Page 146 of Feels Like Home

“Traitor!” Andy hollers at her, as she bolts out the door like the hounds of hell are chasing her. And I’m pretty sure the luck she was wishing was to Andy rather thanme.

“Make it stop. There’s so much pressure. So.Much.”

“I’ll call the nurse. Maybe it’s time?” he asks, rushing toward thedoor.

He opens the door, peeks his head out, and in a moment of his own panic yells, “Someone get your ass in here! Now! I think she’sready!”

He walks back in, calm as ever, like he didn’t just scream into thehallway.

“Someone will be right in, baby.” He leans down and kisses my forehead. “We’re almost to the end, I’m sure ofit.”

“Mm hmm. You know thisbecause…”

“Because I can’t take anymore, and if she’s not gonna come out on her own now I’m going in afterher.”

“Let’s take a look, shall we?” Dr. Matthews’s voice cutsin.

“Yeah! Let’s do that!” My voice is sunshine andrainbows.

“Oh, you’re nice tohim?”

I shoot Andy a dirtylook.

His eyebrows kiss hishairline.

“Feeling a bit uncomfortable, arewe?”

“A bit,yes.”

“I was asking your wife,Andy.”

“Oh,” he sayssheepishly.

“I’m great! Just ready to get this show on the road!” I say in my most pleasant voice, not wanting to anger the guy who will be staring at my most private area for the next however long. I’m thinking ten minutes, tops. I’ve been doing this labor thing for long enoughnow.

Dr. Matthews chuckles. “Right.” He pulls on a pair of gloves and takes a seat while the nurse who walked in with him comes to my side, directing Andy to hold the leg she’s not holding. She looks like she’s about my age, in fact, I think it’s one of Grady’s friends’ moms. Blake maybe? I can’t besure.

“You’re doing amazing, Christine.Seriously.”

“I don’t feel likeit.”

“I promise.” Shesmiles.

“Blake’s mom,right?”

“Yup!Lisa.”

“Right. I knew you looked fam… aghhh! Holy mother! This can’t be… nor…gahhh!”

“Breathe, honey. Breathe. You’re doing great.” Lisa pats a damp washcloth on my forehead while Andy leans in close, allowing me to grip his hand with hulk-likestrength.

“Good, Christine. Nice breathing. I’m going to check you now, see how we’re comingalong.”

He presses one hand to my inner thigh and the other, well, he just gets all close and personal. “Little bit of pressure here,” he says inwarning.

“Mm hmm.” I grit my teeth as Andy brushes the hair from my forehead, kissing me on thetemple.

“Christine? Andy? You ready? You’re at tencentimeters.”

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