This next month had gone by quickly as we all tried to prepare for the rains to come. We had very little time for soccer, poker or chess. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and went to bed. It was difficult for me to do a whole lot but I could carry water to my friends in the field, I could make bread and the meals. It made me feel useful to do what I could. I felt bad enough that everyone was doing my chores. I was wobbling around now, my belly was swollen. I got laughed at often because it was a lot easier to put my plate of food on my belly than to try to lean over and eat on the table. I had ballooned and I was trying not to be miserable.
This morning, Paige, Trudy, and I were in the kitchen starting to get ready to make bread and then we heard it. A deep roll of thunder, we all looked at each other. I knew it was way too early for the rainy season. "Maybe it's just a thunder storm" Paige said uncertainly. "Let's just keep working, Jeb will come and get us when he needs too." Trudy said. So we kept working, they had been teaching me lullaby's. As soon as we finished "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" Jeb entered the kitchen with a big smile on his face. "I don't mean to interrupt you ladies, but it seems as the rains have come early this year. I'm having everyone move into the game room now." He walked over to the pot of vegetable stew and lifted the lid. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply "You girls are making me fat." He smiled and winked "See you at lunch, work to do"
Trudy and Paige informed me that the rainy season was unpredictable. Sometimes it would be early, or it would be late, it could last for weeks, or it could last for months. It wasn't anything to worry about. The girls talked about 'mother nature' and how moody she could be. The conversation was light and filled with laughter as the hours passed. Everyone was shuffling into the kitchen for lunch. I was thankful to finally eat and sit down. When Ian entered my face lit up as he walked over to me and kissed my forehead "Feeling ok?" he asked me. "I feel great! Just really hungry" I reassured him.
That evening we made our way down to the game room and it had already begun to fill up. Andy, Brandt, and Geoffrey were already there trying to convince Uncle Jeb to join them in a "friendly" game of poker. Lucina was trying to calm Isaiah and Freedom down, but they were dashing away from her playing with the soccer ball. I laughed at her because she was trying so hard to hide the frustration in her face. I looked around and a feeling of content came over me. Ian was right, this is my huge family and I loved every one of them.
"Hey Wanda!" I heard Rowan say "You want to play the winner of this next game?" Rowan and Jaime were sitting on a mattress playing chess. Rowan winked and said "You know it's gonna be me again." Jaime scowled, then he smiled and leaned over the chess board to kiss Rowan "Baby, you know I let you win" instead of a kiss he was expecting Rowan gently slapped his cheek "Whatever loser" they were so funny together. "No thanks Row" I said "I'm ready for bed, I'm beat".
Ian squeezed my hand and said "That sounds like a great idea" he led me over to our mattress. As I lay down with my eyes closed, I loved listening to the sound of the laughter and the friendly banter. Apparently I was better at poker than Uncle Jeb. Uncle Jeb finally gave up and called for everyone to get to sleep. I smiled at the aggravation in his voice; I knew he didn't like to lose. The conversations died down and I fell asleep easily next to Ian.
"Wanda, Wanda" I heard Ian whispering my name. "Wake up honey". I opened my eyes in confusion "What's wrong?" I asked him. "Either there is a leak in the game room or-"I didn't give him time to finish the pain came quickly and I gripped his arm so hard that I thought I was going to rip it off. "Rubber bands" I managed to get out as grinded my teeth together. "Rubber bands?" he looked at me like I was crazy. Then the pain sharpened and it felt as if my whole body was seizing in pain "RUBBER BANDS!" I yelled out in pain. That seemed to help, the pain left for a few moments and I was gasping for air.
Most everyone woke up with my yell. Jared looked up sleepily "Is she having a nightmare about rubber bands?" Then the pain came back in a crashing wave, "RUBBER BANDS!" I yelled out again in agony. Ian wasn't quick to catch on and was muttering "Rubber bands". I heard Lucina hiss at Jared at the same time "No you idiot, she's gone into labor." As soon as Lucina said this everyone jumped up to get a better look at me. The pain slowly faded and I couldn't catch my breath. This hurt bad, I was suddenly angry at Lucina for not telling me how bad this would hurt.
I heard Doc say "Ian, Jared, Kyle come on, we got to get her to the hospital now!" I felt Ian put one my arms around his shoulder and I put my hand in his soft hair to help comfort me, Jared put my other arm around his shoulder and I looked him in the eyes. He was frightened "It's going to ok" I couldn't tell if we was reassuring me or himself. "Can you walk?"
I nodded, it wasn't that far to the hospital and I could do this. We were no more than halfway there when the pain came again. I crumpled to the floor as the pain brought tears to my eyes and I yelled out a grunt. I heard Ian say "Ow, ow, Jared help me." I looked up and didn't realize that I had a death grip on Ian's hair and I immediately let go. "Sorry baby" I managed to get out. Jared was laughing "That's the most violent I've ever seen Wanda! Come on let's get her to the hospital.
As we arrived Paige, Lucina, Doc and Candy were already waiting for me. They helped me to the gurney and Paige had a cool towel on my forehead. "Wanda, just like we practiced. It's going to be ok" before I could answer another wave of pain came crashing over me "IAN!" "I'm here honey, I'm here" and he gave me his hand.