“Gunner! That shit doesn’t work. Just get me to the hospital, so they can give me an epidural, and we can get this kicker out of me.”
I smiled as I started the truck and made my way down the driveway.
I knew better than to talk to Ellie, so I just stayed quiet until we got to the hospital. Her contractions were getting closer together. By the time they got Ellie into her room, I thought she was going to pull her hair out and then go after mine.
“Where is Pete?” Ellie asked the nurse.
“Dr. Johnson will be in at any moment, Mrs. Mathews.”
“Gunner, Ellie, how are y’all?” Pete asked as he walked in. He shook my hand and then turned to look at Ellie. “Ellie, how are you feeling?”
Ellie shot him the dirtiest look. “I’m in pain—a lot of pain. I want an epidural—like yesterday.”
Pete laughed as he began to examine Ellie, and then he quickly looked over at me.
“Ugh!” Ellie called out as she grabbed on to the sheets and threw her head back.
I knew by the look in Pete’s eyes that Ellie wasn’t going to get an epidural.
“Um…if you’ll excuse me, I think I need to use the restroom,” I said as I started to make my way out of the room.
He quickly stood up in front of me and laughed. “Oh no.” He leaned in and said quietly, “You bastard, you are not leaving me alone to tell her.”
“Damn it, come on, Pete. We’ve become good friends. Do a guy a favor. I’ve invited you to my house on numerous occasions. You know how strong these pregnant women are. She’s not going to take it out on you. It’s going to be me who will pay for this!” I whispered.
“What in the hell are you two whispering about over there? I want this baby out! It feels like he’s coming out!” Ellie yelled.
Pete grabbed me and pushed me over toward the nurse. “Get him ready.”
I heard Pete talking to Ellie. “Ellie, honey, you’re at ten centimeters, and the baby is about to start crowning—”
“What?” Ellie called out.
“Uh…Dr. Johnson…” one of the nurses said.
The other nurse was putting a gown on me. She smiled and nodded at me when she was done, and I turned back to hold Ellie’s hand.
“Ellie—” Pete started to say.
Ellie cut him off with another contraction.
I’d never seen Pete move so fast, not even in our flag football games. The next thing I knew, he was telling Ellie to push, and she was squeezing the hell out of my hand.
“Um…Ells, can you let up just a little bit, baby? It’s kind of hurting,” I said.
She snapped her head over to me, and her eyes turned dark gray.
Holy shit.
“You. You did this to me. You want to know what hurts? Oh god!”
Another contraction hit her as Pete told her to give him a good push.
Ellie flopped back down and started shaking her head. “I can’t…I can’t do it anymore. I’m so tired, and it hurts so bad, Gunner. Just…just cut him out.”
Pete chuckled, and I looked at him. He shrugged and smiled at me.
He said, “Come on, Ellie. I see his head. Just a little bit more, honey, and then I promise, you can rest.”