Unexpected

Chapter 12

WEEKS: 0

Thinking back to this day, it was hilarious how Rocco ran around cursing and shrieking like a sixteen-year-old girl. Stella was calm, she drove and found alternate routes here and there, to avoid the heavy traffic of a Friday evening. Rocco was in the backseat with me, my support for the beginning of my long labour.

"Ok, that's good. Now, take another deep breath through your nose... Good... now let it go through your mouth... How do you feel?"

"Better..." Rocco whimpered, as I patted his back "Sorry... I'm freaking out over here..."

"Yeah, I understand... Labour is hard." I had to chuckle, but winced as I felt another pinch "Fuck... How long, Stella?"

"Hard to say. Fucking traffic... You?"

"God knows..." I sighed "I would say it won't take me long to pop this girl out."

"What makes you say that?" Rocco frowned, holding my hand.

"Ouch!" I grunted, as another big contraction came; I squeezed Rocco's hand tight and he hissed at the pain "Oh, you know... just a feeling!"

"We're almost there!" Stella assured me "Oh my God, I'm so excited! Baby, call Angela and Jordan. Have them meet us there asap!"

"On it." Rocco nodded, grabbing his cellphone "Hey, man. Yeah, good, good. You? Oh, you know, just the us-"

"Rocco!" I yelled.

"Sorry!" He winced "Huh, buddy, you gotta get in your car right now and get your ass to the hospital. No, it's the baby. She's on her way, daddy! We're stuck in traffic, actually." Rocco looked around "Not sure, GPS says half an hour... I know, man, sorry, but, Friday evening madness... Ok. No, no... no point meeting us here, you'd only get stuck as well. Better go to the hospital, get them ready for when we arrive – yes, she's fine." Rocco winked at me "Huh... hold on... He... wants to talk to you..."

"Hold on....!" I bit my lower lip and winced at another contraction "Yeah, sure. Put him on..." I cleared my throat and took a deep breath "Hey..."

"I'm on my way!" He yelled from the other end, and I could hear him cursing and beeping in his car "I'll get everything ready for you, promise! How're you feeling? Does it hurt? Fuck, ignore that. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine..." I chuckled a bit, and winced at another pain "Mother fucker!"

"I'm sorry!" He moaned on the other side "I should've been there!"

"My fault, not yours." I assured him "Just... be there... ok? Please...?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, love... I'll see you soon, ok, Lemon Tea?"

I had to chuckle at that, and tears fell down my cheeks.

"Sure thing... Jack Daniels..." It overflowed my heart to hear him laugh.

Miami traffic helped to make the trip to the hospital take over an hour. I was sure this girl was peeking through by this point. It was funny to have Rocco get out of control and turn hysterical. He was sure the baby would literally pop-out and he would have to catch it mid flight – I don't think he knows how birthing works.

"It's not football, baby!" Stella had to yell, as she helped me out of the car "Ok... here we go, momma... nice and slow..."

All and all, it was quite relaxing to have those two taking me to the hospital, at least it was good entertainment. As soon as I saw the hospital doors and the nurses ran to us in a wheelchair... I think something inside me just realised that this was actually happening, this was it. I felt my insides get tight and I bent over in pain.