Who Loves You, Pretty Baby

The Baby Race

It was a most pleasant Tuesday afternoon. We had been back from our yachting outing since Saturday. Chrissie stood at the door where the pale gray carpet met the taupe carpet of the hallway. She put her hand on her stomach and flipped the light switch. She looked around the room. The gentle gray swirls of the faux paint, the white crib with the tender mobile hanging above it, the matching white changing table beside the crib and a chestnut rocker in which Brian was rocked. There was a white pillow in the rocker with a white quilt that Chrissie’s mother had made slung over the arm. The nursery smelled so very sweet…like soothing lavender and warm vanilla. It provided the perfect welcome for a little one and an ideal place to sooth a hungry tummy or usher in sleep. Chrissie walked into the nursery, running her hand over the stack of neatly folded onesie sleepers. She examined the burp cloths Brian had neatly folded and placed beside the diapers and pins. She opened up the door that she could hardly bend over to reach, counting the swaddling blankets that were stacked. Chrissie closed the door and ran her hand over the edge of the crib, peering inside at the white lining of the infant mattress and the crib dust ruffle. There was a plush lion in the corner of the crib and a yellow blanket that anxiously awaited its new inhabitant. Chrissie touched her stomach again and nervously exhaled.

“Hey, dinner’s ready.” Brian said, knocking on the doorframe and entering the nursery.

“Oh, okay. I’ll be right there.” She answered smiling at him.

“What are you doing in here?” Brian put his hands on her as he walked up behind her, rubbing his fingers against the bones in her shoulders. Chrissie shrugged and nervously looked to Brian.

“Just…looking at things.” She laughed a little apprehensively. Brian smiled back at her.

“Well, it looks exactly the way it did last week.” Brian leaned over and kissed her neck.

“I know. It’s just…oh Brian. I can’t believe we’re this close.” Chrissie shook her head, a little overwhelmed that motherhood was so very imminent. Brian leaned his head over against Chrissie and snaked his arms around her.

“It’s okay. Chrissie, you’re gonna’ do so good! You’ll be great in there when you start your labor I know you will. I know you’re scared but…you’re just…you’re everything our son or daughter needs.” Brian said, doing his best to alleviate her apprehensions.

 The time was 4:14 in the early evening and they were engrossed with each other. There were so many things to talk about and so much excitement in their lives. Their overnight suitcases had been packed and sitting by the door since Sunday morning. Chrissie had alerted her parents as to the hospital of choice where she would eventually deliver and her mother was on high alert. The last checkup, which had occurred on Monday, indicated 85% effacement of her cervix…labor was close. It had already been determined that Chrissie had planned to deliver with her mother in the delivery room with her. Brian would join her while she was in her initial stages of labor but only during prep and until she needed to start pushing. They had decided it would be best if he waited for her in their private room.

 Brian shook his head. “I’m not gonna’ be able to sleep this week and I just keep thinkin’ of all these things. He said, leading Chrissie out of the nursery and turning off the light.

 “Oh my, this looks great. Thank you.” Chrissie said as Brian pulled the kitchen table chair out for her.

 “You know I don’t mind.” Brian reached out for her hand. “Chrissie…look at me. I’ve never told you this but. This is…god…bein’ a father is hittin’ me all at once and…I’m so overwhelmed with love for you and for our child. I don’t….this all sounded better in my head and…sweetheart, you’re gonna do wonderful. I’ll only be a few meters away from you in that hospital when it happens.” Brian assured her. It made Chrissie beam all over.