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Chapter 27 - Packing the Hospital Bag

I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at the empty suitcase in front of me. Packing for a hospital stay—something I'd only ever seen in movies or heard about in passing—was suddenly very real. It was another reminder that this wasn't some distant future I had time to prepare for. Rebecca would be here soon, and I needed to be ready.

"Okay, let's do this," I muttered to myself, reaching for my phone to double-check the list my mom had texted me.

She had been buzzing with excitement the past few days, eager to help me get everything ready for Rebecca's arrival. We'd already set up the nursery, her crib was made up with soft blankets, and tiny clothes were folded neatly in the dresser. But now it was time to prepare for the moment I'd been simultaneously dreading and anticipating—the trip to the hospital.

My fingers hovered over the screen as I scrolled through the checklist. My mom had added way more things than I thought I'd need, but I guess it was better to overpack than to forget something important.

"Comfy pajamas, check," I murmured, getting up to rummage through my drawers. I pulled out a soft pair of loose pajama pants and an oversized shirt. Comfort was key, right?

Next, I grabbed a robe—another item on the list—and tossed it into the suitcase. As I reached for my slippers, I paused, feeling a strange mix of emotions bubbling up inside me. This was really happening. I was packing to go to the hospital to give birth. Rebecca wasn't just this abstract idea anymore. She was real, and she'd be in my arms soon enough.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Focus, Mia.

Toiletries were next. I threw in my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and some travel-sized shampoo and body wash. My mom had said the hospital would have most of what I'd need, but it would feel more comfortable having my own things. I grabbed a few hair ties and my favorite lip balm, tossing them into a small bag.

Then I reached the part of the list that made my heart skip a beat—baby clothes. I walked over to the dresser where all of Rebecca's clothes were neatly folded. I hesitated for a moment, running my hand over the tiny onesies and socks. How could something so small have such a big impact on my life?

I finally chose a pale pink onesie with tiny flowers on it, soft and delicate. I grabbed a matching hat and a pair of tiny mittens, then folded them gently and placed them in the suitcase. For a moment, I just stared at the baby clothes, my mind swirling with thoughts of what the next few weeks would be like.

Rebecca. My daughter. The weight of that hit me again, but this time, it wasn't as scary as it used to be. I was still terrified, sure, but I had my family. I had Tara and Ethan. And I had myself—stronger than I gave myself credit for sometimes.

"Diapers," I mumbled, checking the list again. I grabbed a handful of newborn diapers and added them to the pile. My mom had made sure I had a whole stash at home, but she insisted I bring some with me "just in case."

As I zipped up the suitcase, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me. This was one of the last steps before everything changed. And I was ready. Well, as ready as I could be.

Just as I was about to close the suitcase, my mom knocked on the door and peeked her head in. "Hey, how's it going in here?"

I smiled, waving a hand toward the suitcase. "Just about done. Thanks for the list, by the way."

She stepped into the room, glancing at the open suitcase. "Looks like you've got everything covered. It's starting to feel real, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It is."

She sat down on the edge of the bed, watching me for a moment before speaking again. "You're doing great, Mia. I know it's a lot to handle, but you're stronger than you realize."

I shrugged, not sure how to respond. "I'm trying."

She reached over, squeezing my hand. "That's all you need to do. Just keep trying."

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything unspoken between us. My mom had been my rock through all of this, even when I wasn't sure how to navigate the overwhelming emotions of being pregnant at sixteen. I didn't know how I would've gotten this far without her support.

"Dad said he's working on the car seat, right?" I asked, breaking the silence.

She smiled. "Yeah, he's got it covered. You know how he is—triple-checking everything to make sure it's perfect."

I chuckled softly. "That sounds like him."

Mom glanced at the suitcase again. "You packed something to wear home, right?"

"Yeah, I grabbed some loose clothes. I doubt I'll want to wear anything tight after all of this," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

She laughed. "Smart move. Trust me, you'll be glad you did."

I zipped up the suitcase and set it aside, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. Another item checked off the list. Another step closer to meeting Rebecca.

As I stood there, a part of me wanted to ask my mom about her own experiences, what it was like for her when she had me. But I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear the answers just yet. For now, I just needed to take things one step at a time.

"Well," I said, letting out a breath, "I guess we're ready."

Mom nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. "We are."

I placed a hand on my belly, feeling Rebecca's soft movements inside me. "We'll see you soon, baby girl," I whispered, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of peace.

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