Marathon

Chapter 21

Robert sat quietly on the couch playing a video game. He was trying to give Veronica some time to herself sine they wouldn't get that once the baby was born. She was in the bath giving herself a spa day. That morning she had gone to the nail salon and hair salon to get "glammed up" for the arrival of their child. It was about 4 days away from her due date and everything was just about done. They had the hospital bag packed and waiting by the door and they had everything in the nursery ready for it to be used. To say he was a nervous wreck would be an understatement. He would never tell Veronica but there were nights that we would lay awake at night suffering from horrible anxiety. What if he wasn't happy? What if the kid didn't like him? There were so many thoughts running through his head at any given time that he often had to be shaken from his day dreams.

This moment was no exception, except he was broken out of this daydream by a loud groan coming from the bathroom, followed by a sharp "Oh fuck." Robert jumped off the couch and ran to investigate. When he got to the bathroom, he saw Veronica hunched over the sink holding her stomach. The floor was soaking wet.

"Whats the matter?"

"Ok, I need you to listen to me very carefully. Please go grab me a bra, underwear, a t-shirt and a pair of sweats. We need to go to the hospital."

"Holy shit! Now?"

"Yes. Right now. Rob we're gonna have a baby."

"Oh my god! OK. Shit! Ok I'll grab your clothes. Sit on the toilet and don't move!" He rushed around the room gathering clothes for his wife. Once he had everything she needed he went back into the bathroom and helped her get dressed. He also cleaned up the floor.

"We have to get going. Can you grab the bag?"

"I feel like this shouldn't be going as fast as it's going. Lucy was in labor for 24 hours."

"Yeah well that's Lucy. This baby isn't waiting that long. Get the bag please."

"The bag is by the front door honey. We'll grab it on the way out."

"Ok." She stopped and put her hands on her knees.

"Breathe Ronnie. It's gonna be ok. We'll be at the hospital in no time." She nodded and stood back up. He grabbed her hand and walked her to the door. She handed him the bag and they walked out to the car. On the way to the hospital, they called Veronica's mom who was staying at a hotel near by.

"Hello?"

"Hey Melinda."

"Hi sweetheart. What's going on? You sound out of breath."

"Veronica's water broke. We're on the way to the hospital."

"Oh my god! Addie get your shoes on we're leaving!" Robert could hear his sister-in-law yelling about being an aunt.

"We're headed to PIH."

"Ok. I'll call a car. We'll see you there."

"Sounds good."

"Robert, Don't be worried. Everything is going to be fine ok?"

"Ok."

"Love you both."

"Love you too." Robert hung up the phone. He put the phone in the holder on the dash and called his mom. It was 5:45pm LA time so it was 10:45am in Tasmania. His mom answered on the first ring.

"Hey!"

"Hi mom."

"Where's Veronica?"

"I'm right here Deb. Not in the best mood but that'll be fixed soon."