If We Ever Get an Hour Together (A Van McCann fanfiction)

I Could Do

Lucia:

I jerked awake in the middle of the night, feeling cramps running up my legs. Van shifted next to me, his snores resounding through the whole room. I slid out of bed, squeezing my legs with both hands, having to do some uncomfortable squatting position to reach my ankles. I took a deep breath, feeling my eyes wince under the sudden interruption of sleep. 

It must've been at least 4 am. I wandered outside into the living room and leaned against the wall behind the sofa, taking a deep breath. I couldn't take this anymore. Fine, dear god, I hated being pregnant. 

The bed squeaked as Van turned. I could hear that. I could hear it loud and clear. I wrapped my arms around myself and leaned against the wall still, hearing for Van. Nothing. 

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"A crib. Maybe we're supposed to get that now right?" 

I wrapped my jacket around myself, closing the car door behind me. Van had insisted on driving. "Well, we've got a couple more months."

"Three."

"Three," I repeated. Van rubbed his mouth, turning the keys into the ignition. I rubbed my face. Sleep was not coming easy these last few months. If anything, every nerve in my body seemed to be alert at every second. But my mind wandered and I could barely listen to Van sometimes. That was where the sleep deprivation hit. Van slammed his foot on the brakes suddenly, making me put a hand on the dashboard. "Careful." I bit the inside of my cheek. His hand reached over to me and he jerked the wheel forward. 

"Sorry," Van muttered. I sighed, leaning back against the seat. My cell phone vibrated with a message from my mom. "Whoa, look at the place over there. They look like they've"-

I looked up and flinched. "Van!" He slammed on the brakes for real, and the car made the ugliest sound. I pressed my thighs together, grinding my teeth. The person crossing the street jumped back, his face twisting in disbelief and annoyance. 

"Sorry..sorry," Van rubbed his face, taking a deep breath. He rolled down the window to apologize, but all the guy did was flip him off and keep walking. "Forgot how nice people were around here," Van pressed on the gas. 

I got the worst cramp under my belly, my hand moving against my abdomen. I felt wetness in between my thighs, pressing my thighs together. Oh my god, had I just fucking peed myself? I opened my mouth, feeling a tightness in my chest that left me out of breath. "That really scared me, I"- A jolt of pain shot through my spine, a heavy pressure coming over my bladder. 

"What's wrong?" Van glanced at me. His smile faded. "Luz?" His eyes looked down at my thighs, his mouth opening. "Did you just....?"

"I think my water just broke." I parted my legs, feeling something stuck in my throat. 

"But isn't it too soon?"

"I-I don't know." I panicked, moving my hands in between my legs and trying to breathe. 

Van took a loud deep breath. "OK, ok, ok." He turned the wheel quickly, careening us toward the other lane. 

"Can you be careful," I gasped, feeling another tremor of pain shake my entire body. 

"OK, ok." Van's voice shook. "I'm sorry." His voice was high-pitched. "I'm sorry Luz." 

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Van:

Lucia had her legs spread open, pressing her head against the seat. I turned on the emergency lights and left the car on the curb of the hospital. I felt lightheaded and my body was acting on its own. I got out of the seat and threw the passenger door open, helping Lucia out. She was walking painfully slow, her hand moving under her belly. "What's wrong?"