September 1998
Stevie was now nine months pregnant and it was time. Max, who was four days past his due date, was ready to enter the world. Her water finally broke. She had been waiting for that to happen for days. She absolutely was not going to panic. She carefully got out of bed and went to change her clothes. She brushed her hair and gripped the sink when another contraction hit. They made breathing through it look so easy in Lamaze class, but fuck those teachers because this was the worst pain she'd ever felt in her life.
She took a deep breath when it was over and went to grab her bag. She walked out of her room and went into the guest room to wake up her parents.
"Mom? Max is coming," she whispered, shaking her mother gently.
Barbara sat up quickly and woke Jess up, "the baby is coming!"
Stevie stood back as her mother leapt out of bed. She chuckled a little before excusing herself so they could get ready to go. She headed downstairs and picked up the phone to call Lindsey.
"Hello?" He answers quickly, but still sounded groggy when he spoke.
"Hi. Our son is coming. I thought you might like to be there," Stevie says, smiling to herself.
She could hear Lindsey shuffle around, getting out of bed, "are you on your way to the hospital?"
"I will be in just a minute. Meet us there?"
"Of course," he pauses and she can practically hear him smiling when he speaks again, "Steph, we're about to have a baby!"
She laughs a little, "yes we are. I'll see you soon."
She hangs up and patiently waits for her parents, rubbing her stomach absentmindedly until another contraction hits.
"Okay, I don't mean to rush you guys, but I'm in a little bit of pain right now and I'd like to go to the hospital!" She yells up the stairs.
Her parents rush down and lead her outside. Her mother helps her into the car and her dad gets in to take them to the hospital.
Once they're there, both of her parents help her inside, even though she tells them she is perfectly capable of walking on her own. Of course, that happens to be right before she hunches over in pain as another contraction hits her. Jess grabs a wheelchair and makes her sit down, pushing her into the elevator.
Once they reach the maternity ward, a nurse quickly takes them back to a private room. She helps Stevie change and get into bed, letting her get settled before she starts hooking her up to various machines.
Stevie laughs as she sees Lindsey run past the room, before turning back and trying unsuccessfully to casually stroll in.
"Did I miss anything?" He asks, coming over to take her hand and kiss her on the forehead.
She squeezes his hand gently, "no, just me getting into this hospital gown and getting hooked up to all this stuff."
Once the nurse moves out of the way, Lindsey rubs her stomach gently, "hey monkey! You're coming to join us in the outside world today!"
Stevie just smiles and watches him; she feels relaxed having him there and he seems so excited to be there. She waves her parents in as they stand in the doorway, wanting to be by their daughter's side.
She squeezes Lindsey's hand through her next contraction. She's surprised that she doesn't break it.
"I want an epidural," she says as she lays back against the bed.
