Thrive - Side 2

It’s getting to that time again where me and the boys are about to leave to go on tour. The tour is going to be the longest since Abby found out she’s pregnant. Not to mention, Miranda will either give birth before we leave or while we are on tour. No matter what, her mom will be down her helping her out for a while. I cannot even imagine what’s going on in Jack’s mind right now… well, actually I think I can.

“What if she goes into labor while we’re touring? How fast am I actually going to be able to get to the hospital?” Jack ranted.

We were grocery shopping; I figured I’d be with him in order to keep him calm as Miranda’s due date draws near.

“Jack. She’ll be fine. Abby will be there with her… and you will be able to get here as fast as you possibly can. I promise you that. I know I’m not a doctor…”

“Clearly.”

I gave him a look.

“She’ll understand if you show up during labor or not. Who knows. Every experience is different.”

He nodded.

“You’re right. Absolutely right.” he said, taking a breath.

Around ten minutes later, I decided to give Abby a call.

“Hey.”

“Hey. What’s up? How are you?”

“Ok, but I do have back pain. Miranda is getting even more and more irritable by the minute. I just asked her if there was anything I could get her and she said her boyfriend.”

Miranda and Jack. What a perfect match.

“Am I gonna be expecting this?”

“Probably.”

I sighed and she laughed.

“Abby!!”

I heard what sounded like a scream.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Give me a minute.”

I waited impatiently; I was worried. Abby rushing up the stairs certainly did not help.

“What-“

“Call Jack. She’s having contractions. I’ll meet you there.”

Did she forget we’re out together?

It doesn’t matter. I don’t blame her because I’d probably be in the same state she is. She’s in a rush to get her best friend to the hospital.

“Ok. See ya soon.”

Holy shit. I gotta get my hyperactive best friend.

“Jack!” I called out.

He was in the next aisle, probably picking out cereal.

“Yeah?” he asked, running toward me.

“We need to go. Miranda’s in labor. I just talked to Abby on the phone.”

His eyes went wide and was speechless for once. I put my hands on his shoulders and had him look at me.

“Jack. We gotta go.”

“What about the-“

“Dude, we need to head to the hospital. Now.”

He nodded and we left the cart in the middle of the aisle. I thought I had seen him run fast before, but somehow, he was faster than ever. I also had never him so frantic as we headed to the hospital. He managed to talk to the receptionist, but I don’t know how, seeing the state he was in. He went ahead and I swiftly walked behind him.

“Hey.” I said, walking over to Abby and kneeling.

“Hey. Sorry I didn’t-“

Why she apologized for not standing up, I will never know.

“That’s okay.”

I hugged and kissed her and she smiled before I sat down beside her. The doctor came in a few minutes later.

“Ms. Cullen.”

“Hi.”

Miranda and Abby’s joint obstetrician.

“What’s your pain level today?”

“I’d say about an eight.”

She took a look at her cervix.

“Well, you’re only at three centimeters right now. I’ll check back in an hour.”

Miranda nodded and laid her head back.

“Anything I can get you, baby?” Jack asked.

She shook her head.

“I asked her that earlier and she said you.” Abby said.

Miranda blushed.

“Is that true?”

“Yeah...”

He smiled and kissed her.

“You’re so fucking cute.”

I smiled.

“I need to go for a walk, you guys. I’ll be back.”

Twenty minutes had passed.

“I’ll join you.” I said.

I helped her up and off we went.

“Thanks for joining me.” she said, intertwining our fingers.

“It’s my pleasure, and hey, I’m taking every opportunity I can to spend time with you before I go.”

“You’re too wonderful.”

I smiled and looked at the ground.

“How’d you feel from the time Miranda yelled to getting here?”

“Pretty calm, even when I spoke to the receptionist. She gave me an idea of what I might look like when I go into labor.”

“I hope I react as well as you did today.”

“I’m sure you will. How did Jack react?”

“He had the opposite reaction when I told him, but managed to calm himself enough to drive to the hospital.”

We laughed.

“Yeah. You’ll be fine.”

She sighed and placed a hand on her back.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Just my back pain.” she said, groaning.

“Would you like to sit down?”

She shook her head.

“I need to walk every so often to avoid leg cramps. I’ve had those before. They fucking suck.”

I kissed the top of her head and let go of her hand, then began rubbing her back causing her to moan.

“Thank you. Let’s walk for ten more minutes and head outside while doing so.”

“I love that idea.”

After walking outside for a while, we decided to sit on a bench and I proceeded to lean up against him.

“I love you so much. You know that?” I said, my voice cracking.

“I love you, too. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know.”

The tears came flooding down. I kneeled in front of her and took her hands in mine.

“This is embarrassing. Crying in public.” she said, sniffling.

“Are you sure you don’t know?”

“Hormones. You being gone for two months. My uterus kicking my ass.”

I laughed at the latter statement. She gave me a look.

“Sorry.”

“I could smack ya for that.”

“She has a lot of sass already.” she said.

“Like her mommy.”

She smiled and kissed me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Feeling better?”

“Much better. Kiss me.”

I smiled into the kiss.

“You are amazing.” I said.

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

I laughed again.

“I can’t believe I just said that.” she said, laughing.

“Let’s go crazy pregnant lady.”

“You know, you’re only one of two people who can call me that?”

“Well, I feel honored. Let’s go see that other person.”

“Whoever said it was Miranda?”

I shook my head.

“Your mama really is crazy.” I said to her belly.

She smacked my arm.

“Come on. I wanna see my best friend.” she said, suddenly exhausted.

She leaned up against me once again as I wrapped an arm around her waist. We walked back in and saw Miranda and Jack deep in conversation, so Abby and I didn’t bother saying anything. She sat down and propped her feet on my lap.

“Fuck yeah.” she whispered, throwing her head back.

“Hey, guys.” Miranda said after a minute.

“Hey.”

“Have a good walk?”

“A great walk. We had a nice talk and Scarlett kicked at a very opportune moment. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I’m a bit tired at the moment.”

“Ugh. So am I and uncomfortable too.”

“This is random, but do you know if I can take my shoes off?”

“You can.”

“Oh, hallelujah.”

And with that, I took her socks and shoes off and immediately began rubbing her feet.

“Thank you, kind sir.”

“Wow, Abby. Your ankles look almost as swollen as mine.”

“I love you, too, Miranda.”

“You have beautiful cankles.”

“Shut up. You’re so weird.” she said, laughing.

“You’re both weird.” Jack added.

Agreed.

Everyone in the room busted out laughing. Just a few minutes later, her doctor walked in.

“Seems like everyone’s in high spirits here.”

“Very much so.” Miranda said.

“Let me see where you are right now.”

She checked really quick and came back up.

“No change?”

“None, but this is only hour one. It’s normal.”

Miranda nodded and leaned her head back. After the doctor left and said she’d back in a couple of hours, Miranda leaned her head back and sighed.

“It’s gonna be a long fucking day. Isn’t it?”

“It’ll be worth it, though.” Jack said running his fingers through her hair.

“I know.” she said, making a face.

They are seriously too much.

“If he doesn’t arrive by, let’s say ten? I’d like you two to go home and get some rest, especially you, Abby. I remember how exhausted I was at this point and it only got worse.”

It was one’clock at the moment.

“You sure?” Abby asked.

“100%.”

“Ok.”

When five came, she was only four-and-a-half centimeters and when ten o’clock rolled around, it was just at six.

“We’ll call you or better yet, text you guys if something happens. Ok?” she said.

“Alright. Goodnight. I’m crossing my fingers that he’ll be here in the morning.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

We said our goodbyes before we headed out the door.

“I’ll meet you at home.” she said.

“Be careful. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

We kissed and then got into our separate vehicles to drive home. She made it home before me and I saw her when she let the dogs back into the house.

“Abby?”

“Yeah?”

“Where are you?”

“Walking in from the backyard. I let Baz and Peyton out already.” she said.

“Ready for bed, then?” I said, walking over to her.

“Yes.”

Her face was buried in my chest while I wrapped my arms around her.

"Let's go retire to the bedroom." she said in a weird voice, pointing towards the stairs.

I laughed and followed her and the dogs up the steps. I was already in bed while I waited for Abby.

"Hey." she yawned, crawling into bed.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

She smiled and kissed me with me deepening the kiss.

“Can you believe that Jack and Miranda are gonna be parents tomorrow? It’s crazy.”

“It is, but those two love each other and both of us know this is the happiest they’ve ever been.”

“They’re gonna be great parents. I just know it.”

“Me too.”

“I just hope I can sleep.”

“I’m sure you will.”

“Goodnight. I love you.”

“‘Night. Love you, too.”

Notes