Peace by Piece-Rucas

Peace by Piece One Shot. I Cried.<3

"EXCUSE ME!" Weaving around the hospital halls while pushing a wheelchair, I'm shouting, hoping for people to move out of my way. And to my luck, they do. I mean wouldn't you if you saw a man running down the halls and screaming? "And time!" I whisper to myself, stopping the stopwatch with a smile on my face. "10 minutes and 32 seconds from my house to the Labor and Delivery area. That's gotta be some sort of record." I all but shout in excitement. 

"Sir?" Glancing up at the woman behind the desk, she's staring at me expectantly. What? "Did you need something or do you enjoy causing scenes in a hospital?"

Sassy. "I was just timing, for when my wife goes into - you don't care." I whisper and roll the wheelchair away from me, so it can join the rest of them. "That ramp could use like a speed bump or something." I add on in an effort to gain some sort of pride back, and only after I said it do I realize how stupid I sounded.

Riley is 2 days past her due date. 

2 DAYS!

Our son is a stubborn thing. Apparently Emily was the same way and to be honest, I think that's a trait that belongs to their mother. But who am I to judge? My phone ringing pulls me out of my thoughts, a picture of my wife and daughter flashes on the screen. "Hello my queen." 

"Lucas, what are you doing baby?"

Chuckling lightly, I glance at the hospital behind me that I'm leaving and turn on my truck. "Nothing of great importance." Yet. "Did you need something? I can pick anything up while I'm out." Yes, she's one of those spoiled pregnant women! Do I care? No. I made her that way, despite her protests.

There's a small sigh on the other end of the phone, "No. I sent Emily off to my mom's tonight, I just felt incredibly exhausted and Cooper apparently feels the same way he's gotten real still." 

So funny story, we named our son, Cooper James. Why? Well, Em kind of went on a 'Fox and the Hound' kick, and wanted to name him 'Copper', Riley came up with Cooper since it sounds like less of a dog name and we all agreed, immediately falling in love with it. "Alright sweetheart, I'll be home soon."

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Deciding against her wishes because I know she's stubborn, I stopped for cookies 'n cream ice cream. Something she has loved since the beginning of her second trimester. "HONEY! I'M HOME!" 

The door slams shut behind me as I step inside my house, that Riley made into a home. As soon as I enter the living room, I'm frozen in my spot. Riley's stands there, a hand on her stomach and her eyes fixated on the floor. A large puddle is splayed out across the floor, "Um, my water broke." She whispers faintly, the ghost of a smile that was on her face transforms into a huge one. Me? I'm standing here with my jaw wide open. "Lucas? Did you hear me?"

My jaw snaps shut, shaking my head clear, I glance back up and meet her in the eyes. "Uh, what?"

"My water broke baby, can you get me to a hospital?" I notice her teasing tone, but when I notice that she in fact did say her water broke, I'm rushing towards our room to get the overnight bag and diaper bag. "I guess that's a yes."

"GET YOUR SLIPPERS ON SWEETHEART!" I shout, you can hear the excitement in my voice. Tossing both bags on my shoulders, I ensure I have my wallet, phone, and keys before running back into the living room. "Alright, I'll call your mother along the way and let her know what's going on. Then I'll call my parents, they'll want to be there too. And just as we discussed all other family later, when you aren't so tired and want to murder someone." Setting the bags in the car, I'm reversing out of the gravel driveway and rather quickly, my eyes quickly glance towards the empty car seat that I installed almost 2 months ago. "I can't believe this is happening." I whisper.

Riley's Point of View.

"I can't believe this is happening." 

Glancing down towards my stomach, I fall back onto the couch. "Well Cooper, daddy just up and left us. I wonder how long it will take for him to realize that we aren't in the truck?" Knowing that I won't be able to eat until after I have Cooper, I saunter into the kitchen and make a sandwich, but as soon as I'm done adding jelly to my PB&J, the front door slams open. 

Well, it took him longer than I thought. A sheepish Lucas stands at the front entryway, "Kind of freaked out for a second there."

Taking a bite of my sandwich, I simply nod. "Yeah, you did." I muster out, not having a care in the world that my mouth is somewhat full.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, I just got caught up in the moment."

Nodding in agreement, I finish off my sandwich and dust off my hands. "No problem. Gave me time to eat a little something." I quip and waddle my way towards my husband, "just from now on, let's agree that you need to take me with you to the hospital when I go into labor? Deal?"

"I guess." He quips before practically carrying me to the truck.I 

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I cried because I wanted something other than ice chips.

I cried because I couldn't get into a comfortable position.

I cried because the nurses kicked Lucas out of the bed, right after I found a comfortable position.

I cried because I've been in labor for 13 hours.

I cried because I was tired and Lucas said he couldn't push for me.

I cried a lot tonight and into the early hours of the morning.

But now I'm crying because I'm holding my little boy, my Cooper. Standing at 21 and a half inches, and weighing in at 8 pounds, Cooper is a big boy. I'm crying because I have Cooper in my arms, an awed big sister on my right and a proud father who can't stop staring at his son on my left. "You did such a good job sweetheart. I love you so much."

And I cried again.

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Just something I threw together real quick.

I've decided to do a Q&A, even if you don't read the book, the very last chapter of sweet cheeks is where I'll be accepting questions, if you have any for me.

Thanks for reading!