Page 23 of A Trident Christmas Baby

Seconds later, Derek was standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

“Hey,” she said, giving him a small smile.

“Any more pain?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, but I still think I should get looked at to make sure that nothing is wrong.”

“I think that is a good idea. What all do you need?” he asked.

“Just my purse and maybe my bag that I have packed. You know, just in case they decide to keep me.”

Derek moved quickly, grabbing the overnight bag Alex pointed to sitting by the door. He then walked over and helped her to her feet. Together, they made their way downstairs, Derek steadying her with one hand while carrying the bag in the other.

After locking up the house, he helped her settle in the SUV. Alex reclined the seat slightly, gripping her belly as another contraction hit. The ride was quiet for a while. The only sound was the hum of the engine and her controlled breathing.

Her thoughts turned to Ace, and a pang of longing settled in her chest.Will he make it back in time?She wondered. She could almost hear his voice, playful and strong, telling her everything would be fine.

Derek glanced over at her as he drove toward the hospital. “How are you doing, honey?”

Alex forced a smile. “I’m okay.”

But as the hospital came into view, the weight of everything settled heavily on her. She whispered a silent plea to the universe that Ace would find his way home to them, somehow, some way.

The bright lights of the hospital entrance reflected off the wet pavement as Derek parked the car.

He hurried around the vehicle and helped Alex out of the passenger seat. Alex’s jaw was set, her expression somewherebetween annoyed and exasperated as another contraction gripped her. She paused, gripping Derek’s arm, but the moment it passed, she straightened and shook her head.

“I can’t be in labor,” Alex said firmly as they walked through the automatic doors.

“Honey, I don’t know much about labor and delivery, but your face during that last contraction looked an awful lot like you were trying not to scream. I’m pretty sure that’s what labor looks like.”

“I still think it could be Braxton Hicks,” Alex insisted, brushing her dark hair out of her face. “You know, false labor. I’m sure you’ve heard about it. Plus, I feel fine now!” Alex retorted, throwing her hands up as they approached the triage desk.

“Well, we’re going to find out here shortly,” Derek smirked, setting Alex’s bag down while she spoke with one of the nurses.

Since the emergency room was empty, Alex checked in pretty quickly and then escorted to a private room.

The sterile smell of the hospital hit Alex, making everything feel suddenly real in a way she wasn’t ready for.

After she changed into the gown she was given, she eased onto the bed.

The doctor arrived a few minutes later, a friendly but no-nonsense woman named Dr. Patel. She greeted Alex warmly before putting on gloves and beginning her exam.

“What brings you in here this morning?” The doctor asked.

Isn’t it obvious?Alex thought to herself, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

“In the last hour, I’ve had some pretty strong pains that start in my back and radiate toward my lower stomach. My friend, who is a nurse, thinks I’m in labor, but I think they are just Braxton Hicks.” Alex explained.

Dr. Patel smiled knowingly as if she heard that line all the time. “Let’s take a look, shall we?” She stated as she pulled on gloves and took a seat on the stool at the bottom of the bed.

Derek excused himself from the room, giving Alex her privacy.

Alex lay still, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. She didn’t want this to be real—not without Ace. She focused on the overhead light, willing herself to stay calm as Dr. Patel did her examination.

It didn’t take long at all for her to finish.

“Well,” Dr. Patel said, snapping off her gloves. “You’re definitely in the early stages of labor. You’re only about one to two centimeters dilated, so it’s not happening right this second, but things are starting.”

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