a wheelchair from inside the doors. Taking my hand, he helped me from the car and into the chair.
“What’s going on?” a tall man in blue scrubs asked as he approached us.
“She’s in labor,” Chase calmly spoke.
“It’s a good day to have a baby.” He smiled. “Did the two of you just come from a wedding?”
“My father’s,” Chase spoke.”
“Are you a doctor?” I asked.
“I’m Dr. Jameson Finn, and you are?”
“Kinsley Davis.”
He stopped at the nurses’ station inside the ER and told them to call up to Labor and Delivery.
“Tell them that Kinsley Davis is in labor,” he spoke.
“They said to keep her down here for now because there aren’t any rooms available. But one will be ready soon,” the woman in Snoopy scrubs spoke.
“Jesus Christ.” Dr. Finn shook his head. “It seems like we have a baby boom going on right now. No worries,” he spoke as he wheeled me through the double doors and into one of the rooms.
“You’re kidding me? Right?” Chase spoke with irritation.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get her upstairs as soon as a room is available. I’ll call and have them send down a labor and delivery nurse.”