He's So Aggravating, But I Think I Like Him

Chapter Nineteen

Mandy -9 Months

I came back from Florida about a month and a half ago, nothing in particular happened that's worth mentioning. The guys were happy when I came back, and after I unpacked all of my stuff, life went on as usual.

Now, I'm nine months pregnant and the baby is due any minute now.

Which is why I've barely left the house this week. It would be so embarrassing if my water broke in public.

I was sitting on the couch in the living room when I heard a knock on the door. I pushed myself off the couch with a little effort and answered the door. It was Ronnie, bringing our food, because our house has nothing to eat. I called the other four guys into the kitchen to come eat. Jacky, Derek, Ron, and Ryan made their way in and grabbed their food. The four of them had been staying with us for two days, since I was so close to my due date. They all wanted to be here to support me.

We all ate and talked and threw food at each other, and I had to fight back tears as I looked over the group around me. Who knew I'd end up with such an awesome family?

"Mandy, are you okay? Is it time?" Jacky asked, his panic making everyone else turn their head.

I shook my head, "No, I just love you guys so much."

Everyone awed and pulled me into a group hug, then we began eating our food more quickly. We all finished eating and sat on the couch while Ryan went to pick out a movie. We continued to talk until he found one we'd like and put it in the DVD player. As 27 Dresses started, we all got blankets and got comfortable.

About halfway through the movie, I felt a small cramp, and despite its size, it was pretty painful. I shook it off and continued to watch the movie.

About fifteen minutes later, I felt it again, but stronger. I gripped my stomach, gaining the attention of Derek, who was sitting next to me. He mouthed, "Are you okay?"

I nodded, and we kept watching the rest of the movie, Derek glancing at me every time I flinched from the cramps. I tried to ignore it, not wanting to ruin the movie for everyone else.  Not too long after, though, I felt a wet sensation where I was sitting and I looked down to see my water had broken.

"Uh, guys," I said, getting everyone's attention. I met everyone's surprised, and Ronnie's horror stricken, eyes.

"Mandy! On the couch?!" Ronnie yelled, and I gave him an deadpanned look, making him speak again, "I was kidding, let's go mama, it's the big day."

I stood up carefully from the couch, just in time for another contraction to hit, and I rested my hand on the wall. It took all that I had to not moan in pain.

"Okay," I sighed.

Ronnie wrapped an arm around my waist delicately, and we walked gingerly outside to the car. The contractions were getting closer together, which meant that the time was coming. Even though I've been prepared for the baby since I found out about it, now that I was going into labor, I was really nervous. We never took another lamaze class, and I was so scared of the pain to come. I didn't know if I'd be able to handle it.

Derek was in the back seat with me, keeping me calm as we drove to the hospital in silence, other than the sound of my heavy breathing.

Once we arrived, I was taken in a wheelchair to a cold room with a cot and some machines I couldn't identify. A nurse came in shortly after to change me into a hospital gown and verbally prepare me as best as she could.

Once I assured her she was fine, she began checking my vitals and my dilation. It was a little uncomfortable, but I managed. She left the room once she was done.

Soon, a doctor came in and addressed me, "Hello, I'm Dr. Nathan, and I'll be delivering your baby. Mandy, your dialated enough to be given epidural and begin pushing," he said. I nodded slowly, and the nurse who changed my clothes came back in and gave me a shot in my back to numb my lower half. The doctor was finishing up preparations for my childbirth when I turned to Ronnie and Jacky.

"Can you guys hold my hands?" I asked them. Ronnie was the baby's "father" and Jacky was my "brother". Derek was in the waiting room with Ron and Ryan. It was just the three of us, and I could see how nervous they both were.

"Alright, Mandy, deep breath and then push for ten seconds. And go," Dr. Nathan said.

I sucked in a deep breath of air, and began pushing on his count.