Mistakes

Chapter 5

Maddie had enjoyed being pregnant, but now; she was just done with it. Her belly was huge and her feet hurt constantly. She checked her email, hoping for one from Mike, but there was nothing. She was beginning to wonder if he'd had to go to EmComm. Her mom had arrived and was getting settled into the apartment. Maddie rubbed her belly and was given a kick from Molly.

According to her last doctor's appointment, Molly had turned down and Maddie had had contractions off and on for several days, but so far, she was not in full-labor. Part of her hoped Mike would reappear in time for the birth, but things were getting really nasty so she doubted it. She got up and waddled to the bathroom, but didn't think she'd made it in time, about a forth of the way there.

"Damn it!" Maddie said, angry at herself. Her mom; Teresa came out of the bedroom she would be occupying and looked at Maddie in shock.

"What's wrong?" Teresa asked.

"I just peed myself!" Maddie snapped.

"You sure? Or was it your water breaking?" Teresa asked.

"Is there a difference?" Maddie retorted.

"A big one. I think we need to get you to the hospital just in case." Teresa said.

"To have them tell me I peed myself?" Maddie asked just as a contraction hit, far worse than the others. She grabbed ahold of the door frame to steady herself. "Oh…" Maddie moaned.

"Yep, let's go." Teresa said. She took Maddie's hand and helped her into the living room. Maddie sat while Teresa gathered up her go-bag and Molly's things. Within just a few minutes, Maddie was headed to the hospital, where she was quickly admitted. Before the hard labor really started; Maddie sent Mike an email on his phone letting him know the baby was on its way. Hopefully, he'd receive it.

Her entire pregnancy, Maddie had been warned about her first labor being slow, but it seemed to progress fast. They barely got the epidural in before it was too late, and Maddie was dilated to a ten in no time. She checked for a reply from Mike before her mom took the phone away, telling her she needed to concentrate on her present task.

Maddie began pushing and breathing when she was told to. It seemed like an eternity, but finally, she heard a baby crying. A beautiful baby was placed on her chest and Maddie smiled through the tears.

"She is beautiful, honey." Teresa said.

"Is she okay?" Maddie asked the nurse.

"Yes, perfectly healthy. Nine pounds, four ounces and twenty-one inches long. We'll get you taken care of and you'll be settled into a room." The nurse answered.

"Has Mike emailed?" Maddie asked her mom, who checked Maddie's cellphone.

"No, but I'm sure he is just busy." Teresa reassured Maddie.

"I just wanted him to know. I guess I should email him a picture of her now." Maddie said. Teresa snapped a picture of Molly, typed out a message that both baby and mom were okay, and gave him Molly's specifics before she sent it.

"You'll hear from him. Now just relax." Teresa said. She patted Maddie's arm and tucked the blanket closer to Molly. Maddie and Molly were moved to a private room and Maddie gave Molly her first bottle. The baby was not shy about eating. Once she finished eating and burped; Teresa took over her care so Maddie could take a nap. Just before she dozed off, she focused on the TV. The news was on and it was talking about a Naval ship being hit by some sort of torpedo.

"Mom…what ship are they talking about?" Maddie asked. Teresa turned the volume up, listened for a minute and turned back to Maddie.

"Honey, it's the Mitchener, but you have to remain calm. Molly needs you calm. You said yourself that Mike was tough. Just hang onto that." Teresa said as Maddie dissolved into tears.