Chapter 33

It didn’t take Ace and John long to get back home, and they rushed upstairs to the bedroom. Both men were wondering why she was in bed and not getting ready to go to the hospital.

Ace ran to her side and sat on the bed. “Why are you in bed and not getting ready to leave for the hospital?”

With Mary on the other side of the bed, she looked over at Ace. “There’s no need to get so upset. Her contractions are fifteen minutes apart, so it’s too early yet. When they get to five minutes, that’s the time to get to the hospital. It may be a while, so let’s all just relax.”

He took her hand in his. “I still think we should take you to the hospital.”

“Mary knows what she’s talking about, and we’ll just be sent home if we go too early. Or made to wait for God knows how long. When the contractions get close to five minutes apart, then we’ll go.”

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “When they are ten minutes apart, we’re going, and that’s final.”

She looked over at John. “Dad, he’s driving me crazy, so please take Ace downstairs and pour him a drink.”

John chuckled and placed his hand on Ace’s shoulder. “Come on, son, let’s give Rosalee time to rest. Mary will stay with her and will let you know if anything changes.” He knew Ace didn’t want to leave her side, but he also knew his daughter. As a rule, she was so sweet and calm, that was until someone really pissed her off, and Ace was close to doing it.

When they got downstairs, John took the liberty of pouring them each a glass of bourbon. “Here you go, son. It looks like you could use this.”

He took the glass from John and took a long swallow. “I read every single book on a woman’s pregnancy and what to expect, but now that it’s almost here, I’m clueless.”

“No amount of reading books can prepare you for what’s about to happen. You just have to trust your instincts, and everything will be fine.”

Ace started pacing back and forth. “So how long is it going to take until the time comes?”

“It’s hard to tell because it’s different with every woman. It could be within the next hour, or it could be hours from now. When my wife was carrying Rosalee, she gave birth shortly after her contractions started. But I do know there’s no point in going to the hospital yet.”

Ace looked at him and sat down on the chair. “You have raised an amazing woman. She is smart, has a kind heart, and doesn’t take crap from anyone. You must be very proud of her.”

“Indeed I am. She takes after her mother in every way.”

Two hours later, Mary came downstairs to let them know that Rosalee was asleep. “The poor thing is exhausted and has just fallen asleep. I thought I would come down and let you know.”

Ace got to his feet when Mary walked into the room. “Thank you for staying with her. I’m afraid that lately, I’ve been getting a bit on her nerves.”

“It’s just her hormones, son. Those mood swings can be a killer,” John said as he remembered how his wife was when she was pregnant with Rosalee.

“To be honest, sir, her mood swings were not bad at all. I’ve heard of some horror stories that other men have gone through, and she was nothing like that. Sure, there were a couple of minor little incidents, but other than that, she was fantastic. She never even had that much morning sickness. I just hope she has an easy delivery.”

“I think it’s time you called me by my name, and the same with Mary. We are family now, after all.”

This made Ace feel good, just knowing that John had accepted him and the relationship he had with his daughter.

“I’m just going to get her something to drink for when she wakes up.”

“Mary, wait, let me do it. I want to check on her and make sure she’s okay,” Ace said and headed towards the kitchen. He poured the chocolate milk that she had been craving the last couple of nights into a large glass and went upstairs to their bedroom. When he got inside, he walked over to the bed and placed the glass on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out and stroked the side of her cheek with the back of his fingers lightly.

Her brain was hazy as she slowly woke up from the feel of his touch, and her eyes fluttered open. He always had a habit of watching her when she was asleep with a smile on his face. “Hey,” she said in a soft voice.

“Hey, sweetheart, I brought you some chocolate milk. How are you feeling now?”

She sat up with his help. “My back is killing me. I could use that chocolate milk.”

He reached over and picked it up, then handed it to her. While she was drinking, he placed his hand on her belly. “He’s pretty still in there.”

“Yes, he is. So what does your book say about that?”

“That he’s coming soon, and also when the baby drops down. And with your back hurting so much is another sign. Can you tell me how close your contractions are now?”

“Nine minutes apart.” As soon as she said that, she realized her mistake. Now for sure, he would want them to go to the hospital, even though Mary said there was no rush until she was at least five minutes apart.

He jumped up off the bed. “Nine minutes apart, why didn’t you tell me? I said I wanted you to be at the hospital when you were ten minutes apart.” He went over to the closet and took out a dress for her to put on and grabbed her overnight bag that they would be taking with them. “Let me help you get into this dress.”

“Ace, there’s no hurry.” But knowing there would be no arguing with him, she got up and let him help her get dressed. Then with his arm around her and his free hand carrying the bag, they went downstairs.

Both John and Mary stood up when they saw the couple walk into the living room.

“Is it time?” John asked as he went over to them.

“Not really, but since my contractions are nine minutes apart, Ace insisted on me going to the hospital now.”

John placed the palm of his hand on her cheek. “I agree with him, sweetheart. We need to get you to the hospital, just to be on the safe side.”

When they got to the hospital, she was taken in the back to be examined, and Ace went with her. Her contractions were now five minutes apart. So she still had time before the baby would be coming. In the meantime, Ace called Brett and Eve to let them know what was going on, and of course, they said they would be right there.