Whatever Happens - Chapter 12

Riley was getting really tired of … well of being pregnant. Aside from the swollen feet, waddling everywhere, and being tired all the time, the main reason was because she was just so excited to meet her son. As a matter of fact, she and Danny had just put the finishing touches on the nursery. They had a changing table, crib, and rocking chair in the corner of their bedroom. Danny moved all the furniture around and somehow made it all fit. Now they were heading across the hall at Bens request. Danny opened the door for Riley and she made her way over to the yellow couch in the middle of the living room. Danny sat down next to her, as if he left her side for a second, she would go into labor.

"Okay so the reason I called you guys over, is I need help planning Emma's 2nd birthday party." Ben said as he came into the living room.

"Any and all ideas welcome. As long as their within reason, and budget."

"Well as much as I love Emma, I'm not dressing up as a clown again." Danny said almost immediately.

"Yeah, and I'm going to be very pregnant then," Riley said, "I don't even know if I'll be able to make it out of the house , except to go to the hospital."

"You guys are horrible party helpers."

"Ben we're sorry. Maybe you could just have it here with some friends of Emma's from daycare. We'll help decorate, and it's right across the hall, so no matter how pregnant I am I can just waddle over." Riley suggested.

"Thanks Riles, I knew I could count on you. And Danny, instead of a clown, how bout you dress up as Emma's favorite TV character, Gobbie, from the Giggle Gang?"

Riley gave her husband a look and a pat on the knee, more like a slap really, and he reluctantly accepted.

They sat there for the next couple of hours, ironing out all the details. Eventually Danny had to leave for his last game of the season. He had told Riley he didn't want to go but she had insisted.

"Danny I'm not due for another couple of weeks. Go play and I'll see you later tonight."

"Two weeks is not a long time Riley, what if something happens while I'm gone.

"Then I will come here, have Ben take me to the hospital, and we will call you on the way." Even after her little speech Riley still sensed his reluctance to leave. It wasn't until Ben said,

"Dude I promise Riley will be fine. I'll even check in on her to make sure."

"You promise?"

"I swear on my child, now go you're gonna be late."

Bens reassurance seemed to do the trick and with a quick from Riley, he was on his way.

"Remember, no going into labor without me." he said just before he walked out the door.

Riley stayed for dinner and then started to get tired so she decided to head home. As she stood up from the couch, she all of a sudden felt a sharp pain go through her body. Ben saw and rushed to her side.

"Whoa Riley are you okay?"

"Yeah," she replied "they're just Braxton-Hicks contractions. I've been getting them for a little over a week now. The doctor said they're nothing, just a sign that I'm almost ready to deliver."

"Okay, if you're sure you're alright."

"Positive, goodnight Ben." And with that she was out the door on her way to her bathtub for a nice long soak.

While in the tub she got another contraction and decided to just go lie down. She got out of the tub, dried herself off and threw on her most comfortable nightgown. As she was getting a pair of underwear from the drawer she felt another sharp pain, worse then any she'd ever had before. After she felt a splash on her bare feet. Her water had just broken, and she was all alone in her apartment. Thankfully at that moment she heard the door open and Ben's voice,

"Riley. Just checking on you like I promised Danny, okay bye."

"Ben wait!" Riley screamed from the bedroom, "Come back here, quick!"

Riley could barely see Ben come into the room as she doubled over in pain as another contraction hit her.

"Riley, oh my god. You're in labor."

"Yeah could you get me to the hospital please," she winced and grabbed Bens hand for support, "and call Danny, and your mom. My hospital bag is in the closet."

Riley had to sit down. She watched as Ben rushed around getting everything ready. Next thing she knew, she was in a cab on her way to the hospital. When they got there she was put in a wheelchair and in the blink of an eye she was in a hospital bed, hooked up to all kinds of monitors. The nurse came in to check on her.

"Okay Mrs. Wheeler, you're dilated at 6 centimeters. You should be ready to push within the next 30 minutes."

"No I can't. My husbands not here yet. I can't do this without Danny. Ben did you call him?"

"Yeah he said he was on his way."

"Well I'm sorry but if he doesn't get here before she's fully dilated we're going to have to start without him. Babies aren't known to wait." And with that the nurse left the room. Riley started to panic. She needed Danny and as another contraction hit, all she wished was that Danny would burst through that door. She started her lamas breathing and closed her eyes. The only words coming out of her mouth were,

"Danny … Danny …I need Danny."