Page 66 of Kid
“What are you waiting here for?” I asked. “Why aren’t they taking you in?”
“Demon freaked out when he heard contractions.” Chelsea laughed. “Babies usually take a while to come. I mean, I was having contractions for three hours before I called him. Calm down, Uncle Ronan.”
I smiled and kissed her cheek. Being calledunclewas an unreal sensation. “That’s funcle, to you, madam.”
Chelsea giggled.
A nurse appeared with a wheelchair and I helped Chelsea into it.
“Is she going into a room?” I asked the nurse.
The nurse smiled. “Are you the dad?”
I shook my head. “I’m the uncle. The dad is coming but he’s stuck in traffic. I just want to know what to tell him when he gets here.”
She nodded with a knowing smile. “We’re taking her in to be examined by the doctor. We want to make sure the contractions aren’t Braxton Hicks—”
“Braxton Hicks?” I asked.
“Fake,” Chelsea said.
“That’s a thing?” I blinked at the nurse.
The woman and Chelsea laughed.
“Yes.” The nurse replied. “Once the doctor confirms that she is in fact in labour, one of us will come out for the father.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Kid?” Chelsea called my name.
“Hmm?”
“You have to let go.” She told me.
Looking down, I realized I was still clutching her hand.
“Sorry.” I released her hand.
Chelsea blew me a kiss, grinned at me and she was ushered away.
“I’ll be here.” I shouted. “If you need me.”
“I know.” She grinned at me then winced.
“Darius is coming!” I called.
I figured yellingDemon is comingwouldn’t be the best thing considering people around us would think I was calling the baby Demon.
“I know that too!” She called before the nurse wielded her into the elevator.
Being there for Chelsea was important. But I didn’t want to be there. Nella would be there, and I didn’t know what was happening.
She showed up with Jia and I walked away to stand by the glass to stare down over the woods behind the large hospital. Mamba, Sean and Demon arrived not long afterward. When I turned to update Demon, Nella was already doing it, so I returned my attention to the view.
“What’s happening?” Mamba rested a tender palm to my back.
“Not the time or the place.” I told him. “Right now, we’re focusing on Demon and Chelsea.”
