The day after Ava and Ben had their ultrasound, they had Jack, Elizabeth, Kayla, Drew, and Harlow over for a small reveal party.
Ava had bought a large balloon with helium and colored confetti inside. When they popped it, it would reveal pink or blue, depending on gender.
Also, she made a cake with the color inside.
She was so excited to share the news with her new family. It was bittersweet that her parents or at least her father wasn't there though.
"Okay, Ava. I got it!" Ben said, setting the laptop up in the living room.
"Got what?"
"I got your Dad and Livy and Matt on the computer so they can see too."
"Oh! That's a great idea! Thank you, babe."
"You're welcome."
As soon as everyone was settled, they stood up in front. "Livy, Matt? Lee? Can you see us?" Ben asked.
They confirmed. "Alright, everyone ready?"
Ava took the straight pin and popped the balloon, showering her and Ben with pink confetti. "Its a girl!" Everyone cheered and hugged them.
"Do you have names picked out?" Livy asked.
"Yes. It's going to be Kinsey Chayse."
"Oh! I love that!"
"We do too," Ben said.
"Congratulations!"
Ava looked at the computer screen. "Daddy?"
"I'm here, sweetheart. Congratulations."
"Thank you. I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"I wish you were here." Her eyes filled with tears. "I wish for a lot of things."
"Sweetheart, do you want me to come visit?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll see if your mom will too. You know, she misses you."
"I don't know about that."
"She does. She said she tried to call you a couple weeks ago but you didn't answer."
"We were on our honeymoon."
"I'll tell her."
"Please come, Daddy."
"They can stay with us," Elizabeth offered. "In our guest room."
"That's very kind. Dad, Elizabeth says you can stay with them."
"Alright. I'll let you know when I'm coming. I love you, baby girl."
"I love you too."
Elizabeth walked over to Ava and handed her a large gift bag. "What's this?"
"Its from Kayla, Livy, and myself."
"You didn't have to bring gifts."
"We love you and this little girl. We want to help out. Oh and there is something over at our place for you too."
She sat down and took out the tissue paper. She took out lots of baby things. Bottles, wipes, diapers, a thermometer, washcloths, onesies, tiny socks and blankets. There were so many things.
"Who knew babies needed this much stuff?"
"Well, we have a stroller and a "pack 'n play" next door, too," Elizabeth told her. "I figure we can keep the "pack 'n play" over there for when we babysit."
"Wow! Thank you so much. I can't wait to decorate the nursery."
"I'll help!" Kayla and Elizabeth said together. Everyone chuckled.
"Great. I could use it."
Later, Ben moved everything to the nursery and then made Ava some tea, which helped her sleep. He took it in to her and then climbed into bed.
"Well that was fun."
"It was. I just wish my Mom had been watching."
"Yeah. That would have been nice."
"I just feel like she is so disappointed in me, you know?"
"Babe, don't get mad but do you think maybe you're just still disappointed in yourself?"
"Maybe. Don't you feel guilty?"
"Not anymore. Now I'm just happy." He put his hand on her tummy. "We may not have thought things through but our daughter is not a mistake to me. She's a blessing."
Christmas and New Years passed by quickly. Everyday Ava felt her baby girl kick and move and finally Ben did too.
Kayla, Elizabeth and Ava painted the nursery walls a very pale pink and added sheer white curtains and a soft rug. Then they added a white dresser, changing table and crib.
When her last month of pregnancy started in early April, something strange happened. She was in class one morning when she felt a trickle of moisture running down her leg.
She excused herself and waddled to the bathroom. Then she called Ben. He was also in class but he answered right away.
"Ava?".
"Ben, I'm scared. I think my water broke or something."
"Okay. Where are you?"
"In the bathroom."
"I'll meet you outside the Science building. We can call your doctor from there."
She hurried back to class and apologized. Then she grabbed her bag and books and hurried to the entrance. Ben was there already.
"My car is in lot B. Can you make it that far?"
"Yes. I feel fine. I'm just scared."
He was too. He took her hand and gave her a kiss. "Just think, we might get to meet Kinsey today."
"Yeah. But this is not supposed to happen now. I'm supposed to have four more weeks. What if she's not ready? Now I'll have to miss Livy's wedding."
"But we get to meet Kinsey," he repeated, a huge smile on his face.
Livy and Matt said goodbye to his parents. Jesse and Clara had gone to therapy together the last few months and had found closure from the death of Amber. Jesse had moved back into the house and both were planning on flying up to Ann Arbor for the wedding about a week later.
Livy's phone buzzed. "Oh! Ben says they think Ava's water broke!"
"She still has a month," Matt told her.
"I know. Wow. I hope we make it in time."
There was a good chance since the flight was only a little over three hours.
Jack and Elizabeth got in the car as soon as they got the text from Ava and they picked up Harlow and Kayla on the way to the hospital.
They were going to wait to text Lee to make sure it was actually labor. Whenever it happened, he promised he would be on his way. Rosie had yet to make a visit.
When Ava and Ben arrived at the hospital, she was experiencing light contractions. When the nurses had her situated in bed, they hooked her up to a monitor to see how often the contractions were happening.
"We are going to get you down for an ultrasound soon, honey," the nurse told her.
"Okay."
Ben held her hand and watched as everything happened. The ultrasound showed a decrease in fluid but the amniotic sac hadn't fully ruptured yet.
The contractions were mild and not really too uncomfortable and she was only dilated to one centimeter so they decided to monitor her progress over the next few hours.
"I'm going to go tell everyone," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
"Please, Ben. Don't leave," she told him, holding on to his arm.
"Okay. I'll text them."
Over the next twenty four hours, they monitored her closely, making sure she didn't develop an infection. They gave her antibiotics to prevent it and kept her on a fetal monitor and gave her an injection to help mature Kinsey's lungs.
That evening, they told her that everything was stable so they would just be monitoring.
Ben stayed with her, sleeping in a recliner next to her bed. By the third morning in the hospital, the doctor suggested inducing her.
"What does that mean?" Ava asked, squeezing Ben's hand.
"That means that we are going to give you a medicine through your IV that will start your labor."
"But she is too early, isn't she?"
"Well, we gave you the medicine two days ago to help mature your baby's lungs so likely there won't be an issue there."
"Likely?" Ben asked. "Why can't we just wait?"
"Because your wife's water ruptured and even partially, she and your daughter are at risk for infection."
Ben looked down at Ava. He could see she was scared. He bent down and gave her a kiss. "Its going to be okay, babe."
"What if it isn't? I don't want to lose her, Ben."
"We won't. I think we should induce labor. It sounds less risky than leaving her inside right now."
"Please don't leave me, Ben."
"Sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere."
The doctor gave the orders to start the induction and Ava tried to stay calm. But right now, she wanted her Mom. As many issues as they had, she wanted her to assure her that everything was going to be fine.
Ben laid down on her bed next to her and held her close. "Its okay, babe."
"I need to talk to my Mom."
"Okay." He handed her the phone and she dialed the number. The phone just rang and rang and rang.
"Would it help to talk to my mom? I know it's not the same but she would be glad to help."
"Yeah. I'll call her."
A moment later, she picked up. "Ben?"
"No, Mrs. Thornton, its Ava."
"Hi, sweetheart! How are you?"
"Not so good," she said, her voice breaking.
"Do you want me to come?"
"Will you?"
"I'll be there in about thirty minutes."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I love you. I'll be right there."
"Okay."
As promised, Elizabeth showed up just as the nurse was giving her the Pitocin to induce labor.
She walked in and put a brown crocheted teddy bear in a pink crocheted dress next to her on the table.
"That's so sweet."
"I made it."
"You did? Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Now tell me what's worrying you."
"They are inducing me and I guess it scares me."
"Us," Ben gently corrected.
"Well, I was induced when I had you, Ben. You were a stubborn little bugger who didn't want to come out. If you had stayed in any longer, you would have been ten pounds."
Ava wiped her cheeks. "I tried calling my mom and she didn't answer. So Ben suggested you and...I'm glad you're here."
"I'll stay as long as you need me. But as soon as I've overstayed my welcome, tell me and I'll go sit in the waiting room with Jack."
"Dad's here?"
"Are you kidding? He can't wait to meet his second granddaughter."
Over the next few hours, she started feeling uncomfortable. Her contractions were getting a bit stronger and more painful.
Once she couldn't take the pain anymore, she asked for an epidural. Then, another half an hour later, she was numb and able to rest. She closed her eyes and sighed, holding on to Ben's hand and dreaming about their daughter that was going to make an appearance very soon.
Before she knew it, she woke up with a lot of pressure. "Babe? What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I feel weird."
Elizabeth pushed the call button.
"Yes?"
"My daughter-in-law needs someone. I think she's getting close."
"We will be right in."
"How long was I asleep?"
"About two hours," Ben told her.
A nurse came in. "Alright, Ava. What's happening?"
"I feel a lot of pressure."
"Okay. Let me check you and see how close you are." She took a peek and pushed the call button herself. "Yes, we need Dr. Paul in here now. Crowning."
"What does that mean?" Ben asked.
"It means you're about to meet Kinsey," Elizabeth told him. She kissed Ben's cheek and Ava's forehead. "I'm going to the waiting room. Let us know when she's here."
"You can stay," Ava told her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, please."
"Alright. I'll stay."
She would always remember the moment when she saw Kinsey and heard her first tiny cry. Tears were absolutely present in her eyes and Ben and Ava's. It was a God-given miracle and she was honored to be a part of it again.
She slipped out when it came time for Kinsey to eat, assuring her she and Jack would be back once they got some sleep.
Ben watched Ava feed Kinsey and he couldn't imagine loving two people more.
She turned her eyes and looked at Ben. "Hey."
"Hey. You're beautiful."
"Thanks. And thank you for staying."
Ben got up and sat next to her on the bed. "There is nowhere else I would be. You're my wife and Kinsey is our daughter."
"I love you." He leaned toward her and kissed her soft, sweet lips.
"I love you more."
