The Dream Is Not Over

A New Season

Two months later...

"He's coming," River whispers into the phone. It's somewhere between late at night and very early in the morning. I can hear the nerves in his voice but also the excitement. I turn on the bedside lamp and shake Lindsey awake. I put my finger to my lips to keep his morning grumbling to a minimum.

"Keep her comfortable. I'm sure you're doing a great job, honey," I reassure the man on the other end of the line. "Have you called the midwife?"

Lindsey stares at me as I talk to our son and it's unsettling. I hate to be stared at. I shiver and pull the comforter up over my chest, covering my thin strapped nightie.

"N-no, my first thought was you. She-she tried to call her parents but they didn't pick up."

Oh no! I think to myself but I do my best to rationalize for my son. "They could be asleep and not be able to hear the phone. Did you leave a message?"

"She didn't. She's in a a lot of pain and I just want to help her, mom. I don't know what to do."

"It will come to you, sweet boy. You love her. Remember what Olivia said when she was talking your father through Kaiya's birth." I hear him breathing heavily, obviously quite nervous. "Do you need me to come over?"

Lindsey groans not wanting to get involved and I swat him in the chest.

"No, I think we are going to head out to the birth center soon. That was our back up plan if she didn't want to go through with the home birth." He's silent a moment. "I'll call you when the baby comes."

"Alright. Call me if you change your mind and we will all come for support. I love you, and congratulations."

"Thanks, mom." I can hear a smile in his voice and that makes me feel a little better. I hang up and turn to Lindsey, my eyes lit up.

"The baby is coming!" I squeal with excitement.

"I gathered," he says, hunkering back down under the covers.

"Hey! Linds, this is our first grandchild. Aren't you excited?"

"Sure, Steph, but I'm tired."

"So am I but our son is having a baby!" I say with about as much child like glee as an actual child impatiently waiting to open presents on Christmas morning.

"Olivia is having the baby, and I don't want to see that..."

"Birth is so beautiful," I muse aloud, remembering the birth of my son many years ago and our little girl just a few months back.

"But it's also bloody and gory and...yuck. No, thanks." I huff and he sits up, groaning. "I'm just not into it, Steph. When it was us, for sure. When Kaiya came I was ecstatic but I'm a man. Guys don't get excited when other guys have babies. That's a chick thing."

"But it's your own son! Your grandchild." He won't listen to reason. "Fine, you sleep and I will call her parents again. I want them to know their daughter is having a baby. I think they'll appreciate knowing. They might even be- dare I say- excited!"

I fling the covers back and place my feet in my slippers beside the bed. I grab my robe from the velvet chair in the corner of the bedroom and tie it up around myself.

"Steph, baby...come back to bed!" He calls out behind me but I've already left the room.

———

Hours later, I'm still running on pure adrenaline waiting for the call that the baby is here. I could wear a path in the hardwood by the phone if I'm not careful.