The morning of October 16th had started of as any other morning. For the first time in the past few weeks, I had managed to get a full night's sleep without worrying about Tom. Of course, I shouldn't have worried; after all he's done this twice before, his pregnancy had been textbook so far and between the two of us, I've lost count of how many babies we've delivered. What's one more?
But it's so different when it's your own...
Nonetheless, that morning I lay in bed, not willing yet to get up...until I hear a sigh from Tom next to me. It's not much, but I can tell something's different. It's deeper and laced with the slightest hint of pain, followed by breathing that's slow, even, and intense. Turning over to look at him, he's sitting up in bed, his hands ghosting over his rounded stomach as he keeps an intense gaze with the wall.
“Tom?”
It's a few more moments before the gaze settles and he looks at me with a smile. “I think this is it.”
“Are you sure? Babe, why didn't you wake me up? I could have helped you.”
“My contractions are a good 8 minutes apart. It's still a good ways off and nothing I couldn't handle on my own. Besides, I figured you needed your sleep.”
“Well I appreciate the sentiment.” I smiled as I sat up to give him a kiss. Leave it to him to put my needs before his, even when in labor. It was about that time that we could hear stirring in the hallway, followed by the sound of quiet giggles and shushes.
“Ok you two.” I laughed. “You can come in now.”
First in was Tegan, our 2 year old who sported his father's curls and disarming smile which was in full effect as he bounded onto our bed and into my arms to give me my good morning kiss. Next came in Phoenix, our 8 year old going on 30 and my mini-me who was always interested in the latest from our patients.
“Sorry mom. I kept telling him he needed to be quiet.” she said as she climbed into the bed next to Tom.
“That's alright. We were up anyway.” he says before giving me a look and turning to Tegan. “What would you think of going to spend the day with Grandma today?”
At the sound of spending the day with my mother, Tegan lit up with a reply of 'Gamma gamma!” but Phoenix's eyes had gone wide as she realized what that meant.
“You're having the baby today?” she asked, the slightest bit of excitement in her voice.
“It probably won't be until later this afternoon, but I'm pretty sure it's gonna happen today.” Tom smiled as she promptly exploded with a squeal.
“Did you hear that Tegan? Our little brother or sister's gonna be born today!”
Being only two, I questioned sometimes of how much Tegan understood about his soon-to-be born sibling. Of course, we had read several 'I'm a big brother' books with him and he seemed to understand that there was a baby in daddy's tummy, but other than that, he seemed fairly indifferent to the idea. Except when he was with Phoenix. Whenever she'd get excited with the baby, he'd seem to be more excited too; often joining in whenever Phoenix would talk to Tom's growing stomach. But today with Phoenix's comment, the light bulb seemed to go off.
“Baby coming?”
“Yep. Baby's coming today. Now tell daddy and baby bye so we can get you ready to go with Grandma, okay?”
Gingerly giving Tom a big hug, he next turned his attention to Tom's stomach, giving it a large hug before saying “Come out soon baby!” to it which made us all laugh.
As Tegan leaves the room, I can't help but notice Phoenix looking at me with hopeful eyes and I know what she's waiting for. Ever since we told her that she'd be getting another little brother or sister, she has begged that we let her stay for the birth. When Tegan was born, we had sent her to stay with my mum and she had been so disappointed when she realized she had missed it. So once she found out we were going to have another home birth, she was asking constantly to please let her stay; even going so far as to use her eighth birthday wish on it. But we never gave her a direct answer, only a “We'll have to see...” to hold her until the next time she asked. But there wasn't going to be a next time. She needed an answer now.
“Do I need to get ready too?” she asks quietly and I can tell she's holding her breath, praying for yes but bracing for no.
“Not just yet.” Tom replies. “But you will need to change into your bathing suit and shorts at some point.”
“Really?! I can stay?” she squeaks and I chuckle at her reaction as I nod.
“Well someone needs to help me fill up the tub, right? Besides, I'm going to need my best assistant to help me out.”
“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!” The words come out in a rush as she scurries across the bed to hug both of us and just as quickly, she's getting down to rush to her bedroom to change clothes. If only getting her moving in the morning was always that easy...
“You're welcome. Now go help your brother get dressed and I'm coming in a second to make some breakfast.”
“Okay!” she called out over her shoulder as she hurried out the room.
“I think she's pleased.” he chuckled before his expression changes to a grimace.
“Contraction?” I ask and all I get is a nod before he grabs hold of my hand and shifts into his controlled breathing. Tom was never one for someone telling him to breathe, preferring instead the comfort of touch as he squeezes my hands tighter, dropping his head to my shoulder as the pain reaches its peak. After a few moments, I can feel him relax again and looks at me with a smirk.
“Now remind me why I agreed to do this again...” he chuckles before giving me a quick peck. “I love you...”
“Love you too. I'm going to go make the kids some eggs and toast for breakfast; do you want anything? You'll need to keep up your strength.”
“Actually, an egg sandwich sounds great about now.”
“No problem. I'll send it up in a bit.”