âWell at least we donât have to worry about who has the kids. I think the second time around for that would be difficult.â Good thing they didnât have to think about that sort of thing. They didnât have shuffle two kids between the two of them. âHoney Iâve been stuck with you since the day we met.â It was the truth because after he met her, Theo had been done with his antics. Ginger was it for him. He snorted, âNo, no I did not look like someone who should consider being a parent. Youâd be right about that. Yes I know what you mean â she changed us just like having each other changed us.â The things that she didnât get to do with Nicolette, she was going to be able to with their son. This birth was different from the last one already too; Ginger had been able to carry to full term. âDonât worry Iâll make sure you get to snuggle him.â Now wasnât the time to talk about his mother and how much she had improved. There were more pressing matters to deal with, like getting Ginger to the hospital when it was time. âHeâs doing some bizarre version of gymnastics in there,â he said with a laugh. At least thatâs what it felt like to him anyway. Calm wasnât always the right solution but he also knew how freaked out Ginger could become. Maybe thatâs why he was so calm because if he was then sheâd sort of be calm as well. Theo nodded, âYes the OB told you to wait until theyâre apart so many minutes or until your water breaks. My mom is on her way and so is Kirstyn. I told her to meet us at the hospital, my mom I mean, but she wants to come here first. Your brothers are getting the next available flight out.â There had been a lot going on that morning and while he was used to having a lot to do in the morning; this took it to a whole new level of busy. âI feel helpless right now despite making phone calls. Like thereâs nothing for me to actually doâŠ.â He looked at the stopwatch on her phone moving his hand that had been around her waist to her back running it up and down while she dealt with a contraction. When Kirstyn and his mom finally got there he was able to check to see how far along Ginger was dilated. He helped Ginger into the bathroom downstairs and into a comfortable position. âAre you serious? Youâre going to check how much sheâs dilated?â Kirstyn asked. Theo gave Kirstyn a look one that said shut up. âI think itâs safe for me to check my own wifeâs dilation.â He rolled his eyes and shut the door, helping his wife out of her pajamas pants and underwear. Then he washed his hands. This was a new experience for him and probably for Ginger too. Sure he had seen waters break on the job but this was new for him. He had gotten between her legs, proceeding to check how dilated she was with his fingers. âHow theâŠyour water shouldâve broken by now. Youâre like three centimeters dilated.âÂ
Ginger chuckled,  âThe sentiment there was sweet, but the phrasing left a little to be desired.â But it was true. That first night they met... it was over. He was it. She snickered a bit, âTo be fair I had pink hair and was on my fourth or fifth shot of tequila. So.... Yeah no parent vibes coming from me either.â She smiled a bit at him and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. âYou walked in that room and my life changed forever. Just like the moment Nicolette came.â She nodded, âThank you. I just... I want to feel him there where he belongs.â It was hard to explain, but after carrying around this little person for nine months all she wanted to do was hold him in her arms. She smiled at Theo and giggled, âNicolette did the exact same thing. To be fair you were a hair more distant the first go around so I donât know if you noticed. But right before contractions she would wiggle and press her butt out like she was trying to stretch before it got tight in there.â She looked down and smoothed her top over her stomach once more, watching as you could see movement from inside. She nodded at all of Theoâs statements and cupped her hand against his jaw, âMerci, mon coeur.â She blushed a bit, âIâm not used to this much attention. With Nicolette it was just you and me. This time weâve got four other people involved.â She was gritting her teeth as she felt his hand move to rub her back and she spoke, âJust do that...â she breathed out shakily, groaning softly, âJust stay with me.â He was doing plenty by holding her. Eventually at the hospital sheâd need his help to walk around or sit on a ball or lean or whatever was most comfortable. When Kirstyn and Trisha showed up she was in the middle of another contraction so she shooed Theo to go let them in. She whimpered softly but swallowed it before anyone could hear and woke up Nicolette, âMon chouchou, grand-mĂšre et tante Kirstyn sont ici.â She smiled as the little girl gasped and went flying for them. She gave the two women a weak smile and waved, feeling the contraction start to pass. She reached for Theo to help her up and gave them both hugs as best she could, âThank you, both of you.â she spoke softly. She then was being pulled towards a bathroom and felt her face flush red, âCan we not talk about this ever again?â And with that Theo and her were alone again. She sighed and let him get her settled before checking her. Her nose scrunched up as she felt him check her - not enjoying the sensation. Then she groaned, âSeriously?!â Her lips pulled in a pout, âHow am I only 3 centimeters? Itâs been like 8 hours since my first contraction - more if you count the first pains. So probably more like 12.â she whined, âJust help me get dressed please?â She looked discouraged at best and sighed resting her head against his chest before going back out there, her hand rubbing small circles on her stomach. She collected herself, wiping the few stray tears that had fallen, and went out to sit with Kirstyn and Trisha. She smiled weakly, as Trisha gave her a look of sympathy. The next couple hours passed without much incident - the contractions keeping steady. She groaned at one point and pushed off of Theoâs shoulder to stand up. She held up a hand, âBefore you say anything Iâm pregnant, not crippled. I want a cup of tea.â She sort of waddled off to the kitchen, going about her business. She felt a bit of pressure and a trickle and she crossed her legs. Great. Sheâd peed herself. She sighed, âTheo...â she called, sounding incredibly annoyed. Then she stepped out again and she felt a whoosh - followed by a sound like sheâd spilled her tea. She looked down with a sort of wide eyed look and then a contraction hit. Her lips parted and she braced herself on the counter, the other hand pressing into her stomach, âTheo. Viens ici maintenant. Seul s'il te plaĂźt.â she sounded calm, but there was a tension in her voice she knew Theo would pick up on as the contraction got even stronger. She gasped and whimpered, bending over and gritting her teeth as the pain increased.Â