patience

Chapter Twenty Nine

It was June 20th. Nine days before my due date. We were all in LA for the birth. I was wishing that I could have her today, but Shawn was against that. He and Dallas were putting stuff together in the nursery, while Alessia and I sorted through clothes.

"Have you decided what outfits you're taking to the hospital?" She asks.

"Yeah. I have a few, but you'll have to wait to see them" I say. She rolls her eyes.

"You're no fun" She says. I laugh at her and begin to stand up from the couch.

"Oh, you love,- OW!" I shriek in pain and fall back onto the couch. She jolts up and rushes to my side.

"Riv, what is it?" She asks.

"I-I don't know. It was a sharp pain like under my stomach" I say.

"Are you okay?" She asks.

"I think" I say and go to stand up again. "OW!" I fall back onto the couch.

"You're not okay. Hold on" She says before running upstairs. A few seconds later, Shawn and Dallas come running down.

"Babe, what is it?" He asks sitting next to me.

"I-I don't know. I think I need to go to the hospital" I say. He nods his head.

"This is it?" He asks. I nod my head. "Oh, my god! Alessia call the doctor. Dallas get the bags. River...let's have this baby".

"Shawn, I can't move. It hurts when I try to stand" I say. He nods his head.

"Okay, come here" He says and lifts me up into his arms. He carried me out and sat me in the back seat. Alessia climbed in beside me.

The 15 minute drive felt like a 15 hour drive. I was in so much pain and I didn't even know what kind of pain it was. Contractions probably. I was hoping this was time for my girl to get here, but the thought of it was absolutely terrifying at the same time.

When we got to the hospital, Shawn and I went in while Alessia and Dallas parked the car.

"Can I get a wheelchair?" Shawn yells. A nurse soon brought one too us and asked what was going on. I was in so much pain I couldn't even talk. "My girlfriend is having a baby".

"Wonderul. Let's get you to a room and checked out" She says and wheels me down a long hall. "Is this your first?".

"Yes, ma'am" Shawn says. She smiles and gets me to an empty room. She tells Shawn to get me into the gown and in bed while she gets the doctor. She also got me hooked up to an IV to help with the pain. I was glad I could finally talk again.

"Ma'am, this might sound weird, but if Alessia Cara comes in here, she's with us" I say. She laughs.

"Shawn Mendes just walked into my hospital, so I wouldn't be shocked if any other celebrity did either" She says. I smile. "The doctor will be here soon".

"Thanks" I say. She exits the room and Shawn grabs my hand.

"Babe, this could be it" He says.

"I'm ready if you are" I say.

"I'm ready" He says and kisses the top of my head. The door opens and Alessia and Dallas walk in.

"Is everything okay?" They ask in unison.

"The doctor hasn't checked me out yet" I say. A look of relief comes across their faces.

"I was afraid we missed it" Alessia says. I shake my head. They found seats in the floor beside the door while we waited. It felt like we were waiting forever, but the doctor soon came in.

"Alrighty, let's see what's going on" He says and puts gloves on. He does a pelvic exam before speaking again. "River, Shawn...I hate to say this, but no baby today".

"What?" I ask.

"You're having Braxton Hicks contractions. They're preparing you for the real thing" He says. "Only the real thing will be a lot more painful".

"Oh, great" I say and throw my head back on the pillow.

"Hey, this happens to most people. This little girl is doing fine and she's going to get here when she's ready. She just wants to make sure that you're ready first" He says. That made me feel better. I nodded and he told us we could go back home. Alessia and Dallas could tell I was upset, so they left to get the car while Shawn and I waited. He held me close in his arms.

"Baby, shes going to be here in no time" He says. I was in tears. I wanted he here today.

"I know, but I'm sick of waiting" I say. He squeezes tighter.

"I know, but babe, you've got to have Patience".

Boo! No baby!