Growing with J.A.C.I.E. (All Time Low Fanfiction | Jack Barakat)

Chapter 19

A week past my due date, and Meerkat still hadn't decided to make her grand entrance. I'd had some Braxton Hicks contractions, but that was all that happened. The pain would be there, but the frequency would not. It made me afraid of what the real thing would be like. I was officially over being pregnant. She was pressing down on my bladder more often than not, I was tired, and my body was exhausted.

The only good thing to come out of this delay was the fact that every day that passed was another day I wasn't a mother without Jack next to me. Initially, it seemed like I would have had to do the whole parenting thing without him for at least a week or even longer. But, now, there was actually a chance that he'd even be there for the birth.

My doctor had already spoken to me about the possibility of having to be induced if Meerkat didn't decide to make an appearance soon. But even those dates happened to be just after Jack came back home. He was already coming back in two days. As long as Meerkat decided she was still comfy, there was a big possibility that Jack wouldn't miss it, like we had been preparing for since that first positive pregnancy test.

To make matters even more positive, my dad was flying over again as well. Initially, he was just waiting for the call that I was going into labour, and he'd come on over to help out when I got to take her home. But it was taking so long now. He decided he'd come before my induction date so he could help calm my nerves and help out as soon as she was born.

We just needed to pick him up from the airport first. May was still there by my side despite her stay taking much longer than expected. She refused to leave as she had promised both me and Jack that she'd be there. But now with my dad coming back, she was finally free to go home and do her own thing. Not without first helping me pick up my dad, of course.

I felt a little strange sitting in the passenger seat. It was hard to get comfortable. The seatbelt felt too tight, my back was aching, and the turns were making me feel nauseous. I wasn't anything new or special, but everything was constantly causing alarm bells to ring. My mind was always considering the possibility that every sensation could be the start.

"You good?" May asked, noticing my discomfort.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, brushing it off as another one of those false alarms.

"You sure?"

I nodded, my hand resting on my belly. "Yeah, cars and baby don't mix."

"Okay..." she gave me a concerned look over before returning her attention to the road.

The drive to the airport seemed longer than usual, each bump on the road making me more aware of the discomfort. Despite my attempt to downplay it, May kept a watchful eye on me, concern evident in her expression. As she parked the car in the arrivals area, I tried to shake off any weird feelings I was having, reminding myself that the main event was bringing my dad back to be part of the journey ahead.

We made our way inside the airport, the hustle and bustle of travellers around us. It almost felt too overwhelming with the state I was in, but I kept my focus on seeing my dad again. As we approached the arrivals gate, I scanned the faces coming through the arrival doors, eager to spot my dad. The airport announcements echoed overhead, making the anticipation settle in even further. Eventually, he walked through the doors, suitcase in hand.

"Dad!" I called out, a genuine smile lighting up my face.

He spotted us, his face breaking into a wide grin. "Jacie, May!"

For a split second, before he embraced me, I swore I could feel something happening inside of me. But it didn't last long enough for me to truly over analyse. Every internal feeling made my heart skip, thinking it was time – even the simple feeling of a grumbling stomach. The moment was so short lived, that I put all my energy into the hug instead.