Page 43 of A Cowboy Home for Christmas
Barker leans into my hair. “I’ll bang you so hard in a stall, you’ll never see Gunnar and Alison in it again.” He turns back to his family. “We didn’t make this decision lightly, and considering the circumstances, we’re taking all the precautions and time to ensure the girls -“
“Everyone,” I add, still thinking about Savi.
“And everyone will be able understand, and come to terms with our relationship. And hopefully embrace it.” Barker smiles down at me. “Anything else?”
I shake my head.
Marilyn stand through our announcement with her hands covering her huge smile. “Can I hug y’all yet?”
“Yes, yes.” I open my arms and Marilyn bounds into my arms. Barker hugs us from behind me, and Joe from the other side.
“Me too!” Savi squeezes her way between me and her mama.
I’m overwhelmed by their acceptance. My heart swells with love for each and every one of them. Me and my girls are so lucky to have this family.
“I don’t mean to interrupt, butahhhh-“ Alison cries, gripping the edge of the counter. “I think I might be having contractions.”
The group hug scatters. Joe heads straight out of the kitchen. Marilyn and Savi are at Alison’s side. They count sixty seconds and the contraction subdues.
“Early labor can take hours.” Marilyn rubs Alison’s back. “Maybe you’d like to take a shower, or go for a walk.”
“The thing is, I’ve already done these things today.”
“Here, sit down.” Barker drags a chair over.
“I thought maybe it was Braxton Hicks, but now I’m second guessing.” Alison lowers herself to the chair.
“Why’s that, sweetie?” Marilyn continues rubbing circles on her back.
“5-1-1.”
“5-1-1. What’s 5-1-1?” Barker leans over my shoulder.
Alison sips the water Marilyn brings her. “The 5-1-1 Rule. The contractions come every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. My contractions have been five minutes apart the entire movie, and they’re getting stronger.”
“We need to get her to the hospital.” Savi runs to the doorway. “Where’s your bag?”
“In my closet. Pink bag.”
“Okay.” Savi scampers away.
Alison winces as a deep low moan presses past her.
“Long, deep breaths. That’s a girl.”Marilyn whispers encouraging words.
“Lauren. Lauren.” Alison holds her hand out, shaking it at me, demanding me, needing me.
It doesn’t matter what she’s done to me, a woman in labor trumps all.
I take her hand. “I’m here. You got this.”
Alison shakes her head. “I don’t got this. I’m all alone.”
Tears well in her eyes.
Tears well in my eyes.
“You got this. We are all here.” I squeeze her hand and rub her shoulder with my other hand.
