American Woman: Book 5 (Final)

Chapter 12

I woke up the next day to Waverly calling my name from her crib and chattering. She hops up once I go into her bedroom. "Hi mommy!" She smiles sweetly.
"Good morning, sweetheart. Let's go potty and get some panties on." I tell her as I lift her up over the side of the crib. It immediately made my stomach tighten and the Braxton Hicks contractions to restart. "Great. I hope this doesn't happen all day." I groan.
Unfortunately they did and I was uncomfortable the whole rest of the morning. I did manage to fix some snacks to take over to Lenny and Mayte's though, including his request of the cheeseball. Right as I was packing the food up to take over to their house, my cell rings.
"Hey babe." I answer.
"Hi momma. Well the weather officially sucks. It's raining and super windy on top of it all. I'm afraid the sound is going to be terrible!" He cuts right to the chase.
"So, you have decided you're definitely still doing it then...."
"Yeah. We had to do a prerecorded thing this morning in case of lightening and they will just show us on the big screen. Otherwise, we are going on. I've talked to the whole band and everyone is good with putting on the show even if it's still pouring rain." He explains.
"O-o-ok." I choke out as another pain hits my stomach. I didn't feel like arguing with him about it, but the worrying wasn't helping my situation.
"I know you don't want me to baby, but..."
"No, it's not that. I mean I'm nervous, but stupid contractions started back up this morning." I assure him.
"Oh babe. I'm sorry. Those always seem to hit you around this stage of pregnancy. Too bad there's not much to do to help relieve it."
"I know. Just have to suffer through. Hopefully they'll subside soon."
"I hope so too. Have Lenny and Mayte look after babygirl and you just take it easy. Maybe take a nap before the game." He suggests.
Waverly and I got to their house around 1:00 and low and behold Prince had obviously made a call to them bc they met me at the car, insisting I go sit down and rest.
"He's overreacting. I'm really fine. Just uncomfortable. And hungry! Can't wait to dig into the snacks." I laugh. Mayte unstraps Waverly and carries her in while Lenny grabs the dishes.
"I can't wait to try this cheeseball. I literally haven't had it since I was like 20!" Lenny says excitedly.
"Well good. That's been over 20 years then. Maybe you've forgotten enough to not bash mine too bad." I joke.
"Oh, I'll let you know." He chuckles.
"I know you will! I didn't even take a taste test yet. It may suck!" I say, as I begin to unwrap it. "Let me check first." I say grabbing a knife and spreading some on a cracker. It was excellent. "Oh man, that's good!" I moan, and before I knew it, a huge gush of water fell from between my legs and onto their kitchen floor.
"Damn! That good, huh?!" Lenny laughs. "You just pissed yourself or squirted...."
"Oh my god! My water just broke!" I yell, causing Lenny to choke on his cracker and Mayte to rush into the kitchen in a flash. "It's-It's-It's way too early!" I begin to panic.
"Calm down Jensen. You're going to be fine. Lenny!" Mayte turns her attention to Lenny, who was still coughing and spluttering. "Get the car ready. We've got to get her to the hospital."
"But the cheeseball...." he begins.
I grab him by the shirt collar and pull him to me. "Get the fucking car! I'm not going to have this baby on your damn kitchen floor!"
"Alright, Alright!" He releases his shirt from my grasp. "Hell, you think you'd be a whole lot calmer the third time around..."
"I would be, if it was on time!!! I'm early..."
"Oh, you are?" He asks in all seriousness.
I turn towards Mayte, "I'm gonna kill him!" I shriek.
"Lenny! Just shut up and get the car and call Prince and I'll get Waverly...."
"No! Do NOT call him!" I insist.
"Are you crazy?!" Lenny exclaims. "You don't want me to tell your husband that you're about to have his baby?"
"No, I don't." I say, trying to talk calmly. "I means what's the point? He can't come back right now and all telling him would do is worry him and take his focus off the performance...."
"Screw the performance. He won't care. He will hop on the plane." Lenny continues.
"Exactly! He can't miss this performance. He may not be able to make it if he was to get on a plane right now anyway. It's like a 5 hour flight. So it's pointless. And I don't want him worrying either. So nobody say a word until he steps off that stage. Got it?" I say, looking between Mayte and Lenny. They both hesitantly agree and begin getting ready to drive me to the hospital.
Within the hour we pulled up to Cedars-Sinai and I was admitted to a large private room. The nurse informed me that I was 3 centimeters dilated and assured me that a baby born at 35 weeks, which I will be tomorrow, is considered late preterm and shouldn't have problems like a premature baby. Of course there was no guarantees and it's always a concern as to why a baby comes this much before due date. "Y'all can leave. Go back to your house, enjoy the snacks and game. I'll keep you updated." I address Lenny and Mayte.
"Ok, we will leave Waverly here with you and keep you updated on the score." Lenny says."
"Ok. Call me when it's halftime so I'll make sure the tv is on...."
"Jensen! You're nuts! We are not leaving!" Lenny shrieks.
"I mean, Jensen, do you want to be alone?" Mayte asks, sympathetically. "We want to stay but if you want us to take Waverly home with us and give you some space, I understand that too."
"I don't know. I'm scared...."
"Oh honey, I know." Mayte says, making me feel like a complete fool, knowing what all she's been through. "Are you sure you don't want to tell Prince? He may could get here in time. I'm afraid of his reaction when he finds out we all hid it from him. I mean it is his child too..."
"I know. God, he's had a bad feeling for days. I guess this was it! The timing couldn't be worse! He's coming home tomorrow! Why couldn't it just be one more day 0r him not have something so damn important to do tonight? I don't know what the right thing to do is but I can't imagine telling him and then he still performs and it's a disaster bc he's so consumed with worry and guilt or he bails on the show and misses this opportunity."
"Well the Prince I used to know would have definitely believed in 'the show must go on.' No matter what. I've watched that man perform when so many other things were going on whether he was sicker than a dog or someone had just quit or gotten fired or an instrument fell apart right before showtime or problems with his family or his record company. He has an uncanny ability to put things aside and kick ass on stage and leave everything else behind. And even though I have no doubt he could still do that, the Prince I know now wouldn't think a performance overrides everything else. Yeah it's a big opportunity and he would probably get shit from every direction and possible legal headaches if he bails, I don't think he would regret it to try to get back in time to see his child being born." Mayte insists.
"You really aren't helping." I chuckle. "I mean he has seen his other children be born. Ahmir, Devon, Waverly...."
Mayte's eyes fill with tears. "Yeah." She whispers. "He's been there for every single one. Which may help factor into his decision to stay or go. Maybe he will think that even though it's a huge deal, it isn't the end of the world if he misses it and will get here as soon as possible. Or he may think it's too important to miss the first moments. But he has to be given a choice. I think not letting him decide is worse than what he may choose to do."
"Wow. I didn't think about it like that. You're so right. Thanks, Mayte. You know, you're the best girlfriend I've ever had." I choke out and embrace her. "Ok, could you hand me my phone?"
My hands trembled as I pushed the button on my phone and I took a deep breath as it began to ring.
"Hey momma. Kinda early to be wishing me luck. It's still a few hours before I go on...."
"Baby, I'm in labor." I blurt out.
"What?!" He yells so loud, I had to pull the phone away from my ear for a second. "What do you mean?! Like you're having the baby now?! Like today?!" He was in total meltdown I could tell.
"I'm at a 3. So you just never know. Could be in the next couple hours. Could be late tonight or even tomorrow...."
"But you're not due until next month! Is there something wrong with the baby? Somebody get Todd on the phone!" I hear him yelling before he even waits for an answer.
"No honey I think the baby is fine. Just a little early. Everything should be developed and....." I explain.
"Well that's a relief to hear. It will take me about an hour to get to the airport and everything ready for take off. Baby can you please try to not push for like 6 more hours? I'll be hurrying back to you momma. I know you're scared. I'm coming." He was rambling as I could tell he was also ordering people around.
"Wait, honey, just stop and think for a minute. Don't make any rash decisions. Let's think and talk this through."
"Talk what through? You're not suggesting I stay here and perform, are you?!" He says in disbelief.
"Well, maybe...."
"Are you insane?!" He shrieks.
"Alright! I've heard 'crazy,' 'nuts,' and now 'insane,' referring to me in the last hour. None of which I am! I'm just freaked out and in labor 5 weeks early with my husband half way across the country and I don't know what the right thing is!!!" I begin to cry.
"Baby, hey, please don't cry. I didn't mean it like that. I know you're scared. I'm scared too and I don't know what to do either. But I can't just sit here and wait around for a performance when my wife is in labor. I mean I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I missed my child being born or heaven forbid something should happen to the baby, or you, and I weren't there...."
"Well honey if something happens, you being here isn't going to change that. I don't want you to miss it either. And I don't want to go through this without you by my side. But you've seen all your other children be born and yes it's a magical experience but so is just holding them and being their parent, all of which you will do and be as soon as you get here. If you miss the baby coming out of me, it's doesn't mean you aren't a great father. It's all the stuff after that really counts. But the last thing I want is for you to stay and be so ridden with worry or guilt that you can't perform properly or you regret it later. So if you don't think he can still preform to your standards or if you will be beating yourself up for missing it then try to make it. But I also don't want to deal with any legalities leaving may cause either. We don't need that added stress." I explain.
"I have no idea what to do baby. None! I'm at a total loss but now I have zero doubt why I was feeling I shouldn't have come. I'm so egotistical that I've just assumed it had something to do with me or the performance. Never once did you going into labor even cross my mind or I damn sure wouldn't have even come. I'm so glad I've got Devon though. You sure don't need both kids there if you do this alone...."
"Well I'm not alone. Mayte and Lenny are here too. If you decide to stay they will take care of babygirl and me." I assure him.
"Lenny better NOT be in there when the baby comes out. His ass should be in the waiting room...with Waverly!" Prince freaks.
"Babe! He won't be...."
"If he's talking about me, I can guarantee you I won't even be in the room, much less watching. I don't know any man who enjoys that, especially when it ain't their kid and ain't their woman!" Lenny exclaims while finding the channel for the game.  
I roll my eyes and address Prince. "The most that will be in here besides hospital personnel is Mayte, and only if she wants to be." I look over at Mayte who gives me a nod and motions for me to hand over the phone.
"Hey. I'll stay with her if you want. And I can call you while she's pushing and everything if you don't make it back in time." Mayte tells him.
"I really appreciate that, Mayte. Let me talk to her again please."
"So what are you going to do babe? I swear I'm ok with any decision you make. No fickleness from me this time. I'll support any decision you make." I promise him.
Prince sighs loudly and holds it for several long seconds. "Shit! I don't know. When do you get checked again to see how much you've dilated..."
"Honey you just have to make a choice. Something like that can't factor in bc it's not even a good indicator of how much time. Just choose something and stick with it. No looking back." I continue. "Do you think you can perform knowing what is going on? I almost didn't even tell you. Should I have just waited?"
"Hell no! Oh man if you hadn't told me and waited until I performed I would have gone batshit crazy on you. I don't know, Jensen, if I can do it. I've performed through a lot of shit, but nothing that holds a candle to this. Now the rain and wind and possible electrocution seems like child's play. Can I get up there for 15 minutes and put the fact that my wife is in early labor out of my mind? Knowing my child could be being born while I'm here or in a damn airplane. I think it's just too much, even for me, to set aside just to entertain some people...."
As he was talking himself out of the performance, I was listening to some people being interviewed about the game. It seemed like every person would start to talk about the game and the teams and players but it would always shift to Prince. It seemed like everyone really got tickets and came to see him and there just happened to be a football game too.
"Stay. Prince, you've got to stay." I interrupt him.
"What?! Why?! I will deal with the legal..."
"No." I interrupt. "Baby everybody there wants to see you...."
"No everybody here wants to watch the Super Bowl..."
"Yes, but I swear you are just as big of the appeal of tonight for almost everyone." I explain.
"Then they should buy tickets to my shows. It's much cheaper. Jensen..."
"It's not just everyone at the stadium. It's also people all across the globe. This is one of the biggest nights of the whole year...."
"And having a child is one of the biggest moments of my LIFE." He argues.
"True." I chuckle. "Just please stay. For me. You mean so much to so many people...."
"But I should mean way more to you. Your persuasions are falling flat." He responds. "I am hanging up now to get to the airport."
"Baby...."
"Stop. I've made my choice. You said you would be ok with whatever I decide. I'm coming to you. I love you. Hang tight." He says with authority.
"Ok. I love you too. Be careful."
"I'll call back soon." He replies in a hurry and hangs up quickly.
About thirty minutes later, he calls back to check in on the progress.
"They checked me a few minutes ago. I'm at a 5 now." I reply.
"Shit! Well don't let them start whatever that stuff is that speeds up labor..."
"Hey now!" I laugh. "I am the one that has to feel all of it. But epidural has been put into effect so I'm fine. So have you told Devon?"
"Devon!!!" Prince screams.
"What did she do now?" I laugh.
"I-I-I, fuck!!! I fucking forgot her at the stadium!" He shrieks.
"Yeah, right. Let me talk to her...."
"I'm serous, momma! Driver! Go back now!" I hear him order.
"Prince!" I freak. "Where is she?! Who is she with?! How could you..."
"She's ok. She's with Kim, Brian, Shawn, and Amy. I'm so sorry! I'm in a bit of panic mode and trying to hurry and just not thinking straight. I'm not used to having her with me at things like this. I had tunnel vision to get to airport. I yelled to my band that you were in labor and I was heading to LA and then ran out of room." He explains. "Damn it! We were already a good 15 miles down the road and traffic is a bitch! This is going to delay me big time! Can I just leave her with them?"
"No! Prince!" I argue.
"Hold on, the pilot is calling in on the other line." He says, and clicks over.
About 5 minutes later, he clicks back to me. "Jensen, are you still there?" He asks in a defeated voice.
"Yeah. What's wrong? Other than you ran off without our child..."
"Todd refuses to fly in this. I tried everything I know to persuade him. A raise, firing him, and anything in between. He won't budge. So I'm going to see about finding a pilot at the airport who will...."
"Ok, stop! It's time to officially give it up baby. Just turn back. Do your performance, and come here, WITH Devon, as soon as safely possible." I urge. "It's just not meant for you to be here. You're meant to be there. It's going to be fine."
"I don't want this, momma. I want to be there." He sighs.
"I know. But God wants you there. Knock'em dead, honey. And just know you'll be coming home to our new baby."