Ben Simmons: When Two Worlds Become One

We're Ready

The sound of my door opening woke me. Didn't I tell them not to come back in? I literally said bluntly...do not come in. "Hey princess," I head a familiar tone say. It was my dad. Alongside him, my mom and grandparents came in. They looked refreshed and ready to listen to my complaining for the next hours. "How are you feeling?" My mom asked. She handed me a cup of ice chips - my new labor obsession. "I'm ready for this to be over," I replied, chewing on a few chips. "We talked to your nurse on the way in, she said she'll be coming in to check your dilation soon." Honestly, now that the pain was gone, it wasn't too miserable of an experience. I wasn't ready for it to be over because it hurt, I was just ready to meet my baby. 

I decided this would be a good time to take a bath, which I've heard helps labor. My mom filled the tub with warm water and I slowly lowered my super heavy self in. It was amazing. The warm water instantly calmed me. I ran a hand over my belly, the closest I could possibly get to the baby. "I'm so ready to meet you," I whispered. After nine long, grueling months where at times it felt like this baby was the only person constantly there for me, I'm more than ready to meet my new best friend.

In the middle of my dreaming about what the future would look like, someone opened the door. It was Ben. "Love, do you mind?" I assumed he was asking permission to talk to me and, well, see my naked body. "No, come in." After all, it's nothing he hasn't seen before. "Sara, I don't want to talk about us and our future. I don't want to argue over whether we'll end up together or go our separate ways. Right now, I just want to be there for you. You need me, whether you want to admit it or not, and there's no one closer to you and this baby than me. When we found out you were pregnant, it became my responsibility to take care of you. That's what I intend to do. We'll figure the rest out when the time comes." 

For once, I agreed with what he said. "And Johnny?" "He left about an hour ago." I won't lie, part of me was upset, I liked the idea of him being there for me, but Ben was right. This is our business. He sat on the floor next to the tub and we talked about our dreams for our baby and what kind of parents we want to be. We ended up arguing over who would spoil this baby more, oh boy. Once the water started feeling cool, Ben helped pull me out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around my body. He was standing behind me, our bodies pressed against each other. When I turned my head to look up at him, I stared into his beautiful eyes. Then, out of habit, he leaned down and kissed me. 

It lasted only a few seconds, I promise. Before things could get any more complicated, he pulled away and cleared his throat. "Um," he drifted off. "Can you tie this?" I asked, turning around. He lent me a hand and helped me secure my hospital apparel before we walked back into the room. I felt relief when I saw Emily. Yes, we are now on a first name basis. "Are you ready to see how much longer?" I laughed, she had no idea how ready.

I got back in bed and she did her nurse stuff to do whatever they do that shows how far along you are. "Well, I have good news. Your progression has rapidly increased. It's time to prep you for delivery."

In that moment, everything in the past nine months flashed through my mind. After dreaming about this for months, it's finally time. Baby Simmons, I am so ready to be your mommy.