At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks [100]
“What are we supposed to do in the meantime?”
The nurse thought about it. “I guess you could watch television if you like. The remote is by the bedstand.”
“My wife’s in labor. I don’t think she’s in the mood for television.”
“Or not,” the nurse said. “But like I said, you might be here a while. I once had a woman in labor for nearly thirty hours.”
Jeremy paled, as did Lexie. Thirty hours? Before they could dwell on it, another contraction started, and Jeremy’s attention was diverted not only by Lexie’s discomfort, but by the pain he felt when she dug her nails into his hand.
They turned on the television half an hour later.
It seemed wrong, but they couldn’t think of anything else to do in between the contractions, which were still eight minutes apart. Jeremy had the sudden suspicion that the baby was going to take her own sweet time. Not even born yet and already mastering the skill of being fashionably late. Even had he not been told beforehand, he would have definitely made the assumption that he was having a girl.
Lexie was doing okay. He knew not only because he asked, but also because afterward she punched him in the arm.
Doris showed up about an hour later, dressed in her Sunday best, which seemed more than appropriate for this special day. Thinking back, he was glad he had showered. With no speedup in the contractions, they still had plenty of time.
Doris seemed to take over the room, arms flailing, looking as if she were swarming toward the bed. She’d had a child, she said, so she knew exactly what to expect, and Jeremy could tell Lexie was glad she’d arrived. When Doris asked if she was doing okay, Lexie didn’t punch her. She simply answered the question.
He had to admit, that bothered him a bit. Actually, so did the fact that Doris was even around. He knew it was petty, that she’d raised Lexie and wanted to share in this special day, but a part of Jeremy believed this was something that just the two of them should share. Afterward there would be plenty of time for bonding and sharing and feeling giddy. Still, as he moved to a chair in the corner of the room, he never considered saying anything. It was one of those instances where even the most delicate diplomacy might cause offense.
He spent the next forty-five minutes half listening to their conversation, half watching Good Morning America. A big chunk of it was devoted to the ongoing campaigns of Al Gore and George W. Bush, and Jeremy found himself tuning out whenever either of them opened his mouth. But it was easier than overhearing how selfish he’d been when she woke him earlier that morning.
“He was cutting his fingernails?” Doris said, eyeing him with mock outrage.
“They were getting kind of long,” he said.
“And then he drove like a maniac,” Lexie added. “The tires were actually squealing.”
Doris shook her head in disappointment.
“I thought she was about to have the baby,” Jeremy said defensively. “How was I to know that we had hours to spare?”
“Well, listen,” Doris said, “I’ve been through this before, so I stopped at the drugstore on the way and picked you up a few magazines. Brainless stuff, but it’ll help pass the time.”
“Thanks, Doris,” Lexie said. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too,” Doris said. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
Lexie smiled.
“I’m going to pop downstairs and get a cup of coffee, okay?” Doris went on. “Would you mind?”
“No, go ahead.”
“Would you like anything, Jeremy?”
“No, I’m doing okay,” he said, ignoring the growling in his stomach. If Lexie couldn’t eat, then neither would he. It seemed like the right thing to do.
“See you soon,” Doris chirped. On her way out the door, she touched Jeremy’s shoulder and leaned toward him. “Don’t worry about this morning,” she said. “My husband did the same thing. I found him cleaning his office. It’s normal.”
Jeremy nodded.
The contractions started coming faster. First every seven minutes, then every six. An hour later, they seem to have stabilized again at five minutes. Joanie and Iris—another